Sophia and I are back together because we missed each other. Our previous meeting was too brief due to Marco's presence, so we didn't have enough time to catch up.My friend Sophia was curious about my husband and asked, "Tell me about your husband! How is your relationship with him? Are you sure he treats you well? Looks-wise, he's incredibly attractive! He resembles a Greek god's offspring, almost too perfect for the human world!"I shrugged in response to Sophia's remarks.While Marco doesn't confine me to our home, I do have a group of bodyguards nearby for added security. Marco has given me the freedom to be out and about, but it's reassuring to have some protection around.I confided in my friend about everything I've experienced while being under Marco's control for the past month."We're going through a rough patch. He's been distant lately, and there's this barrier between us. His actions often leave me puzzled. Sometimes he seems concerned, but then he suddenly becomes cold.
"Can I go back to work, Marco?"I had left my job at our company in preparation for taking on my father's position once he retired, assuming he would pass it down to me. However, now that I'm married to Marco, I felt the need to contribute and not stay idle at home.Marco stopped eating and focused his gaze on me. Trying to mask my nervousness, I offered a smile."I feel restless doing nothing here. I believe it's time for me to return to work, maybe at my father's company."Marco's jaw tensed upon hearing mention of my father, clearly unhappy about the connection I was making."I don't want you getting close to him. He might hurt you again," Marco responded, shaking his head and directing his attention back to his meal.I'm grateful for his care, even though things are a bit unclear with his actions and mixed feelings towards me. It makes me happy that he's upfront about wanting me to be safe without any hidden agenda.Although my father works in a different department, on separate f
The intensity of his cold gaze remained unchanged, leaving no trace of whether I had successfully persuaded him. As I moved closer, the fact that we were both naked in the shower slipped from my mind. Placing my hand on his shoulder, it gradually glided downward, coming to rest on his chest. The glimmer of light danced upon my hand, drawing attention to my wedding ring. "Maddie, telling a killer to stop is like asking an artist to quit their art. It's just not possible," he said, sounding a bit sad. It was clear I couldn't change Marco's mind about taking lives. There was something inside him that was connected to it, and he couldn't let go. "But, for your sake, I'll spare your father." I breathed a sigh of relief, feeling better about trusting him even though I had doubts because of how he looked and acted whenever he’s mad. His fingers tenderly caressed my cheek, his gaze intensifying as it locked onto mine. "You have the most captivating eyes," he remarked, his touch transition
Upon my return to the office, my co-workers warmly welcomed me, their gestures accompanied by a collection of intriguing new designs neatly arranged on my desk. Politely, I expressed my gratitude to each of them."Welcome back, Ma'am!" Some colleagues addressed me with deep reverence, their acknowledgment reflecting my familial connection as the daughter of the company owner. Despite my assurance that we could adopt a more informal approach, they opted to maintain a degree of formality. Only the manager, true to her role, called me by my name."It's wonderful to see you back, Maddie!" Ma'am Ava, the manager of the operations department, greeted me affectionately with a warm hug."Thank you, Ma'am Ava," I responded gracefully, settling into my seat. Throughout the day, my colleagues approached me, genuinely curious about my married life and honeymoon. Amusingly, I frequently brushed off their inquiries with light-hearted laughter."Surprisingly, you're back," remarked Ma'am Ava. "I hea
I blinked my eyes, trying to clear my vision as I found myself seated in a cramped space. A pulsating pain seared through my wrists and ankles, reminding me that they were tightly bound. A groan escaped my lips, accompanied by a throbbing headache and a lingering sense of dizziness. Despite my efforts, the room remained blurry and I struggled to focus on my surroundings. The sound of a door opening caught my attention, though it had an unusual metallic tone to it. "Why did they bring us to a container yard? We have no backup here. What if Moretti suddenly appears?" a woman's voice expressed concern. It was then that I realized we were not in a typical room but trapped within the confined space of a 40 ft. container."Shh, keep your voice down. It's safer for us to be here, away from any property owned by the Boss. By staying here, we can avoid leaving any traces that Marco Moretti might use to track our organization. We're following the Boss' orders, and he just wants to gather som
I'm receiving care from the household staff, who were concerned enough to suggest calling a doctor. However, I assured them that it wasn't necessary. What I truly need is Dr. Alessandra. I'm looking for someone to confide in and help me process these overwhelming emotions that I've been carrying. In addition, there seems to be something troubling within my emotional wounds. As far as I can tell, there's nothing else physically wrong with me. In the past, I was able to find solace in gaining confidence, especially when Marco was by my side. But now, Marco's presence is also the catalyst for everything falling apart.Suddenly, I heard the door to the room open. Even without looking, I knew exactly who it was. Ever since this morning, I haven't spoken a word to Marco. I even recall having the fleeting thought of wanting to escape from the car that was driving us home. If only I could have a separate home too. But now, I find myself living with Marco.“Once you’re done, please go ahead an
