ANYA
The past month had been a whirlwind of emotions and newfound happiness. In Vincenzo, I had discovered not just a protector, but also a companion who truly understood me. The sense of belonging and acceptance I felt within the estate was unlike anything I had ever experienced before.
Despite the busyness that consumed the estate, Vincenzo always made time for me. His dedication and thoughtfulness left me in awe, and my feelings for him deepened with each passing day. It was as if he had become an integral part of my world, filling the void that had plagued me for so long.
One particular endeavour stood out during this time was Vincenzo's unwavering commitment to helping me face my fears. He recognized the hold that fear had on me, and he made it his mission to guide me through it. Patiently, he became my driving force, offering his constant support and encouragement.
I remember the first time he took me for a drive in his car, his
VINCENZOI loved the sound of danger.I always anticipated danger with a sense of exhilaration.Danger was my domain, and those who dared to challenge me would learn that it was a position they would come to regret. I thrived on the thrill of power, the taste of victory, and the pursuit of justice.It was in my nature to thrive amidst the uncertainty, to relish the power that came with being the one in control. Threats and challenges fueled my spirit, igniting a fire within me that burned brighter with each obstacle I overcame.Chirkov, he knew the danger I posed to him, which was why he treaded cautiously, never daring to set foot on my territory without ample preparation.But now, Emiliano's betrayal perplexed me. He had once been my father's business partner, their alliance seemingly unbreakable. Yet, something had transpired, something that had driven a wedge between them.My father, a desp
VINCENZO"Vincenzo!" Nico's voice filled with alarm jolted me from the shock of being hit. In an instant, he pushed me down, his actions saving me from a potentially fatal shot. The searing pain in my stomach confirmed that I had taken a bullet.Matteo's eyes scanned the surroundings, searching for the hidden assailant responsible for the attack. His determination etched on his face, but despite his efforts, the source of the shot remained elusive. I touched my wounded stomach, feeling the warmth of blood on my hand, but I knew I had to stay strong."Are you okay?" I managed to ask Nico, my voice strained with pain."Boss, you've been hit," Blanca's voice trembled with concern, her worry palpable. They gathered around me, their faces etched with a mix of fear and determination."We need to get you to the hospital," Carlo suggested, his voice laced with urgency."No," I shook my head, mustering my resolve. "Let's go home."
VINCENZOI felt fear grip me like never before, coursing through my veins and paralyzing my every movement. It was a sensation I had rarely experienced in my life, only once before when I held my mother's lifeless body in my arms.Despite the countless dangers I had faced, the tortures endured, and the wounds suffered, fear had never managed to penetrate the walls I had built around myself.But now, as I held Anya's fragile, wet body against mine, fear consumed me. Every fiber of my being trembled with an overwhelming sense of dread. Her coldness seeped into my bones, chilling me to the core. My gaze fell upon her wrist, where the evidence of her desperate act lingered. Anya had tried to take her own life.With trembling hands, I reached out to feel her pulse, praying for the faint beat that reassured me she was still fighting. It was there, weak and fragile, a thread of hope amidst the darkness. Anya was battling for her life, and
ALESSIAThe weight of Vince's words crashed upon me, and I felt my heart constrict with a mix of anguish and disbelief. Anya, had come to mean so much to us, had reached such a point of despair because of the sins of her father.It tore at my soul to think that she had contemplated ending her own life because of the actions of someone she had no control over.Tears welled up in my eyes as I thought about the pain she must have endured, the burden she carried simply by being the daughter of Chirkov. It was unfair, unjust. Why did she have to suffer for the crimes committed by her father?Anya had brought light and joy into our lives, transforming the once mundane estate into a place filled with life and laughter. She had become my friend, my confidante, and losing her was a prospect too painful to bear.Before Anya's arrival, my days were filled with monotony. The estate was a dull and lonely place, with Vince and the ot
VINCENZO“Vincenzo, she would be fine.” Matteo assured me.As Matteo's words resonated in the room, I watched him walk away, his assurance hanging in the air. I acknowledged his words with a silent nod. Deep down, I held onto that hope, clinging to the belief that she would overcome this ordeal.Entering my room, I closed the door behind me, seeking solace in the presence of Anya. My eyes focused on her as she lay there, clean and dressed in fresh clothes, covered by the blankets.The sight of her peaceful form eased some of the turmoil within me, filling me with a sense of both protectiveness and tenderness.Sitting down beside her, I couldn't help but feel the depth of my connection to her, an unspoken bond that had formed between us. She had become an integral part of my life, someone I couldn't ignore or leave behind. The mere thought of anyone hurting her ignited a fierce rage within me, a determination to pr
