“As much as I would love to take all the credit, all of this wouldn't have been possible without my wife here,” Roman announced, practically bragging as his warm arm came around my shoulder. His wife. There was that tingling feeling again. “Is that so?” Henderson’s eyss glinted with realiza
The lights dimmed all of a sudden and the fast paced classical music that had been on suddenly slowed as the live band switched their tempo to something much calmer. For slow dances. Ugh. I watched as people slowly trickled into the large space in the middle with their partners, swaying to
After the dance, Roman and I were practically dragged away from each other before we even has the time today register or explain whatever it was that had just happened between us. “Let me borrow your wife for a bit,” I heard Greece say rather sheepishly, when I turned around I was surprised to fi
This event should have been over a long fucking time ago. I plastered on a fake smile as Victoria led me towards a group of about fifteen women seated around an ornate round table. They were all dressed to the nines, dripping in expensive jewelry and designer gowns. As we approached, I couldn't s
"Never mind all that," she said, her eyes fixed on my dress. "What I want to know is where you got that... interesting ensemble." She gazed down on the shimmering Royal blue material like it was rotting candy. The way she said 'interesting' made it clear she meant anything but. I saw a few of the
I hesitated in the doorway, my mind racing. The last thing I needed right now was another confrontation, especially with Bertha. But the sight of Greece's tear-stained face tugged at something inside me. Before I could think better of it, I stepped into the bathroom and let the door swing shut behin
I turned to look at her, suddenly feeling exhausted. "No," I admitted. "No, I'm really not," I admitted as I finally made a move towards the sink, avoiding a glance at my reflection. Greece bit her lip, looking uncertain. Then, to my surprise, she reached into her clutch and pulled out a small se
It was easy getting out of there, Greece had her own car and her driver was no where to be found. She drove us down to Roman's mansion, talking about who I was as we passed by the lit up streets. Apparently I was a woman who barely showed emotion or cared about anything if it wasn't business o
"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