Matteo's PovโYouโre sorry?โ I stumble and every emotion there is and even the non existent ones flood me. โWhat does that mean?โโLet me speak to you privately. In my office.โ I donโt even wait for him to finish before lunging for him with my fist ramming into his face over and over again.โWhere the fuck is my wife!โ I roar as my body vigorously tremble in rage.โMy office now! Alone!โ The doctor retorts as he storms away, leaving me with my raging emotions. Of course he can speak to me as he pleases because he has a good relationship with my family and he knows I wouldnโt do anything to jeopardize that.I walk into the doctorโs office sheepishly with my eyes boring into his as I slump down on the seat he pointed out for me. โThis is going to be a lot for you to take in but I want you to know that I am here for and with you if you need anything.โ He mutters each word carefully.I offer him a tight nod as I wait for the worst. โYour wife,โ he clears his throat. Eyes moving around rap
Matteo's PovMy eyes are sunken into my skull, my lips parched, my skin and body malnourished, and my hair a mess.Sweat trickles down my forehead and I swallow my spit in an attempt to wet my uncomfortably dried throat. My eyes dart around and every sound coming from anyone is filtered out as I lose myself while solely focusing on my father's coffin as it lowers into the ground.My mother is an obvious mess but she's holding her head high as expected of her but mostly for Julia. If she breaks, what would my sweet little sister do?I gasp as I'm being forced to return back to reality when a firm arm grips my shoulder. "Did you hear me?" Augusto asks with his brows creased together."Hardly," I straighten my back as I run my fingers through my disheveled hair."The nurse taking care of Mirabella called to inform that her fingers twitched and the electrocardiograph machine was picking up on a stronger and a more stable heartbeat. So, I'm hurrying off to the hospital. Would you like to c
Mirabella's Pov"Is Matteo coming?""No. I don't think he is.""Why do I smell him then?"Pablo crouches down, carefully picking me up, placing me in the wheelchair. "Don't worry about Matteo, hmm? He's not here."One month. It has been one month since I was brought into this hospital. I was in a coma for the first two weeks and after another two weeks of being poked with needles non stop, I'm finally allowed to go home.Finally!My world came crumbling around me after the doctor had informed me that I lost my baby. It was even more unbearable after the memories of that night came crashing down on me.Although I'm unable to remember the events of that night in detail, the pain is still there. The scars on my skin, the loss of my baby, everything I've been through is all the proof I need that indeed, that night happened.The doctor confirmed that it's okay that I don't remember everything in detail as it is a trauma response but I still dream about it. The punches, the slaps, my scream
Mirabella's PovI exhale a breath through my mouth as I come awake from an exhausting slumber. My eyes part open but remain in a narrowed slit as I gulp down my saliva to wet my throat.My head is engulfed in a pang of pain as I attempt recalling the events of last night. "Matteo?" A whooshed whisper escapes my pained throat and I wince."Mrs. Denaro? I'm Beth, your nurse." She quickly checks my pulse and with a sigh of relief, she asks, "How do you feel?""Where's Matteo?" I throw a question right back at her, stammering and wincing through each word."Mr. Denaro is not here at the moment ma'am." She answers politely."Please call me Mirabella." The nurseโBethโoffers me a tight nod in agreement. "Did he come to see me? My husband I mean."Her eyes light, her lips stretching into an ear to ear grin, "of course!" She excitedly squeal with a tiny jump.Oh.This one's a sucker for romance."He didn't leave your side even for a second." I look at her with narrowed eyes, confused as to why
Mirabella's PovI lie on my back unmoving as tears blur my vision. I sniffle, gulping down the loud sob threatening to break out of me because I'm tired of crying. I'm so tired of being pitied.I'm tired of everything in general.It has been a month, a month since I returned from the hospital, a month since I last heard from Ares and the worry I feel is killing me.I'm torn between two worlds. A world where I'm giving my best to come out of the dark place I was pushed into; I want to forget. This past month has been me trying to forget what happened to me, but with each passing minute of everyday, a small part of my memory of the event of that night is unlocked and it kills me each time.It's driving me insane.And then there's a part of me which strongly believes that Ares has been caught up in a dreadful situation.I'll never forgive myself if anything happens to him because of me.The list of my troubles never ends.One more thing on that list would be Matteo. God, that man drives
Mirabella's PovI am beautiful.I am powerful.I am extraordinary.I was created for great things.I wasn't put on earth to wallow in misery. . .Two months.It has been two months since I first used my legs after the incident.The moment I got up on my feet, I decided there and then to put myself first. To talk about myself correctly, to stand strong, to take care of myself without relenting.And I've done just that.Swallowed my pills religiously, started intense psycho and physiotherapy and the way I feel right now is enough proof that my hard work is paying off.Recovering hasn't been the easiest, considering that the memories of that night still exist; the nightmares and panic attacks, but I find myself becoming stronger and more resilient after each dreadful episode of panic attack. That's the most important part of it all.Today, I'm sitting in my father's office after he had invited me over to talk about very important mattersโhis words not mineโexcept, I've been seated here l
