Chapter 20AnnalisaAfter I finished signing the contract, there was this odd thought that crept into my mind. Did Cristiano have a hand in this? I didn't want to be ungrateful by doubting at this moment, but the more I thought about it, it seemed really possible. The role everyone played was too perfect like it had been planned. The same people who had avoided me yesterday, were overly nice today. Everything had happened so fast, don't blame me, that was enough to disbelieve.But, as much as I wanted to question it, there was a confidence built inside me that overshadowed every doubt. I had this feeling that maybe, just maybe, I had actually earned this opportunity on my own. I took a breath, allowing myself to feel the pride of it.The CEO, Mr. Bernardo shook my hand one last time, grinning with a warmth that seemed too genuine to be fake. “Congratulations, Mrs. Morano. We look forward to seeing what you bring to the screen.”“Thank you so much.” I replied, trying to keep my voice s
Chapter 21Cristiano A day before the present…I let out a grunt as I got to my study room, pulling out my phone, and checking the screen to see the five missed calls from Ricardo that had ruined my erotic moment with Annalisa. Few days ago, the Salvatore empire Don had asked to me partner with him to raid a military zone, in order to take possession of the armed equipment that they had. Apparently, the Salvatore didn't have enough men on their own to carry out the mission, so they wanted some of our men to back them. But now, just as I had predicted, they were probably about to go back on their words.I called Ricardo back, and he answered on the first ring. “Cristiano, you’re finally available.”“What’s going on, Ricardo? What couldn’t wait?” I asked, keeping my tone steady even though his own panicked voice kept me on edge.“It’s Salvatore’s men,” he replied in a very low voice. “They showed up at the dock tonight. They are saying we messed up the shipment, claiming we switched th
Chapter 22Annalisa In our haste, Cristiano shut the door behind him with the back of his leg. Before I could react, he was on me, pressing his lips against mine with a fierceness I didn't expect. Every part of him seemed impatient, as if he had been holding back for ages.Cristiano's teeth grazed over my lower lip as he playfully took control of the kiss. His tongue was inside my mouth, darting against mine as though he were playing a game of tag. I struggled to match his pace, finding it difficult to breathe in no time.“Cristiano…” I murmured against his mouth, needing just a second to catch my breath.He pulled back, releasing heavy pants from his mouth as he smiled softly. “I’m sorry, cara. I’ve waited for this moment for so long.” One of Cristiano's hands brushed across my cheek, and the other hand wrapped around my waist, drawing me closer until I could feel his hardness press against my tummy.I felt my face heat up, and I knew by now, a blush must have crept over my face. “I’
Chapter 23Annalisa I couldn't stop myself from gulping when Cristiano’s hands reached down to unbuckle his belt. His gaze never left mine throughout, and by the time he slipped off his trousers to reveal a thick bulge beneath his briefs, my breath caught in my throat. A jolt of excitement spread through me when he yanked open his shirt, the buttons bouncing on the floor. My eyes roamed his bare chest, scanning through his sturdy chest, his thick muscles… goodness, his well-defined abs, and tan skin gleaming under the dim light were to die for.Cristiano was… perfect. Almost too perfect. I had never seen this bare aspect of him up close, even during the swimming pool time, I was so distracted that I didn't take my time to study him. And now, with nothing else obstructing my view, I couldn't believe a human like him could exist. Or perhaps he was a demigod, that was the only way his beauty could make sense. It might sound as though I were exaggerating, but I knew exactly what I was
Chapter 24CristianoAs I laid there beside Annalisa, her soft breaths tickling my shoulder, I couldn't help but replay every second of what had just happened. The way she looked up at me, the softness of her skin, and the trust she had in her eyes—it felt like I was holding something fragile and irreplaceable. Being with her like that, had felt beyond anything I could have imagined. The heat and urgency between us weren’t just physical; there was something unspoken, something that made her different from anyone I had ever been with.I couldn’t deny it. She brought out a side of me I hadn’t seen before. I was the type who never stayed long enough for things to get this close, yet here I was, lying beside her, feeling an inexplicable tenderness I hadn't felt in years. Who was I kidding? I had never felt this way at all. I traced the gentle curve of her cheek with my eyes, memorizing every detail—the way her lashes rested softly against her skin, the subtle rise and fall of her chest,
Chapter 25AnnalisaI woke to that sensation, that all-too-familiar feeling of electricity coursing through me. It took a moment to pull myself from the deep arms of sleep, but as I opened my eyes, I realized why it felt so familiar. Cristiano's head was down there, between my laps when I looked, taking my folds into his mouth with his tongue exploring the deep places of me I didn't even know could feel this incredible.For a second, I thought it must be a dream because, how else could I explain this sort of blissful feeling for an early morning? But when his tongue swiped my pussy, I realized it felt too real to be imaginary. My back arched up closer to his mouth, and my fingers tangled into the bed sheets as I felt him delve even deeper with his mouth. “Cristiano…” I breathed out the only single word I could manage, my voice softly laced with pleasure. My head fell back against the pillow as he continued, his mouth devouring me like he had been waiting for this.Then, he found that
