. . . AUTHOR’S POV Luciano sat in his spacious office, his leather chair turned slightly toward the window as he stared out at the city skyline. The room, a blend of luxury and functionality, was filled with the quiet hum of Christian’s voice, going over details of a new business deal. But Luciano wasn’t listening. His mind was miles away—, where he’d spent the night tangled in Adeline’s warmth. Her laughter, her touch, the way she whispered his name—it was all he could think about, drowning out the drone of the world around him. “Luciano,” Christian’s sharp voice broke through his haze, pulling him back to the present. “Hm?” Luciano blinked, turning to face him, but his expression was far too distracted to be convincing.Christian frowned, his piercing blue eyes narrowing as he leaned forward, elbows resting on the edge of the desk. “You’re not even listening, are you?” Luciano sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “I’m listening.” Christian scoffed.
. . . ADELINE I stood in front of the fogged-up mirror, my damp hair cascading over my shoulders as I dried it with a soft towel. I was lost in my thoughts, the serenity of the moment wrapping around me like a comforting embrace. My thoughts only included Luciano in them. The soft patter of water from the bathroom faucet was the only sound in the room until a faint rustle behind me made me freeze. My heart skipped a beat as I saw his reflection in the mirror—Luciano. His presence was unmistakable, and I gasped softly when his strong arms slid around my waist, pulling me against him. “Luciano,” I whispered, my voice a mixture of surprise and warmth. A blush rose to my cheeks as he buried his face in the crook of my neck, his lips pressing gentle kisses against my bare skin. The heat of his touch sent a shiver down my spine, and I couldn’t help but smile. His touches felt soothing, a solution from all the problems. I turned to face him, my eyes meeting his,
. . . ADELINE “ hurry up Adeline. Valentino is waiting “ I heard Bianca’s voice from outside my bedroom. A deep sigh of nervousness and frustration escaped my lips. Valentino was here to take me on a ‘ lunch date ‘ specifically arranged by my mother but what they did not know was, I had only agreed to go with him to tell him that I was not going to marry him. I quickly adjusted my hair more like trying to calm myself down before grabbing my handbag and walked out of the bedroom. I climbed down the stairs only to see …… Valentino sitting on the couch in the living room with everyone and ……… he was there too. His legs crossed and arms spread on the couch head staring at me with his fierce look. I literally missed a step because of his glare but composed myself. My heart pounded in my chest but I remained calm and put on a smile before greeting. “ good afternoon, everyone “ Hearing my voice, Valentino turned to me and I passed him a polite smile to which he
. . . ADELINE All eyes were on us as Asher dragged me out of the restaurant. My thoughts were messed u as to how come Asher knew and why the fuck he was behaving like such a …… jerk. Asher’s grip on my arm was firm, his strides purposeful as he led me out and to his car parked. “Asher, stop!” I hissed, trying to tug my arm free. He did not look like the Asher i knew or the Asher I was friends with. “What are you doing?” He didn’t answer, his jaw clenched tight, his entire body radiating frustration. He turned to me as his body towered mine. “Asher, I said stop!” I repeated, yanking harder until he finally halted and glared at me. His eyes were blazing, the anger behind them almost tangible. What was wrong with him? “What am I doing?” he snapped, his voice sharp. “No, Adeline—what are you doing? Sitting in there with him like everything’s fine, like you’re not engaged, like I don’t exist!” I flinched slightly at his tone but quickly recovered, my own
. . . AUTHOR’S POV The phone buzzed, breaking the heavy silence of Luciano’s office. His sharp eyes darted toward the screen before picking up. “Valentino,” he said curtly, leaning back in his leather chair. “Luciano,” Valentino’s voice was tense, bordering on frantic. “Something happened. Adeline… a boy took her.” Luciano sat up immediately, his spine rigid as his heart skipped a beat. “What? What do you mean, took her?” “They left the restaurant together. It wasn’t normal,” Valentino explained quickly. “She didn’t seem comfortable, and it looked like they knew each other. I thought it was odd, so I called you.” Luciano’s hand tightened around the phone. His mind raced as his protective instincts surged. “Did you see his face? Who is he? Where the fuck were your men? Why did you let her go? ” “ I do not know him. I did not want to let her go but she stopped me knowing it will lead to a big mess ” Valentino admitted. “ Something’s not r
. . . ADELINE I blinked my eyes, my vision blurry as I took in my surroundings. My head was throbbing and a groan escaped my lips. It hurts. I blinked my eyes to get a clear vision and looked around. It was an unfamiliar room. The thoughts sent shivers down my spine. The room was dimly lit, the soft glow of a single bulb illuminating the wooden walls and modest furniture. It smelled faintly of earth and old wood, and the faint sound of wind whistled outside. I froze as the realization dawned—this wasn’t the city. I was …… kidnapped. My heart pounded like a drum in my chest as I tried to piece together what had happened. Memories came flooding back, vivid and sharp: leaving the restaurant with Asher, the argument in the parking lot, his hand gripping mine, forcing me into his car. The water he gave me to drink and then I passed out- my eyes widened in horror. “Asher…” I whispered to myself, my voice trembling. He is so dead. Why would he even do such thing whe
. . . ADELINE I was sitting on the cold wooden floor, my knees pulled tightly to my chest. My chest heaved up and down and I was exhausted, my attempts to escape having failed miserably. My arms trembled as I hugged myself, the frustration and fear weighing heavily on me. I wanted to run away. To get out of here quickly. The silence in the room was maddening, the ticking of an old clock the only sound accompanying my racing thoughts. I did not know if my family or Luciano would be able to find me because even I did not know where I was. It was too dark outside for me to even see anything. Two hours had passed since Asher had left me alone. I had screamed, banged on the walls, tried every possible way to unlock the door, but nothing worked. Now, I sat slumped in defeat. My body drained but my mind still whirring with desperation. I closed my eyes and hugged myself tighter. Suddenly, the door creaked open. My head snapped up, my eyes narrowing as I saw Asher walk
. . . LUCIANO I looked in my right direction to see Adeline was running toward me, her hair disheveled, her face streaked with tears, her expression a mixture of fear and desperation. My heart felt a bit relieved finally able to see her as my heavy breathing begin to calm down. “Adeline,” I whispered, relief and anger battling for dominance as I rushed toward her. She didn’t slow down, throwing herself into my arms as she wrapped her arms around my neck. I caught her, lifting her effortlessly as I held her close. Her body trembled against mine, and I could feel her uneven breaths as she buried her face in my shoulder. I closed my eyes inhaling her scent to calm my throbbing veins that had wanted to feel her since she disappeared. “Are you okay?” I asked, my voice was low but urgent as I pulled back slightly to look at her tear-streaked face. She shook her head, sobbing as she stuttered, “I… I think I killed him.” My eyes narrowed, confusion flashing
. . . 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