COSIMA I have been a part of the Cassano family for as long as I can remember. It all started when Camila, Vincenzo's mother, took me in after the tragic loss of my husband. She was a woman of compassion and kindness, always extending her care and love to those in need. I held deep respect for her, admiring her strength and resilience in the face of adversity. However, her husband, Vincenzo's father, was a different story. He was a man shrouded in darkness, his heart tainted with cruelty and brutality. It pained me to witness the way he treated Camila, inflicting pain and suffering upon her for the slightest of reasons. I could never find it within me to harbor any liking or sympathy for him. Throughout the years, I had pleaded with Camila to leave her toxic marriage, to break free from the chains that bound her to such a heartless man. I urged her to prioritize her own happiness and well-being, to disregard
VINCENZO I entered the dark room with a burning anger pulsing through my veins. The person responsible for what happened to Anya would pay dearly for his actions. My gaze settled on the pathetic figure strapped in the torture chair, his body bruised and broken. He awaited my arrival, knowing that his fate was sealed. Carlo and the others bowed as a sign of respect when I entered, but my focus remained solely on the man before me. He looked unfamiliar, and Nico confirmed my suspicions. "I found him roaming amongst our men. He doesn't look familiar," Nico informed me, his voice filled with intrigue. Curiosity gnawed at me, and I needed to extract information from this man, no matter the cost. "What did he say?" I inquired, a sense of urgency in my voice. "He won't say anything," Matteo replied, frustration evident in his tone. "He keeps invoking the Omerta." My patience waned at the mention of the Omerta, the code of sil
ANYAAs I slowly regained consciousness, my head throbbed with an unbearable pain. The dryness in my mouth made it difficult to swallow, and my body ached with a heaviness that felt suffocating.I mustered the strength to open my eyes, only to be greeted by a harsh and overwhelming brightness. I instinctively closed them again, shielding myself from the intense light.Confusion clouded my thoughts as I tried to piece together what had happened. The fragments of memories started to resurface, and the weight of reality settled upon me. The pain, the turmoil—it all came rushing back.Gathering my courage, I forced my eyes open once more, determined to face the harshness of the light. Blinking repeatedly, I allowed my eyes to adjust, gradually taking in my surroundings. And there, in that moment, my gaze fell upon Vincenzo, his eyes closed in what seemed like peaceful slumber.A mix of emotions washed over me as I looked at
ANYAONE MONTH LATERI was incredibly excited today. I was finally going to become Anya Cassano. Since Vincenzo had asked me to marry him, I had been eagerly awaiting this day.I didn't need to call a makeup artist; I already had a professional makeup artist as my best friend. Alessia didn't allow me to see what she was doing until she was finished."You can look at yourself now," she said with an excited tone. With a shaky smile, I turned to the mirror and stared at my reflection.I gasped when I saw myself. I had never known that I could look this beautiful. One thing that stood out was my hair, which was packed into a low bun. White flowers were pinned around my hair, and an elegant crystal tiara graced my head.I looked at my face; shimmery mascara accentuated my eyes. She hadn't used false lashes but had simply applied mascara.The foundation matched my skin tone perfectly, and she had chosen a m
ANYATHREE MONTHS LATERI woke up with an uneasy feeling in my lower abdomen. My stomach tightened, and I moved around the room, trying to ease the discomfort.As I shifted, a sudden, sharp pain shot through me, causing my eyes to widen in alarm. My hand instinctively went to my belly, feeling the tension there. Oh, no. It couldn't be...The sensation of wetness between my legs confirmed my fears. My water had broken. Panic fluttered in my chest as I rushed to the bathroom, managing to keep my composure despite the urgency of the situation. I took a quick shower, changed into fresh clothes, and tied my hair up in a bun.Walking carefully, I made my way outside. The pain in my belly seemed to intensify, and I winced, my hand cradling the growing life inside me.Downstairs, everyone was gathered in the living room. Alessia, Cosima, and Blanca were sewing tiny clothes for my soon-to-arrive little angel. We had
VINCENZOFor days, I continued this silent vigil, finding solace in the mere sight of her presence. It wasn't easy to hold myself back, to resist the urge to wake her up and hold her in my arms. But I knew I needed time to heal, both physically and emotionally, before I could be the man she deserved.And then, after a week of watching and waiting, I finally decided that it was time. It was time to step out of the shadows and reveal myself to her once again.My heart clenched at the sight I met – my sweet angel was trapped in a nightmare, and this time, it was because of me. Her forehead was creased with worry, and tears streamed down her cheeks as she cried out in her sleep.I moved to her side swiftly, my heart aching at her distress. Gently, I shook her, trying to rouse her from the torment of her dream. Gradually, her eyes fluttered open, and she looked at me with a mixture of confusion and hope. She couldn't quite see me, yet.
