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CHAPTER 19: Partial Truth
Last Updated:
2025-04-22 16:48:35
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Desperate Measures CHAPTER 20: An attack
Liya woke up and she could instantly tell that something was wrong before she even properly opened her eyes. Her blanket slowly slipped off her shoulders as she stood up. She hurried downstairs to check where Melinda and Aldo were but everywhere was quiet. She didn’t want to panic. She hurried back to her room, bracing herself to call him and ask where he was. She didn't know why but she had a strong feeling of danger.Liya walked into the room just in time to hear the phone ping. Cautiously, she picked it up. She was slightly relieved when she saw that it was just a text from Melinda. That meant they were fine, right?Stay inside today. It’s not safe. The text said.Liya had to roll her eyes. Like it was ever safe at the house. They were always assuring her that the estate was safe and secure but somehow, someone always managed to breach the security. Going past the gates, going past the guards, making it through the alarm sensor, and sometimes, even crossing the electric fence. The
Last Updated : 2025-04-22Desperate Measures CHAPTER 21: Just In Time
Aldo was going through some of the files that had been sitting at his table for the longest time. It was time that he focused on work properly, at least to take his mind off all the things that had been happening at home. His phone suddenly rang, and he rushed to pick it up. Melinda’s name flashed on the screen, and he frowned. He hurried to answer, hoping that there was nothing wrong happening at home. “What’s wrong?” he asked, with a sense of urgency in his tone.“Sir,” Melinda answered, panting. “The warehouse at the harbor is on fire.”“What?” he asked, hoping that he didn’t hear her properly, but she repeated the same statement. That alone made anger fill his body immediately. He managed to regain himself. He couldn’t be caught slipping. He hurried out of the office, into his car, and drove to the harbor.On his way there, Aldo hoped to God that Melinda was playing some kind of joke. He promised himself that he wasn’t going to react negatively if it turned out that she was telli
Last Updated : 2025-04-24Desperate Measures CHAPTER 22: Meeting
Aldo walked down to the basement. He could finally breathe after so long. After making sure that his girls were okay, he could finally pay attention to things that were a threat to their safety. His men pushed the iron door aside, and he walked in, inspecting the room. He noticed the man they had captured sitting in a corner, tied to the chair. Aldo felt his hands ball into fists as he walked up to the guy immediately. His head was cocked to the side, as blood flowed from the sides of his mouth. Aldo looked over to the men who were standing behind the attacker. “Has he said anything?” he asked, and they shook their heads. “He just kept saying that he won't say a word until his boss feels like he is worth saving.”Aldo tried his best to hold back his laughter at the mention of that. The attacker obviously didn’t know the kind of person he worked for. He was just going to be one of the countless souls who lost their lives all because they were sent on missions that they couldn’t retu
Last Updated : 2025-04-24Desperate Measures CHAPTER 23: Sister Talk
Aria walked into Liya’s room. Liya had been able to regulate her breathing and stop herself from freaking out, panicking, and flinching at every single sound by some miracle. She didn’t know how she was able to do it, but she did it. Aldo had already left her to herself after he had hugged her and promised to protect her. She knew that he was either in his study or in his room, reading over a few files just as usual. It was like she had almost been right in front of death but was somehow lucky. For how long though?Aria’s knock on the door was able to bring her back to reality. She managed to smile at the girl, who returned the smile with the brightest one she could muster. “Do you need something?” Liya asked, and she shook her head. “I just wanted to see you before I go to bed,” Aria whispered, tip-toeing until she got to Liya’s bed, and sat down, taking her hand in her smaller ones.“That’s okay,” Liya whispered back, making both of them laugh. But then, Liya had other things in m
Last Updated : 2025-04-25Desperate Measures CHAPTER 24: Photograph
After checking up on Aria and going back to his office to check on the security cameras that Melinda had said she put in place, Aldo headed back to his study to go through a few documents that needed his attention. He checked up on Aria again and this time, she was really asleep. He couldn’t hold back his chuckle. He was glad she could sleep after all that they had been throughout that day. Liya decided to keep herself busy with something after Aria had left her room for hers. As she walked down the halls, she noticed the door to Aldo’s room was open. She had never been in there so she didn’t bother knocking as she walked into the room. It was the first time so she took time to admire it. The room was covered in white. Like a hospital. The only things that were of a different color were the mahogany doors and tables. She wondered how he managed to stay in an almost monochrome room. She was so lost in thought, that she didn’t even notice when he walked into the room. He tapped her sh
Last Updated : 2025-04-26Desperate Measures CHAPTER 25: Broken Trust
After talking to Liya, Aldo knew that nothing would ever remain the same. He wanted to head to his room, but he knew that sleep was the last thing on his mind at the moment. He ended up going to his study to see if he would be able to go through some files that needed his attention. Business was the only thing that seemed to save him whenever he was drowning in thoughts. He tried going through them, but he couldn't get Liya’s voice out of his head. Her calm voice when she said she just wanted him to be real with her. He didn't know if all the answers that he had given her were the best but at least he was truthful to her. It was true that he and Damian were close. Very close allies and businessmen back then. Damian was more like an older brother and that was due to their age difference. He was a mentor but now Damian was more like a wolf hunting Aldo down. Aldo ran his hands through his hair in frustration, as he tried not to groan. A knock on the door brought him out of his dilemm
