All Chapters of The Withered Flower of Silence: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

CHIARA P.O.V.I pace back and forth in my room, feeling the adrenaline flowing through my veins like physiological saline. The nerves of being discovered by Wolfgang consume me. Although I once ran away from home as a teenager, the fear I feel now of being found out by him is much greater than I felt in front of my father then. It's ridiculous, I remember that before I was Aldo's captive niece, I used to go out with my college friends to clubs, and I never felt remorse for having fun.Would it really be worth it to anger Wolfgang and risk having me locked up as punishment? -I ask my self-. I sigh deeply and try to remember that Wolfgang promised me that he wouldn't lock me up again. I have a hard time understanding why I feel so afraid when he has repeatedly assured me that he would not lock me up or harm me. Then I also don't understand why that fear sometimes turns into angry butterflies betraying me in my stomach when he gets too close to me.I stop in the middle of my room and loo

CHIARA P.O.V. I find myself submerged in my huge blankets, cut off from the outside world since the night before. I ignore the knock on the door, refusing to let anyone in. My room has become a refuge where I try to escape from the thoughts that torment me. But I can't help but remember Wolfgang's kiss, a kiss that consumes me and makes my heart race.14 hours have passed since that moment, and I still can't get that kiss out of my mind. I shake my head, trying to erase all the images from my thoughts. But his hands running over my body feel so real, like they're still there. I feel elated and guilty at the same time. How could I get carried away by someone as bad as Wolfgang? Why didn't I stop him from the start? Now how am I going to be able to face him and get mad at him when I actually enjoyed that moment as much as he did?I feel overwhelmed with shame and the desire to disappear. However, I hear Constanz's voice calling from

CHIARA P.O.V. I look at myself in the mirror that hangs on the dresser in my room, and observe myself carefully while trying not to be too critical of myself. I am wearing the beautiful turquoise dress that Constanz lent me, and while it is true that I have a slim, curvy figure, I have always worried that I am not voluptuous enough, like Constanz, for example. Constanz and Katharina have amazing bodies. Nervousness comes over me, why now that I'm going out to dinner with Wolfgang am I worried that I'm not as pretty as other girls? I feel my heartbeat echoing in my ears and my hands sweat slightly. Every time I think of Wolfgang's lips, a rapturous wave of sensations sweeps over me, but I can't put a name to them yet. Suddenly, I realize how easy it was to agree to go out with him. I didn't say no to him, but there was no clear reason to turn him down either. However, I still don't understand why he would want to take me out to dinner. Almost unwillingly, I find myself wondering why h

CHIARA P.O.V.When I wake up again, it is morning. The soft, warm breeze coming through the window lightly ruffles my hair. Although I still feel a little depressed about the truth, remembering what Wolfgang told me afterwards, even if it's ridiculous, makes me feel better. Maybe I'm an innocent fool still, I still want my life back, I wish I could change a hundred things, but I know perfectly well that this isn't an infatuation, I'm in love with Wolfgang, and even though I know it's impossible now, I wish I could merge our worlds and make that work.I turn my face and find Wolfgang's face lying on the mattress, still asleep. I smile, and allow myself to detail the features of his face that I like the most, which are all of them. I hesitate, but finally reach my hand up to remove a lock of his hair that is in the way of my inspection. However, as soon as I push the lock away, Wolfgang lifts his hand and catches my wrist. His grip is not hard, but it surprises me.What he does next, ho

WOLFGANG P.O.V.During the plane ride, Klaus, with his sharp, analytical mind, took over the planning. We discussed different scenarios and ways to carry out the operation. The idea of using Blaz as a resource to lure Nathaniel into a trap had its appeal. If Blaz was clean, his cooperation would be important in unmasking the real culprit. However, we couldn't completely trust anyone at this point. Loyalties were at stake and the game was dangerous.My private airstrip was 40 minutes from Berlin. We took two cars and split up. By the time we arrived in Berlin, the city was already plunged into the darkness of night. I have 10 nightclubs in Berlin, Blaz checks them all, but he usually pays special attention to Euphoria, the main and biggest of them all. The hustle and bustle and energy of the nightlife hovered over us as we made our way to the club, and normal at this hour for the activity to start in the club. However, the sight before us was disconcerting. The place was completely des