ROSALINA'S POV Nonno was taken to the hospital immediately by Saint and Uncle Roberto. Luckily, he survived the heart attack I gave him, otherwise, my Nonna would have berated me for the rest of my life for killing her husband with my temper. Nonno and I were like two vicious tigers trapped in a room, ready to tear each other apart.Maybe it was because we had similar personalities. Both of us had disastrous temperaments and were stubborn as a mule, never backing down from a challenge or argument. Instead of telling Nonno to stop getting on my nerves all the time, Nonna suggested I work on my anger issues.I was clueless about how to tame my inner Hulk. For ages, my raging temper was my signature quirk. It was not like I flaunted it, but disposing of it was as tricky as ditching a tattoo.Lily (The future doctor) recommended that I get my ass to therapy.Which, I did.***As I settled onto the couch in Dr. Emily's office, my eyes landed on the nameplate displaying her credentials: Dr
FLASHBACKROSALINA'S POV(Five years old)"I want to tell you somethin'" Papa stood at the kitchen doorway, hiding his hands in his pant pockets. Mama paid no attention to him, she kept scrubbing the dishes from the sink.Papa almost begged, "Alina, are you even listening to me?'""I'm listening," Her voice was uncaring. As if she already knew what he was about to say wouldn't have any effect on her.Papa swallowed a lump trapped in his throat. "I hooked up with a girl once. It was a one-time thing. I just needed to feel something because you were always shutting me out and I..."THUD!The porcelain coffee mug crashed into the plates after Mamma dropped it so abruptly that even I shrieked from the dinner table. I was playing with one of the Barbie dolls after my evening dance practice, still in my pink tutu. Mamma shot me a look that made me shrink in my chair."Go to your room," She ordered with a face stripped of any emotion.I grabbed my doll and ran outside the kitchen, but I was s
ROSALINA'S POV"What triggers your anger?" Dr. Emily asked me, growing more and more curious about me.To be honest, I didn't really know what actually triggered my anger. All I knew was that I'd always been a troubled child, a hellion."I hate to admit this, but I'm sort of like a spoiled child. I throw tantrums when things don't go my way or I'm told to do something I don't wanna do. But that's like every other teenager my age. I don't see the issue here." I said, shrugging a shoulder."Right, so when did it start getting problematic?" She asked."Shit hit the fan when my grandpa got a heart attack because of my outburst," I answered."How do you typically express your anger? What do you do or say when you feel angry?""I... yell, curse, and throw stuff." Well, wasn't that how normal people with emotions expressed anger?"Have you noticed any patterns or themes in your anger? Is there a particular emotion or need that your anger is masking?"I thought hard. I must say, I'd never pai
ROSALINA'S POVI checked myself in the mirror and scrutinized my features carefully. I gazed into my hazel eyes, which were the most beautiful part of me, inherited from my dear Papa. While I got the rest of my perfect face my Mamma."Is that what you do all day? Stare at your pretty face?" Elizabetta asked with a roll of her eyes, laying on my bed beside her sister Isabella, who was too busy texting someone on her phone.I couldn't resist admiring my stunning reflection once more, but then I wondered, "How can I transform this masterpiece into a mess?" Let's start with my long, silk-like brunette hair that reached my mid-back. I picked up a pair of scissors from the drawer and snipped off a chunk of my hair."Stop!" Elizabetta gasped. "What are you doing?!""Can't you see? I'm giving myself a haircut." I said nonchalantly.Isabella got up from the bed and tried to pry the scissors from my hand, but I pushed her away and went on chopping off my hair."Stop it, you'll look ugly!" Isabe
ROSALINA'S POVJeremy shrieked like a little girl when the flower vase on the table next to him shattered.As I stood there, brandishing the gun at Jeremy, my eyes darted to the door as Mr. Moretti, his father, and Nonno, rushed down the stairs. Their faces contorted with shock and confusion as they took in the surreal scene before them.I could feel their eyes on me, scanning my body, searching for any hint of what was driving me to such extreme behavior. But at that moment, all I could focus on was the adrenaline coursing through my veins and the overwhelming sense of power I felt holding the weapon."Put that gun down, Rosalina," Nonno warned, his voice taking a frightening dive.I remained unhinged. "You didn't listen to me when I said I didn't want this marriage. So I'm not gonna listen to you either." I said, matching his tone.His nostrils flared, but he tried to remain calm. "Don't test my patience.""Don't test mine either." I deadpanned. "I'll kill every man you force me to
LEONARDO'S POV (20 years old)I stepped into the dimly lit warehouse, the air thick with the stink of sweat and blood mixed with the testosterone of dangerous men swarming the place. The sound of flesh pounding flesh bounced off the dreary walls as I walked closer to the ring. I heard the shuffle of feet on concrete and the murmur of voices coming from a large group of men huddled together in the corner.The bright light from the ceiling lamp shone on the ring made in the middle of the room, and I knew this was my chance to prove my worth, especially to that jerk Kyle.I approached the edge of the ring, stretching my limbs and popping my knuckles as I scoped out my opponent, who stood in the opposite corner. Kyle lifted a taunting smirk my way as he spotted me from the corner of his eyes. "Oh look who it is, the rookie who's trynna make name for himself." He snickered.So starting off with a verbal fight huh? "Hope that mouth stays cocky after I knock you out cold." I retorted, flashi
LEONARDO'S POV (20 years old) Loud and pulsating music filled Tristan's penthouse, while the dim lighting and hazy cigarette smoke obscured my vision in the densely packed room full of flashy, animated guests sipping on drinks and chatting, all making it difficult to spot the birthday boy. However, my attention was caught by HER. The moment was too good to be true. There she was, with her captivating hazel eyes staring back at me. Instead of her long, flowing brunette locks, she now sported a chic bob cut with pink highlights that exposed her slender neck, begging for me to take a nibble. Her flashy hot-pink sequin dress illuminated the room, outshining even the disco ball. Her lean, toned legs were crossed at the knee, exposing the curve of her calf and the defined muscles beneath. The smooth, flawless olive skin appeared to glow under the soft light, accentuating the delicate shape from her thigh down to her slender ankle. Propped up on the bar stool, her high-heeled feet looked t
ROSALINA'S POV(20 years old)Out of all the people I could have bumped into at this stupid party, it had to be Leonardo Salvadori."Long time no see, Russo." Leo drawled as he took a seat beside me, throwing me one of his flirtatious winks.I gave him a side-eye of disinterest. "Do I know you?"He found my dry question amusing and let out a chuckle."Sorry. I forgot to introduce myself." He reached out his hand for a handshake. "I'm Leonardo."I tilted my head and lifted a brow, pretending like I didn't know the fuck was talking about. "Leonardo who? DiCaprio?""And here I thought you didn't know who I was." He clicked his tongue and then scanned my short hair. "New hairdo?"I shrugged a shoulder. "No, I just woke up like this today morning."Leo nodded, matching my sarcasm like a pro. "Oh yeah, because everyone wakes up with perfectly styled hair and flawless makeup.""Leave me alone," I grumbled, as I turned away from him to get back into the conversation I was having with Paul, the