Semua Bab The Vengeful Mafia Kings’ Property: Bab 71 - Bab 80

Adriana’s POVI sat frozen for a long moment after Rafael left the room, the door clicking softly behind him as if mocking the storm he’d left in his wake. My fingers instinctively curled around the edge of the vanity, nails digging into the wood. My reflection stared back at me all pale, tired and wounded in more ways than one. The bandages over my shoulder peeked beneath the straps of my camisole and though the doctor had said the wound wasn’t vital, it still throbbed with a stubborn ache ehich was a reminder of everything I’d thrown myself into.A reminder of the pain I’d chosen. And yet he had stood there, watched me looking at my wound with something bordering indifference and managed to accuse me not so subtly, with that infuriating calm voice of trying to sway his men to my side. My hands trembled and not from pain but from the sheer fury boiling beneath my skin.I had not expected softness from Rafael (God knows that ship had sailed a long time ago) but I also hadn’t expected

Rafael’s POVI hadn’t been able to sleep the whole night.My head was a mess. And my chest? Worse. The whole night, I’d turned over and over in my bed with memories crawling beneath my skin like they were waiting to suffocate me. Adriana sitting on my lap with that stunned look in her eyes, the small wince she made when her wound shifted, the way her lips parted when I touched her skin. It was all still so vivid almost too vivid. Every part of her was like a brand seared into me. I couldn’t get rid of her even if I tried. So I didn’t try. I gave up on sleep, got dressed and decided to run early in the morning.The early morning air was crisp and still damp with dew. Everything was quieter than usual like the whole estate was still asleep except the birds and me. I stepped out stretching my arms and rolling my shoulders as I walked down the stairs. I was halfway to the east trail when I saw two familiar figures ahead of me near the hedge garden. It was Anna and Isabella. With the lat

Rafael’s POVThe air in the study was thick with tension and its the kind that clung to your skin and made breathing just a bit harder than usual. My elbows rested on the dark mahogany desk, fingers steepled under my chin as I listened to Anthony’s low casual voice cut through the silence like a blade.“She’s adjusting pretty fast considering everything.” He said, leaning against the wall witj arms crossed like he had no care in the world. “I even caught her humming while helping Isabella with her puzzle.”I didn’t say anything at first. I could feel Nathan’s presence before he spoke which was a colder kind of silence and the type that didn’t invite conversation. He stood by the window, staring out with the same blank look he’d worn since the day Adriana took that bullet for him. A look I once saw as indifferent. Now I realized it was calculation… and maybe guilt. Anthony didn’t seem to notice or didn’t care. He pushed on, adding with a teasing lilt. “Kinda weird, huh? Never thought

Adriana’s POVOne year ago…The rain had just started when I stepped out of the cab and it was soft and slow like the sky wasn’t sure if it wanted to cry with me or just watch me suffer. My steps were heavy as i walked toward the familiar building, the one I used to visit almost every week when things were still… normal. Back when Marco was still mine. Back when Lily was just the sweet younger girl next door with all big green eyes and soft giggles, showing up with banana bread and claiming Isabella was the cutest thing she'd ever seen. Claiming to be her auntie though we are not blood related. We used to sit in my living room and drink cheap wine while she played with my daughter like she was her own. People always said we looked like sisters. Same eyes. Same shape. Back then, her hair was brunette but she started dyeing it blonde. I thought it was flattering. I thought she admired me. I used to dye my red hair blonde because Marco likes them like rthat. God I was such a fool. I k

Adriana’s POVI didn’t need a formal request to join Rafael for breakfast anymore. I’ve wallowed in my memories long enough to push them away and decided to take control of my life now. After a week of waking up to Anna’s too sweet smile and Rafael’s clipped orders echoing through the halls like daily gospel, it had become routine and automatic even. Like breathing or blinking or nursing a wound you no longer had the energy to dress. My shoulder duh. This morning, I ignored the fancy dresses Anna had so lovingly arranged on the edge of my bed and the pastel colors and soft silk making my stomach twist. I pulled on a pair of jeans and a plain shirt instead. It was not too tight or too glamorous. Just simple and clean because I was tired of pretending to be something I wasn’t. Tired of sitting at the dining table like some pretty little puppet in designer clothing while Rafael played king and I… I played quiet. Or the prey in this case really. I descended the staircase slowly while