I cried.Not just with tears—but with sound, with trembling, with my whole body. The kind of crying that strips you bare and leaves you raw.My father pulled me into him, his arms strong and warm, wrapping me in a quiet shield. He didn’t say anything. He just held me, patted my back, and whispered things I couldn’t even hear through the roaring in my chest. The more he tried to soothe me, the more I broke. And I kept crying. Until there was nothing left.No tears. No words. Just silence.I sat there, staring at the nothing in front of me. Eyes open, but seeing nothing. Feeling everything.Then he spoke.“Whatever decision you make… you’re an adult now. Like I told you—I’m not afraid to die. The only thing I am scared of is to lose you, my precious baby girl.”His voice cracked a little, and it hurt to hear that.“Everything I’ve ever done has always been for you. I think about you before I think about anything else. So if you want to keep this baby… if you want to tell Asher… whatever
That night, when Asher called, I couldn’t bring myself to pick up. I didn’t want to fall into the same pattern I had before—ignoring him to get him to give me what I wanted. But tonight, I just... couldn’t.When I woke up the next morning, my phone was full of missed calls and messages from him. I finally called him back, forcing myself to sound normal, to enjoy the time we still had. Because deep down, I knew the truth—this wouldn't last. The next time I saw him, I’d have to break his heart.So I told myself to hold on to this moment. To Enjoy these few more days. Pretend it was still us. Pretend I wasn’t about to shatter everything.He was so excited. Said he was getting a swing for his arm now that the metal had been removed. He could finally move more freely. He said he’d come to see me soon—really soon. The way his voice lit up, the way he spoke like we were about to go back to how things used to be... it broke something in my heart.I dreaded that day.When I went downstairs for
My chest tightened.Asher.I swallowed hard, trying to relax my stiff shoulders. But I couldn’t. Not after hearing Asher’s name roll so carelessly off Domenico’s tongue.How could you bring Asher into this? I wanted to scream. How could he be okay with any of this?Domenico cleared his throat, casual and composed. “I came here to see you because I thought it would be appropriate for us to meet before our engagement.”I cringed at the word engagement, but I masked it with a tight, polite smile.He continued, voice smooth. “I also thought we should talk about my son.”My stomach dropped.There was an awkward pause before my mother gently nudged me.“Yes,” I answered quickly, forcing my voice to stay steady.“I thought we were under the same understanding,” he said, eyes narrowing slightly. “That you were supposed to have broken up with him by now.”“I—” My lips parted, but nothing came out. “Yes, I was going to.....""But just this morning, I spoke to him, and he was… excited. He said h
I was late to work again. Having a four-year-old isn’t easy.This morning, Leon woke up sick, burning with a fever. I couldn’t take him to daycare or just leave him alone, so I had to ask my neighbour, Tracy, for help. She agreed after I promised to pay her with my tips. I handed her some money, gave Leon one last worried glance, and a kiss and then ran out the door.The minute I stepped into the restaurant, I knew something was different today. There was a tension in the air, an unease that I couldn’t quite place. I barely made it to the back room to change into my uniform before the manager appeared."Where have you been, Ariella?" he barked.He never yelled. He was always composed, even under pressure. But today, he seemed agitated—nervous, even.I swallowed hard.It hadn’t been easy to land this job. This wasn’t just any restaurant—it was an exclusive, high-end place, the kind where getting hired was nearly impossible. The only reason I was here was because of Damien. I had met hi
I don't even turn towards the voice. I feel like I'm going to turn to stone. I guess I should have expected that, given everything that happened years ago. Of course, he's married. Did I think he was going to wait for me his whole life?But I still can't believe it. I'm still not ready for the pain that envelops me when I hear that he's moved on, he's married, and he has a family.I feel like I'm going to cry.Asher doesn't say anything. He just looks at me, and I just stand there. Frozen into place.All of a sudden, he barks. "get out!" the sound of his voice, the power in it—there seems to be some anger in it, and I can't help myself but scramble and start running towards the door.But then he stops me again."Not you," he says."Everybody out," he continues.Everybody stands up, and the whole room clears out in an instant.I'm left standing there, looking at him as he looks back, he just stares at me blankly. There is no expression on his face.I don't know how to react. I'm nervou
I shake my head. No.Again and again, I shake my head, willing this moment to be a nightmare.But Asher just watches me, his lips curling into a cold, calculated smile. His eyes gleam with amusement as if he’s enjoying the way I’m crumbling before him.He isn’t speaking. Just watching. Like a predator toying with his prey.I try to absorb his words, to make sense of them, but they don’t fit. They don’t make sense."But you’re married," I whisper, my voice shaking. "You’ve moved on. What are you saying? I don’t understand."He laughs, low and cold, his mockery slicing through me."It looks like you got caught up in your feelings, Ariella." His voice is taunting, cruel."I never said I loved you. I never said I was going to marry you. I never even said you had any significance."My breath catches."What I did say," he continues, his tone dripping with venom, "is that you my toy. I am going to use you until there’s nothing left. Until you don’t recognize yourself. Until nobody can recogn
