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CELESTE "SALVATORE"
I woke up with discomfort in my body, which made me roll over in bed and notice Kaanadan still behind me, sleeping peacefully while his arm was underneath my giant belly. Freeing myself from the weight a little, I sat up in bed and noticed that it was still night, which made me feel strange since after pregnancy I rarely woke up in the middle of the night.The discomfort was so exhausting that my entire body ached. I touched my belly, feeling only slight movements, something that always happens when babies move, nothing out of the ordinary, nothing but my heavy body.I got up due to the lack of sleep the situation left me with and covered myself with a robe, leaving the room and heading towards the stairs. I went down slowly, carefully and went to the kitchen, finding Ada drinking tea. Upon seeing me, she hurried towards me.— Are you okay, Heaven? — She held me and ran her hand over my face, brushing the bangs of hair out of my faRelated chapters
Cruel Heart Epilogue
KAANADAN SALVATOREI'm still getting used to the fact that the twins were finally born, getting used to the deep look they both have and the lightness they give us when looking at them. I honestly can't help but smile, but I also can't show it in a sensitive way to the entire organization.Ever since I found out I was twins, I couldn't let go of the thought that both of them should rightfully have a high position of power in my organization — and that now they belong to them, too —, with that, I'm happy that the future Dei Capi is a boy, but I see a bigger change when also having a girl. However, this would not change my decision — due to several factors — and after years of being betrayed by outsiders, I was even more certain that this position had to be filled by someone from the family.The large open corridor gave me the image of the ground floor, where the entire room was full of soldiers and allies of the organization, everyone waiting and talking, g
Cruel Heart 1
Dad's car had just arrived. Stopping in front of the lawn, he got out of the car alongside his men of honor. Or Doormats. The same looked even more serious than yesterday upon receiving a call from one of the Death Knight's men. All dinner stopped at that moment, as well as my appetite that went from 100 to 0 in a few seconds of conversation. My heart was racing and my hands were pounding even more when Dad could only say, "yes," "sure," "um-rum." Never making it clear what would really happen.What would happen to me in this final stretch.I cross my arms and stop looking at the window, turning around and seeing Celina, my younger sister, sprawled on the couch. She knows what I think, maybe even what I'm going to say. If I go."He won't tell you if he doesn't ask." — Celina contains no speech from him. She gets up and walks towards me."He won't say even if I ask." - I do. It's a truth I've come to know since everything I wanted to build was demolished before it even became a real
Cruel Heart 2
My head was racing. I snort looking at the ceiling and once again I became Celeste Brandão, just sixteen years old on a turbulent night...Papa's soldiers quickly ascended the stairs. Victório, Papa's consigliere, followed by the telephone. I got scared with all that movement and preferred to lock myself in the library.Celina was already keeping me company for a while, and now she sleeps in my lap. I sigh, unable to concentrate on the book I'm reading, knowing nothing would change, I put it aside. I rest my head on the armchair as the library door opens. Ginny walks in with a tentative smile on her face."Is there a problem, Ginny?" - I turned to her.The tall woman had her hair down, something that revealed she was out of the house. Probably with Dad.Ginny didn't deny or agree, moving out of the library without turning her back on me for even a minute and then her blue eyes fixed on me. "Your father wants to speak with you." Let's go.I didn't.I carefully lifted Celina's he
Cruel Heart 3
He was totally different from what I had known years ago. Kaanadan had a full, well-groomed beard. His hair grew longer, going in wavy layers halfway down his neck, the color still the same, light brown. Besides being even stronger.I am impressed by its visual youth. The weather was good, even.I was still staring at him tense and surprised by the misfortune of finding Kaanadan Salvatore soon, the future husband I wanted to escape from. He was looking me straight in the eyes, and his lashes are still way too perfect for a man."So you're not going to answer me?" Kaanadan broke the silence and I took a step back, taking a deep breath before looking back at him.— No, it wasn't lost... I came to see the place.He doesn't seem to be convinced, but he doesn't contradict my speech either. I look around and curse myself for not being 100% focused in front of me. My pulse quickened as I realized I had again missed my chance, but it was even more tense as I turned to Kaanadan. Her gaze
Cruel Heart 4
The days flew by. Now it was fact: Only two days to go.I run my hand over the long blue floral dress I wear as I listen to Gina and Celina fight over which dress my younger sister should wear. The bridal shower will begin as soon as the guests arrive. So, in about 15 minutes.Celina complained about having to wear a pink dress, while Gina looked at her as if the youngest were a doll in her favorite outfit. I smile at the scene, but soon my smile fades. Celina is eighteen, which reveals that she is of marriageable age, and her presence at this tea just confirms it. I push that thought away, knowing that would be impossible. I was in charge of that myself.There's a knock on the door and I walk over to it, tucking a dark strand of hair behind my ear.Francisca, my cousin, appears and smiles tensely. "I'm sorry I came earlier.- No problem. — Make room for her to enter the room.Francisca is next to. Super kind and only twenty-five years old. I know that she was married at eightee
Cruel Heart 5
The walk took forever, and still too fast for my liking. Handing me over to Kaanadan's arms, my dad gave me a serious look, while Kaanadan didn't look much different than I'd seen him before. Serious and without any emotion on his face.The priest greeted everyone, before finally starting the celebration. The guests sat down. All the hundred or so guests fell silent.With each word my heart accelerated like never before. I was grateful for the veil on my face, which covered the many times I felt my face flush. I was shaking too, and I really wished Kaanadan didn't realize how uncomfortable it is to be where we are.The ceremony is long and drawn out, making me think of several things I still intend to do, giving me a certain relief to maybe get this out of the house, but giving me great discomfort when I realize that much of it may be an illusion, and Kaanadan is well worse than I imagine it to be.The first prayers began and I took a deep breath, feeling the dress suffocate me. A
Cruel Heart 6
It was already midnight when the first choirs started shouting for me and Kaanadan to retire to the room.The men were almost all drunk, and shouted things like "take her to bed" or "you're married now it's time for the best part". Well, I wanted to die listening to that. I looked at Kaanadan with a shred of hope that he was like his uncle, drunk to the point where he couldn't even keep his eyes open. But no, he was even better than me, who drank less than him.Kaanadan rose from her chair and I did the same, as much as I wanted to grab her. I saw Celina get up at the end of the other table, but Ginny pulled her back. I nodded calmly at her, hissing an "okay". But all in all, there was nothing.Kaanadan grabbed my hand and led me behind him as a crowd, now even women, followed behind us.I'm desperate. My heart beats so fast I feel it pounding against my skin. I take a deep breath and it doesn't take long until we are in front of the double wooden door on the second floor, where i
Cruel Heart 7
The sunlight hit me. I stretched sleepily, feeling my body a little sore from the sleepless night and I sit on the bed. It takes me a while to think through where I am or who I'm with, what happened yesterday, but when I remember, I swallow hard."I thought you were dead." - The serious voice sounded through the room.I remembered clearly. I turned my face to the side and saw Kaanadan, sitting in an armchair while looking at me. The sun beat down on him too, but lighter than on me. Just as he swore yesterday before going to sleep, Kaanadan did not consummate the marriage, nor did he touch me — I know because I barely slept and his body always had his back to me.I scratched the back of my neck and ran a hand through my clearly disheveled hair. - I wish. - I murmur and I hear him sigh heavily.Kaanadan gets up and walks towards the bed. I watch him, seeing him sit down next to me. I turn away, but he looks at me even more seriously."Why are you still running?" Kaanadan asks and w
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