. . AUTHOR’S POV Adeline stood in front of the full-length mirror, taking in the transformation that had turned her into something irresistible, dangerous—a vision designed to tempt and destroy. Her dress was black, short, and sinful, hugging her curves in a way that left nothing to the imagination. Thin straps rested on her shoulders, the deep neckline plunging just enough to tease, the hem ending mid-thigh, exposing her toned legs that looked even longer in the six-inch stilettos she wore. Her makeup was bold and lethal—smoky eyes, long lashes that darkened her gaze, and lips painted a shade of deep red that screamed seduction and warning all at once. Her long hair cascaded in soft, effortless waves, framing her face in a way that made her look both untouchable and completely irresistible. She was ready. Taking a final deep breath, she turned and stepped out of the room, her heels clicking against the marble floor. As soon as she entered the living area, thr
. . . AUTHOR’S POV Adeline stepped into the elevator, the soft ding echoing through the hallway as the doors slid open. She was alone—at least for a moment—before two figures walked in right behind her. She didn’t react immediately. She didn’t need to. But as soon as she heard the voices, she knew. Leonardo. And worse— Elena. She kept her expression neutral, her head slightly turned away as if uninterested, but inside, her blood burned. The dim golden light of the elevator reflected off the sleek, polished walls, casting an almost intimate glow inside the small space. Leonardo stood to her left, effortlessly confident, his presence oozing power. He wore a black suit, but the first few buttons of his shirt were undone, revealing a glimpse of inked skin beneath. And then there was Elena. She looked… different. Her dress was far too revealing, cut high on her thigh, the neckline dipping so low that Adeline nearly scoffed. Desperate. Elena laughed soft
. . . AUTHOR’S POV The dimly lit corridor was eerily silent, save for the soft hum of distant voices in the grand estate. The walls were lined with paintings, their ornate frames casting long, distorted shadows under the golden glow of the wall sconces. Adeline’s breath was uneven as she stared at the man before her. Luciano’s dark eyes locked onto hers, his expression unreadable, yet there was an unmistakable edge in his voice when he spoke. “What are you doing here?” His deep, velvety tone sent a shiver down her spine. She knew she wasn’t supposed to be here but she was executing her plan but what was Luciano doing here? She didn’t understand that. This place was dangerous for someone like her—someone who didn’t belong. But before she could muster a response, another voice rang through the hallway, sharp and questioning. “What’s going on here?” Her blood turned cold. Her heart pounded so loudly she feared it would give her away. Footsteps echoed i
. . . AUTHOR’S POV His dark eyes raked over her, unreadable, but there was something sharp behind them. Something dangerous. “What are you doing here?” his deep, rough voice cut through the silence like a blade. Adeline crossed her arms, tilting her head. “I could ask you the same thing.” Luciano’s gaze flickered, and for the first time, she saw his eyes dip—just briefly—to her appearance. The fitted black dress she wore clung to her like a second skin, the slit on her thigh revealing smooth, golden flesh. Her hair was tousled from the night air, and her lips were stained the softest shade of red, like she had been kissed before even arriving. His jaw clenched. “What’s going on?” he asked, his voice gruffer than before. Adeline sighed. “I’m here to find a clue about Leonardo.” A muscle in his jaw twitched. The mere mention of that name sent something dark through his expression, but before she could say anything else, she frowned, narrowing he
. . . AUTHOR’S POV As Adeline stepped inside, a wave of heat, sweat, and alcohol hit her all at once. The room was dimly lit with flashing neon lights, casting a seductive glow over the space. The bass of the music vibrated through the floor, matching the rapid thumping of her heart. Her eyes scanned the scene, immediately taking in the group of women near the bar, clad in nothing but lace lingerie, fishnet stockings, and high heels. Their bodies swayed with the rhythm of the music, some draped over men in tailored suits, while others danced provocatively on sleek countertops. Strippers. Adeline swallowed hard. She had expected this. Leonardo wasn’t the type to throw a normal party—it had to be decadent, depraved. But what unsettled her the most was that the men weren’t much better. Scattered throughout the room were several men dressed only in their underwear, their muscular bodies slick with sweat, laughing and drinking as women pressed against them. T
. . . AUTHOR’S POV Adeline took a deep breath, steadying herself before stepping out into the chaos. The moment she did, her eyes widened in shock. The scene before her was a fever dream of lust, sin, and depravity. Strippers moved fluidly across the dance floor, bodies writhing against one another, against the men watching them. The music pounded in her ears, a deep bass that rattled through her chest, nearly suffocating her. Her stomach twisted at the sight of half-naked women draped over men, some straddling their laps, others pressing against each other in an attempt to outshine the rest. It was all for him. Leonardo. He was the center of it all. Seated in a plush, leather chair, he looked like a king indulging in his own personal playground. A glass of whiskey rested in his hand, his long fingers idly tracing the rim before he took a slow sip. He didn’t even look entertained—just amused, as if this was all expected. And beside him, Elena. Ade
