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Deep Into the Woods
Last Updated:
2023-01-09 22:46:49
Mariam El-HafiWriter's Note The story is slowly undergoing edits. (This note means the chapter has been updated)
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Damiano I couldn’t take my eyes off her as she lay on the hospital bed. Needles were injected into her arms, while her forehead, legs, and feet were all bandaged. Her feet were badly cut up from running through the woods barefoot. Her entire body was bruised and slowly showed discoloration. She looked almost… lifeless. “When will she wake up?” I asked Ellie while she changed Althaia’s blood-soaked bandages. “It’s hard to tell… Her body shut down and is trying its best to recover after experiencing extensive trauma. And with the blood loss, too, I wouldn’t be surprised if she needed another day or two.” Ellie sighed, and I gave a short nod. I couldn’t help but look down at Ellie’s small baby bump and then glance at Althaia’s flat stomach. My chest tightened at the sight. I averted my eyes and looked out the window, trying to shut down from feeling anything at the moment. But fucking hell, it was hitting hard. I was happy for Antonio and his wife. Still, the universe was
Last Updated : 2023-01-10The Devil's Fire Emptiness
Althaia I was surrounded by an impenetrable darkness, my entire body burdened with a crushing heaviness that imprisoned every limb. There were muffled voices in the distance, but my mouth refused to let out a sound for help. What’s happening to me? An overwhelming fatigue swept over me. Too weak to fight it, I let it drag me into a deep slumber, leaving my question unanswered. ֎ ֎ ֎ I was slowly waking up, but my body still felt heavy and... in pain. Aches resonated throughout my entire body. My head pounded, and my stomach writhed, making it hard for me to move. A distinct weight pressed down on my hand. It was a different heaviness from the rest of my body. I tried to move my hand, but only a finger responded. I heard some shuffling before my hand received a gentle squeeze, and something brushed against my face. I leaned slightly into the touch; a small sound escaped my lips as I attempted to speak. “Althaia baby, wake up.” “Everything hurts.” I wanted to say, but my
Last Updated : 2023-01-12The Devil's Fire Dead Inside
Althaia “She’s going back with us.” Michael asserted firmly. “No.” Damiano replied in his cold tone. “No? Who do you think you are to make that decision?!” Michael erupted angrily. “If you don’t keep your voice down, I will kill you.” Damiano’s voice was low and calm but filled with promise as they continued to argue about me. I wasn’t sure if they were aware I was awake and could hear them. My back was to the door, but I guess it was slightly open as I heard everything they said, arguing about where I should stay. It made me realize I didn’t have a place I could call home anymore. Even though I had stayed a few weeks in my father’s mansion before, I still didn’t consider it home because for a long time, it wasn’t. It wasn’t the same home I grew up in, and so much had changed. It didn’t have that homey feeling it used to have when I was living there with my mother. “She’s staying with me.” Damiano stated firmly, giving no room for discussion. I could hear how Michael wa
Last Updated : 2023-01-12The Devil's Fire Letting You Go
Damiano “Are you getting any sleep?” Arianna asked me, a concerned expression on her face. “How do you expect me to sleep when she’s going through hell?” I snapped at her, but my tone did not bother her. I had stepped outside to smoke once Althaia fell asleep. She hadn’t slept properly, and I had secretly given her a sleeping pill just so she could get a little rest. I had never been this stressed or lost in my life before. I had quit smoking because she couldn’t tolerate the smell of it when she was pregnant, but I picked it up again. It was the only thing that could help me relax a little and prevent me from going out and slaughtering people. I couldn’t be a ticking bomb right now. I had to be patient, even though it was killing me to wait and watch her suffer like this. “How are you?” Arianna asked again, and I let out a humorless chuckle at her question. “Does it even matter?” I inhaled the cigarette smoke deeply, but it was not giving me the fill I wanted. “It does.
