Chapter 54AnnalisaIf there was one thing about the internet, it was that it never forgets. Like, ‘never ever’ forgets. You could sneeze in public, and ten minutes later, there would be a skit remix of it going viral with the caption, “Bless you, queen.” So yeah, my little “I’m married” moment on the livestream? That had the world laughing their asses out.There were memes, reaction videos, articles, and even some random guy claiming to be my husband for clout. Let him just fear the return of Cristiano from wherever he zoned off to. And my DMs? They were a complete circus. People alternated between congratulating me and asking where Cristiano had been lately. The cherry on top was a tweet that said, “Giovanni got married in the group project and didn’t even get picked as a partner.” Hilarious. Truly.And now, my flu-ridden self was dragging through another day on set, my nose redder than a stop sign, on the verge of losing the very last iota of my patience. Every time I sneezed, my m
Chapter 55CristianoThere was something funny about lying in an MRI machine, listening to its robotic hums and clicks, while you were trying not to panic about what some genius doctor was going to say about your brain. Like, do they practice that ominous sigh that comes before revealing a sad truth about your condition in med school? You know, that sigh—the kind that makes you think, Great, just tell me how screwed I am already.But none of that mattered right now. All I could think about was her smile. That ridiculous, sunshine-on-a-rainy-day smile. Lisa. My Lisa.Her smile burned into my brain like a melting candle on the palm of my hand. It hurts at first, but then it becomes oddly comforting. Ha, what a joke. She probably wasn't even thinking about me right now.God, I hated this.*****FlashbackThat day was supposed to be a regular Thursday. You know, school, boring classes and trying not to punch anyone in the face. But then, my life hit a plot twist I never saw coming.The da
Chapter 56AnnalisaYou know that saying, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade”? Well, in my case, life didn’t just hand me lemons—it chucked them at my head, one by one, while laughing maniacally in the background.I should have seen this coming, honestly. When your husband’s job description included words like “underworld” and “hitman” and you were married before your 27th birthday, it was not like you were signing up for a rom-com. But no one told you how to handle it when a psychopath with too much gel in his hair decides you were his consolation prize.Giovanni. Freaking Giovanni.He was sitting across from me on a mahogany desk, his Rolex watch glinting under the overhead light, smirking like he owned the place. Oh, wait. He practically did.From the look of the empty shelves and dusty floors, I knew this must be one of the abandoned warehouses Giovanni had. They had blindfolded me on the way, so I had no idea where exactly we were.“Annalisa,” Giovanni started, his voice
Chapter 57CristianoThere was nothing else that could compete with sitting in an uncomfortable hospital gown that barely covered my ass to remind me of how utterly pathetic life could be. Honestly, I would rather be dodging bullets than sitting here under the harsh fluorescent lights while some German doctor with an unpronounceable name stared at my MRI scan like it was the freaking Mona Lisa painting.“Mr. Cristiano,” Dr. Reinhardt finally said, his voice thick with a German accent but his words cold and professional. “The results are not encouraging.”No shit, doc. Tell me something I don’t already know.Apparently, my Glioblastoma—a fancy word for “you’re screwed”—was in its final stage. Glioblastoma wasn't just any cancer; it was like the mafia boss of brain tumors. Rapid growth, impossible to kill, and absolutely ruthless. Headaches, seizures, mood swings—I had it all. So, I shouldn't be blamed for my personality changes in the past.And guess what? All those treatments, those p
Chapter 58AnnalisaIf hell had a Yelp page, this place would have a solid five-star rating. Seriously, I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy. My whole body ached as if I had just finished a full exercise session, and my stomach growled louder than a thunder on a rainy day. And the food? Don’t even get me started on that. Giovanni’s version of “princess treatment” was a plate of two limp slices of bread, smeared with something that might have been margarine—or glue. I didn't know. It was hard to tell.I sat on the cold, concrete floor of what looked like an abandoned warehouse. Every creak and groan of the metal walls made my anxiety spike. Giovanni’s men weren’t the chatty type, and my assigned babysitter—a bulky guy with all the charisma of a dead houseplant—hadn’t taken his eyes off me since I woke up here after being injected with a sleeping dose for trying to run away.I needed to escape again. Just like yesterday.“Hey,” I called out to my Dead Houseplant Guard, who barely bli
Chapter 59CristianoThe private jet touched down in Milan just as the sun was setting into its bed. The moment the wheels hit the tarmac, I was already unbuckling my seatbelt. The flight from Germany had been short, but it felt like an eternity knowing that Annalisa was out there—missing, possibly terrified, and in the hands of a man who didn’t deserve to breathe the same air as her.But the second my feet hit the tarred floor, it was though the world tilted. My vision blurred and a sickening wave of dizziness rolling over me like a bad hangover from hell. I clenched my jaw, forcing my body to stay upright. No, I couldn't feel sick today. Not now. Not when Annalisa was out there, trapped with that bastard. A firm grip landed on my arm and I didn't need too look before I knew it was Ricardo. His brows were furrowed when my eyes managed to meet his sharp that were filled with concern. “Are you good?” I yanked my arm away. “Ask me that again, and I’ll have you buried next to Giovanni
Chapter 60Cristiano “Even a machine breaks down if you push it too hard.”Dr. Moretti’s voice followed behind me, ringing in my ears, sharp and unwelcome, as I staggered outside. I didn’t have time for this—I didn’t have time for him. The moment I stepped outside, my mind was already on the battlefield and worst case scenarios. The only thing that mattered was getting to Annalisa. Everything else—my exhaustion, the dull throbbing in my skull, the fact that I hadn’t eaten in over twenty-four hours—was irrelevant.But then, a firm grip on my arm pulled me back. Ricardo had been the one who grabbed my arm.“Wait.”I glared at him, ready to snap, but he held up a crisp white handkerchief. “You’re bleeding.”I frowned. “What?”Ricardo gestured to my face. I swiped the handkerchief under my nose and pulled it back to see it soaked with a red, dark and fresh blood.Fuck.Before I could process it, a second wave hit. The world around me blurred, colors melting together, and for a terrifyin
Forewarning; Life is not always a bed of roses. This chapter contains violence, please skip if you're not comfortable.Chapter 61AnnalisaThe water was cold.But I didn't care.After days of sweat and filth clinging to my skin, of enduring the irritating stench filled in this warehouse, I had appreciated every second of the bath Giovanni finally allowed me. I scrubbed until my fingers started to hurt and my skin started to sting. God knows how hard it was holding back the urge to cry as I brushed my teeth with trembling hands, desperate to erase the taste of his lips on mine, his hands, his control, and most especially their sour-tasting food.Now, as I curled up beneath the thick blanket that reeked of Giovanni's cologne, I allowed myself to sink into the mattress. I was so tired. The exhaustion in my bones was unbearable, my arms and legs felt so heavy, all I wanted at the moment was to close my heavy eyes. I wanted to sleep.But then, life always had other plans. The door to the
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