Chapter 26Cristiano I could still feel Annalisa on my skin. I could still taste her unique sweetness on my lips, it was lingering as I stepped out of the car. Her warmth, her natural scent, the way her body molded with mine in surrender when our hips collided… everything about her was intoxicating, clouding my thoughts. Her face was everywhere in my head. I couldn't think safely about something related to her without the thought of bending her over filling my head. Even this morning, it took all that I had in me to let her go to work. I was getting addicted to her, I admit, but today I decided to break it. I had work that demanded my attention, the type of work that required every bit of my focus if I wanted to get over it quickly. I shook off the thoughts of her as I spotted Ricardo waiting by the entrance of the casino, his face having the usual stoic expression in place. Ricardo was someone I met at some phase in my life, and I chose him as my right hand because he was a man who
Chapter 27Annalisa I took a deep breath, letting the fresh morning air fill my lungs as I stepped out of the car, following closely beside Bree and Buddy, who stayed behind us. Today was the first shoot out for the movie I was here to film.The movie was titled, Echoes of pain. For the first scene, the film setting was outdoor. On the field where the acting was to take place, people were hustling and bustling around to prepare. Props were being carried from one corner to another, while the hum of chatter and last-minute preparations floated through the air. The role I would be playing was about a woman who had been bullied by life entirely. Her family, coworkers, even her own husband. No wonder Mr. Bernardo, the CEO of the agency I now worked with, said he trusted my experience. They had truly chosen a role that suited my experience because I understood the story too well. I used to live that way, and now that I read the scripts, I felt every ounce of pain that the character felt.
EPILOGUEGiovanni's Story Before every villain, there was always a hero.Once upon a time, I was that hero.I was the man with loyalty, with honor, with a love so deep it could burn the fucking world down. Daniella was my world. She was mine. Until Cristiano Morano decided she wasn’t.He was my brother in arms, the man I trusted with my life. And yet, one drunken night was all it took for him to betray me. He didn’t hesitate. He didn’t even think about how I would feel. He just took her like she was a slut. And Daniella? She chose him.That was the day I buried my soul six feet under and became something else.Revenge became my heartbeat. My every breath. My reason for waking up each morning. It started with his uncle—Armando, the man who dared to stand in my way when I reported Cristiano to him. A bullet between the eyes took care of that. Of course, I made sure someone else took the fall. That was the easy part.Then there was Annalisa.The woman he couldn’t resist growing up.I wa
Chapter 97- GRAND FINALE Cristiano“You are staring at me again.”Annalisa’s voice was soft, teasing, but I didn’t miss the way her fingers traced small circles over the curve of her belly. Like she was just as mesmerized as I was.I smirked, leaning against the armrest of the couch, my gaze drinking her in. “Can you blame me? You look like a literal goddess right now.”She rolled her eyes, but the corners of her lips twitched, betraying her. “I look like a woman who has been eating way too many croissants.”I shook my head, shifting closer until our knees touched. “Nah, you look like my wife carrying our baby. That’s hot as hell.”She let out a short laugh, shaking her head at me, but I saw the way her eyes softened.God, she was beautiful.The soft glow of the chandelier cast a golden hue over her skin, making her look almost unreal, like something out of a dream I never thought I deserved. But she was here. She was real. And for the first time in my life, I felt… whole. Like every
Chapter 96Annalisa“You know, if you keep staring at him like that, you might as well put up a neon sign that says ‘I have unresolved issues with this man.’”Grace snapped her head toward me, her eyes narrowing when she realized I was referring to her. “Ma’am?”“Drop the formalities, please since you'll soon no longer be our housekeeper.” I smirked, folding my arms as I leaned back in my seat. “And yes, you heard me right.”The wedding was over, and the guests were slowly trickling out, leaving behind the soft hum of conversations and the scent of roses still hanging in the air. The fairy lights twinkled above us, casting a warm glow over the entire setup, but none of that was as interesting as the way Grace kept stealing glances at Ricardo.I mean, she wasn’t even trying to be subtle about it. One second, she would sip her drink, the next, her gaze would flicker toward him like a damn magnet. And the tension? Whew. You could cut it with a butter knife.Grace let out a deep sigh, slu