Last Updated : 2023-01-13The Devil's Fire A Safe-House
Althaia “You’re leaving?” Cara asked. Her words made my stomach knot, and a lump formed in my throat at the way she looked at me. “I... just need to be alone for a bit,” I muttered to her. She bit down on her lips as her eyes glistened. “I understand. Take care of yourself.” She embraced me in a tight hug, and this time, I hugged her back just as tightly before saying goodbye. I took a deep breath and made my way outside. Arianna was standing next to an SUV, waiting for me, but she wasn’t alone. Antonio, Giovanni, Luca, and more men were outside as well. “Ready?” Arianna asked, and I gave her a small nod before she opened the backseat door, waiting for me to get in. Before sliding into the backseat, I couldn’t help but look around, and a pang of sadness hit me even more when I didn’t see him anywhere. “Damiano is... busy.” Arianna said, noticing my gaze. “I’m never too busy when it comes to you.” His words echoed in my mind, but I guess that day became today. I gave o
Last Updated : 2023-01-13The Devil's Fire Restless
Damiano My fist connected with the punching bag, making it swing before it came back to me once again as I kept throwing punch after punch. Sweat dripped down my face, and my muscles were sore from the relentless workout. I wasn’t giving myself a break. I knew I was overworking my body by spending hours in the gym, but it was the only thing that could keep me from going to her. One week. It had been one agonizing week since she left, and not once had I heard from her. I had no idea why I had expected to hear from her when she had begged me to let her go. She left the next day as if she couldn’t wait to get away from me. Her tear-streaked face was still burned into my mind, and I felt guilty for letting her go through this much pain. I kept punching the bag, throwing one powerful punch after another, but no matter how much I worked out or how hard I hit the bag, the tension and anger wouldn’t subside. Sweat continued to drip down my face as I continued, pushing myself to go
Last Updated : 2023-01-16The Devil's Fire Forgive Me
Althaia “Kiara!” I yelled after her when she once again ran over to the neighbor’s house. I had found Kiara all by herself when I had gone for a small walk on the beach. Out of nowhere, she ran to me. I looked around to see if she belonged to anyone, but she was just a stray kitten. She was all alone, and my heart couldn’t take it. I took her in, nurtured her, fed her, and she turned into the happiest and most affectionate little kitten I had ever met. She gave me a purpose again. I never went far from the house, always staying close in case something were to happen. The chances were slim, as I was pretty sure some of his men lurked somewhere, out of my view, but constantly watching me. He wouldn’t have allowed me to stay here if he didn’t have someone to report back to him that I was safe. Now, with Kiara in my care, I needed to explore the town to gather all the necessities for her. It was a small and quiet town, not much happening, but I liked it; it seemed everyone knew e
Last Updated : 2023-01-16The Devil's Fire Michael
Althaia I have never been a morning person, but since I got here, I have turned into one. I went to sleep early, mainly to avoid my mind spiraling into a darker place, and I would wake up early to watch the sunset rising above the water. It was an amazing view and made me feel at peace. I had been drawing a lot more as well, unable to resist capturing the beauty of the beach with the sun rising on the horizon, casting a shimmering glow on the water. Each morning, I would sit outside with a cup of coffee, relishing the tranquility that surrounded me. This simple routine became a source of gratitude, slowly helping to heal my soul, mending it piece by piece. I bought blank canvases and paint supplies in town when I wanted to focus deeply on art. Drawing was my escape, and I would always stumble upon something breathtaking here that begged to be immortalized in my sketches. I couldn't resist sketching Kiara a few times; she was too adorable when she curled up next to me and dozed
Last Updated : 2023-01-17
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Althaia“Maybe we should have gotten me a change of clothes before coming here.” I said as I walked out to them while looking down at the tank top I had taken from Damiano, pretending to be fixing it. I was actually fixing it because my nipples were almost showing.Damiano looked up from his phone. His eyes slowly trailed down my body and his gaze stopped at my barely covered breasts. Whatever he was doing on his phone could wait as he carelessly tossed it on the couch.He gave me a lazy smirk and motioned for me to come closer to him. With a gentle yet firm grip, Damiano wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me flush against his body.“What’s the need for clothes when I plan to have you naked the entire time?” He said with a mischievous grin on his lips. I blushed, not expecting him to say something like this in front of them.As if remembering there were other people in our room, he looked at them with a blank look.“What are you still doing here? Get out.” He told them sharply.
The Devil's Fire Our Beautiful New Life
Althaia I huffed and looked at the time. It was a quarter to four in the morning, and I was wide awake. Feeling horny. I turned to look at Damiano, who was sleeping peacefully next to me. I wanted him, but I didn't want to wake him up just to take care of my needs. He had a long day ahead of him, flying out to a meeting with Mr. Roberts, and other high-end restaurant owners. They saw the custom-designed wine bottles for Mr. Robert's restaurants, and how they attracted more customers. Customers loved the whole idea of taking a unique wine bottle home with them as a souvenir. Some even started to collect them. The sales went crazy and landed us a few more deals. I suggested that each restaurant have its distinct design as a trademark, but with Damiano's wine business name engraved. And he was going to meet them all and show them my sketch ideas. I would have gone with him, but since I was heavily pregnant, I couldn’t fly. Maybe it was because I knew he would be gone, and wouldn’t b
