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Huling Na-update:
2025-02-21 12:38:37
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The Mafia's Nanny 202
202Alaric’s POVThe house was quiet, too quiet, as I sat in my office with a glass of whiskey that I hadn’t touched in over an hour. The amber liquid caught the dim light of the desk lamp, swirling lazily as if mocking my restless mind. Emilia was in the next room, probably pacing, possibly crying, but definitely not telling me everything she was thinking. That was the problem with her. She’d shoulder a world of burdens without letting anyone else carry even a fraction of the weight.And it was killing me.I heard the soft creak of the door opening, and when I looked up, there she was. Her hair was slightly disheveled, her face weary, but there was something very dull in her expression. She didn’t wait for me to invite her in—she rarely did these days. Instead, she closed the door behind her and leaned against it for a moment, as if gathering her thoughts.“Are you going to stand there all night?” I asked, my voice rougher than I intended.She crossed the room and sat in the chair ac
Huling Na-update : 2025-02-21The Mafia's Nanny 203
203Alaric’s POVThe meeting room was quiet except for the low hum of voices as my men debated logistics. Allesio stood at the head of the table, his arms crossed, the tension in his posture mirroring my own. I sat back in my chair, listening but not speaking, my fingers steepled as I processed the information.“They’ve been hitting our distribution routes near the docks,” Allesio said, his tone clipped. “Two shipments delayed this week alone. It’s not coincidence, Alaric.”My jaw tightened. “And you’re sure it’s the Santoros?”Allesio nodded. “As sure as I can be. The timing, the method—it fits their MO. They’re small-time, but they’re not stupid. They see the tension with Alonso and think it’s their chance to play kingmaker.”“Idiots,” I muttered, leaning forward. “They won’t survive stepping into this war.”“We could let them,” Allesio suggested. “Let them hit Alonso’s operations, stir up trouble on his end. It might even work in our favor.”“No,” I snapped, the finality in my voic
Huling Na-update : 2025-02-22The Mafia's Nanny 204
204Emilia’s POVThe late afternoon sunlight filtered through the wide windows of the library, casting golden patterns across the polished wood floor. My fingers brushed against the spine of an ancient leather-bound journal, its surface cracked and worn with time. I had found it tucked away in a small wooden chest Alonso had left in the room I was temporarily staying in—a chest I wasn’t supposed to open but couldn’t resist. I hadn’t even remembered about it until now.The name Inscribed on the cover made my breath catch. Isabella. My mother.I hesitated, the weight of the moment pressing down on me. I had spent weeks trying to piece together who she really was, struggling to separate the idyllic image I had as a child from the fragmented truth Alonso had given me. And now, here in my hands, was her voice—her thoughts, her fears, her love—all bound in a fragile relic of the past.My heart pounded as I flipped open the cover. The pages were filled with a delicate script, the ink faded b
Huling Na-update : 2025-02-22The Mafia's Nanny 205
205Emilia’s POVI sat at the edge of the couch, clutching my mother’s journal like it was my lifeline. It had this emotional weight to it that I hated, pressing against my chest like a phantom ache and making me feel suffocated. Alaric paced the room, his sharp movements punctuated by the occasional clenched fist. I’d just finished reading him the most damning entries, and the fire in his eyes made me question whether I should’ve shared them at all.“She loved him,” I said quietly, breaking the tense silence. “That much is clear. But she was scared, too. Scared of what his world meant for her—and for me.”Alaric stopped mid-step, turning to face me. His jaw tightened, and his eyes were colder than I’d seen them in a long time. “She was scared because Alonso dragged her into hell. He promised her safety, and instead, he handed her over to a life she couldn’t escape.”His words cut deep, and not because they were wrong. The journal painted a picture of a man who loved my mother but cou
Huling Na-update : 2025-02-25The Mafia's Nanny 206
