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Huling Na-update:
2025-02-25 10:41:21
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The 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 : 2025-02-28The Mafia's Nanny 210
210Emilia’s POVFrancesca’s laughter was the sweetest sound I’d heard in days. She sat cross-legged on the floor of the living room, surrounded by a fortress of pillows and blankets Alaric had helped her build this morning. She was still a little pale, but the fever had broken overnight, and her energy seemed to return with every hour.I leaned against the doorway, watching her pretend to serve tea to her stuffed animals. Alaric sat nearby, awkwardly holding a tiny porcelain cup, his large hands looking almost comical against the delicate dishware.“Would you like more tea, Mr. Bear?” Francesca asked, her voice full of the exaggerated politeness she thought adults used.“Of course, Francesca,” Alaric replied in a deep voice, mimicking the bear. “But only if you save me one of those biscuits.”She giggled, picking up an imaginary biscuit and handing it to him. “Here you go!”I couldn’t help but smile. The last few days had been a whirlwind of fear and exhaustion, but seeing her so ful
Huling Na-update : 2025-02-28The Mafia's Nanny 211
211Emilia’s POVI was folding Francesca’s tiny socks when the front door slammed so hard it rattled the walls. My heart jumped into my throat, but before I could process the noise, a whirlwind of fiery red hair and outrage swept into the room. Rosa.“Emilia!” she bellowed, her heels clicking sharply against the floor as she stormed toward me. She dropped her leather bag onto the floor, eyes blazing.“Rosa?” I blinked, startled. “You’re back early—”“Don’t you dare,” she snapped, pointing an accusatory finger at me. “Don’t even try to deflect, Emilia. You owe me an explanation, and you’re going to give it. Now.”I froze mid-sock fold. “Explanation for what?”Her hands flew to her hips, her glare sharp enough to cut glass. “Don’t play dumb. I know everything. The kidnapping, Alonso, the whole insane ‘you’re-his-daughter’ revelation—everything. And you didn’t tell me?!”I winced. Of course, she knew. Rosa had a knack for ferreting out information like a bloodhound. Still, the thought of
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-01The Mafia's Nanny 212
212Alaric’s POVWork never ends in this life. The early morning hours, the quiet hum of the house, none of it gave me peace anymore. Not with everything we were juggling—alliances, threats, Alonso. It was like balancing on a knife’s edge, and if I tipped too far in any direction, the whole operation would come crashing down.I stood by the window in my study, a glass of whiskey in hand. It was too early for this, but it was the only thing keeping me from grinding my teeth down to dust. Allesio had been quiet for the last ten minutes, flipping through reports at my desk. His silence was unusual, but I didn’t press. Not yet.“You going to keep brooding, or are we going to talk about the shipment?” he finally asked, not looking up.I sighed, swirling the amber liquid in my glass. “We lost three trucks last week. Three. Do you understand how much that sets us back?”“Of course, I do. I’m the one cleaning up your mess.”I shot him a look, but he smirked like he wasn’t intimidated in the s
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-01The Mafia's Nanny 213
213Emilia’s POVThe idea of a girls’ day had been Rosa’s idea, of course. She’d declared it as soon as she’d waltzed into the house, full of energy after her blow up with Alaric, Allesio and I. I hadn’t even had time to argue before she swept Francesca into her arms and started planning a day out as though she lived here full-time.“Emilia, you’re entirely too cooped up. A little shopping, some fresh air, and maybe some wine—what do you say?” she’d said, practically dragging me to the closet to pick out something “decent.”And that’s how I found myself sandwiched between Rosa and Francesca in the backseat of one of Alaric’s cars, our driver watching the chaos unfold in the rearview mirror with thinly veiled amusement.Francesca was perched on my lap, tugging at the edge of my coat. “Mommy, can I have ice cream? Pretty please?”I smoothed a hand over her curls, laughing. “It’s not even lunchtime yet, baby.”“But Mommy—”“Francesca,” Rosa cut in, a playful warning in her voice. “You’re
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-02The Mafia's Nanny 214
214Alaric’s POVThe house was unusually quiet for a change, the kind of quiet that settled deep into your bones and made everything feel more significant. Francesca had just gone to bed after an exhausting day at the park with Emilia and Rosa, and though she’d promised to stay put, I could hear the occasional muffled giggle from her room. She wasn’t asleep yet, but I didn’t mind. Tonight wasn’t about perfection—it was about sincerity.I sat in the living room, the small velvet box burning a hole in my pocket. Emilia was curled up on the couch, a book in her lap, her hair falling in loose waves over her shoulder. She looked so at ease, so present, that it almost made me second-guess the timing. But then she glanced up at me, her eyes soft, and I knew.There would be no better timing than this. I had to do it now, before some shit goes down in our lives once again and steals the moment from us.“Why are you staring at me like that?” she asked with a raised brow, setting the book down w
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-02
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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
The Mafia's Nanny 283
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
The Mafia's Nanny 282
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
The Mafia's Nanny 281
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
The Mafia's Nanny 279
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—
