LOGIN“Mi amore?”The words hung in the air between Anna and Vincenzo.She stared at him, her mind going blank for a second. She didn’t know Italian, but she understood what those words meant, probably from watching too many Italian movies and hearing it spoken in soft, intimate moments meant for lovers.But why did Vincenzo call her that?Her pulse quickened, unease crawling up her spine as she searched his face for answers. Vincenzo stood there as he always did, composed and unruffled, his expression carefully arranged into something almost gentle.Too gentle.“Anna?” he called, his voice still wrapped in that fake, warm tone, as if nothing about the moment was strange, as if the word had not slipped out loaded with meaning.Anna swallowed, her throat suddenly dry, unsure whether to respond or what responding might invite.“Anna?” Vincenzo called again, his voice calm but sharp, pulling her out of her spiraling thoughts.She blinked, snapping out of her daze.“Yes. Yes, I insisted on co
Camilla’s words made Anna freeze at the top of the stairs. She slowly turned, her eyes drifting downward, while passing maids halted mid-step, their gazes drawn to the tense scene below. Vincenzo’s jaw tightened. He spun toward Camilla, closing the distance between them in swift strides. “V—answer me,” Camilla said. “Don’t tell me it’s tru—” Vincenzo’s hand shot out, gripping her chin, fingers digging into soft flesh as the words died in her throat. “Shut your fucking mouth,” Vincenzo snarled, his gaze drilling into Camilla like he wanted to pierce her soul. “I’m done tolerating your bullshit.” His voice dropped low, a controlled roar that echoed off the high ceiling. “Anna is not a maid. And whether I fuck her or not is none of your fucking business.” Camilla stared at him, panting, eyes wide with fear and fury. She had so much to say, but dared not speak, not wanting to anger him any further. “This is your last warning, Camilla,” Vincenzo said, each word striking like a ha
Anna turned and headed for the café door, never looking back. The tall guard stepped forward, holding the door open as she stepped outside before falling in step behind her. Monica stood at the café table frozen, tears streaming down her cheeks. Her shopping bag lay forgotten at her feet, as she pressed both hands against her pregnant stomach. ~~~~ The car ride back to the mansion was a blur of grey streets and swirling thoughts. Anna sat in the backseat, Monica’s words clanging in her head like loose rocks in a tin can. How could James, the same man she thought couldn’t hurt a fly, the man who brought her coffee in bed, treated her like a princess, and proposed to her on her twenty-fourth birthday in the very park where they’d had their first picnic and promised her forever, also be the same man involved in illegal business, even selling human organs? Cheating on her with Monica for a whole year was one thing, but she had never expected him to be capable of somethin
“Anna, it’s—not—” Monica started, her voice trembling as her heart raced with guilt.“Wow. You are truly something else, Monica… a fucking desperate whore,” Anna cut her off, anger and disbelief lacing her words.“I didn’t mean to! James deceived me. He… he forced me,” Monica stammered.Anna leaned forward, her voice a harsh whisper. “Forced you? Did he force you to sleep with him? Because that’s not what it looked like that night. You were on top of him, riding his cock, pleasure all over your face, moaning his name like you didn’t have a care in the world.”Monica’s face flushed a deep red. She averted her eyes, staring blankly out the window, saying nothing.Another heavy silence hung between them, thick with tension.Anna took deep breaths, trying to control her anger.“You know… you could have had any man in the world, and yet you chose my fiancé,” she said, breaking the silence.Monica turned slowly to her, her face tense, eyes flicking nervously.“Anna… I’m sorry for hurting y
Anna’s eyes widened as she stared at Monica.Her voice betrayed her, leaving nothing but a parted mouth and stunned silence. The image from that night resurfaced, the night she discovered Monica fucking James in their bed.She never thought she’d see her again, though it was possible since Monica lived close by.“Anna,” Monica called, stepping toward her.In a flash, Anna yanked open the car door, lunging for the backseat. She didn’t want to talk to Monica.“Anna, wait! Please, wait!” Monica moved quickly, slapping her hand against the door to keep it from closing. “Please, Anna, don’t go.”Anna glared up at her from the seat. “What do you want from me?”Monica just stared, her mouth opening and closing. “I… I…” she stammered, struggling to find her words.“I guess you have nothing to say. Let go of the door so I can leave,” Anna said, reaching for the car door again.“Pl—please! Let’s talk!” Monica pleaded. “Please, I just want us to talk.”Anna scoffed. “Talk? I have nothing to sa
Startled by the thud of the diary hitting the floor, the maid who had been making the bed on the left side turned toward Anna, her brows drawn in confusion. She studied Anna’s stricken expression. “Is everything okay?” Anna didn’t answer. Shock clouded her mind, making the maid’s question barely register. Her hands shook, and her heart pounded so hard she could feel it in her throat. Each breath came in shallow, ragged gasps as she struggled to process the words she had just read. Shakily, she sank onto the edge of Lucy’s bed, her body trembling with disbelief. “Oh my God,” Anna whispered to the empty room. “Marco raped Lucy. Why did he? How could he do something so cruel to her?” she muttered to herself, her voice shaky. She felt a storm of anger and sorrow churn inside her. She wanted to march straight up to Marco right now. But what could she do to him once she got there? Yell at him? Curse him? Hit him? He was Vincenzo’s right-hand man. He







