"You have no idea what you're talking about," she snapped, her composure finally cracking. "You come in here, throwing around wild accusations—" "Wild?" I slammed my hands down on her desk, making her jump. "Is that what you call murder?" "Murder?" She tried to scoff, but I could hear the tremor i
As I pulled away from my father's house, a weight lifted from my shoulders. I knew I would have to face him sooner or later, tell him everything I needed to. Show him the results of his actions. I didn't destroy this family, he and his inability to stay faithful to a woman who stood by him throug
AMELIA My hands trembled violently against the leather steering wheel as I weaved through traffic, the car responding to my every desperate movement. The rearview mirror had become my lifeline—every few seconds, my eyes darted to it, watching the sleek black vehicles that seemed to materialize fro
Men in black tactical gear emerged from the vehicles with military precision, their movements synchronized and practiced. They surrounded my car in a perfect formation, their stance and bearing speaking of extensive training. These weren't common thugs—these were professionals, soldiers for hire who
ROMAN I stood there amid the carnage, my breath still coming in controlled bursts, adrenaline singing through my veins. Blood dripped from my knuckles, staining the pristine white of my shirt sleeve—designer silk now ruined by violence. But none of that mattered. All that mattered was Amelia, safe
"Here," I said softly, holding out my hand. "Close your eyes if it makes you feel better." It was a weak attempt at protecting her from what she'd already seen, but I had to try. Had to offer her some way to distance herself from the violence, from this version of me she was never supposed to know e
I was naked before I stepped under the shower, though for some reason I had no memory of taking my clothes off beneath the haze of my thoughts. I let the cold water cascade down my skin with the highest pressure, the chill a punishment, a lesson. Just as I tried to gather my thoughts, to prepare
ROMAN Our bedroom was silent except for Amelia's steady breathing, her warm body curled trustingly against mine as she slept. I was ashamed to even admit it to myself, I'd tired her out even more. I couldn't help myself, after holding back for so long, it felt like all of my pent up emotions had
"I swear," she laughed, her voice filling the car with warmth, "if he could bubble-wrap me and the baby, he would." I couldn't help but smile, watching her face light up as she talked about her husband. "He's just nervous. First-time dad and all that." "Oh, speaking of nervous," she grinned, tur
AMELIA Morning sunlight filtered through the thin curtains of my bedroom, casting warm patches across my chilly sheets. I should have felt lighter, triumphant even. The family was finally under control, the threats neutralized, and the Guerrero name secure. Yet as I lay there, staring up at the ce
The color drained from their faces so quickly it was almost comical. Uncle Stefano actually tugged at his collar, while Uncle Paolo seemed to sink further into his chair. "Ricardo made his choice," Uncle Marco said, trying to maintain some semblance of dignity despite his obvious fear. "We are mere
AMELIA The meeting wasn't one I was looking forward to but it was something I had to get done. Something that I hoped would remind me of all the reasons why I was in Italy. All the reasons why I became a completely different person. I stared at my reflection in the bathroom mirror, taking in ho
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