A loud crash shattered the perfect moment, drawing everyone's attention to the garden's entrance. Antonio's men tensed, their hands moving instinctively toward their concealed weapons. Antonio's grip on Valerie tightened protectively."What was that?" Valerie whispered, her heart pounding with fear.Antonio's jaw clenched. "Stay close to me," he ordered, his voice low and urgent.Were they being attacked?River jumped up from his seat, his eyes blazing. "It seems we have uninvited guests," he said, his voice laced with tension.Before anyone could react, a group of masked men burst into the garden, their faces hidden behind black balaclavas. They were armed, their presence menacing as they advanced toward the gathering."Everyone, get down!" Antonio barked, his voice commanding and authoritative.Valerie's heart raced with terror. She clung to his arm, her fingers digging into his suit jacket."I won't let anything happen to you," Antonio quickly reassured her.Gunfire erupted, the sh
Antonio dragged the man to his feet, pushing him towards River, who stood up slowly, his body shaking either from rage or loss, it was hard to tell. As the man stumbled in front of him, River stared into his eyes, searching for any sign of remorse. There was none."Look at her!" River roared, pointing at Ellie's body. "Look at what you've done!"The man's eyes darted toward Ellie, then quickly away, but not before a flash of satisfaction flickered across his face.That was all River needed. He lunged forward, grabbing the man by the collar and connecting his fist with the man's jaw.The man groaned. Blood trickled down his nose, but the smirk on his face didn't change.River pulled back his fist and struck the man again. And then again."River! Stop!" Antonio intervened, pulling him back. "Not here."He paused, breathing heavily, his fist still raised. Slowly, the fire in his eyes dimmed as he looked over at Ellie again."You're right," River said hoarsely, turning away from his capti
Valerie was overcome by grief. Ellie was not just a sister-in-law to her. She was also her best friend. They had been friends since high school, she was River's first love and now...She was gone.Will River be okay? Valerie sobbed at her brother's loss. And the kids. Oh my god, they lost their mother!She had tucked Tiffany and Lucas into their beds. They were all cried out for the night, and exhaustion slowly took over them. And now, she was standing outside of their closed door, contemplating."Mi amore." Antonio's voice brought her back.She looked at him with her eyes full of tears. "What will happen to River and the kids? How will they cope?"Antonio stroked her cheek. "It will get easier with time. And we will be there for them."Valerie nodded. "I am sorry."Antonio lifted his brow. "For what?""I can't help but feel responsible for Ellie's death. She died because...because she tried to save me," she choked out.Antonio suddenly bent down and lifted Valerie into his arms, crad
Valerie stepped out into the crisp air and looked around the area. There was nothing but woods all around them.They decided to have their honeymoon by the lake, away from the city. Nothing fancy, nothing big, just simple peace and quiet. That's what Valerie needed.Antonio closed the door behind them. Valerie looked around the room, her eyes drinking in the simplicity of the rustic decor, the quilt-covered armchairs, and the braided rugs."Feels like we can breathe here," Antonio murmured.Valerie nodded, feeling the truth of his words settle around her heart. "Are you sure it's okay to leave the children behind?"It had been two weeks since the incident at the wedding. During those two weeks, Both Antonio and River had their men watch them like hawks. During that time, Valerie felt like a prisoner but she didn't want to risk going outside either."No one had attacked the house for the past weeks and we still have them guarded. They will be fine for two days, trust me," Antonio said.
River's heart pounded in his chest like a caged animal desperate for escape."I will punish him for you, Ellie," he whispered to himself, his breath a thin mist in the cold air. His mind was a whirlwind of memories - her laughter, her smile, her touch. But now, all that remained were the haunting echoes of their love, and the bitter taste of vengeance consuming him from within."Ellie," he said again, louder this time. "I will find justice for you. I swear it."The prisoner's silhouette was barely visible, chained to a chair in the farthest corner of the dimly lit basement. River could feel his heart pounding in his chest as he approached."Tell me," River began, his voice low but firm, "why did you attack Antonio?"The prisoner lifted his head slowly, revealing a face bruised from earlier interrogations. His eyes locked onto River's with a cold, unyielding defiance."None of your business," the man spat.River clenched his fists, feeling the anger building inside him. He took a deep
Valerie settled into her new routine at the mansion. It had been four months, and things had been quiet since their wedding night, and there had been no more problems.The mansion was still and serene, but there was a lingering sense of emptiness that Valerie couldn’t ignore. After a month of living with her, River sent Tiffany to a prestigious boarding school. The decision, though necessary, left a void in Valerie’s life. At least he was allowing Lucas to live with her since he was only five years old.She missed Tiffany’s presence. She was so much like her mother, Ellie. But Valerie understood that the school would be good for her. Tiffany needed to be far from where her mother was killed. She needed to heal.Antonio was devoted to her and Landon as always. He tried to do things to cheer her up, but Valerie still felt gloomy.“You alright, mi amore?” he asked as he watched her play with her scrambled eggs.“Yes,” she said quietly.“Are you lying to me?” he asked.Her eyes snapped up
River kicked at Marco's jaw again.Marco groaned, slowly coming to as River towered over him, eyes cold as ice. Blood trickled from the traitor's broken nose, pooling on the grimy concrete. River seized the front of Marco's shirt, hauling him up to stare directly into those dazed, fearful eyes."Start talking," River growled through clenched teeth. "I want to know everything about Alexander Torres and his operation. Now."Marco coughed, crimson spattering his lips. "I'll tell you nothing," he spat defiantly, though his voice shook. "You think I'm scared of you?"A humorless smile twisted River's mouth. "Oh, you will be."With ruthless efficiency, he set to work, each calculated blow fueled by the searing pain of loss. Images of Ellie's lifeless casket being lowered into the earth, flashed through his mind as his knuckles split and bones cracked beneath them.After enduring a relentless barrage of beatings for what felt like an eternity, Nolan finally broke down and confessed the ident
The heavy oak door splintered under River’s boot as he stormed into Alexander’s sprawling mansion. His heart pounded with pure adrenaline, blood roaring in his ears.Following the sound of music and laughter, River burst into the main hall. An extravagant engagement party was in full swing. They all looked so happy. Happiness that River forgot how to feel.Then the screams began.Guests frantically dove for cover as River advanced, his eyes wild with barely contained rage. How dare Alexander celebrate while Ellie lay cold in her grave? The bastard’s time had run out.Scanning the panicked crowd, River caught no sign of his target. Alexander was a coward, no doubt slinking away to safety while his innocent guests took the fall. But there would be no escape this time.“Where is Alexander Torres?” River bellowed, his deep voice cutting through the din. “Show yourself, you spineless piece of sh**!”An older man in a tuxedo stepped forward, hands raised in supplication. “Please, señor, I b