I stirred awake, blinking lazily as sunlight streamed through the partially open curtains. For a moment, I lay there, savoring the warmth of my bed and the peaceful quiet of the morning. Then, with a jolt, I realized something was off. The room was far too bright compared to the time I had set for m
I was going to do it! I was going to show my art to others! I made my way downstairs, drawn by the promise of coffee and breakfast. But if I was being honest with myself, there was another reason I was eager to get to the kitchen. The thought of seeing Roman sent a little thrill through me, and
"Good morning, Amelia," Roman said softly, his voice a low rumble that seemed to resonate in my very bones. He took the seat next to me, close enough that I could catch a whiff of his cologne, something woodsy and masculine that made my head spin a little. "Did you sleep well?" he asked, his eyes
As I sat there, sipping my water and trying to calm my racing heart, I couldn't help but marvel at the unexpected turn our conversation had taken. Roman and I were... flirting? The realization hit me like a sudden gust of wind, both exhilarating and slightly terrifying. And maybe not so bad the more
I didn't need any more explanation. “Oh,” I voiced, “Is it a large party?” “Unfortunately, they're obsessed with Disney; they want something Disney-themed, and holy fuck, it–” He stopped abruptly and coughed, “Sorry…” He chuckled, “I'm blabbing,” I shook my head with an amused grin stretching
AMELIA As Roman and I stood in the foyer, I couldn't help but feel excitement inside me. The matching outfits, which had seemed like such a playful idea earlier, now felt like a statement - one I wasn't entirely sure I was ready to make. But looking at Roman, tall and handsome in his perfectly tail
Roman who finally broke the silence, his voice soft but clear in the quiet car. "You know, I never knew you painted until our meeting with the Kevins," he said, his tone thoughtful. I turned to look at him, surprised by the sudden topic. "Oh?" I replied, unsure of what else to say. He had admitted
AMELIA As Roman and I approached the gallery entrance, my heart was pounding so loudly I was sure everyone around us could hear it. The nerves I'd been trying to keep at bay all evening came rushing back in full force. But before I could spiral too far into my anxiety, a familiar voice cut through
AMELIA TWO YEARS LATER… I was twenty-seven years old, younger than my mother was when she had me, and five years older than she was when my grandfather entrusted the Guerrero family's responsibility to her. Despite trying my best not to think about her, everything I did, everywhere I walked in It
"And sitting back and doing nothing is better?" My voice rose, a mixture of frustration and desperation. "I'm tired of being the victim. Tired of being passed around like a piece of property, like something to be traded and bartered." His blue eyes flashed. "I would never let that happen to you aga
AMELIA Why was I so hesitant? I had been sure of my choices, I had accepted that it was what I really wanted and what I needed. But sitting here, with his head on my shoulder and his eyes looking so distant, I couldn't bring myself to say a word. Nothing. “Amy?” “Hm?” Roman raised his hea
Hi! Its me Dchenemi but you already know that lol. I want to thank you for sticking with this book this far and answer a few questions. Firstly O would like to apologize for the lack of updates, I have ongoing exams and I'm unable to focus on writing while the pressure of getting good grades are
AMELIA My mother had always told me I was destined for great things, and at some point in my life, I thought it was being a well-established painter or perhaps a tycoon like she wished to be. But now I realized what she truly meant. No matter how much she had tried to escape it, her past still cau
"I don't want anyone near you right now," he admitted quietly. "The thought of letting anyone close after what happened..." "Rome," I reached up to cover his hand with mine. "We can't live like that. I won't live like that – trapped in fear, suspicious of everyone." I wasn't going to tell him what
The thought of Roman losing control made my chest ache. I knew how he could get when his emotions overwhelmed him, knew the darkness he fought to keep at bay. "How bad was he? Really?" Maria led me toward the kitchen, her grip steady and supportive. "Bad enough that when this cousin appeared, even
AMELIA I cried myself back to sleep, my body was far too exhausted to do anything else. When I came to, Roman wasn't in the bedroom with me. Our bedroom. I was back home. It felt surreal seeing the familiar walls, the sheets, the scents. Everything made my eyes prickle with tears and the iron
AMELIA A FEW DAYS LATER… Isabella had kept her word. After the meeting with Mr. Rossi and a few others who Isabella failed to mention, she didn't send me back to the building I was locked up in. She gave me two flight tickets and told me to make a choice, one sent me back home and the other…was