Chapter 95Annalisa“You do realize you’re talking to your stomach, right?”I blinked and turned my head to see Grace smirking at me, her arms crossed as she leaned against the back of the white wedding chair.“I wasn’t talking to my stomach,” I lied, quickly dropping my hand from my slightly rounded belly.Grace raised an eyebrow. “Mhm. Sure, ma'am. You totally weren’t whispering, ‘Are you going to behave today, little one?’ like some possessed mother-to-be.”I huffed, crossing my arms. “First of all, I was only exhibiting good behavior. And second, I am a mother-to-be. So, yeah, I talk to my baby. Got a problem with that?”Grace grinned, plopping down into the seat beside me. “Not at all, ma'am. It’s actually kinda cute. Like, disturbingly cute.”I rolled my eyes but couldn’t help the small smile tugging at my lips. The wedding was about to start, and Buddy and Bree’s guests had all settled into their seats. I smoothed out the silky blue dress draped over my growing bump, adjusting
Chapter 94Cristiano“You keep staring at me like you're in a dream.” Annalisa’s voice was soft, teasing me, but I could hear the nervous emotions beneath it. She stood in front of the window, wrapped in nothing but the white silk robe that matched the sheets on our honeymoon bed. The street lights outside cast a soft glow against her skin, and for a second, I really did wonder if this was real.I leaned back against the pillows, my shirt unbuttoned, my tie long gone. “Maybe I am.”She turned, raising an eyebrow. “So you think you’re dreaming?”I smirked. “I’m pretty sure I died back there when you walked down the aisle. This is just heaven.”She rolled her eyes, but I caught the way her lips twitched, fighting back a smile. She stepped closer, sitting on the edge of the bed. Her fingers played with the fabric of my sleeve, tracing slow patterns.“We went through so much as a couple,” she whispered.The tone in her voice hit me like a punch to the gut. Because she was right. Every da
Chapter 93Annalisa“Breathe, Annalisa. Just breathe.” I whispered the words to myself, staring at my reflection in the grand mirror.The dress—my dress—was a masterpiece. Snow-white satin hugged my body perfectly, the delicate lace trailing down like poetry. My veil cascaded over my shoulders, soft and weightless, and my makeup was flawless. I looked like a bride. I was a bride.So why did my heart feel like it was trying to punch its way out of my chest?My hands trembled as I gripped the dressing table, trying to steady myself. This was happening. This was real. In a few minutes, I would walk down that aisle, and Cristiano would be there, waiting for me.“Annaliisa, are you good?” Bree peeked in, holding a glass of champagne. “Because you kinda look like you might pass out.”I exhaled shakily. “I’m fine.”She arched her brow, sizing me up with her eyes. “Yeah, no. Try again.”“I said I’m fine.”Bree wasn’t buying it. She walked over, set the champagne down, and placed both hands on
Chapter 92AnnalisaThey said the quietest moments were the loudest. When the world is still, when nothing is happening, that is when your mind decides to scream the loudest.That was exactly how I felt when I woke up that morning.My eyes opened to the soft golden glow of morning sunlight streaming through the sheer curtains, the warmth kissing my bare skin. For a moment, I just stared at the ceiling, my mind blank. I then shifted slightly, feeling the warmth of another body beside me, and that was when it hit me. I was naked.Naked and tangled up in soft sheets that smelled like him.Oh. My. God.Memories of last night came rushing back—Cristiano’s lips on mine, his hands roaming my body, the way he whispered my name like it was the only word that mattered. The way he had touched me like I was something precious, held me like I was something he never wanted to lose. The way he made love to me like we had all the time in the world. It wasn’t just intimacy—it was a celebration. A pas
Chapter 91Annalisa“You’re wearing this. No arguments, Annalisa.”Bree plopped a sleek black box onto my bed, her eyes sparkling with mischief.I blinked at her. “Uh… what?”She crossed her arms. “Don’t act dumb. Open it.”With a sigh, I lifted the lid and—wow. Inside was a stunning red dress, the fabric smooth and luxurious beneath my fingers. A pair of matching heels sat beside it, looking way too expensive for a casual night out.I frowned. “Bree… What the hell is this?”She grinned. “Just a little something for our girls’ night. Duh.”A girls’ night? Yeah, right. The last time Bree pulled something like this, I ended up at a five-star bar and she ended up getting drunk first. I wasn’t about to get dragged into another setup.I folded my arms. “That’s definitely not happening.”“Oh, come on,” she groaned, flopping onto my bed dramatically. “Don’t be boring, Annalisa. You need this. We both do.”I narrowed my eyes. “You’re lying to me Briana, I can easily tell. What’s really going
Chapter 90CristianoThey say love is like a fire—when it’s real, it burns deep, consuming everything in its path. And damn it, I was burning for her.Annalisa wasn’t just another chapter in my life; she was the whole damn book. Every page, every word, every unfinished sentence—I wanted it all to be about her. That was why I had to get this right.I could afford to make any mistakes, nor could I second-guess the whole plan.The wedding planner sat across from me, flipping through a sleek leather notebook. She was in her late thirties, professional, and looked like the kind of woman who had planned a hundred fairytale proposals. Which was great, because I needed this to be perfect.“So, Mr. Morano,” she said, adjusting her glasses. “You mentioned wanting something intimate but still grand in its own way?”I nodded. “Yeah. Something that feels… personal. Like, if she walks in, she’ll know instantly that it’s for her. No generic bullshit.”She smiled. “That’s a good start. Does she have