Novels by Giss Vargas

Licking my lips discreetly, I watch Giselle walk out of the bathroom in that emerald-green lace nightgown—the one I love because of the way it hugs her body. Pretending I haven't noticed her, I try to focus on my book, though I keep sneaking glances over the top, not missing a single detail."Still mad about the other day?" she asks, settling onto the edge of the bed and crossing her legs in that sensual way of hers, revealing a generous stretch of bare thigh."How could I not be? You’re trying to set me up with my employee," I reply, feigning offense."I used to be your employee too.""And you were also my wife," I remind her. "Besides, you were jealous of my therapist, who—let’s be honest—is just as attractive as my nanny.""Don’t laugh," she pouts. "I was pregnant back then and felt really insecure.""And since you’re clearly still mad," she adds with a sigh, "I guess I won’t bother giving you what I had planned for tonight.""What are you talking about?" I narrow my eyes, suspicio

Three Years LaterThe office door creaks open softly. I don’t bother lifting my eyes from the paperwork—I already know it’s Giselle. First, because she’s the only one allowed to walk in without knocking, and second, because her scent always gives her away—magnolia, peony, amberwood, and something uniquely her.“What’s going on, sweetheart?” I ask, eyes still fixed on the stack of reports in front of me.“How did you know it was me?” she pouts playfully.“You’re the only one who enters my office like that. And the moment you do, your seductive scent takes over every corner.”“Nathan!” she mutters, just as I glance up and catch her blushing.“Where are the girls?” I ask, a little disappointed. I’d already imagined myself covering their little faces with kisses.“They’re at home with the nanny,” she answers quickly. “I came to invite you to the annual perfumers’ convention.”Before I can reply, the door slams open again—this time with a loud bang.“Bossman! The new sample is ready!” shri

Months later"Giselle’s right. You’ve been acting weird for months now," Kalet scolds me after I order him to hire more security guards to watch over Giselle around the clock."If you keep complaining, I’ll dump more work on your desk," I warn, narrowing my eyes at him. "What are you standing there for? Those guards won’t hire themselves.""Why do you want more? She already has two following her like shadows day and night.""Because Oliver found out Giselle is pregnant...""He's in prison. He’s not going to do anything, and he still refuses to talk.""I'm not worried about him. It’s his wife I’m concerned about. What do you think she’ll do if Lefebvre demands a paternity test and finds out the baby’s not his?""And how can you be so sure it's not?""It’s simple. After all those years of marriage, Giselle never got pregnant. And now she is. It’s obvious that baby isn't his.""Is that why you sent Giselle to the U.S. with Pierre?" he asks, incredulous."Of course. Why else? I just didn’

"Are you okay?" my friend asks as we leave the police station."I'm fine. Really. Just… please don’t tell Giselle what happened with the bracelet. I don’t want to scare her. And before we head home, there’s one more stop we need to make."When we finally get home, I rush up the stairs, ignoring Giselle’s voice calling after me—just like in my dream. After tucking the bracelet safely back in it´s place, I go back downstairs where my wife and my nanny are waiting."Did something happen? I called you, but you didn’t answer," Giselle murmurs."I’m okay, sweetheart. How are you feeling?" I ask, slipping my arm around her waist and pressing a soft kiss to her lips."Better. Just a little stomach discomfort. Nothing serious," she assures me with a smile."Could we have a moment alone, please?" I ask my nanny."I'll go check if dinner’s ready," she nods politely and walks away."Are you sure nothing happened?" Giselle asks again, noticing the sigh I let out. I turn her in my arms, rest my hea

Nathan I wake up with a jolt, drenched in cold sweat. My eyes scan the room in a panic, searching for my babies—until I notice Giselle lying beside me, fast asleep. I have no idea how she ended up in my bed, but the ragged sound of my breathing stirs her awake.“Are… are you okay?” she asks with a sleepy yawn, rubbing her eyes.“What are you doing here? And… where are the babies?”“B-babies?” she repeats, confused. “What babies? Did you have a nightmare?” she asks, trying to focus on my face.“The babies,” I say again, but she’s already drifting back to sleep. I don’t press her.Quietly, I slip out of bed and head to the room I had prepared just for them. I yank the door open—and stop cold.It’s still the unused guest room. Nothing has changed. My breath catches in my throat, uneven and ragged. I retrace my steps and lock myself in the bathroom.Turning on the faucet, I splash cold water on my face, shaking my head in disbelief.“What the hell was that? I…”My gaze drops to my bare c

Nathan It´s said that when you're about to die, your life flashes before your eyes like a movie reel, showing you every moment—good or bad—even the ones you thought you'd long forgotten. I used to think that was just a comforting myth. But now, watching memories from my childhood that had been buried deep in my mind play out before me, I realize: I'm going to die.I watch scenes from my life unfold. My mother, crying inconsolably again and again. A nine-year-old version of myself swearing he'd never grow up to be like the miserable man who fathered him. I made myself a promise that day—but I failed. I became just like him. Someone who only knows how to hurt the people he claims to love, someone who thinks an empty apology can undo the damage.Suddenly the memories shift, and I see myself dragging a sobbing Giselle out of our house. A sharp pain stabs at my chest as shame washes over me. The way I treated her... the cruelty in my actions… she never deserved any of it. I squeeze my eye

