روايات بقلم daugustine933

Chapter 6 Luciano POV I stared at Lazarus, my expression giving nothing away. Then my eyes shifted to Lovie and something in me loosened slightly. “Baby.” I crouched down to her level. “Did you sleep well?” “Yes Dad I slept well.” She pouted slightly. “But why did you leave so early? You didn’t even say goodbye.”“I’m sorry baby. I had things to take care of.” I carried her and glanced over her head toward the entrance where Richard stood waiting. “Richard.“ Richard gave a slight nod.I turned back to Lovie, dropping her and ruffling her hair gently. “Daddy has something to handle. Why don’t you go inside with Uncle Richard?” “Okay.” She looked up at me with those eyes that could make anyone do anything for her.“But don’t take too long.” “I won’t.” She smiled and turned to leave, her steps slowing slightly as her eyes landed on the boy standing beside Ella. Curious.“Buttercup.” Richard crouched down, arms open. “Come to uncle.” She ran to him without hesitation but turned

Ella POV The words landed somewhere in my chest but I kept my face still. “So? why are you telling me? It’s your loan not mine. Fix your own mess.” I said flatly. “Fine.” He shrugged. “Then I’ll decline their offer and use your brother as collateral instead.” My stomach turned. Mom’s letter flashed through my mind. “Give me till morning.” My voice came out quieter, carefully constructed. “Let me think about it.” “That’s my girl.” The excitement in his voice was immediate and noticeable. “Get some rest, I am expecting your decision in the morning.” I turned toward my room. His door clicked shut behind me. I stopped. Waiting for any sound from behind. When I heard none, I turned back around and walked straight to the study. The room greeted me with darkness and dead air. I slipped my phone out of my pocket and switched on the flashlight, sweeping it slowly across the room until the bookshelf came into view. I crossed the room carefully, counting my steps, making sure the

Ella POVI stared at the door as the man walked through it.Then turned to my father.“What is going on?” I asked, hoping everything was just a joke. “What 5 million ?5 million? What did you use that kind of money for?” I stepped closer. “That is your business. But why am I the bargaining chip?”My father pressed his fingers to his forehead, his eyes closed. “Ella, please. Try to understand. I am going through something right now. Can you calm down. Atleast try to help?”“Help you.”I chuckled, dropping the cup on the table. “Was I there when you collected that money? Did we spend it together?” I shook my head. “Don’t drag me into your shady business.”“You do not speak to me like that.” His eyes snapped open, voice hardening. “I am your father. This shady business, as you call it, is what I used to raise you and your brother. So be grateful.”I felt my chest emptied.“It would have been better if you had thrown me into the street.” My voice rose. “That would have been better than

Luciano POVWater dripped down my face as I stared at the debtor’s daughter, her chest heaving, as she stared at me with fury. I smiled.“I suppose your father has done his part.” I said coolly, almost to myself. “Taking over from here won’t be so bad.”She stared at me, unsure of what she heard.“Are you not normal? Is something wrong with you?” Her voice rose, disbelief and fury fighting each other on her face.“Well.” I reached into my breast pocket and retrieved my handkerchief, pressing it slowly against my jaw. “I suppose we’ve met earlier than intended. No formal introduction necessary.”“Why didn’t you ask for my opinion before making an insane request like that?” She stepped forward, the disgust on her face completely unfiltered. “Who the hell do you think you are?”My guards moved between us instantly.My smile grew.“Ask your father.” I said simply, turning toward the door.I heard her breath catch behind me, whether from anger or disbelief I didn’t particularly care.

Ella POV My dad’s expression suddenly darkened, he turns to the strange woman beside him. “Monica, can you wait for me in the study?. I have something to handle.” My father’s voice carried an unfamiliar tone that I have never heard. Monica nodded, smiling sweetly at him and disappeared down the hallway without sparing me a stare. My father turned to me next. “Ella. Room. Now.” I looked at him for a moment. Then I turned toward the kitchen. “I said…” “I heard you.” I moved quietly through the kitchen, filling two mugs with warm milk. The sounds from the sitting room whispered through, low voices, my father’s chair scraping slightly against the floor. I didn’t rush. I filled both mugs gently, wiped the counter and picked them up. On my way out I stopped beside the guard stationed near the hallway and held one mug toward him with a look. He collected it without saying a word, disappearing in the direction of Aaron’s room. I kept the second mug and walked back into th

Ella POVI held my brother’s hand, his eyes still heavy with sleep as we slipped through the bush behind the house. Every step was calculated, ducking beneath low branches, pressing our feet softly into the floor to swallow any sound that might blow our cover. My father’s guards rotated every twenty minutes. I had spent enough sleepless nights memorizing their patterns to know exactly when the guard passes.“Ella, where are we going?” Aaron breathed, his small fingers tightening around mine.“Somewhere better than here.”“What about Dad?” His brow creased with worry. “You know how he gets when he comes to us leaving the house.”Somewhere behind us a guard’s radio crackled. We froze. The sound faded and I exhaled quietly, loosening the breath I hadn’t realized I was holding.“Nothing is going to happen.” I whispered, then softened my voice. “Besides, you’ve always wanted to go to the park. Congratulations you just ruined your own surprise.”His eyes sparkled. “We’re going to the p