LOGINCristiano started driving, and as the car rolled onto the road, Siena felt her cheeks still burning. She couldn’t believe she had just put Carina in her place—right in front of Cristiano. God, what must he be thinking of her now? That she was aggressive? A bully? The thought made her wince in embarrassment.But before she could spiral further, she flinched at the sudden warmth covering her hand. Cristiano’s fingers slid over hers, gently clasping her hand on her lap while he kept his other hand steady on the steering wheel, eyes fixed on the road.Siena’s heart skipped a beat. Wow. She had always dreamed of moments like this—simple, soft, and intimate. A romantic drive with her husband holding her hand as if he couldn’t bear to let go. His thumb traced slow circles over the back of her palm, sending a rush of goosebumps up her arms again and again.“After I drop you home, I have to go back to the office,” he said, shifting his gaze toward her curious eyes for a brief second before foc
As Siena stepped into the parking area, his eyes lifted from his phone instantly, as if he could sense her presence without even looking. As his gaze fell on his wife’s beautiful face—the face he had been desperately longing to see since morning, ever since he left for the office—a rare, gentle smile spread across his lips, the kind he reserved only for her.She stood there quietly, not moving toward him, just watching him. He pushed himself off the car he had been leaning on and walked toward her.“Hi,” he murmured, brushing his fingertips softly against her cheek before tucking a stray strand behind her ear. His hand lingered, sliding through her silky hair. He just couldn’t stop himself from touching her, from feeling her close.“Hi…” Siena whispered, a small shiver running through her from the tenderness of his touch. She smiled shyly.“Classes ended? Are you free now?” he asked, and Siena nodded, her cheeks warming with a blush.“Let’s go then.” He took her hand possessively and
Raffaele remembered how many times he had wanted to call Cristiano back then… how badly he had wanted to ask about Siena’s well-being. But he never did. Not because he feared the Italian Don’s temper or the warning never to bring up her name—he wasn’t that kind of coward. It was the fear of hearing something he wasn’t ready to face. The fear that something terrible had happened to Siena.He had always known she wasn’t his real sister, but his heart had refused to accept that. He had loved her as one of his own, protected her every single day of her life. If not for the threat hanging over his family, he would have thrown himself in front of death itself to shield her. Instead, he had been forced into a deal he despised.And then the news came out—headlines about Cristiano Vitelli being utterly taken with his wife, the Italian Don displaying affection for her in public without an ounce of restraint. He still remembered the relief that washed through him. Siena was alive. She was
Cristiano answered the call, lifting the phone to his ear without a single word.Silence. Then a shaky breath on the other end.“Don Vitelli?” Raffaele’s hesitant voice broke in. “I— I know I wasn’t supposed to call you. But…”Cristiano’s eyes narrowed. His tone was ice. “But?”There was a long exhale, like the man was gathering courage he didn’t have.“I just want to know…” Raffaele’s voice cracked. “How’s Siena?”Cristiano leaned back in his leather chair, unreadable. “She’s fine.”Raffaele didn’t speak immediately — as if he was stunned by the simple answer. He hadn’t expected Cristiano to reply so calmly.“Thank you,” he whispered, relieved. “Please… take care of her. She’s innocent. She’s kind. She doesn’t belong in your world.”Raffaele bit his lip, the words spilling before he could stop himself.Cristiano couldn’t see his expression through the phone, but he heard him, and it irritated him.His voice snapped, low and sharp.“She does belong to my world. Don’t forget your pla
The news that Cristiano Vitelli’s wife was in the headlines had Vittorio furious. He didn’t want to argue about it at home, so he waited until they were in the office. Vittorio stood over Cristiano, hands on the desk. “What were you thinking when you did this?” he snapped. “Why did you go to her college and announce she’s your wife? Now it’s everywhere.”Cristiano stayed unnervingly calm. “I know what I’m doing, Father.”“Do you?” Vittorio barked. “Was it wise to reveal her identity? Do you understand what that means? They’ll be coming for her any day now.”Cristiano’s jaw tightened. He didn’t answer instantly.“I am not a kid, Father. Don’t worry — nothing’s going to happen. Why would they come after her just because I married her? And if you’re so worried, why did you make me marry her?” Cristiano snapped, irritation flickering across his face, but doing nothing to calm his father.Vittorio stared at his son for a long, hard minute. His jaw tightened. The words came out low and clip
A few tears slipped down her cheeks.Cristiano stood there speechless as Siena continued.“I can’t believe they abandoned me just like that,” she sobbed, and he couldn’t hold back anymore—he pulled her into his chest. She clung to him, crying harder.“I miss my mom… she loved me so much. How could she leave me like this?” Her voice cracked. “Raffaele was always so protective of me. How could my big brother just forget about me? And Silvia—my sister—she panicked every time I so much as sneezed. She studied medicine because she wanted to keep me healthy forever. How could she leave me?”Tears poured down her face.“And Dad… Dad was always worried about me. He made sure I never suffered, not even a little. He wanted the best of everything for me.” Her voice broke completely. “Now he’s gone… without a trace. Not even thinking twice about who would take care of his baby girl.”Cristiano cupped her face in his large palms and gently lifted her head so she would look at him.“I’m here, doll,”







