Antonia lay back against the pillows, her body still aching from the accident, when Federico pulled up a chair beside her. His expression was serious but gentle as he leaned forward."How are you feeling?" he asked.Antonia let out a slow breath. "I've been better."Federico nodded. "I’d like to ask you some questions, if you don’t mind.”Antonia gave a small nod, signaling him to continue."Did you see the man who hit you?" he asked, his eyes searching hers for any recollection.She shook her head. "No, I couldn’t see his face. He was wearing all black, and his helmet made it impossible to identify him."Federico furrowed his brows. "Then how do you know it was a man?"Antonia’s eyes darkened with memory. "He had a tiger tattoo on his left hand. I saw it the moment he gripped the handlebars before speeding off. And there was something else—a necklace. A silver cross with a skull on it, and the skull had a tiny red diamond in each eye socket."Federico’s face tensed as he reached into
The phone call crackled to life, and the voice on the other end dripped with amusement."You know, Alessandro, you and your brother are absolutely terrible at playing games. That’s why I prefer playing with Antonia," the man taunted, his laughter sending a chill down Alessandro’s spine.Alessandro’s grip on his phone tightened, his knuckles turning white. His voice was cold and laced with fury."You bastard. Count yourself lucky we didn’t get you this time. But believe me, you’re going to pay for what you did."The man chuckled, unbothered. "And what makes you think I’ll pay? I was just having a little fun with her. That’s all. But here I am, being threatened by the almighty Alessandro Amato—one of the greatest tech wizards of our generation. You know, I think the press and the public would love to see you on your knees, begging… all for a woman."Alessandro’s jaw clenched as he remained silent, his chest rising and falling with restrained anger."Wait," the man continued, his voice d
Antonia lay on the hospital bed, eyes fixed on the ceiling, her thoughts simmering with fury and heartbreak.“I promise… you and your precious family will pay for everything you’ve done to me,” she swore silently, her fingers clenching the bedsheet beneath her. “You think I’m weak. You think I’ll stay broken. But once this child is born, I will pick myself up. I’ll work. I’ll save. I’ll care for my father, and then I’ll divorce you. The child can stay with you—I’ll visit as often as I’m allowed—but you can have your fairytale with my stepsister. I won’t stop you. Because by then, Alessandro, you’ll know what regret truly tastes like.”She turned her face to the side, a single tear tracing down her cheek. “Just wait and see.”Morning came, and the room was filled with the sterile scent of the hospital, sunlight streaming through the window. Antonia blinked against the light when Alessandro’s voice pulled her back into the harsh reality."Antonia, get dressed. We’re leaving."She turned
“Lunch is ready,” Alessandro said quietly, his voice soft as he stood beside the bed. The late afternoon light filtered through the curtains, casting golden streaks across Antonia’s sleeping face. She stirred, blinking slowly as she turned over beneath the covers.“How long was I asleep?” she asked, her voice hoarse and quiet.“A while,” he replied, brushing a strand of hair from her cheek. “But it’s good. You needed it. The baby needed it.”Antonia sat up slowly, one hand instinctively resting over the small swell of her stomach. Alessandro reached out to help her steady herself before gesturing toward the hallway.“Come on. Let’s eat.”In the dining room, a warm plate was already set in front of her—a heaping serving of mac and cheese, rich with melted cheese and dotted with large, juicy shrimp.“This actually looks amazing,” she said, taking a bite and savoring it. “Where did you learn to cook like this?”Alessandro gave a half-smile, settling across from her. “So now you complimen
It drifted—back in time, back to the grey hallways of their old school. The smell of chalk and cleaning bleach. The echo of laughter that never quite reached her.He had always noticed her.Antonia wasn’t the loudest girl in the room—far from it. She moved like a shadow, always trying not to exist, hugging the walls with her books clutched tightly to her chest. Her hair was usually tied in a messy ponytail, and her uniform always a little too big, like she was trying to disappear inside it.But her eyes… her eyes burned with a quiet kind of sadness he never forgot.He remembered the day she was humiliated in the locker room. He’d watched it happen—helpless, furious—from the corner of the hallway. She’d stepped out, soaked, head down, as the boys roared with laughter. And Beatrice, standing nearby, smirking like she’d just won a trophy.Alessandro had clenched his fists until his knuckles turned white. He wanted to punch something—someone—but back then, he didn’t have the power. He wa
“Where are we even going, Alessandro?” Antonia asked, resting her hand protectively on her bump as the jet hummed steadily through the skies. “You said my dad is going to be there… I really hope you’re not making another fake promise. I’m tired of holding on to hope.”Alessandro glanced at her, his voice calm but firm. “Have I ever promised you something and failed, Antonia?”She looked away, biting her lip. “You’ve failed me in other ways.”He didn’t respond to that. Instead, he shifted in his seat and said, “If you must know, we’re heading to our family’s private island. It’s called Amato’s Island.”Antonia blinked in disbelief. “Wait—you’re joking, right? Your family owns the A Island? The one celebrities pay millions just to vacation on?”Alessandro gave a small, prideful smirk. “That’s the one.”“I’ve read about it. They say it’s more like a hidden city—private chefs, elite doctors, zero paparazzi. The kind of place most people never even dream of setting foot in.” Her eyes widen