He smiles. It’s slow, calculating."Whatever it is," he murmurs, "if they find out, you know the rules of the famiglia."His eyes darken, his voice almost a whisper. "You. Are. Dead."A shudder of fear runs through me. I flinch. Because I know he’s telling the truth. The moment he takes me back, I am dead.Nobody will save me. I can’t leave Leon. I won’t leave Leon. He needs me.He sees the fear in my eyes. And he likes it."So you better just tell me why," he says, his voice quieter. "Why did you run away, Ariella?"He leans in slightly, watching me. "Were you scared I was going to hurt you?" His voice is almost teasing, taunting. "Was it fear—after breaking my trust—that made you run away?"I am desperate for a way out. I can see that he wants me to say yes. He wants me to admit I was scared of him.So I do. I nod. Trembling. Avoiding his eyes. He smirks."Good."He tilts my chin up, forcing me to meet his gaze."I like your fear." He says licking his lip. Then, he moves. His hands
Asher stood still, frozen, as seconds ticked by before he turned towards me. He looked at me, and I could see the anger, the fury, the fire burning hot in his eyes, and it made me scared. I took a step back, and that little movement seemed to be the thing that broke him from his trance because before I could blink an eye, he was already there—right there in front of mAs he looked at me, I tried avoiding eye contact. His gaze was too piercing, too intense, and it made me too scared, so I looked down.But he gritted out angrily, commanding, “Look at me.”I raised my head up, forcing myself to meet his gaze.“Look. At. Me.” He gritted out each syllable, his voice sharp. Then, he asked me, “What did you say?”I shook my head. I was afraid to speak out, afraid to repeat the words that had already left my mouth. Just moments ago, he had mocked the idea of me having a boyfriend, of being with someone else, of being married. And now, now he was acting so mad because I told him I had a son.
My chest tightened.Asher.I swallowed hard, trying to relax my stiff shoulders. But I couldn’t. Not after hearing Asher’s name roll so carelessly off Domenico’s tongue.How could you bring Asher into this? I wanted to scream. How could he be okay with any of this?Domenico cleared his throat, casual and composed. “I came here to see you because I thought it would be appropriate for us to meet before our engagement.”I cringed at the word engagement, but I masked it with a tight, polite smile.He continued, voice smooth. “I also thought we should talk about my son.”My stomach dropped.There was an awkward pause before my mother gently nudged me.“Yes,” I answered quickly, forcing my voice to stay steady.“I thought we were under the same understanding,” he said, eyes narrowing slightly. “That you were supposed to have broken up with him by now.”“I—” My lips parted, but nothing came out. “Yes, I was going to.....""But just this morning, I spoke to him, and he was… excited. He said h
That night, when Asher called, I couldn’t bring myself to pick up. I didn’t want to fall into the same pattern I had before—ignoring him to get him to give me what I wanted. But tonight, I just... couldn’t.When I woke up the next morning, my phone was full of missed calls and messages from him. I finally called him back, forcing myself to sound normal, to enjoy the time we still had. Because deep down, I knew the truth—this wouldn't last. The next time I saw him, I’d have to break his heart.So I told myself to hold on to this moment. To Enjoy these few more days. Pretend it was still us. Pretend I wasn’t about to shatter everything.He was so excited. Said he was getting a swing for his arm now that the metal had been removed. He could finally move more freely. He said he’d come to see me soon—really soon. The way his voice lit up, the way he spoke like we were about to go back to how things used to be... it broke something in my heart.I dreaded that day.When I went downstairs for
I cried.Not just with tears—but with sound, with trembling, with my whole body. The kind of crying that strips you bare and leaves you raw.My father pulled me into him, his arms strong and warm, wrapping me in a quiet shield. He didn’t say anything. He just held me, patted my back, and whispered things I couldn’t even hear through the roaring in my chest. The more he tried to soothe me, the more I broke. And I kept crying. Until there was nothing left.No tears. No words. Just silence.I sat there, staring at the nothing in front of me. Eyes open, but seeing nothing. Feeling everything.Then he spoke.“Whatever decision you make… you’re an adult now. Like I told you—I’m not afraid to die. The only thing I am scared of is to lose you, my precious baby girl.”His voice cracked a little, and it hurt to hear that.“Everything I’ve ever done has always been for you. I think about you before I think about anything else. So if you want to keep this baby… if you want to tell Asher… whatever