Last Updated : 2025-04-27Desperate Measures CHAPTER 26: Comfort
Liya quickly had her bath and headed to Aria's room. She was barely in the mood for breakfast. All she wanted to do was spend some time with the little girl. Just as she was heading there, she walked past Aldo in the hallway. She opened her mouth to greet him, but the look that he gave her made her shut her mouth immediately. She wanted to go after him and ask him what was wrong, but she knew better than to do that. She couldn't push away the feeling that something had happened. Something that had shaken him. Something that couldn't have been easily fixed. Liya knocked, trying to smile as she got into Aria's room. Aria was already up and refreshed, reading a book on her bed. Liya tried observing every single action that Aria made, trying to see if she noticed that something was going on with her brother. But Aria seemed like she was oblivious to whatever had happened to Aldo. “Have you read Frieda McFadden's newest book?” She asked out of excitement. “Yes, I have,” Liya said, try
Last Updated : 2025-04-27Desperate Measures CHAPTER 27: Unexpected Visitor
Liya could barely keep to herself after she finally told Aldo goodnight. She had only slept for a few hours too, unable to settle the fluttering butterflies in her stomach. By the time she woke up, the sky was gray and gloomy. Almost as if there was an impending doom. But Liya didn't want to see it like that. Things were starting to make sense between her and Aldo and nothing would go wrong between the both of them. It was chilly around the house, and even the fireplace did nothing to help. It was warm, but Liya didn't feel comfortable around it. She had a cup of coffee and decided to head outside. She was sure that the estate would be more secure. She hadn't seen Aldo, Aria, or Melinda that morning, but she wanted to give them their space as well. As she walked into the greenhouse with her huge sweater, she quickly put on the rubber boots and walked through the arrangement of different flowers. She would stop and sniff, closing their eyes and committing the scent to memory. She hu
Last Updated : 2025-04-28
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Desperate Measures CHAPTER 32: Finding Trust
“Maybe she is worthy of being trusted,” Melinda said, looking up at Aldo as he went through his files. He was tired of keeping things to himself and she seemed like the only person he could talk to at that point. The only thing he could do was hope that Melinda wasn't going to be one of the next people to betray him. That would mean everyone around him was a snake. He knew it would somehow affect his empire so moving forward he had to be careful.“I don't know anymore,” he said, going through all the routes that she had changed. He was going through the new passwords. After Liya had given the passwords away, he felt the need to change them again. “She was just scared, trying to save her brother. You might have done the same thing if Aria was in trouble.”Aldo paused, looking up at her and she apologized immediately. “It's fine,” he said stiffly. He might have done the same thing if it was Aria but the case was different here. Liya was constantly trying to be independent. She didn't
Desperate Measures CHAPTER 31: Opened Eyes
Liya waited for Aldo to tell her to continue walking away, but he didn't. He grabbed her hand instead and pushed her back into the car. He was mad at her, and she knew that much. It was mostly her fault and she couldn't even blame him. He got into his side and drove so fast like he couldn't wait to be out of the same car with her. It hurt her because things were finally starting to make sense between both of them and she had ruined things with one text. Even in her head, she was starting to compare herself with Franco. The one thing she didn't think she’d ever do. But it was the truth. She had betrayed Aldo as well. Giving the same information that Franco had given. Aldo parked the car in the garage and got out without her. She watched him as he walked out of the garage, and into the mansion. Liya couldn't bring herself to come out of the car. She sat there and allowed the tears to flow. She bent her head to her chest and cried even more. She reached into her purse, bringing out her
Desperate Measures CHAPTER 30: No Trust
The door to the warehouse slammed shut, but Aldo didn’t seem to care as he started the car. Liya felt pale. She could feel her throat contract from time to time, but she didn’t even have anything to come up her throat, which she was thankful for. She didn’t want to throw up in the car and annoy Aldo more. He drove off, barely looking at her and she couldn’t bring herself to say anything either. She had chosen Aldo back there, and it should have been enough for him. But obviously, it wasn’t enough for him. He suddenly turned to her. “Why did you choose the note?” It wasn't the question that she expected him to ask, but she was willing to answer him because she knew why. “I just couldn't pull the trigger.” The words were barely out of her mouth when he interrupted her. “I knew you couldn't,” he said, slamming his hand against the wheel, making her flinch. She bit her lower lip so hard she was sure it would bleed if she added any more pressure. Aldo grabbed the steering wheel until
Desperate Measures CHAPTER 29: Test of Loyalty