Antonia hesitated at the door when Aldo gestured for her to enter. “This is your room now,” he said, giving her a polite nod before disappearing down the hall.Your room, she repeated in her mind. No… our room.She slowly stepped inside, expecting something cold, sterile—like the man himself. But what she found instead stole her breath.The room was massive, yet warm. It was designed with a perfect blend of masculine sophistication and unexpected softness. Deep navy walls with gold undertones shimmered under the soft light from an elegant chandelier shaped like a constellation of stars. The floor beneath her feet was a dark, glossy wood that gave off a subtle scent of cedar and sea salt.Her eyes were immediately drawn to the wall-to-wall bookshelf, but not for its literature. There, nestled between old hardbacks and framed family photos, was a pristine collection of miniature race cars. Dozens of them—each one unique, from vintage classics to modern F1 models, all placed like treasur
Antonia froze as her eyes caught sight of the woman through the window—frail, still, seated beneath the dim glow of the porch light. Her breath hitched."How... how come she's alive?" she whispered, her voice trembling. "I thought you said she was dead, Alessandro..."Alessandro stood behind her, shirtless, wearing only his pajama pants. His presence was quiet but grounding. He stepped closer, the warmth of his body brushing against her back.“I never said she was dead,” he murmured, voice low. “You asked if she was alive, Antonia... and I didn’t answer.”He leaned down, lips close to her ear, his breath gentle against her skin. “That woman over there... she’s my mother’s twin sister.”Antonia turned her head slightly, eyes searching his as the pieces began to fall into place.“She lost her child years ago,” he continued, voice roughened by memory. “After my mom died... I was asked to stay with her. She started seeing me as her son. It was easier to let her believe it. She loved me li
The sun was just beginning to set, casting a golden glow over the sprawling Amato estate as the sleek black car pulled through the wrought-iron gates.The villa stood proudly at the top of the hill, its stone façade warm under the Italian sun, red and white flowers climbing up the pillars like a living welcome.Antonia leaned forward slightly in her seat, her heart swelling with a mixture of nerves and excitement.Home.After so long, they were finally home.As they rounded the circular driveway, a tall figure stepped out from the front steps.Federico.He was dressed impeccably, his dark hair slicked back neatly, a charming smile stretched across his face.Balloons and colorful banners flapped gently in the breeze, strung across the entrance that read: "Welcome Home!"The twins, Matteo and Antonio, squealed with excitement as the car came to a stop.Before Alessandro or Antonia could even undo their seatbelts, the twins flung the doors open and raced toward Federico."Uncle Federico!
The soft rumble of the Black SUV’s engine echoed in the quiet of the island morning.The air was crisp, filled with the briny scent of the sea and the faint sweetness of tropical flowers.Suitcases were already loaded into the back of the vehicle, and the twins were bouncing on their feet with restless excitement.Roosevelt wiped her eyes discreetly with the edge of her apron, standing beside her two daughters who clutched each other’s hands tightly.Goodbyes never got easier — not with people who had become part of the island’s heart and soul.Antonia crouched down, embracing Roosevelt warmly, her own throat tightening."Thank you," Antonia whispered. "For everything."Roosevelt gave a watery smile and brushed a strand of Antonia’s hair behind her ear, the way a mother might."Take care of yourself, dear. And those beautiful boys," she said, her voice thick with emotion."You’re family to us. Always."The twins ran to hug Roosevelt’s daughters, who knelt down to kiss the boys’ cheeks
The hospital smelled of disinfectant and something faintly metallic.It wasn’t a place Antonia enjoyed visiting, but today, as she walked hand-in-hand with Alessandro and their two sons — Matteo and Antonio — she felt a complicated knot of emotions tighten in her chest.The boys chattered excitedly between them, their matching dark curls bouncing as they tugged Alessandro forward.Their small shoes squeaked against the polished floor, breaking the sterile silence of the hallway.Alessandro glanced down at his sons and then at Antonia, offering a small smile of encouragement.She squeezed his hand tightly, grateful for his presence.At the end of the hall, Antonia’s father’s room came into view.He was sitting up in bed, propped against white pillows, a faded but genuine smile lighting his weathered face the moment he saw them."My girl," he rasped, his voice roughened by both time and illness."And my grandsons.""Daddy," Antonia said softly, leading the boys inside as they raced to t
