All Chapters of THE PRICE FOR HIS NAME : Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

Maria hesitated at the doorway, fingers trembling against the smooth wood.She should leave.She should ignore the way Luca’s voice had curled around her like smoke, whispering promises in the dark.But her body was already betraying her.Slowly, she turned back.Luca had shifted his laptop to the side, his chair angled toward her as if making space just for her. His dark eyes flickered with something undeniable, unreadable—a warning and an invitation all at once.Without speaking, he lifted a hand, fingers beckoning.And Maria moved.Each step felt heavier, like the air had thickened around her, wrapping her in something hot and electric.When she reached him, Luca’s fingers wrapped around her wrist—warm, firm, commanding. He pulled her closer, guiding her onto the desk with effortless strength.Maria let out a soft breath as the cool surface kissed the backs of her thighs, but she barely noti

Morning light streamed through the sheer curtains, casting golden streaks across the bed. The sheets beside her were cold.Maria turned her head, staring at the empty space where Luca had been.Gone.She wasn’t sure why she expected anything different.Her thighs still ached from last night—her skin tingled with phantom touches, and her lips were swollen from the way he had kissed her, claimed her, devoured her. She squeezed her thighs together, remembering the way he had pulled her apart with nothing but his hands, his mouth, his voice.And yet… he had left without a word.Maria let out a slow breath and sat up, pulling the sheets over her bare body. The heavy silence of the room felt suffocating.She hated this.Hated how her heart clenched at his absence.Hated how she missed him.Last night wasn’t supposed to mean anything—at least, that’s what she told herself. It was just a moment of weak

Luca stood at the entrance of the hospital room, his eyes fixed on Maria’s unconscious form. Bruises marred her delicate skin, a stark contrast against the sterile white sheets. The sight made something dark and violent coil inside him.She had almost died.Someone had dared to touch what was his.His jaw tightened as he exhaled sharply. "Stay with her," he ordered the doctor, his voice sharp and cold. "If anything happens—if she even stirs—you call me immediately."The doctor nodded nervously.Luca turned on his heel and stormed out.He had business to take care of.The drive back to the estate was silent, but his mind roared. Every second, every breath, was consumed by an uncontrollable rage.By the time he arrived, the entire household was already awake, summoned by his wrath before he even stepped inside.His men stood stiffly in a line, eyes wary, their shoulders tense. The housekeepers,

Maria’s recovery had been smoother than expected. After a few days in the hospital, the doctors finally discharged her, much to Luca’s relief. He had arranged for a private nurse to check on her at home, ensuring she had everything she needed.And for the first time since their engagement, he was home on time.Every evening, Luca would return early, making sure she ate, took her medications, and rested. He didn't hover, but he was there—always watching, always aware of her every move.Maria noticed it all.The way his fingers would brush against hers when he handed her a glass of water. The way his gaze lingered on her when she shifted on the couch. The way his arm would settle around her waist at night, as if he were afraid she’d disappear.He was trying.But she couldn’t forget the growing doubt in her chest.She didn’t pull away at first—she wasn’t sure why. Maybe because, for a brief moment, it was nice. The way he t

Luca woke up to an empty bed.His hand stretched toward Maria’s side, but it was cold.Frowning, he cracked open his eyes, blinking against the sunlight that streamed through the floor-to-ceiling glass doors leading to the balcony. The morning glow bathed the massive bedroom in a soft golden hue, making the luxurious space feel almost ethereal.The king-sized bed was ridiculously big for just the two of them, its sleek black frame wrapped in sewn-in silken sheets that had wrinkled slightly from their movements the night before. Luca sat up, running a hand over his face as his gaze drifted across the room.The inbuilt walk-in wardrobe, its sleek doors seamlessly blending into the walls, stood closed across from him. Next to it, a large smart TV was mounted on the wall, its dark screen reflecting the sunlight. The room carried a certain kind of understated wealth—expensive but not excessive.His eyes moved to Maria’s queen-like dressing table, an elegant piece of furniture adorned with