Matteo's PovWhat did I do?What have I done?What the fuck have I done?!I thought I was doing the right thing by staying away from her. I thought I was protecting her, I thought. . .God! I thought a lot of things.But her reaction goes to show that I fucked up in more ways than one.Her pained voice still ricochets in my ears."I'm your wife! You don't like me? You can't stand me? I get that but I'm still your wife and it was your child that was taken away in that inhumane manner! It was your wife's body and soul that was broken and ripped apart! It was I, your wife who needed her husband in her moments of weakness and vulnerability but you weren't there Matteo.""I hate you so much, Matteo Denaro and I regret everything we've done together. I regret letting you touch me with your filthy hands. I hate every breath you take and I hope you die a painful death for everything you've put me through."My chest constricts."Look at me, Matteo! God, Matteo! Why? Why are you doing this? Why
Mirabella's PovIt has been over an hour since Matteo walked out my door, I cried about it but not for long, because Iโve gotten so used to him being so cold and distant.I understand his struggles but Iโm no longer willing to put up with it, which is why after having a bath, Iโm now seated and fully relaxed on the cushion, reading through the annulment papers with great focus.If he is willing to walk away from me, then I should be willing to do the same. I can no longer hold him against his will.Continuous loud bangs resound against my door and after a while of ignoring it, I walk over to the door full of rage as I swing it open only to be met by Matteoโs shirtless torso, hooded eyes and messy hair.Shit.I squeeze my thighs together.Itโs been too fucking long!He tries walking into the room but I shove him back with my palm on his chest while my eyes narrow to slits, my glare venomous and molars grinding. โYes?โSilently, he stares at me for long minutes, his features expressing c
Alejandroโs PovThis anxietyโIโve never felt anything like it before. My nerves are all over the place, my skin trembling. I kiss Mariana again for the millionth time in a handful of hours.She smiles at me. The smile is distant, almost like it doesnโt reach her eyes. I smile back and pull her closer, holding her as tight as I can, fearful that this might be the last chance I get at holding her this close to me.And no, this has nothing to do with her winning the fight or dying in that cage because as long as I breathe, Mariana will walk out of that cage alive and well.But Iโm afraid of the responsibilities that come with the position sheโll occupy. Iโm afraid that she might forget our love and become intoxicated with power.All of this might just happen in a few hours.โThe way youโre holding me, Alejandro, one might think Iโm about to die from a terminal disease.โShe says.Is she trying to make a joke? Does this seem like a joke to her?I open my mouth to speak but a knock on the
Marianaโs PovโI will fight in her place. . .โThe world around me goes completely silent the moment Alejandro blurts those words. When I planned to use him as my human shield in chaotic times like this, I didnโt expect to fall for him so ridiculously hard that Iโm unable to imagine him getting hurt for my sake.Love is a strange and terrifying thing. I never imagined feeling it this deeply, this intensely. Not for Alejandro. Not for a man who was supposed to be my shield, my weapon. And now, the very thought of him stepping into that cage for meโฆ itโs unbearable.The second reason?Itโs pride. Itโs survival. These men already think Iโm weak. They see me as nothing but a womanโRadimrโs wife and mother of his son. If Alejandro steps into that cage in my stead, I will be proving them right, I will become that which they think I am.Weak.Unworthy.And then, everything Iโve clawed my way toward will crumble before my eyes. I canโt let that happen. I wonโt let that happen. So, no. Aleja
Marianaโs PovOne word.Fuckers.No, letโs make it two words.Misogynistic fuckers.Theyโve kept me in here for hours, scrutinizing me, digging into my soul in their fruitless attempt at finding the truth of what truly happened to my husband.Alejandro too is seated here as a high ranking made man and a member of this family. Surprisingly, my father, mother and brother are here too. Not inside the parliament room, but theyโre right outside the door, waiting for when the chaos escalates so they can stand in for me.It warms my heart.โLetโs go through it again,โ one of the elders says, โwhat did you say happen to your husband? Tell us that story again, in detail.โโI. . .โ I open my mouth to speak but Alejandroโs thick, aggravated voice resounds, cutting me short. โI believe she has told that story more times than we all can count.โโYes, we know that,โ another elder says, his russian accent thick. โBut we need to hear it again.โโWhy?โ Alejandro asks, โwhy are you poking a woman wh