206Emilia’s POVI was seated across from Alonso in the dimly lit study of his villa, the journal clutched tightly in my hands. It felt strange to be here again, to look into the eyes of a man who had caused me so much pain and confusion, yet who claimed to have loved my birth mother more than life itself. He looked different today—not the powerful, untouchable mafia king, but a man weighed down by his own ghosts.“I found this,” I said, my voice steadier than I felt as I placed the journal on the polished wooden table between us. “It was my mother’s.”Alonso’s face softened, his gaze dropping to the worn leather cover. He didn’t reach for it. Instead, he leaned back, his expression shadowed with something I couldn’t quite name. Guilt? Pain? Regret?“She kept it hidden,” I continued. “But it paints a picture I’m not sure I can reconcile. She loved you, Alonso. That much is clear. But she was also afraid of you, afraid of what this life would do to her—and to me.”His shoulders sagged,
Huling Na-update : 2025-02-25The Mafia's Nanny 207
207Emilia’s POVAlaric paced the living room like a caged tiger, his hand raking through his hair as he muttered under his breath. I sat on the couch, my arms folded, trying to keep my own emotions in check. This had become a familiar scene since I’d returned from seeing Alonso, the air between us heavy with tension neither of us seemed willing—or able—to break.Finally, he stopped and turned to face me, his dark eyes blazing. “I don’t understand how you can even consider letting that man into your life after everything he’s done.”I took a deep breath, bracing myself. “It’s not about letting him in, Alaric. It’s about understanding where I came from, about finding some kind of peace with it.”“Peace?” he repeated, his voice sharp. “You think you’re going to find peace with a man like Alonso? He’s a manipulator, Emilia. He’ll say whatever he thinks you want to hear to worm his way into your good graces.”I stood, my frustration bubbling over. “Do you think I don’t know that? Do you t
Huling Na-update : 2025-02-26The Mafia's Nanny 208
208Emilia’s POVThe package sat on the dining table, wrapped in elegant gold paper and tied with a satin bow. Francesca bounced on her toes, her small frame radiating excitement.“Can I open it now, Emilia? Please?”I hesitated, glancing at the doorway where I knew Alaric would appear any moment. My stomach twisted at the thought of his reaction. This wasn’t just any gift—it was from Alonso.“Go ahead, sweetheart,” I said softly, smoothing down her curls. Francesca’s joy was infectious, and I couldn’t bear to ruin it for her.Her tiny fingers worked quickly to tear the paper, revealing a sleek black box. She opened it with a gasp, pulling out a beautiful, hand-carved wooden horse. The craftsmanship was impeccable, every detail perfect, from the delicate reins to the smooth finish of the wood.“It’s so pretty!” Francesca exclaimed, holding it up for me to see. “Look, Emilia! It’s like the ponies in my storybook!”I forced a smile, though my chest felt tight. “It’s beautiful, love. Do
Huling Na-update : 2025-02-26The Mafia's Nanny 209
209Alaric’s POVThe sound of the door crashing open jolted me awake. I was on my feet before I even registered Marisol’s pale face in the dim light.“Señor,” she gasped, clutching the doorframe, “it’s Francesca. She’s burning up with a fever!”Everything in me stilled for a moment before snapping into motion. “How high?” I demanded, already pulling on my robe.“I don’t know, Señor,” she stammered, her voice shaky. “But she’s crying, and her skin is so hot—”“Why wasn’t I told sooner?” I cut her off, my tone sharp.Marisol flinched, her hands twisting nervously. “It just started, but it’s getting worse.”Emilia was out of bed now, her face pale as she slipped past me. “Where is she?” she asked, her voice trembling.“In her room, Señora,” Marisol answered quickly.I didn’t wait for more. I was already halfway down the hall, my pulse pounding in my ears. By the time I reached Francesca’s room, I was bracing myself for the worst, but the sight of her small form, flushed and restless in b
Huling Na-update : 2025-02-28
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The Mafia's Nanny 285
