LOGINELENAâs POVI didnât understand what was happening, and that was the part that scared me the most. One minute I was trying to process everything that had already gone wrong, and the next, I was being cautioned and summoned by my mother-in-law like I had committed a crime I didnât even remember making. The way she spoke on the phone, the authority in her voice, the sharpnessâI could tell instantly that whatever this was, it wasnât going to be a normal conversation. And from what I overheard in the background yesterday, it was clear she and Drego had argued about something⊠something that involved me.I barely slept that night.By morning, I had already made up my mind. I was leaving Kimmyâs place and going back home. I needed to get myself together before facing whatever was coming. By exactly 9 a.m., I was already on my way. My heart was beating faster than normal, my mind palpitating, different questions, different outcomes, running through my mind and none was comforting.When I g
DREGOâs POVI stared at Elenaâs name on my phone longer than I should, my jaw tight, my thoughts louder than the silence around me. I already know sheâs angry at me. Not just angry but furious. The kind of anger that sits in her chest and refuses to leave. And honestly, I donât blame her.I exhaled and finally called.The moment the line connects, I speak before she can.âElena⊠Iâm sorry.âThereâs silence on the other end.âIâm sorry for dragging you into this mess. Iâm sorry for making everything complicated. I shouldnât have done that. I know I overwhelmed youâŠâ I pause, running my hand through my beards. âJust forgive me, okay? Iâll handle everything from my side, and Iâll handle David too if possible.âStill Silence, I could only hear her breath. And thatâs when it hits me, sheâs shocked. Of course she is. Elena isnât used to this version of me. She knows I donât beg, I donât apologize, and I donât bend no matter what.But for her? I just did, and I donât regret itBefore she cou
âI know youâll remember me if you see my face again," he said, beaming with smiles. I came back because of you. I folded my arms slowly, staring straight at him, trying to understand if he was actually serious or just playing some kind of twisted joke.âYouâll remember me if I show my face again⊠thatâs why you stayed back?â I repeated, my brows narrowing. âAnd now youâre saying you came back because of me?âAlexander didnât even flinch. Instead, he smiled⊠like heâd been waiting for this moment.âYes,â he said calmly. âBecause of you.âI let out a short, dry laugh, shaking my head. âOkay⊠when exactly did you meet Melissa?â I asked, trying to keep the conversation grounded.âTwo weeks ago,â he replied easily. âAnd yeah⊠sheâs my kind of girl.âHe paused. âBut that wonât be anymore.âMy eyes snapped back to his. âWhatâs that supposed to mean?âHe took a step closer, not too close, but enough to make me uncomfortable.âCindy⊠have you really forgotten everything?â His voice dropped sl
CINDYâS POVI lay back on my bed, staring at the ceiling, a slow smile creeping to my lips as I replayed everything that had just happened.David. God⊠the man had finally fallen.After everything; the chase, the tension, the push and pull, he was finally mine, at least in the way I needed him to be. Not fully, not completely⊠but enough. Enough for me to know I had gotten under his skin.He had slept for a while after everything, completely worn out, like I had drained every ounce of control and strength out of him. And when he woke up, he looked⊠different. Softer, cooler, and less guarded.âI should go,â he had said, running a hand through his hair like he was trying to gather himself back together. âI need to change up⊠sort out a few things, and I need to see Matteo.âI didnât stop him. I didnât even try.âAlright,â I had said, sitting up, watching him dress. âBe careful.âBut inside? I was smiling. Because I knew that whatever happened between us today had shifted something. And
âDo you know why your mom wanted to see Matteo?â Cindy asked the moment I dropped the call, her eyes fixed on me like she was trying to read beyond my silence. I leaned back into the couch, rubbing my temple slowly. âI donât know⊠maybe she wants to inquire about something. Maybe about me, or about Drego. I honestly donât care right now.â She studied me for a second, then softened. âWhatever it is, heâll tell you. Matteo isnât the type to hide things from you, right?â âYeah,â I muttered, though my mind wasnât even on Matteo anymore. It was scattered⊠messy⊠restless. âHave you eaten?â she asked gently. I shook my head. âNo. Iâm not really hungry.â Cindy didnât argue. She just stood up like she had already made up her mind. âYouâre eating,â she said, heading toward the kitchen. âYou need to eat, whether you like it or not.â I let out a quiet breath, watching her disappear inside. There was something about her⊠the way she moved, the way she spoke⊠calm, but firm. It
The moment I stepped out of the hospital, I just stood there for a few seconds, staring into nothing. I didnât know where to go. Home? No, that wasnât an option. That was the last place I wanted to be, at least not now. Not with everything that just happened, not with the look on Davidâs face still fresh in my head. If I go back now, itâs going to turn into something bigger than it already is⊠Iâll need to do some explaining , some reassuring and thatâs something Iâm not ready to deal with. This is the first time I get to meet my in-laws and itâs starting out on a wrong way. I exhaled slowly and got into my car, resting my head briefly against the steering wheel. âThink, Elena⊠just think.â For a moment, I considered going to Alexâs place since I didnât want to go to a hotel. At least it would be familiar, or maybe safe⊠but then I shook my head. No. I didnât want questions, besides we are not really close and I donât want us to be in an enclosed space. Then suddenly, some
CINDYâS POVMy heart was still pounding when I got into my car. Honestly, I didnât care that my hands were shaking on the steering wheel; I just hit the ignition and took off. Dregoâs face, twisted with rage and hurt after I smashed that vase against his head, kept flashing through my mind. I could
DAVIDâS POVSomething felt off.Iâd been keeping an eye on Elena ever since I returned from my business trip in Chicago, and no matter how hard she tried to put on a calm face, and tend to pretend, her eyes showed this heavy weight. And whenever Drego was around, she seemed more perturbed.At first
I stood there, completely frozen in that cafe. Cindyâs voice rang in my ears like a gunshot. âIâm seeing someone. His name is⊠Drego knight.âMy stomach twisted, and my lips felt dry. I managed a smile, one that was more of a sneer or a grimace, barely reaching my eyes. âDrego⊠thatâs⊠a strong n
ELENAâS POVI couldnât sleep at all. It felt like I couldnât even catch my breath. Every time I shut my eyes, there he was. Drego.I could still feel the way his mouth moved against mine, the intensity of his grip, and the way he looked at me as if I were something forbidden that he just couldnât







