All Chapters of Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1): Chapter 51 - Chapter 60

“I told I would give you the world if you're wanted. Why didn't you ask for my help instead? What? Are you in love with Jake?” Enzo whispered in my ears making me tense. No! I wanted to shout the answer so bad but I knew better than to answer him. Enzo liked mind games. He didn't mean his words. Using my free hand, I pushed him away trying to stand up but Enzo didn't let me. “ What do you want? It's been several days and you have locked me up here. I need to breathe, I'm not a prisoner.” I said holding his gaze. “ I'm not keeping you prisoner. You promised to help me with the paintings. Isn't that right, Lauren?” Enzo asked as he gently caressed my hair. I stiffened under his touch, my body betraying me as a shiver ran down my spine. His voice was calm and seductive but I wasn’t fooled. There was an edge beneath it, sharp and unforgiving. Enzo wasn't the type to forgive and I was just waiting. Waiting for what he will do. “You’re keeping me here against my will,” I shot back, ti

(Present Day)“Enzo. Enzo, are you drunk?” My eyes flickered open as I heard Lauren's voice. Glancing around, I felt like my entire world was spinning. I could hold my liquor very well normally. It was the first thing I learned from my grandfather. However somehow the alcohol took over and won today. Staring at Lauren, I reached out cupping her face to make sure it wasn't a dream. “ Lauren.” I whispered slowly caressing her face. She placed her hands over mine, steady but firm. “Enzo, what happened?”I wanted to tell her everything. Things that my mother did were something I had never told anyone. I made Eleonora promise to forget them. I should too. “Nothing.” I said chuckling as I tried to sit up. “Nothing, gurriera.” Lauren didn't seem convinced however she didn't push for answers either. Instead, she carried me to bed making sure I was okay before she left. By the time I woke up, my eyes flickered around the dark room. I hadn't slept for as long as I would have loved to. Gro

“Choose.” Eleonora said. “Her or me.” I stared at the gun in Eleonora's hand. Normally, I would say that she was bluffing. She couldn't do it. However Eleonora was impulsive when hurt. I knew she wasn't joking. “I don’t have time for this,” I said, voice low. “Put the gun down.”She didn’t move.“You always choose him,” Eleonora spat. “Rafael. A man who isn’t even blood. He's the reason you're saving her!” I exhaled, trying to stay calm. “And you chose our grandfather.”“ What?” I stared at Eleonora seeing her eyes full of unspilled tears. I had spoken without thinking. Sighing, I ran my hand through my hair. How was I supposed to reason with her? The air between us was full of tension. I decided to keep quiet knowing fully well that whatever I said would just push Eleonora over the cliff. That was the last thing I wanted even at the expense of saving our mother. Glancing back, I expected to see our grandfather. Maybe he could reason with her. But he had not yet come out. “ Fine

I couldn't believe I was in the hospital again. The details of Taylor's supposed accident wasn't clear and no one knew anything except the fact that she had been found out on the streets. Walking in the hallway, I ignored the smell of antiseptic creeping into my nostrils and searched for Taylor's room. Room 317.I pushed open the door and froze. Taylor lay motionless in the hospital bed, her skin pale against the white sheets. A thick bandage wrapped around her forehead, and the steady beep of the heart monitor filled the silence.“She looks terrible,” Eleonora muttered behind me. There was no mockery in her voice this time, just quiet observation. “God, I hate being in hospitals.” Ignoring her, I stepped closer. “Taylor?” My voice came out softer than I expected. No response.I glanced at her spotting the cuts on her face and her broken leg which was lifted up in the air. This didn't look like any small accident. This looked like someone had tried to kill her. Was it Don Alonzo? Hi

ELEONORA “I asked you a question!!” Enzo yelled waking up Lauren. He didn't glance back at her even once. He was super furious. I clenched my hand trying to stand tall but I couldn't. My heart was pounding in my chest and I wanted nothing more than to quickly rescue my son. The only man that mattered to me so much. “Dead.” I replied because it was true. My son's father was long dead to me. Enzo exhaled sharply, his patience wearing thin. However he didn't push more. He knew I would never tell him who it was. Without a single word, Enzo turned around leaving me alone in the living room. The moment he left, I quickly dashed towards the door without sparing Lauren even a single glance. “ Eleonora!” Lauren called out behind me but I was already fast on my heels heading towards the door. The cool night air tingled against my skin as I hurried away from the house. Walking over to my car parked next to Enzo's, I pressed the key opening it and slid in. The engine roared to life as I