286Emilia’s POVI didn’t speak to him.Not when we left Alonso’s house. Not in the car. Not when we got home.I walked straight past him, up the stairs, and into our bedroom, slamming the door shut behind me. I wasn’t even sure why I was so angry. Maybe it was the betrayal. Maybe it was the exhaustion. Maybe it was the fact that every time I thought I finally knew everything about the man I loved, another secret came crawling out of the dark.I paced the room, my thoughts tangled in knots.Francesca.Not his daughter. Not biologically, at least.Dominic’s.And I had saved her. Me. Three years ago, without even realizing it.A knock sounded at the door. “Emilia.”I ignored him.The handle turned, and he stepped inside cautiously, as if he thought I might throw something at his head. A tempting idea.“Emilia, please.” His voice was quiet, tired. “Can we talk?”I folded my arms. “Oh, now you want to talk?”His jaw tensed. “I always wanted to tell you.”“Then why didn’t you?” I shot back
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285Alaric’s POVI was going to kill Emilia.Slowly. Painfully. And with great satisfaction.“You’re overreacting,” she said, not even looking at me as she fixed her earrings in the mirror.I let out a humorless laugh, crossing my arms. “You’re dragging me to have dinner with Alonso. That’s not overreacting. That’s a death wish.”Emilia sighed, finally turning to face me. “He agreed to the wedding, didn’t he?”I scowled. “Begrudgingly. There’s a difference.”She gave me a pointed look. “Alaric, he’s trying. And if you don’t at least pretend to try too, I swear to God—”I held up a hand. “Yeah, yeah. You’ll cut me out of your life, blah blah.” I let my head fall back. “Jesus. You’re really enjoying making me suffer, aren’t you?”Emilia smirked. “You have no idea.”I regretted everything the second we stepped into Alonso’s house.He barely spared me a glance as he gestured for us to sit at the long dining table, his expression set in that usual unreadable scowl of his. The man had two m
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284Emilia’s POVI exhaled, slow and steady, forcing my heartbeat to settle. My hands were still curled into fists at my sides, but the sharp edges of my anger had dulled, leaving me very exhausted.Alonso had gone quiet. Alaric, too.They were both thinking of the ultimatum, I was sure of it.I wasn’t going to repeat myself. I had laid it all out—either they figured out a way to tolerate each other, or they lost me. I meant every word.I wrapped my arms around my stomach, my body still thrumming from the adrenaline. My child’s future was at stake. I refused to let them grow up trapped between two men who refused to let go of the past.Finally, Alonso inhaled sharply, rubbing a hand over his face. “So that’s it? You’re threatening to cut me out of your life unless I… what? Accept this marriage? Accept him?” His voice was rough, tinged with something I couldn’t quite place.I held his gaze, unwavering. “Yes.”Alonso let out a bitter, humorless laugh. “You expect me to suddenly be okay
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283Emilia’s POV“Well,” I said, exhaling slowly, “at least now the marriage can finally go through without worrying about all this hatred between you and Alaric.” I looked at Alonso, expecting—no, hoping—for some sign that he agreed. That this war, this endless, exhausting war, has really ended.But he just sat there, stiff as a statue, arms crossed over his chest, his expression unreadable.Then he said, “I still don’t support this marriage.”I blinked. Laughed, even. Because surely, after everything, he was joking.“You’re serious?” I asked, the laughter dying in my throat.I thought we were finally past this.For the first time in what felt like forever, I allowed myself to breathe, to believe that maybe I could live normally without worrying that they hated each other.But apparently, I had been a little too optimistic.“You’re joking,” I said flatly, staring at my father. “Tell me you’re joking.”Alonso met my gaze, unmoved. “I’m not.”I blinked. “You just spent hours unraveling
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282Emilia’s POV The drive to Alonso’s house was tense. Alaric sat beside me, silent and brooding, his fingers tapping against his thigh. I knew he didn’t want to be here. He thought this was pointless. But I didn’t care.We needed answers. All the puzzle pieces were scattered, and I was tired of trying to put them together blindly.When we arrived, Alonso was already waiting for us outside, arms crossed, expression unreadable.“This is unexpected,” he said, glancing between us. “What’s going on?”I didn’t waste time. “We need to talk. Inside.”He studied me for a moment, then nodded, stepping aside to let us in.Alaric followed reluctantly, his entire body radiating frustration. He had made it clear that he didn’t trust Alonso, even after everything. And honestly, I couldn’t blame him. Their history was drenched in too much blood.We sat in the living room, the tension a little bit too thick between us. I leaned forward, resting my elbows on my knees.“We know Jonas was the one who