When she hears me say this, her body tenses, and she starts crying harder than before. I lead her to one of the chairs and gently sit her down.“What happened to her face?” I inquire after a while, lifting her face a little.“What happened to you, sweetheart?” My father-in-law asks, approaching her, and when his fingers touch his wife’s cheek, she swats his hand away.“Don’t touch me.” She replies without looking at him.I see the pain in Liza’s father’s eyes at his wife’s attitude. He lowers his hand but stays by our side, holding back the urge to hug her.“After Stefano left the house, about half an hour later, Lieutenant Barone arrived. Apparently, he had a warrant for Stefano’s arrest because they had discovered everything about his business, but the way he was acting wasn’t normal.“When our men noticed that he started circling the whole property, Mich advised me not to let them in, and that’s what we did. But suddenly, they started attacking us, managing to break through the gat

Once again, I find myself in the cemetery, a place that has become so familiar to me that my chest tightens with the loss I am facing at this moment. I lower my gaze and observe the white rose I hold in my hand, as I feel a single tear escape from my eye. With the same hand holding the rose, I quickly wipe it away, knowing that the person I am now saying goodbye to would not want to see me in this state.After five long years, Giuseppe Lombardi left us to reunite with his son, whom he has longed for all these years. If it weren't for my mother, who became like a daughter to him, the sadness that overwhelmed him might have taken him sooner.I look around, and both my mother and my sisters are devastated by his loss, but I know they also find peace in having been with him in his last days. Next to me, holding my hand as she always has, is my beloved wife Yelizaveta, and at our feet are our children, little Renzo and little Laryssa.As the priest finishes the last words of farewell, my m

We take the elevator down as quickly as we can, and when we reach the parking lot, I head straight to one of the trucks that’s still there without wasting any time."We won’t take long; it’s about thirty minutes from here." I inform them as I get into the truck, buckle my seatbelt, and then floor the accelerator.The drive to my old home passes in a blink, and when we arrive, I see that only a few walls have remained standing over all these years. I turn off the engine and grab one of the guns from under the seat."I want you to stay here until Bellini and Flavio arrive.""We're not staying. We said we'd come with you, and that's what we're doing." Yasha contradicts me, gritting her teeth."Absolutely not. You'll stay here until the rest of my men arrive."I get out before they can argue, pass through the open gates, and barely take two steps before some men appear in front of me. I fire my gun, but just as I'm about to hit another one of them, I see him fall to the ground. I don’t ne

Yelizaveta Little by little, I open my eyes and feel a bit disoriented, not knowing where I am. I shake my head, and when I finally manage to focus, I look around and realize I’m in some sort of abandoned warehouse. But strangely enough, I’m alone—or at least I think I am.Everything is so confusing that every time I try to remember what happened, my head aches a little. When small scenes of what happened this morning finally come to mind, a shiver runs through me. All those trucks blocking our way, my father’s men trying to protect me, the ones from bombon following us, and that girl, screaming my name before being hit and losing consciousness.I try to touch my head where I was struck hard enough to knock me out, but I realize that I’m tied to a chair. Just as I’m about to move it, I hear unfamiliar voices.“They hit her pretty hard.” Shouts a man, followed by a thud. I try to turn my head to see where it’s coming from, but I can’t, so I listen closely to their conversation.“I’m s

Alexandre “Boss, Mr. Belucci is outside and insists on speaking with you.” One of my men informs me. I set aside the documents I’m reading, somewhat confused by the visit from Liza’s father.“Let him in, please.” My man steps aside, and I see Mr. Belucci enter, clearly upset. He looks around as if searching for someone until he finally fixes his gaze on me.“Where is Yelizaveta?” He asks angrily.“I’m sorry, father-in-law, but Liza and I didn’t plan to meet today. I haven’t seen her in days.”“T-that can’t be possible. She told me she was coming to see you and left the house at noon, and she hasn’t returned. It’s already past midnight.” I check the time on my computer and realize she’s been missing for over twelve hours. I jump up from my seat, grab my phone, and try to reach her. “She’s not answering; we’ve been trying for hours.” He says, his voice trembling slightly.“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” I ask, frustrated. “What exactly did she say before leaving the house?”“One of yo

Alexandre "For several days now, you've been acting a bit strange. What's bothering you, Alexandre?" Inquires Flavio as soon as he notices my expression.I turn my chair, let out a deep sigh, and gaze out over all of Liguria in an attempt to clear my mind of so many problems. After a brief pause, I decide to speak."Someone blew up Liza's father's ship a few days ago. Apparently, they had a very valuable cargo that was about to be shipped to Russia. This was a significant loss for both my father-in-law and his partner.""And how does that affect you?" Bellini asks. "Don't tell me the bastard dared to blame you?" He growls furiously.I can't help but laugh. When I turn my chair back around to face them, I shake my head."Why am I not surprised you think that of my father-in-law?""Maybe because the idiot is capable of that and more." Bellini retorts, glaring at me."Only because Liza isn't here will I agree with you, but in front of her, I never will. So, you know, Bellini, keep your