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Five months later The sun was high up in the clear sky, shining over the crystal blue water in the most enchanting way. Calilo was always a beautiful island, but today, it was even more breathtaking. The beach was elegantly decorated and rows of chairs lined up endlessly on the bright green grass. A mirrored aisle had been set up in the middle with either side decorated so stunningly with Angel’s and Devil’s trumpet flowers. At the end of the aisle was a grand gazebo with pillars decorated with colorful flowers. A crowd of people was present, chatting and finding their seats. By the gazebo stood Damiano, overlooking the crowd of their friends and families. Everyone had flown out to make sure to witness this special day. Damiano had a small crease between his brows, shuffling around on his feet for the first time in his life as he kept fixing his tie, double-checking to make sure he at least looked decent enough on such a meaningful day. “Nervous, brother?” Lorenzo walked up to him
The Devil's Fire Let It Burn
Althaia Ellie was already at the clinic, waiting for us when we arrived. The closer we got to the examination room, the more anxious I got. I was dreading it more than ever. To get that confirmation that it was another miscarriage. That another life was lost in me. I felt suffocated. Damiano, Antonio, and Giovanni were just as worried. No one bothered to mask their emotions as they were concerned for my well-being and what was going to happen. “So, what are we dealing with?” Ellie asked once she closed the door to give us some privacy while Antonio and Giovanni waited outside. “I took a pregnancy test, it was positive but… I’m bleeding and cramping.” I swallowed hard as Ellie listened carefully to me. Damiano stayed close to me, holding me as if I would collapse at any moment. What I loved about Ellie was that even though she knew us, she was still being professional and not letting us see if she was concerned as she listened to me. “Okay, we will do a blood test and do a transv
The Devil's Fire The Truth
Althaia My eyes welled as I could feel the pain, and my heart ached for them both. The fact that my mother was going to tell them, maybe even holding onto the hope that they could finally be together. But no. For her own protection, mine even, she had to accept that was how her life was going to be. And I couldn’t even imagine what Alexei must be feeling now. To know he was close to being told he was going to have a child with the woman he loved. But his own mother stood in his way and took the truth with her to the grave. Nestor looked completely taken aback as he looked at my mother and followed Alexei once he came to his senses. I was sure Alexei needed some time to think it all through. I didn’t say anything, giving my mother some time to gather herself. I looked at Damiano, he was leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, already looking at me. I couldn’t tell if he was truly interested in the story or not as he wore a straight face. Then I knew he wasn’t interested wh
The Devil's Fire An Old Flame
Althaia As soon as Alexei drew out his gun, Damiano pulled me behind him and he and his men pulled out their guns as well, finger on the trigger and ready to fire. But then Nestor quickly pushed Alexei away when a knife flew right in between them, missing Alexei’s head by a hair. Surprised and confused, everyone turned to look in the direction where the knife came from. My mother had her brows pinched with her gaze locked on Alexei, ready with another knife in her hand. “Did you forget how she loved to do that to you?” Nestor sighed at Alexei. But he was too focused on my mother with a furious gaze. “Seems like her aim is off.” He sneered. “It’s not off, it was simply a warning. I got you once, and I can do it again.” My mother spoke calmly but had a whole different demeanor to her. My jaw was on the floor as I looked at them back and forth in pure shock. This whole damn thing had me completely dumbfounded. Wasn’t Alexei the one who had demanded to see her, and almost started a
The Devil's Fire Let It End
AlthaiaI didn’t think it was possible to feel more miserable than this. But I kept being dragged down into an endless, dark hole while drowning in fear and pure devastation.I was exhausted.Exhausted from everything that happened and exhausted from every single piece of information thrown at me. I still haven’t even processed the fact that Gaetano wasn’t my father. And then everything else followed as if trying to give me a heart attack by exposing the brutal truth to me.That my entire life has been a fucking lie.Twenty-five years old and I was suddenly having an identity crisis that appeared out of the blue. For so many years where it has just been me and my mother, living life together. But it turned out I didn’t even know who she truly was.My mother, who I thought I witnessed die, was somewhere in this safe-house.Well, and alive.I thought I was hallucinating when I saw her. Or maybe I was seeing a ghost. Or maybe I ended up in hell and this was my punishment. To be tormented
The Devil's Fire No More Secrets
Damiano“No. Stay here.” I stopped Jacinta when she tried to go after Althaia. I knew she would be shocked and in denial but I wasn’t prepared for this kind of reaction and run away.I gritted my teeth, walking as fast as I could in the direction she ran off. This fucking gunshot wound was limiting me too much.I stepped outside to the garden, watching her leaning against a tree to catch her breath.“Althaia.” I frowned, looking at the state she was in.“Stop! Just.. please stop. Don’t come any closer.” She closed her eyes, trying her best to control her breathing. I clenched my fists in frustration. Frustrated with me that I was the cause of this. I stood still, watching her cry and gasp for air. And I would rather get shot a hundred times more than see her like this.“How… How could you do this to me?!” Althaia shouted at me with so much anger than I had ever seen from her. Her innocent, green eyes turned into ones with a rage-filled storm.And betrayal.“I did what I believed was t
The Devil's Fire The Aftermath
DamianoAlthaia was shocked.Shocked to the point her body gave up under her and collapsed to the ground. I grabbed her and pulled her into me, gritting my teeth as I ignored my own pain when I saw the state she was in. I didn’t give two shits about Alexei at this moment, only worrying about her. She looked numb, lost, as she tried to comprehend what I just said. For once, Alexei kept quiet and had his men stand by as he looked at Althaia.His daughter.He hadn’t expressed what he thought of the situation. About him having a daughter. But he was pissed at her mother for keeping away and not telling him. Twenty-five years had he lived on with his life without knowing he had a child out in the world. And to make it worse for him, his daughter thought Gaetano was her father.An Italian man who married his woman“Come on, breathe, Althaia… There you go… Breathe.” She gasped for air and I felt how her entire body was shaking against mine. I held her tightly, even though I was struggling to