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281Emilia’s POV I was done.Done pleading.Done begging.Done trying to make two grown men see reason when all they cared about was their pride and revenge.They weren’t listening.They refused to listen.So I was going to make them.I took a slow, deep breath, my hands trembling as I slid them into my coat pocket. My fingers curled around the cool, hard metal of the small gun I always carried, the one Alaric had given me for protection.Funny.Right now, I needed protection from them.I pulled it out in one swift motion, flicking the safety off and pressing the barrel against my own temple.Alaric froze.Alonso’s eyes went wide.The entire room went deathly silent.“If you don’t stop,” I said, my voice steady, “I will.”Alaric’s gun lowered immediately, his face twisting in sheer panic. “Emilia—put the gun down.”Alonso took a sharp step forward. “This isn’t funny. Give it to me.”I didn’t move.Didn’t blink.Didn’t waver.I let them see it.I wasn’t bluffing, not this time.“You’r
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280Emilia’s POV I didn’t think. I didn’t hesitate. I just ran.My heart pounded in my chest as I shoved open the door to Alonso’s house, my breath coming in short, panicked bursts. I barely registered the grand hallway, the expensive furniture, the tension in the air thick enough to choke me.All I saw was them.Alaric.Alonso.Standing in the middle of the room, guns raised, pure hatred burning in their eyes.And then—Alonso’s finger twitched on the trigger.“NO!” I screamed, my voice cracking as I threw myself between them.It was instinct, reckless and stupid, but I didn’t care. I didn’t even think about it, I just moved. My arms spread wide, my body the only thing standing between them.“Are you both insane?” I shouted, my voice shaking.Alaric’s eyes snapped to me, wild with rage and something else something darker.“Get out of the way, Emilia,” he said, his voice low, deadly.“No,” I shot back. “You get out of the way.”His jaw clenched. “This isn’t your fight.”“The hell it
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279Alaric’s POVAlonso leaned back in his chair, stretching his arms out like we were having a casual conversation instead of a standoff. His gun was still within reach, but he hadn’t gone for it. Neither had I.Not yet.“You’re awfully quiet,” he noted. “Did I hit a nerve?”I scoffed, keeping my gun trained on him. “You haven’t said anything worth responding to.”He smirked. “Maybe I should.”I narrowed my eyes, watching him closely. His demeanor had shifted slightly—not cocky, not smug. Something else. Something that made my instincts sharpen.Alonso exhaled slowly, tapping his fingers against the table. “You think you know everything about why our families hate each other. But you don’t, Alaric.”I let out a humorless laugh. “You killed my brother. That’s all I need to know.”He shook his head. “That was an accident.”I stiffened. “Bullshit.”His eyes darkened. “You think I wanted Dominic dead? You think I went out that night planning for this to happen?”I said nothing, but my gr
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278Alaric’s POVThe night was still, the kind of stillness that came before a storm. The kind that made your gut twist in anticipation, like the world itself was holding its breath. I barely noticed.All I could feel was the fire burning inside me.I gripped the gun in my hand, my fingers tightening around the cold metal as I stepped out of the car. I stood in the front of Alonso’s mansion, watching as his guards moved around relaxed without suspecting anything at all.Good.He wouldn’t see me coming.My footsteps were steady as I moved up the driveway, my mind sharp, focused. Every part of me was locked in, my rage simmering just beneath the surface. The guards at the front barely had time to react before I took them down quick, clean, quiet.I didn’t come here for them.I came for him.The door to his house wasn’t locked. Arrogant bastard.I pushed it open without hesitation, stepping inside. The place was dark, but I knew he was here.I could feel him.A few more steps, and then—