The study was dimly lit, the rich scent of aged leather and parchment filling the room.The heavy rain outside drummed softly against the windows, a slow, rhythmic sound that usually soothed Alessandro.But tonight, it only seemed to thicken the air between him and Aldo.Aldo stood stiffly by the wide oak desk, his hands folded behind his back, tension carved deep into his features."I know I may sound like a fool," Aldo began, his voice low, almost hesitant, "but I've been hearing things. Whispers from the staff, subtle signs..."He hesitated, then forced himself to continue. "Federico has been meeting with some of the board members. In secret. Away from you."Alessandro, seated behind the massive desk, froze for a heartbeat.Then he lifted his head slowly, his dark eyes flashing with a sudden, sharp anger."Aldo," he said, his voice clipped, "choose your next words very carefully."Aldo swallowed, steadying himself against the weight of Alessandro's glare."I’m only telling you what
The office was empty when Federico slipped inside.The walls, painted a cool shade of ivory, seemed to mock him with their sterile perfection.At the center of the room, gleaming under the soft light, was a grand oak desk — Alessandro’s desk.On it, a simple yet proud name tag sat:CEO — Amato Alessandro.Federico moved closer, his polished shoes silent against the marble floor.He stared at the nameplate for a long moment, his lips curling into a bitter smile.With a slow, deliberate movement, he turned the nameplate over, hiding the name beneath the polished brass back."Not for long," he whispered, his voice low, sharp as broken glass.Without invitation, he slid into Alessandro’s chair, leaning back, his fingers tracing the edges of the desk as if claiming it already.The room blurred around him.A memory, unbidden and unwanted, clawed its way to the surface of his mind.He was eight years old again, standing in the dim hallway of a cramped, rundown apartment.The thin walls did n
The rain fell in a steady rhythm over the Cortez estate that night. Soft, mournful, like the sky itself was grieving something lost long ago.Beatrice sat alone in her old bedroom, the one untouched by time. The satin walls were still lavender, her mother’s favorite color. Her childhood desk stood beneath the window, the corner chipped from the day she flung a silver picture frame across it. She could still remember the sound it made when it shattered—the day her world cracked apart with it.A knock at the door pulled her from her thoughts, but she didn’t answer. The servant left a tray outside anyway.She stayed seated, her fingers gripping the edges of a photo album she hadn’t opened in years. Dust clung to its spine like it was afraid to let go.With trembling hands, she flipped it open.Her mother’s face stared back at her.Lucia Marín.Warm brown eyes, full of mischief and light. A smile that reached into the bones. Beatrice’s breath caught.She remembered the sound of her mother
The laughter of the twins still echoed through the banyan trees, harmonizing with the chirps of cicadas and the rhythmic crashing of waves nearby. Alessandro and Antonia lay side by side on the blanket, their sons nestled between them, the sun dipping lower into the horizon.For a moment, the world felt whole.But not far from the path, just behind a curtain of wild hibiscus and thick foliage, a figure stood watching. Unmoving. Eyes narrowed through the lenses of small binoculars, focused on the family with calculated interest.The man tapped a discreet earpiece and whispered, “They’re here. All of them. Together under the banyan tree.”There was a static pause, then a smooth voice replied on the other end. Calm, cool, almost indifferent.“Good. Just keep watching.”The man shifted slightly behind the bushes, the leaves rustling faintly under his boot. “They’re vulnerable now, Federico. There’s no security around. It’s the perfect time.”A sharp intake of breath came from the other en
The park stretched across the island like a secret meadow untouched by the outside world. Wildflowers danced in the gentle breeze, and sunlight poured through the swaying palms like melted gold. For the first time in a long time, Antonia felt something close to peace.Matteo and Antonio ran a few steps ahead, their laughter ringing like chimes through the warm air. Matteo, ever the more cautious one, stayed near the cobblestone path while Antonio chased a butterfly into the grass, his curly dark hair bouncing as he moved.“Antonio, not too far!” Antonia called gently, adjusting the brim of her straw hat.“I wanna catch it, Mama!” Antonio shouted, a grin stretched across his small face. “It’s blue like your dress!”Antonia glanced down at her dress, laughing softly. “Is it?”“I’m faster than the butterfly!” Antonio declared, arms outstretched as he stumbled, then righted himself.Alessandro chuckled beside her, hands in his pockets, watching their sons with something close to reverence
The sky was awash with a tender orange glow as the morning sun crept across the island, casting golden beams over the villa's whitewashed walls. Birds chirped like a lullaby in the distance, and the air smelled faintly of salt and hibiscus. It was the kind of morning that made everything feel gentle.In the heart of the villa, Antonia crouched beside a small suitcase, carefully folding Matteo’s favorite stuffed lion and Antonio’s striped beach towel into a small tote bag. She glanced at the boys, who were busy putting on their tiny sneakers—Antonio struggling with his left foot and Matteo pretending his sock was a puppet.“Do you think Nonno is going to be awake today?” Antonio asked as he leaned on the wall for balance.Antonia smiled softly. “Yes, baby. He’s feeling much better. We’re just going to visit and bring him some breakfast, okay?”Matteo popped up. “Can I give him my drawing? The one with the sun and the big house?”“You can give him anything you want,” Alessandro chimed i