My eyes widened to saucers. What do you mean? I asked, my voice small, trembling, as my eyes blinked rapidly—once, twice, too many times.My father looked at me, and there was nothing but sadness in his expression.“You’re very smart, Ariella,” he said quietly. “I think you can see it.”But I couldn’t.I didn’t.And now, hearing him say it, my mind began to race. Had I missed something? Was there a piece I hadn’t seen, a truth I hadn’t dared to believe?He took a breath, long and shaky. “I didn’t tell you everything about my meeting with the Don,” he admitted. “Because I didn’t want you to fear for your life. I didn’t want you to be scared.”My throat tightened. I swallowed hard.“I feel like a failure,” he said next. “I feel like I failed you. I feel like I failed your mom. I feel like I failed our family. What kind of father am I?”“Don’t say that,” I whispered, reaching for his hand and folding it into mine. “Don’t say that, Dad. Please, don’t. I’m so proud to be your daughter. I k
Because beneath the sadness in Dad's face, beneath the anger, beneath the heavy emotion… was something worse.Disappointment.That was what broke me.I had wanted a reaction—but not this one. I didn’t know what to do with this. So I stood there, frozen, unable to move, just watching him as he walked out. Leaving me behind. Leaving me alone with my sobbing mother.My hand instinctively moved to my belly. I was holding it, cradling it.Just minutes ago, I’d been so happy. And now… now I was completely lost.When I realized I wouldn’t be getting any answers—not today—I quietly turned and walked toward the stairs. My mom kept sobbing and shouting behind me. I didn’t even register what she was saying. Her words were just noise.I walked upstairs. I walked into my room. And then I just sat down.I didn’t know how to feel. Didn’t know if I should be crying. Didn’t know what I should be doing.So I just sat there for a long time, staring out the window. Silent. Still.Lost.The house was eeri
I was pregnant.I was holding the pregnancy test in my hand, staring at it like it might change.I was pregnant with Asher’s baby. My plan had come to fruition.I was finally going to be with him, just like it was supposed to be in the beginning. No more obstacles. No more waiting. This was our future. Our family.I couldn’t stop smiling.I wanted to run to Asher, tell him everything, let the joy explode between us—but I knew it had to wait. There was something I had to do first. Something that mattered just as much.I slipped the pregnancy test into the pocket of my jeans, took a moment to breathe, and walked down the stairs.Mom and Dad were in the living room.Dad was reading, Mom was watching TV, and her arms folded across her chest.I stepped inside, and I couldn’t hide it—the happiness lit up my face like sunlight. Mom noticed first. Her eyes snapped to mine, narrowing. She slapped her hand against Dad’s arm and then nudged him harder. They both turned toward me.“What is it, Ar
I froze.“I… I just heard it,” I stumbled. “Maybe Mom told me. Or someone else. I don’t know...”He didn’t respond. Didn’t agree. Didn’t argue. Just watched me like he was working out a puzzle. I hated that look—it meant he knew something was off. I could have kicked myself.I rushed to change the subject. “Dad, I’m sure you have friends. After all, everyone knows I’m supposed to marry Asher. That has to count for something. There must be some kind of connection, some leverage. I just want to know he’s okay.”He looked at me, and I saw a mixture of things flash across his face—guilt, worry, uncertainty. He opened his mouth to say something, but then—My mother’s voice cut through the air.“Please don’t tell me you’re entertaining this.”We both turned toward her.“Have you been eavesdropping?” I accused.“I’m not eavesdropping. This is my house,” she snapped.I rolled my eyes. She ignored me and looked at my father. “You cannot keep entertaining her delusions. She’s supposed to brea
I narrowed my eyes at my mother, stunned by what she had just said. “Are you serious?” I asked, my voice sharp with disbelief.“Of course I am,” she replied, her tone too casual for the conversation. “I mean, the bullet just didn't hit anywhere vital from what I hear. I’m sure he’s going to be fine. But if it had struck somewhere more critical… we could have been talking about something else right now. We wouldn’t even be worried about him anymore.”I stared at her, horrified. She didn’t just say that. She couldn’t have meant that.“Are you saying… are you actually wishing the bullet had hit his heart? Or his head? Do you wish he had died?” My voice shook as the words left me.“No, no, no,” she rushed to say, raising her hands like she could shove the words back in. “I would never say that. Why would I say that----- I didn’t say that.”But I saw it. It was there—in her eyes. That flicker of frustration. That relief that the situation almost solved itself. She did wish it. She wished
“Ariella, listen to me,” Luca said, his tone light but sincere. “Seriously, I’m not even mad at you. I mean—okay—maybe I’m a little upset that the two of you decided to do the deed while I was next door.”I groaned, embarrassment washing over me all over again. He laughed, clearly trying to ease the tension.But then he got all serious, "Ariella,” he said, nudging my arm lightly. “Look, I kinda like that you have a backbone. You were fighting for the man you love. I know you love Asher. And Asher loves you. I love that you threatened me, honestly—it shows you’ve got fire. You’re going to be the queen one day. You’re gonna need that, aren’t you?”I managed a small smile and nodded.“But seriously,” he added, chuckling, “have pity on the poor guy. He was hurt, for God’s sake!”He started laughing again. And even though the mortification hadn’t worn off, I found myself laughing too—awkwardly, but still.“Okay,” he said, suddenly shifting gears, “let me sneak you back inside.”We moved qu