All Chapters of A love forged in Darkness and Desire : Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

Alessia's Pov "I need to say this, bella," she continued, her tone gentle but firm. "You’re strong, you’re kind, and you’re capable of so much. You’ve been the greatest joy of my life, and I want you to know that."Her words shattered something inside me. "Mamma, please don’t talk like this," I pleaded, my voice trembling. "You’re going to get through this. We’ll get through this together.""Life doesn’t always go the way we plan, Alessia," she said softly, her voice laced with quiet resignation. "But it’s important to say these things while we can. You’ve made me so proud, and I love you more than words can say."Tears streamed down my cheeks, and I pressed the phone closer to my ear. "I love you too, Mamma. So much."Her weak chuckle broke the moment. "I know. Now, enough of this heavy talk. Tell me something funny. Did you burn another pot of pasta last week?"The shift in tone caught me off guard, but I latched onto it, desperate to lighten the moment. "No," I said, laughing thro

Alessia's Pov As we reached the grand double doors of the Claudia Mansion, Madam Claudia’s voice stopped us in our tracks."One more thing," she said, her tone carrying the weight of authority. Luca and I turned back to face her. She stood at the threshold of the dining room, her hands clasped in front of her. Her eyes were as sharp as ever, scanning us both."If you want my full trust, Matteo," she began, her gaze settling on Luca, "you’ll need to show me your commitment. Words and appearances only go so far. A marriage—now that would solidify everything. Only then can I truly believe in your devotion."I felt the ground shift beneath me. Marriage? My mouth went dry, and my pulse quickened. Before I could say a word, Luca stepped forward with a smooth smile, as if her request were the most natural thing in the world."Of course, Madam Claudia," he said confidently. "We’ve already begun making plans. It’s only a matter of time."What? My head whipped toward him, my eyes wide with sho

Alessia's Pov Marcello handed Sophia the clipboard with some forms. “Fill these out before tomorrow. And be here at 6 p.m. sharp. No excuses.”As we left the bar, Sophia clutched the clipboard tightly, her eyes shining with excitement. “I can’t believe he gave me a chance. Thank you, Alessia. I mean it.”I smiled, feeling a small sense of accomplishment. “Don’t thank me yet. Marcello’s bar can be intense. Just do your best, and you’ll be fine.”The next day,we arrived on time for our shifts, the bar was alive with the hum of conversation and the clinking of glasses, but there was an undercurrent of chaos that came with every shift. Marcello’s bar was a melting pot of personalities: rowdy regulars, tourists looking for a thrill, and those with darker intentions hiding behind charming smiles.Sophia and I worked side by side, weaving through the crowd with trays balanced in our hands. Her nervousness was evident in the way she clutched her tray like it was a lifeline, but she was tryin

Alessia's Pov The sweet aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafted into my senses, pulling me from the edge of sleep. My eyelids fluttered as my groggy mind tried to grasp the impossibility of the moment. The scent was rich and perfect, as if a barista had stepped into my kitchen and worked their magic.I inhaled deeply, savoring it, and a lazy smile crept across my face. What I wouldn’t give for a cup right now, I thought. It was almost as if the coffee was right in front of me—My eyes flew open as the realization hit me like a freight train. I lived alone.Heart pounding, I shot upright in bed, clutching the blanket to my chest. And that’s when I saw him.Luca.He was sitting casually on a chair he’d pulled directly across from my bed, legs crossed, a steaming mug of coffee in his hand. His sharp eyes were fixed on me with an air of amusement, as if my panic was a source of entertainment.“Were you watching me?” I demanded, pulling the blanket higher to cover myself. The thin, light fa

Alessia's Pov I jolted back, staring at Luca like he’d just grown two heads. "Surveillance? Someone wants to kill me?" My voice trembled as the words sank in. I hadn’t done anything to anyone—nothing to deserve this. "Why? I haven’t done anything. Why would someone want me dead?"Luca stood by the window, peeking through the blinds as if expecting someone to storm through the door any second. His calm demeanor only made my panic worse. "It’s not about what you’ve done," he said, turning to me. "It’s about who you’re about to become."My heart pounded as I sat down on the edge of the bed, my mind racing. "What are you talking about? I’m not becoming anyone!"He exhaled, stepping closer, his face etched with tension. "There’s someone... Elena.""Elena?" I repeated, the name foreign yet somehow menacing."Matteo was married to her," he started, before I cut him off with a gasp."You were married?" My voice rose, and I backed up, wrapping my arms around myself as if shielding against the