My assumptions about Marco and our relationship were completely shattered, leaving me with a painful realization. As I aimlessly found myself in the walk-in closet surrounded by my belongings, the thought of leaving took hold. Maybe this wasn't where I belonged anymore. But where would I go if I did?Returning to Papa was an option I hesitated to consider. I knew my emotions would only worsen there. What should I do? Should I leave? However, I still couldn't find any trace of emotion in me for Marco, as if my departure wouldn't matter to him."I don't believe it would be a big deal if I left," I said, looking at him with a weary smile. "You could easily replace me, right? If I were to vanish or something were to happen to me, finding another woman to take my place wouldn't pose a challenge for you. After all, you mentioned that I'm replaceable."I once again avoided making eye contact with him and, despite having no intention of leaving, I began packing some of my belongings into a ba
I chose to stay. While Marco was showering, I put on my pajamas.As I rested in bed, my mind couldn't escape the events that transpired earlier. The pain stuck around, mixed with Marco saying sorry and trying to hide his feelings from me.In that moment, an insight struck me—Marco often uttered words that contradicted his actions. The question loomed: which version of him should I believe? Should I give weight to his spoken promises, or should I rely on the actions he displayed when we were alone?The bed shifted, signaling Marco's arrival. The delightful scent of musk and aftershave wafted into my nostrils, triggering a sense of comfort and allure.I averted my gaze, intentionally pretending to be asleep while my mind buzzed with thoughts. But then, a rustling movement from the duvet startled me, causing me to instinctively close my eyes, only to open them moments later.Suddenly, a surge of surprise coursed through me as Marco enveloped me in a warm hug from behind. His hand wrapped
Marco handed the gun to one of his men before walking in my direction. He paused briefly when he faced Caleb."Why did you bring her here?" Marco asked in a stern and chilling tone."She wanted to know where you were," Caleb replied casually.Marco walked directly toward me. He grasped my arm and pulled me out. He closed the door behind us, cutting off my view of the people they were tormenting. I looked at him and was met with the cold gaze of his eyes.It had been a while since he had looked at me this way, and seeing it again now made me feel uneasy."Go home, Maddie. I'll have someone take you back," he said."No," I regained my composure when I heard Marco's voice. His manner of looking at me hadn't changed. "I haven't seen you at home. I'm not even sure if you're still coming home. That's why I went to Caleb to find out where you were. Who are the men inside? What are you doing to them?"Marco hesitated, clearly restraining himself from saying something. Eventually, he closed hi
We arranged a proper burial for my sister and for Renzo, even though his body hadn't been found yet. It was extremely private, with only the three of us present. Aunt Mildred sobbed uncontrollably and couldn't accept Violet's fate. I, too, was running out of tears from all the crying while they were being laid to rest in the ground. I couldn't help but recall all the happy memories I had with her."Sis, I can't sleep. Can I stay here?""Sis, why does Dad hurt you like this? It shouldn't be like that. If I could take away the pain you're feeling right now, I would.""Sis, I'm happy that you're my sister. You're two in one, you know! I have a sister and a best friend in you.""You know, Sis, if I were given a choice of who I'd want as my sister, I'd choose you every time. I love you, Sis!"Tears flowed even more as I remembered those moments. I knew that their memories would stay with me, but I would never hear Violet's voice again.Half of my being felt like it died when Violet passed
Marco's embrace tightened, causing me to lift my gaze and meet his intense expression.At first, I believed Marco was indifferent to the situation, but now I see my assumptions were mistaken. He was undeniably affected by it all; he simply concealed his emotions.Eventually, we returned home, leaving Caleb behind to lead the squad in the search for the Lombardis. I overheard Marco conversing with his father, entrusting him with the responsibility of managing the company during his absence.We reached our home, where the household staff kindly assisted me in freshening up since I was physically unable to do it myself. Once I was left alone, I found it impossible to function, overwhelmed by a deep sense of weakness. The realization that Violet was no longer part of our lives seemed incomprehensible, refusing to fully register in my mind.I lay on the bed, silently sobbing. No matter how desperately I wished to stop, every recollection of Violet's last words brought forth uncontrollable t
