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CHAPTER TWENTY SIX
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2024-10-29 19:42:56ANYA
TWELVE YEARS AGO
"Mom, please," I pleaded, tugging at her hand. She sat on the chair, diligently weaving a shirt for little Erik, her focus unwavering.
"Come on now, Anya. It's too late," she replied, her voice gentle but firm.
Feeling a glimmer of hope, I turned to my dad, who sat beside Mom. Maybe he would understand.
"Dad?" I looked up at him, my eyes pleading.
Dad shook his head, a playful smile on his lips. I let out a pout and hopped onto his lap, determined to make one final attempt.
"Please, Dad. This is the only time I get to see Santa Claus. I'll die if I don't see him," I declared, dramatically emphasizing my words.
"Hush now, sweetie. Stop saying that, you won't die," Dad chuckled, his warm eyes filled with affection.
Mom shook her head, unable to contain her laughter at my theatrical display. Her laughte
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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
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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."
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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
TAINTED DESIRES CHAPTER EIGHTY FOUR
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
TAINTED DESIRES CHAPTER EIGHTY THREE
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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
TAINTED DESIRES CHAPTER EIGHTY
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
TAINTED DESIRES CHAPTER SEVENTY NINE
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
TAINTED DESIRES CHAPTER SEVENTY EIGHT
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.
TAINTED DESIRES CHAPTER SEVENTY SEVEN
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
