"Why are you apologizing?!" I freed myself from his grip and took a step back. The pain in his eyes was evident as he noticed my retreat. "Marco, there's no need to apologize. You didn't hurt Mama, right? It's not your fault!"I clung to this defense, desperately convincing myself that Marco had no involvement. Everyone else was mistaken, and I refused to believe my own instincts or what Ronan had told me. I secretly hoped Marco would prove me wrong and show that I was misguided to entertain the doubts cast upon him.Marco's head dropped, shattering my hopes. Overwhelmed with emotion, I sobbed as he took a deep breath and eventually met my gaze once more."I don't want to lie to you, Maddie," Marco confessed. His words crashed into my world, leaving me devoid of strength. I crumbled to the floor, lost in my thoughts.Tears streamed down my face as I stared at Marco, his words echoing in my ears. He had confessed, confirming the unimaginable - he was the one who had taken my mother's l
Marco's staff graciously opened the door for me. Stepping inside, I stole a glance at Marco through the rearview mirror as my car pulled away. There he stood, outside the house, attentively observing my departure. Overwhelmed by emotions, tears streamed down my face, a testament to the weight I carried within. Sensing my distress, my driver offered me a tissue, which I gratefully accepted. Lost in my thoughts, I hadn't even noticed when we had arrived at my father's house.Rushing out of the car, I failed to bid farewell to my chauffeur. Anxious to find solace, I briskly entered the house.Violet's initial smile melted away as soon as she laid eyes on my expression. "Sis, what happened?" she inquired, concern lacing her voice.I held her tightly, tears streaming down my face, unable to contain the rush of emotions. Violet soothed me, her touch offering solace and comfort. Her concerned voice echoed in my ears, entwined with my own sobs.Seeking refuge, we sought shelter inside the hou
Initially, I asked Aunt Mildred to temporarily take on the role of acting CEO while I'm unable to work. Given her position as a board member, there is nothing wrong with this arrangement. I have already documented this in writing. This is only intended to be for a few weeks, possibly just one, as I need some time to gather myself. I believe I won't be able to fully focus on my work during this period."I am sorry, Aunt Mildred.""Okay, Maddie. I understand your situation and I'll make sure to keep you informed about everything happening in the company. Regarding Marco, what if he comes over?"I noticed Aunt Mildred's sudden silence, and I understand that she didn't mean to mention Marco."If he happens to arrive, please inform him that I am unavailable," I instructed Aunt Mildred as she headed out to the office. Despite her numerous responsibilities with our other ventures, I had reluctantly asked her to assume the role of acting CEO for our company. Unfortunately, I cannot prevent Ma
I struggled to find the right words, my mind blank as I faced him. It was frustrating not to be able to say everything was fine, as I used to. Accepting Marco back felt like disregarding what he had done to my mom and betraying her. Yes, we've moved past what my mom did to him and his family, but she's still my mother. No matter how flawed she appears to others, she's still my mom. I couldn't simply turn my back on her.But I love this man. Seeing him in distress, I couldn't bear it either."Go home, Marco. You might get sick if you stay out in the rain," were the only words that managed to escape my lips. I sighed, trying to hold back the tears welling up."I'm sorry to interrupt. I just want to make sure you're alright. If you need someone to talk to, reach out to your friends, Maddie. I know they can provide support. And if you feel like talking to me, I'm here. Just a phone call away."It was also painful to hear those words from Marco. He was fully aware that ever since our marr
"I won't cooperate, Maddie," he said firmly, placing the folder on his desk and intertwining his fingers.I took a deep breath, hoping this conversation would be easier. Convincing Marco to annul our marriage had seemed like a sensible choice, but now it felt like a mistake. "I don't want this anymore, Marco," my voice quivered. I never anticipated uttering those words. Not long ago, I was determined to hold onto Marco, but now I yearned to release him. If circumstances were different, I might fight for our relationship. Yet, I can't. He has deeply wronged my family, me, and my mother."I'll fight this, Maddie," he declared forcefully, surprising me. I bit my lip, his words hitting me unexpectedly. "You know the chances of success for this annulment petition are slim, Maddie. Your lawyer must have informed you. That's why you've resorted to confronting me directly, pleading for my cooperation. You didn't even discuss it with me first before making this decision.""What else do we need
In the following days, Marco attempted to engage in conversation with me, but considering his lack of willingness to support me through our separation, I made a firm decision to avoid meeting him. I couldn't afford to appear vulnerable. This situation transcended a mere disagreement.One evening, as I made my way home from the office, my vehicle abruptly broke down. The cause of the issue eluded me, and there were scarce passing vehicles in sight. Doubts nagged at me, questioning whether anyone would even stop to offer assistance.Surveying my surroundings, I found myself on a dimly-lit road, devoid of any oncoming traffic. Walking all the way home wasn't a feasible option.I retrieved my phone, contemplating who I could call for help. Marco's name initially caught my attention since he was listed as an emergency contact. However, I shook my head, mentally dismissing that option, and instead dialed Alec's number.It felt like only moments had passed when a cloth was forcibly placed ov
The sky had transformed into a fiery orange hue, and hours had passed since Marco's men ambushed and ensnared me. I couldn't fathom this unexpected turn of events; Marco's impulsive actions always caught me off guard."I don't want to be with you—" I began to protest."You'll change your mind," he asserted with a hint of determination in his voice. "I'll make sure of it."He pivoted away from me, taking just one more step before resuming his words."Let's seek refuge indoors, Maddie. It's getting chilly out here."Despite knowing he couldn't see my scowl, I shot one last contemptuous glance at Marco. Resignedly, I trailed behind him, stepping into the house.Marco had a sizable staff, most of whom I recognized due to their frequent presence alongside him. Renzo and Caleb had also reappeared, their return unbeknownst to me. It appeared that some household staff had arrived earlier, likely flown in by Marco's chopper to serve us during our stay.Recalling my futile chase after the chopp
After a quick shower, I dressed and noticed my usual skincare products neatly arranged in the bathroom. I couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at Marco's familiarity with my grooming routine. The fact that he had prepared everything without even asking pleased me in a strange way. Marco was incredibly attentive to even the smallest details about me. A pang of nostalgia tugged at me, and I couldn't help but wonder how different things could have been if my mother hadn't caused such turmoil between our families. If only she had treated us equally, maybe I would consider staying in this marriage.Dismissing the "what ifs," I let out a deep sigh and shook my head. Dwelling on the past wouldn't change a thing.Once I finished getting ready, I exited the bathroom to find Marco on the phone. His eyes scanned me from head to toe, and I shot him a glare for scrutinizing me in such a way. Did he believe he could seduce me? He might have come close, but not close enough!I approached the bed, dra
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