We trailed the man without hesitation, even though he clearly wasn't keen on my presence. His resistance didn't matter as I doggedly pursued their path. On the opposite bank, some of Marco's associates were causing a stir, extracting something from the river. I pushed through the bustling crowd to catch a glimpse of their find."Violet!"My sister's usually fair complexion appeared ghostly pale. Her lips lacked color, and her closed eyes gave her an eerie, lifeless appearance.I lunged toward her, but the authorities on the scene stopped me."You can't, ma'am," they firmly hinder my approach. I stared intensely at the body they had recovered, fearing the worst – it bore an uncanny resemblance to Violet."No! I need to confirm if it's truly her! Let me through!"Fighting against the police, I strained to reach Violet, but Marco swiftly grabbed me, preventing me from getting any closer.I observed him, noticing how he averted his gaze, clearly unable to confront my current state.A surg
I could sense the unrest within me, a constant unease that refused to subside. My mind ran wild with thoughts of the missing ones, their absence gnawing at my soul. I longed for a break, a moment of respite, but time slipped through my fingers, as if mocking my desire for calm.In that turbulent state, Vittoria took charge, guiding me gently to sit. Her firm yet soothing touch caressed my back, attempting to bring solace to my weary spirit. Yet, beneath her reassuring words, I sensed the hollowness of promises unfulfilled. Deep down, I knew that true peace would elude me until my sister and Renzo were safely by my side.Time blurred, each passing moment a mystery as reports and updates were limited to Dad alone. The rest of the Moretti family and their associates remained scattered across distant lands. Only Stefano, Dad, and Vittoria were present, while Gabriele, burdened with his laboratory duties, stood confined inside.The door swung open with a sudden force, grabbing my attention
Violet abruptly broke away from my grasp, She quickly stood up and ran the other direction. Her eyes showed an unbreakable determination, which caused the chase to pause for a moment, seizing the attention of those chasing us. The moment I realised her success, I also quickly went the other way.Tears coursed down my cheeks, my heart wrenching with worry for my sister's safety. I prayed fervently that she would remain safe until I could find help.Exhausted beyond measure, I refused to stop my desperate flight. Numbness consumed my legs from the relentless pace. Lost in my thoughts, I failed to notice the uneven ground beneath me.I stumbled and cascaded downhill, agony searing through my body, but I mustered the strength to rise. My eyes widened in profound realization—the realization that I had fallen onto a desolate road.I swiftly rose to my feet, determined to keep running. With every step, I prayed to the universe to grant me a sight of a passing car and a compassionate soul to
The security cameras in this place paled in comparison to the extensive surveillance at the Moretti's. Thanks to Marty, I knew exactly where the blind spots were, which turned out to be invaluable now.As I listened to one of the guards speaking, their voice laced with suspicion, it became evident that something had caught their attention in the adjacent room. The number of people present remained a mystery, clouding the situation further.Our path grew darker as we proceeded. Taking a momentary shelter, we huddled together, seeking solace in each other's presence while contemplating our next moves."Sis, what now? We're lost," Violet voiced her vagueness.Unable to provide an immediate answer, I echoed her confusion. The labyrinthine layout of this place made navigation a formidable challenge."Let's stick with the plan, Violet. Evading capture is our main priority. We'll uncover a way out in due course," I said, exhaling deeply while clasping my sister's hand tightly. The grip on my
"Sis," Violet whispered, her voice barely above a murmur. "The new driver, he's one of them. He deceived us all, infiltrating our home and studying our every move. This was all part of their carefully orchestrated plan. They were aware of Marco's imminent departure and the Moretti family's gathering, ensuring your guards would be occupied elsewhere. They had all the information, which is why they struck today."Violet looked at me, concern etched on her face. Uncertainty flickered in her eyes, but I tried to reassure her with a smile. While Ronan seemed knowledgeable about the Moretti family, he couldn't possibly comprehend the full extent of my capabilities. He never suspected that I had a plan to escape from this predicament, using my wits and resourcefulness to secure our freedom.As the details of my plan unfold, Violet's apprehension gradually transformed into trust. Though the odds were stacked against us, with risks looming at every turn, I remained determined. I would stop at
"I am Ronan Lombardi, the last remaining heir of the Lombardi family—the one your husband annihilated. I am also the inheritor of the organization where your mother dedicated her life, and where you reluctantly pledged your service." He stooped down to my eye level, caressing my hair and coercing me to meet his gaze. "Maddie, your loyalty should rightfully belong to me, not your husband. I am the master, and your mother entrusted your life to our cause."My teeth clenched, confirming my instincts. Despite Marco's claims of wiping out the entire Lombardi clan, there was indeed one survivor—the heir, Ronan.Tightening my fist, I regretted not voicing my doubts to Marco that fateful night. Maybe, if I had, he would have taken precautions to ensure the annihilation of every last Lombardi, leaving no room for survivors.My thoughts came to a halt as Ronan slowly raised his hand towards the mask covering half of his face. He gently caressed it for a moment before slowly removing it.My eyes