It’s been two weeks now, and I have been discharged from the hospital, but my memory still hasn’t returned. I also hadn’t seen Antonio since that day. Although I missed him and taught about him every single day, I persuaded myself that his absence was for the best.Ruby’s absence, on the other hand, hurt me even more than Antonio’s absence did. I was worried that something might have happened to her, only to realise that she was hale, hearty, and well aware that I was in the hospital. After calling her several times without reaching her, I decided to try using another phone, and behold, Ruby picked up. The second she realised that I was the one on the line, she ended it, without hesitation, shattering my heart to pieces.“Here it is.” Grace said, cutting through my thoughts as she placed a cup of coffee before me on the counter. “You look so lost in thoughts. What are you thinking about?” She continued, her face brimming with curiosity.“Nothing.” I cleared my throat. "Uhm, where’s Ca
ANTONIO.“You are beautiful, Rosalinda.” I told her as I placed my hand on her face, tracing every detail as I stared at her, my desires threatening to overwhelm me.“This is the 100th time you’re telling me this today.” The blush that appeared on her face made my co.ck even harder.“You are not complaining, are you?” I traced my fingers down to her chin and held them between two fingers.“Your compliments make me happy.” She replied, prompting me to swiftly wrap my arm around her waist, drawing her so close that there was barely an inch between us.“I am so fucking attracted to you, Rosa. I want you.” I confessed, my eyes filled with desire. I wanted her!I could feel her heart beating so fast against her ribcage, the desire in her eyes matching mine, as she whispered. “Then take me."Without hesitation, I leaned in, ready to devour every inch of her body, when I felt a light tap on my arm, jolting me awake.I opened my eyes to see Marco standing before me, and the annoying grin on h
. ROSALINDA.The morning sun emitted a gentle warmth. The temperature was just right—neither too hot nor too cold—creating perfect weather.Papà and I were seated on the porch, enjoying the tranquilly of the atmosphere. He immersed himself in a magazine while I scrolled through social media on my phone. At that moment, my mind was clear, and I wasn’t thinking about anything bothersome like I always did—well, not until my father suddenly broke the silence.“Rosalinda.” He called, and I lifted my head to meet his gaze. “There’s something I observed and want to discuss with you.”Quickly turning off my phone's screen, I gave him my full attention. "What is it, Papà?"“You and Sofia have been acting strangely.” He said, and my heart sank to my stomach. “What happened?”I knew it was only a matter of time before my family noticed, but still, I wasn’t prepared for the question. What could I possibly tell him? Sofia was mad at me because she thought I had a thing with Antonio. Definitely no
ROSALINDA.Ruby ran so fast that I missed her. After looking through the park for a while with no avail, I finally gave up and started making my way back to Antonio and my son. But as I walked through the park, my eyes caught sight of something—a red-haired girl standing behind a tree. Instantly, I knew it was Ruby, and I rushed towards the tree. Her fiery red hair gave her away.“Ruby.” I called when I came to a stop behind her, and she gasped in shock as she turned to look at me, realising I had caught her.“Rosa.” She whispered.“What did I do to you?” I shot the question at her without hesitation.“You didn’t do anything. It’s just…” She raked her fingers through her hair anxiously, causing me to arch my brow.What was wrong with her?"It is just what?” I prodded.“It’s just…” She blew out a sharp breath, and her demeanour suddenly changed to an angry one.“What?” I encouraged her to continue.“Nothing. I just don’t want to be friends with you anymore. Can’t you get that and leave
ROSALINDA.“How was it? I bet you had a blast.” Sofia sneered, walking past us.She was the first person Carlo and I encountered upon returning home after a long day at the park, and I was sick and tired of the games she had been playing. It was high time we talked about it and smoothed things out. I wouldn’t want Papà asking me the same question he asked this morning again.“Sofia.” I called, my brows furrowing, and she turned to look at me. “We need to talk.”“Talk about what exactly?” She raised a brow.“Please.” I added. “In my room, now.”“I’m not interested in anything you want to say, but okay.” She rolled her eyes as she began to walk in the direction of my room.“Mommy. Is Aunt Sofia upset?” Carlo asked, and I shook my head slightly, a small smile touching my lips.“She is not. Why don’t you go and play with Joy?” I suggested when I sighted Joy.Joy smiled approvingly, opening her arms wide for Carlo to run into, and he did just that.When I got to my room, Sofia was sitting
ANTONIO. “What more do you want from me? You asked me to keep my mouth sealed, and I did. I even had to say hurtful things that I didn’t mean to my best friend just to keep her away from me. Do you know much that hurt me? Why did you bring me here again? You promised to never bother me again.” Ruby uttered, her eyes flicking with hatred.“That’s the problem. You shouldn’t keep your distance from her. Now you’ve got her suspecting that something’s wrong with you. I don’t want her to be worried about you. You should act naturally around her."“Please just let me go.” She cried. I shook my head, sighing.“Why are you still standing there?” I growled. I felt a presence moments ago, and I had expected whoever it was to leave immediately, but they didn’t.When I didn’t get a response, I flicked my head to the side, ready to lash out at whoever it was, but the second I laid my eyes on her, I froze.“Rosa.” My voice suddenly went low. Her eyes blazed with rage as she started walking towards
ROSALINDA.Giovanni and I almost lost our lives. He kidnapped Ruby and threatened her with her life as well as that of her parents. But even after everything, my feelings towards him remained the same. When I saw him at Papà’s office, my body still reacted to him in ways that it shouldn’t. What was wrong with me?I used to hate mafia bosses and their stupid ruthlessness, hurting innocents just to get their way. Why was everything different when I was directly involved? Why couldn’t I hate him?“I fucking hate you!” I groaned as I pushed my room’s door open and marched in.“Rosa?” The sound of Sofia’s voice jerked me back to reality, and I turned to see her sitting by the dresser.I was so consumed in rage that I didn’t even realise that she was in the room. I was angry at Antonio for all that he did to all of us. And most especially, angry at myself for being just angry with him and not actually hating him as I should.“Your face’s so red,” she observed. “What are you upset about?”“H
ROSALINDA.Shortly after, the door suddenly started banging, and the second I heard Sofia’s voice impatiently calling my name, I had to forcefully shut down my emotions and stop crying immediately. Wiping the tears from my face, I inhaled and exhaled to calm myself before trudging to the door and pulling it open.“Rosa, what’s wrong?” She asked, confusion spreading across her face as she slipped inside the room.“Nothing.” I replied, closing the door and heading towards the bed.“Don’t tell me that, Rosa. I heard you crying. And I also heard your altercation with Piero. I know you hated him, but damn, I had no idea you hated him this much. What did he do to you?" The concerns on her face weren’t going to convince me to tell her what the problem was. I didn’t want to.“Agreed.” I turned to look at her. “Just as there’s something bothering you and you’re not willing to share, I am also not willing to share. So, let’s say we are even now.”She stood there, staring at me dumbfounded, una