VINCENZOI ended up staying in Emiliano's house for several days. It was a respite from the constant turmoil, a space where I could heal and gather my strength.He was not behind the kidnappings. Once I had regained a modicum of strength, Emiliano and I returned to the place where I had been held captive, and I found out that it was Maksim that was behind everything.Emiliano was angry but my anger burned hotter than ever. I was so full of rage towards Maksim. I took him to Emiliano's basement and tortured him in ways that vengeance itself couldn't even comprehend. The pain he experienced was but a fraction of the torment he had put me through. Finally, when I had sated my fury, I ended his life.Following that grim resolution, I ventured to Russia. I systematically dismantled every element connected to Maksim, eliminating threats, and imposing the Italians' dominance over the Russians.Once I was assured that the danger had been n
VINCENZORage nearly consumed me. Their games were becoming increasingly infuriating. I was sick and tired of their mindless attempts to break me. But I couldn't let their taunts get to me. I had to hold on, for Anya, for our unborn child.After the last brutal session of torture, they brought me to a doctor. As my body gradually healed, a sliver of hope ignited within me. I saw an opportunity to escape, to fight back. In my weakened state, I attempted to run, to break free from this wretched place.But it was futile; I hadn't regained my strength and they swiftly captured me again. Their retribution was swift and merciless, a stark reminder of my vulnerability.I had lost track of time, days blending into each other in this grim captivity. My family, my loved ones, must believe I'm dead by now. The thought of Anya grieving, thinking I was gone forever, was more painful than any physical torture they could inflict.Now, I found mys
ANYADays turned into weeks, each passing day a painful reminder of his absence. My heart ached incessantly, yearning for him. My baby bump had grown noticeably, a constant reminder of the life growing within me.I wished he could witness this journey, be by my side to share in the anticipation and joy.I had exhausted every avenue in my pursuit to bring him back. My visits to Emiliano's house proved futile, met with his adamant refusal to help. He had even turned me away during my last attempt, his rejection a heavy blow to my hopes.Sometimes, the doubt would creep in – what if Vincenzo wasn't really alive? Why would he stay away for so long?The pain of his absence was almost too much to bear, my world feeling incomplete without him. I was living day to day, finding solace only in the life growing within me.Alessia's persistence wouldn't allow me to wallow in my sorrow. Reluctantly, I got up from the bed and headed
ANYAIt had been three months since we discovered that Vincenzo was still alive, and despite our best efforts, his whereabouts remained a mystery. Every day, his absence weighed heavily on my heart, and the longing to see his face again was a constant ache.The presence of our growing baby was the only thing that anchored me, preventing me from completely succumbing to despair. Nights were the hardest – the loneliness and grief seemed to intensify when the world was cloaked in darkness.I spent most of my time in the penthouse. It held memories of our time together, a place where our connection had deepened. It was where I saw him at his most vulnerable, and it was there that he touched my heart in ways I couldn't explain.The search for him consumed me, but no matter how hard I tried, his trail remained elusive.Standing before the mirror, I took in my reflection. My baby bump was gradually becoming more pronounced, a sign o
VINCENZOTHREE MONTHS LATERPain was all I could feel, a relentless ache that seemed to infiltrate every fiber of my being. The torment I endured was beyond anything I'd experienced before. Days melded into nights, a haze of suffering that blurred my sense of time.My body was a canvas of bruises, each one telling a story of brutality and torment. Dried blood streaked my arms and legs, a gruesome testament to the violence inflicted upon me. Nausea gnawed at my stomach, a constant companion in this hellish ordeal.I struggled to piece together the events that had led me here, to this nightmarish existence. The memories were fragmented, like shards of glass in my mind. One moment, I was driving, the world spinning around me. And then, I woke up in this wretched place – a grimy, dimly lit room that reeked of despair.The people responsible for my captivity were shrouded in masks that concealed their identities.
ANYAIn the days that followed, I worked on keeping that promise. I embraced the waves of sorrow when they came, allowing myself to grieve, but also learning to balance it with moments of self-care and determination.I had made a pact with myself – to ensure that our child knew about the incredible man who had filled my life with love. I would weave his memories into the fabric of our child's life, ensuring that Vincenzo would always be present in some way.But alongside the grief and the determination to honor his memory, there was a growing fire within me. A thirst for justice. Vincenzo's death had to be avenged. I was done with being a vulnerable pawn that others could exploit. I wanted answers, and I wanted those responsible to pay.And that began with finding Matteo. I needed to know where Vincenzo's body was laid to rest, to bid my final farewell. I searched for him, questioning everyone I could, until I finally found him down