Liya couldn’t hold back her tears as she ran back to her room. She was thankful that there were none of the maids or guards present in the hallways.As soon as she shut the door, she allowed the tears to flow freely as she sank to the floor. Aldo was betrayed barely twenty-four hours ago, and she had just done the same thing. How could she be so stupid?What if it was just a test from Damian? She wished that she didn't have to face Aldo ever again but she knew that it was going to be impossible. They practically lived in the same house. She was Mrs. Marino. Aldo’s fucking wife. What kind of wife betrayed her husband?She pushed the thought out of her head. She buried her face in her knees as she sobbed. She didn’t even know when she fell asleep on the floor. As she woke up the next morning, Liya hurried to the bathroom. She could barely see clearly as she stared at herself in the mirror. She couldn't recognize the woman that stared back at her. Her eyes were swollen, and her cheeks
Desperate Measures CHAPTER 28: Betrayal
Liya paced around the library. She couldn't even go back to her room to sleep. It wasn't just the fact that she had seen Damian that managed to shake her but the message that she had gotten right after he had left her in the greenhouse but not without slipping a burner phone between the flowers. Damian had sent her a text that he had her brother in his custody and that she needed to act fast. Liya tried not to cry. It wasn't the first or second time that she was in such a difficult situation just because of Liam. She rubbed her sweaty palms against her jeans. She couldn't even call Liam to confirm if it was true, because his phone was switched off and she hadn't seen or heard from him since the day he came to warn her about trusting Aldo. Liya stared at the burner phone in her hand. The phone that she was supposed to send the codes that Damian needed. She shook her head, trying not to do it. But there was only one thought in her head and that was saving Liam. She knew she should l
Desperate Measures CHAPTER 27: Unexpected Visitor
Liya could barely keep to herself after she finally told Aldo goodnight. She had only slept for a few hours too, unable to settle the fluttering butterflies in her stomach. By the time she woke up, the sky was gray and gloomy. Almost as if there was an impending doom. But Liya didn't want to see it like that. Things were starting to make sense between her and Aldo and nothing would go wrong between the both of them. It was chilly around the house, and even the fireplace did nothing to help. It was warm, but Liya didn't feel comfortable around it. She had a cup of coffee and decided to head outside. She was sure that the estate would be more secure. She hadn't seen Aldo, Aria, or Melinda that morning, but she wanted to give them their space as well. As she walked into the greenhouse with her huge sweater, she quickly put on the rubber boots and walked through the arrangement of different flowers. She would stop and sniff, closing their eyes and committing the scent to memory. She hu
Desperate Measures CHAPTER 26: Comfort
Liya quickly had her bath and headed to Aria's room. She was barely in the mood for breakfast. All she wanted to do was spend some time with the little girl. Just as she was heading there, she walked past Aldo in the hallway. She opened her mouth to greet him, but the look that he gave her made her shut her mouth immediately. She wanted to go after him and ask him what was wrong, but she knew better than to do that. She couldn't push away the feeling that something had happened. Something that had shaken him. Something that couldn't have been easily fixed. Liya knocked, trying to smile as she got into Aria's room. Aria was already up and refreshed, reading a book on her bed. Liya tried observing every single action that Aria made, trying to see if she noticed that something was going on with her brother. But Aria seemed like she was oblivious to whatever had happened to Aldo. “Have you read Frieda McFadden's newest book?” She asked out of excitement. “Yes, I have,” Liya said, try
Desperate Measures CHAPTER 25: Broken Trust
After talking to Liya, Aldo knew that nothing would ever remain the same. He wanted to head to his room, but he knew that sleep was the last thing on his mind at the moment. He ended up going to his study to see if he would be able to go through some files that needed his attention. Business was the only thing that seemed to save him whenever he was drowning in thoughts. He tried going through them, but he couldn't get Liya’s voice out of his head. Her calm voice when she said she just wanted him to be real with her. He didn't know if all the answers that he had given her were the best but at least he was truthful to her. It was true that he and Damian were close. Very close allies and businessmen back then. Damian was more like an older brother and that was due to their age difference. He was a mentor but now Damian was more like a wolf hunting Aldo down. Aldo ran his hands through his hair in frustration, as he tried not to groan. A knock on the door brought him out of his dilemm
Desperate Measures CHAPTER 24: Photograph
After checking up on Aria and going back to his office to check on the security cameras that Melinda had said she put in place, Aldo headed back to his study to go through a few documents that needed his attention. He checked up on Aria again and this time, she was really asleep. He couldn’t hold back his chuckle. He was glad she could sleep after all that they had been throughout that day. Liya decided to keep herself busy with something after Aria had left her room for hers. As she walked down the halls, she noticed the door to Aldo’s room was open. She had never been in there so she didn’t bother knocking as she walked into the room. It was the first time so she took time to admire it. The room was covered in white. Like a hospital. The only things that were of a different color were the mahogany doors and tables. She wondered how he managed to stay in an almost monochrome room. She was so lost in thought, that she didn’t even notice when he walked into the room. He tapped her sh
