All Chapters of A love forged in Darkness and Desire : Chapter 71 - Chapter 80

Luca’s PovAs Andrea and I were about to leave the warehouse, something on the ground caught my eye—a small piece of fabric, stained with blood. My stomach clenched as I bent down to pick it up. The cloth was torn, the fabric delicate and familiar. My pulse quickened. This wasn’t just any fabric. It was from the dress Alessia had been wearing the night she went to visit her mother. I turned sharply to Andrea, holding it up for him to see. “Look at this.” Andrea frowned, stepping closer. His eyes scanned the fabric, and then something clicked in his expression. “This is hers,” I said. “This is from the dress she wore that night.” Andrea nodded slowly, but I didn’t miss the flicker of recognition in his eyes—too quick, too knowing. “Yes,” he admitted, his voice tight. “It’s the same dress.” Something about the way he said it made me pause. My gaze narrowed as I turned to fully face him. “How do you know that?” Andrea stiffened. “What?” I stepped forward, my to

Luca’s PovHis eyes gleamed with amusement, as if he was enjoying the torment he was putting her through. Alessia’s breathing was uneven, her hands curled into tight fists at her sides. I didn’t like the way he looked at her. The way he spoke like he had all the power in the room. And I didn’t like the way Andrea was staring at me either, as if Giulia’s words had sparked something in his mind. I needed to end this. Without hesitation, I pulled out my gun and fired. The gunshot echoed through the wine cellar, deafening in the enclosed space. Giulia’s smirk faltered, his mouth opening slightly as he stumbled back. His hands clutched his chest where the bullet had struck, his fingers painted in his own blood. His legs wobbled, and for a second, it looked like he was going to speak—one last word, one last taunt—but instead, he collapsed onto the cold stone floor, unmoving. Silence filled the room. Alessia gasped, her hands flying to her mouth as she took a step for

Alessia’s PovMadam Claudia tilted her head, as if considering something. Then, instead of answering, she simply smiled.A slow, knowing smile.I tensed.“I suppose the truth is… complicated,” she murmured.I let out a frustrated breath. “So that’s it? You’re just going to keep playing this game with me?”She reached out then, gently brushing a strand of hair from my face. It was such an unfamiliar gesture that I froze, my body stiffening at the sudden intimacy of it.And then she said, “Some truths are better left unknown. For now.”My stomach twisted.I turned to Andrea, hoping for some kind of answer, some kind of anything—but he avoided my gaze.That was when I knew.Something was being kept from me.Something big.And I had no idea if I was ready to know what it was.Madam Claudia took a step back, her expression unreadable once more.“Get some rest, Alessia,” she said smoothly. “You’ll need it.”And with that, she turned and disappeared into the mansion.I stood

Alessia’s PovI nodded, not trusting myself to speak. The strange tension in the room was thick enough to cut with a knife.Madam Claudia looked over at me, her voice gentle but insistent. “Alessia, I’m sure you’re wondering what’s going on.” She paused, then smiled. “The whole Claudia empire is getting ready for a bit of fun. A rising shareholder wants to show his appreciation for the work we’ve done. And by that, he’s decided to treat us all.”My mind raced. What was going on? Rising shareholder? Treat us all?I swallowed the lump in my throat. “What exactly is going on?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady, though inside I felt anything but. “I mean, why are bags being packed? Where are we going?”Madam Claudia’s lips curved into a tight smile. “Ah, yes. The shareholder—he wants us all to have a little celebration. A special event, if you will. He’s decided to buy an entire island where the Claudia empire can have fun for three days.”She paused for a moment, letting the

Alessia’s PovThe cars pulled up to the docks, where the yacht awaited. It was enormous, all sleek lines and polished wood, its white hull cutting a sharp contrast against the deep blue of the ocean. The crew snapped to attention as Madam Claudia stepped out of her car, her mask firmly in place, projecting an aura of command that made everyone straighten their spines.Andrea offered me his hand, and I took it, allowing him to help me out of the car. The breeze carried the salty tang of the sea, and I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart.“Ready for an adventure?” he whispered in my ear, his breath warm against my skin.“Let’s hope it doesn’t turn into a disaster,” I replied, forcing a smile.His eyes gleamed with mischief. “With us, it’s bound to be a bit of both.”As we boarded the yacht, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this trip would be anything but a simple celebration. I glanced back at the dock, half-expecting to see Luca standing there, watching us with that