. . . AUTHOR’S POV Elena’s eyes widened in horror as she gazed at Luciano. She quickly adjusted herself, her hands fumbling to fix her dress, as she scrambled to stand up, her face twisting with panic. “T-This isn’t what it looks like,” she stammered, her voice shaky, desperate. Luciano only smirked. His dark eyes gleamed with amusement and disgust, his posture relaxed, yet exuding pure danger. “I know exactly what it is,” he said, his tone mocking, sharp as a blade. “I knew all along, Elena. You’re nothing but a whore.” Elena flinched, her face draining of color. Leonardo, still lounging in his seat as if the confrontation was an everyday occurrence, scoffed. “What are you doing here?” he asked lazily, swirling the whiskey in his glass. Luciano sighed dramatically, stuffing his hands into his pockets before tilting his head with a smirk. “Didn’t expect to see you here, either.” Then his expression turned cold. “Why did you kill Ricardo?” The q
. . . AUTHOR’S POV The scent of blood, sweat, and expensive whiskey lingered, mixing with the heavy bass of the music that still vibrated faintly in the background. The moment had stretched so thin it felt like time itself had paused. Elena’s lifeless body laid on the floor, her once-beautiful face frozen in shock, blood seeping from the bullet wound on her forehead, staining the cold marble beneath her. But no one in the room seemed to mourn her. Charles had his gun raised, his hand steady, his face void of emotion. Leonardo stood unfazed, his lips curling into an amused smirk, his sharp eyes flicking between Charles and Luciano. Adeline stood rooted in place, her heart pounding painfully against her ribs. She had expected bloodshed tonight, but not like this—not this soon, this mercilessly. And then came the revelation. Leonardo’s voice, mocking and unbothered. “Will you kill your own brother for someone else?” A cold shiver raced down Adeline’s spi
. . . AUTHORS’S POV The first light of dawn crept through the gauzy curtains of their bedroom, painting the walls in soft hues of gold and rose. The air was cool, a gentle spring breeze slipping through the cracked window, carrying the faint scent of blooming jasmine from the garden below. The world outside was just waking, but inside, time seemed to pause, wrapped in the quiet intimacy of Luciano and Adeline’s shared sanctuary. Adeline stirred beneath the tangled sheets, her dark hair spilling across the pillow like ink on parchment. Her skin glowed faintly in the morning light, still warm from sleep, and she stretched lazily, a soft hum escaping her lips. She blinked her eyes open, catching sight of Luciano beside her—propped up on one elbow, his gaze already fixed on her with an intensity that made her heart flutter. His dark hair was tousled, his bare chest rising and falling steadily, and a slow, mischievous smile played on his lips. “Morning, beautiful
. . . AUTHORS’S POV The grand cathedral was awash with golden light streaming through the stained-glass windows, casting a kaleidoscope of colors across the polished stone floors. Rows of pews were filled with family and friends, their faces beaming with anticipation and joy. The air was thick with the scent of fresh lilies and roses, arranged in lavish bouquets that lined the aisle. At the heart of it all stood Adeline, a vision of breathtaking beauty, though her heart raced with a nervous flutter she couldn’t quite tame. Her wedding gown was a masterpiece—ivory silk cascading over her frame in delicate layers, the bodice adorned with intricate lace that shimmered faintly in the light. A long, gossamer veil trailed behind her, catching the soft breeze that slipped through the open doors. Her dark hair was swept up elegantly, adorned with tiny pearls that glinted like stars. She was stunning, radiant, yet her hands trembled slightly as s
. . . AUTHOR’S POV “Oh my God, Adeline, I knew there was something going on between you two!” Eva nodded vigorously, her hands clasped together. “We all knew, honestly. The tension between you guys was so obvious!” Rose smirked as she leaned in. “And now look at you, pregnant with uncle Luciano’s child! This is huge.” Adeline, still overwhelmed, wiped at her tear-streaked face and tried to catch her breath. “You guys… this isn’t—” “It is happening,” Kiara interrupted with a knowing smile. “And you need to start accepting it.” Alessandra, watching the girls fuss over Adeline, smiled warmly before stepping forward. “Adeline, are you happy?” Her voice was gentle, yet firm. “Because that’s what matters most.” Adeline looked up, her teary eyes meeting Alessandra’s. She hesitated, emotions swirling inside her like a storm. Was she happy? Everything had happened so fast—too fast. She had barely even processed it. But when she thought about it