Alejandroโs PovDonโt sleep tonight.Iโve thought about those words in every way possible, imagined every possible scenario thatโll make Mariana ask me to stay awake tonight, and yet, Iโve found none.Or maybe I havenโt thought about it as deeply as I should.I wanted to hold her, to ask her more, but the presence of her husband made that impossible. And now, hours have ticked by, and Iโm still unable to get my answers.Waitโis tonight the night? Is her plan unfolding tonight?Truth is, I donโt even know what her plan is, but I strongly suspect it has everything to do with ending Radimr. So, if sheโs asked me to stay awake tonight, it might mean she needs me close.I pull open my roomโs door and step out into the hallway. The manor is too quiet. Everyone is asleep, and those who arenโt are standing guard outside of the house.My stomach twists with a warning that chaos is brewing tonight, but I push it aside and start walking. I make a turn towards the stairs and start moving up the s
Marianaโs PovTime flies when happiness fills your days.Itโs been two months since I gave birth to my Angel. Two months since my heart swelled with love so pure and overwhelming, I thought I might drown in it.I love my son.I love him for coming into my life and unraveling a part of me I never knew existed. For being my light in the darkness.But most of all, I love him for arriving exactly when I needed himโas though sent by the universe itself to give me a way out.Because today, after weeks of persuasion, my husband has finally done what Iโve been waiting for. He has presented my son to the elders of his family, naming him as his successor should anything happen to him.Itโs tradition, a ritual of power. To the outside world, itโs a declaration of legacy. To me, itโs the final piece of the puzzle.I know Angel is too young to be entangled in this messy, bloody business, but I had to secure his place in this world before setting my plans into motion.Plans that have been months in
Alejandroโs PovThis is the happiest Iโve ever been in my life. For the first time, it feels like I have a complete familyโno, I know I have a complete family.In the last three months, the universe has granted me a gift I never expected: uninterrupted time with the woman I love and the child she carries. Our son. Every morning, I wake up beside her, wrapped in the warmth of her presence. I feel my sonโs first kick as the sun rises, and his tiny, eager movements as the night falls. Iโve stayed awake with them, laughed with them, cried with them, fallen sick with them, and loved them. Iโve been a father and a lover in every way that matters.Why? Because Radimrโs travels somehow stretched from days into weeks, and weeks into months.โSomething else has come up, and Iโll need to stay another week. . .โ Thatโs been his excuse for three months.On the phone, Mariana plays the part of the concerned wife. She sighs and murmurs her disappointment, as though his absence truly pains her. But
Marianaโs PovWhen my eyes open, Iโm met with the most beautiful sight Iโve seen in days. Alejandro, sleeping peacefully, his lashes fluttering, arms still wrapped around me.Wow!How did we fall asleep?I lean in and smack a kiss on his lips, causing him to stir a bit, groaning, his arms tightening firmer around me. I kiss him again, this time longer.It doesnโt take seconds before his mouth parts, his lips fusing with mine. I moan just as a groan vibrates throughout his body.His eyes flutter open, just a tiny slit, the lazy gaze holding mine. Itโs like realization dawns on him and he retrieves his lips from mine in a swift motion. โMariana. . .โ He whispers groggily.โMake love to me,โ I declare.His brows pull into a furrow, lips formed into a pout. โI. . .โ He starts and I cut him off.โPlease,โ I hush, my lips ghosting over his.His resolve falters. And heโs staring at me with adoration as well as restraint.Then thereโs the feral desire burning in his eyes. In mine too. The ris
Marianaโs PovTime seems to slow down when things arenโt really going your way.Maybe I pushed too hard, too far the other night. Far enough that Alejandro has been completely ignoring me for days now. Far enough that Radimr has become ware of me, always staring at me with suspicious eyes. Far enough that the maids in this house seem to avoid me as often as they can.To simply put, Iโve been living an isolated life for the past seven days.Just me, and my heavy fucking stomach. Itโs dreadful just as much as it is comforting.Iโm pulled out of the daze when a towering figure stands in front of me and wraps his hand around me. โDonโt look so sad, Iโm just going to be away for just a few weeks, my love,โ Radimr whispers as he hugs me. I thin my lips into a smile. โIโll miss you.โHis smile is radiant when he replies, โIโll miss you too. Please donโt over work yourself. . .or get to upset while Iโm gone. I wouldnโt want anything to happen to my son.โ Stupid fucker.I scoff. โIโm a big g
Marianaโs PovโLook at that,โ Alejandro says, his voice low, the smirk on his lips sharp enough to cut. โHow easy it is to lure you out here and break your heart into a million pieces.โThe words land like a blow. He doesnโt even try to soften them. And I know exactly what he means. When he came into my room, kneeling by my bed, whispering the words I had been desperate to hear for months, he knew. He knew I was awake, knew Iโd hear every word and cling to the hope they offered.It wasnโt an accident. He said them to draw me here. To break me just as much as Iโve broken him.Petty bastard.But itโs not the cruelty of his intention that stings the mostโitโs how he chose to do it. By humiliating me in front of someone else. Bringing her into a room that should have been our sanctuary, our safe haven.My lips tremble as I force out the question. โWhat is that supposed to mean?โAlejandro steps forward, his movements slow and deliberate, his smirk twisting with mockery. โWhat are you doin