The dining room had been filled with laughter and warmth just moments ago. Everyone was finally at peace, enjoying a rare moment of normalcy after the chaos that had ruled their lives for so long. But now, all of that had disappeared. Adeline gripped the edges of the sink, her breath coming in short, uneven gasps. Her stomach churned violently, and she barely managed to keep herself upright as another wave of nausea rolled over her. Her hands trembled as she wiped the corner of her mouth, her mind racing at an uncontrollable speed. Pregnant? The thought hit her like a bullet, making her knees weaken beneath her. It couldn’t be. Could it? The signs were all there—the constant fatigue, the sudden cravings, the unusual weight gain, the nausea. She had brushed them off, thinking it was stress or just her body adjusting after everything that had happened. But now… A warm, firm hand landed on her back. “Adeline,” Luciano’s voice was steady, but there was an u
. . . AUTHOR’S POV The evening air was crisp, wrapping around Adeline like an unwelcome reminder of the past. As she stepped out of the sleek black car, her heels clicking softly against the stone pavement, a sickening wave of nausea hit her like a tidal wave. The moment her feet touched the ground, her chest tightened. This place—this very ground—was where Leonardo had screamed his last breath, where Bianca’s body had burned. The memory of that night clawed at her mind, vivid and unforgiving. The scent of smoke and blood seemed to linger in the air, as if the earth itself had absorbed the sins of that night. Her throat constricted, and her stomach twisted violently. Eva, stepping out beside her, immediately noticed. “Are you okay?” she asked, her voice filled with concern. Adeline swallowed, forcing herself to nod. “Yeah. Just… memories.” Eva didn’t press but gently squeezed her hand. Ahead of them, Charles had already made his way inside, his pres
. . . AUTHOR’S POV The warm glow of the vanity lights cast a soft radiance over the room as Adeline applied the final touches of her makeup. She ran her hands down the smooth fabric of her short, form-fitting dress, appreciating how it accentuated her curves in just the right way. The deep color contrasted beautifully with her skin, making her look effortlessly elegant yet subtly seductive. Eva, standing by the mirror adjusting her earrings, turned to look at Adeline and let out an approving hum. “Damn, Adeline, you look stunning.” A small chuckle escaped Adeline’s lips as she twirled slightly, checking her reflection. “You think so?” Eva grinned. “Oh, I know so. If you weren’t my best friend, I’d probably be jealous.” Adeline smirked. “That’s what I like to hear.” Eva walked closer, giving her an exaggerated once-over. “Seriously, though. You’re glowing tonight. Did something happen?” Adeline scoffed, rolling her eyes. “Oh, please. I think i
. . . AUTHOR’S POV The once chaotic mansion had settled into an eerie stillness. A week had passed since that fateful night—the night fire had swallowed their enemies whole. The night that had left them all scarred in ways they had yet to understand. Adeline had barely left her room. She laid curled up in bed, her body wrapped in the warmth of the blankets, but it wasn’t just the blankets that held her. Vladimir refused to let go. The sixteen-year-old clung to her like a lifeline, his arms wrapped tightly around her waist, his head resting against her shoulder as he slept. For the first time in what felt like forever, they had been able to sleep peacefully. No nightmares. No fear. No waking up to the sound of gunfire or the cries of the dying. But peace didn’t mean healing. The wounds were still there—fresh, raw, and bleeding beneath the surface. Luciano had kept his distance from them, knowing they needed time to breathe. He had taken control
. . . AUTHOR’S POV The night was thick with the scent of blood and burning hatred. Leonardo laid merely breathing on the ground, broken beyond repair. His body twitched, spasming in pain, his breath ragged and uneven. Blood pooled beneath him, staining the dirt, soaking into his clothes. But even as his strength faded, his pride remained. Even now, he smirked through the agony. A twisted, delusional smile—one that dared them to do worse. Charles started laughing. A slow, mocking chuckle that sent a chill through the gathered crowd. The men of Luciano’s mafia stood with their heads hung low, not daring to interfere. The women—Alessandra, Angelina, Isabella, Aurora, Kiara, Rose—all watched in silence, their faces a mixture of horror and disbelief. This was not just a punishment. This was an execution. Luciano stood still, his dark eyes empty, watching his brother bleed out like it meant nothing. Adeline felt Eva tremble beside her, her grip tightening
. . . AUTHOR’S POV The scent of blood, sweat, and expensive whiskey lingered, mixing with the heavy bass of the music that still vibrated faintly in the background. The moment had stretched so thin it felt like time itself had paused. Elena’s lifeless body laid on the floor, her once-beautiful face frozen in shock, blood seeping from the bullet wound on her forehead, staining the cold marble beneath her. But no one in the room seemed to mourn her. Charles had his gun raised, his hand steady, his face void of emotion. Leonardo stood unfazed, his lips curling into an amused smirk, his sharp eyes flicking between Charles and Luciano. Adeline stood rooted in place, her heart pounding painfully against her ribs. She had expected bloodshed tonight, but not like this—not this soon, this mercilessly. And then came the revelation. Leonardo’s voice, mocking and unbothered. “Will you kill your own brother for someone else?” A cold shiver raced down Adeline’s spi