Samantha’s POVMy heart was shattered into a million pieces. It wasn't just one betrayal, but many. And worse, he didn't trust me. He chose to believe a lie rather than talk to me. He didn't even have the courage to break up with me, he just got with someone else and cast me aside. That's not right!When I closed the door, I slid down against it, sat on the floor, and sobbed loudly into my hands. I lost track of time, I don't know how long I stayed there crying, but it seemed like my tears would never end, as if floodgates had been opened and couldn't be closed again, and the pain kept drowning me.I was hiccuping, feeling a searing pain in my chest, starting to have trouble breathing, and couldn't stop crying. My apartment doorbell rang, and I didn't get up to look, it rang again, and I remained static, just crying and feeling pain. Until I heard a voice threatening to call the firefighters to break down the door, and I got up, knowing Melissa would do exactly that.I stood up and ope
Henry’s POVI left Samantha's house knowing she needed her friends but wouldn't call them. So I called Melissa and told her everything. I didn't even have to ask - Melissa assured me she'd rally the girls, and they'd all go there. But first, she gave me quite a lecture, emphasizing what an idiot and flake I was. I hadn't heard that word in years, but that's exactly what she said, and she was right.My fears, insecurities, and all the garbage my father represents in my life had screwed me over. There was a good chance Samantha would never forgive me. But I had to keep trying.It wasn't long before Patrick, Fred, and Rick invaded my house. They told me the girls would spend the night with Sam, and just as she needed her friends, they were there to support me and bring me back to reality. We talked and got drunk.When I managed to get to the office the next day, it was already past ten in the morning, and the hangover was killing me. Julia just shook her head, seeing my pitiful state. My
Henry’s POVI needed allies but didn't know who to turn to. However, when I saw Enzo chatting away with Melissa, I had an idea. I would spoil my nephew and convince him to help me. That was the plan. And since he was such a chatterbox, he would tell me everything he knew—and from what I could tell, he knew quite a lot."Enzo, would you like to have lunch with me?" I asked my nephew, who smiled."Of course I will," Enzo replied."Great, let's go then," I called out."Be in the office at two o'clock, Martin. I'm not going to sit around waiting for you!" Melissa warned."Alright, Melissa." I walked out, kicking the air like a sulking teenager.Enzo loved steak and fries, so I took him to the restaurant that served the best cuts of meat in town."Uncle, you knocked it out of the park today! I love this place," Enzo said excitedly."That's great, I know you love steak and fries, that's why I brought you here," I said, smiling at him."Is this because I'm your favorite nephew or because you
Henry’s POVI went back to the office and sent Enzo to the mall with my credit card to buy everything I needed and a little present for my niece. I would regret giving him my card later, but I needed the boy's help.At four-thirty, I told Melissa I had a terrible headache and begged her to let me go home. She reluctantly agreed. It's actually funny that I, the company owner, had to ask permission to leave early, but I didn't want to get on her bad side.I rushed downstairs where Enzo was already waiting with the driver at the building entrance, as we were going to pick up Clara from ballet class. When she came out of the dance studio, she immediately looked suspicious seeing me there."Uncle, I'm not doing anything for you! Enzo's always getting into trouble because of you!" The girl spoke before even greeting me. What's wrong with kids these days?"Clara sweetie, your uncle just misses you!" I said in a gentle voice, giving her a little kiss. "And I heard that a certain little girl re
Samantha’s POVAfter the night out with the girls, I was feeling better. I talked to Catherine in the morning, and Michael had already confirmed our movie plans for later.My phone rang on the desk, and when I answered, it was reception informing me that Clara, Henry's niece, was there to see me. I found it strange but approved her entry. Catherine was at my desk when the elevator opened, and out came that beautiful girl, dressed in ballet clothes, her blonde hair tied in a bun with bangs, and huge green eyes just like her mother's and uncle's."Auntie Sam! I missed you!" Clara came to me with light and graceful movements."My dear, I missed you too!" I hugged her, and after we let go, I said, "Let me see, you look beautiful in your ballet outfit!""Thank you, Auntie! I was in class and stopped by here before going home," Clara responded adorably."Come, let me introduce you to my friend Catherine. She's Alexander's girlfriend." Little Clara greeted Catherine with the same graciousness
Enzo’s POVWhile my uncle and I waited in the car for Clara to deliver the note to Aunt Sam, I decided to call Luna right away. I invited her to the movies, and she agreed immediately. Then I told her to invite her sister to come with us. Luna's sister was about twenty-one and already in dental school. She was the most easy-going person in the world and didn't act stuck up just because she was older. And today I needed her help. Luna said she'd check if her sister wanted to come.It was pure luck that I spotted Aunt Sam's message notification on Mel's phone when she'd left the room, mentioning which theater and movie she was going to watch with this Michael guy.Right after I hung up, Clara got in the car and handed Aunt Sam's note to Uncle Henry."Uncle Alexander, Uncle Patrick, and Uncle Rick saw me there. Make sure they don't tell my parents, and do it quick because Uncle Patrick has a big mouth just like Enzo," Clara blurted out."You're getting pretty bold, little sister!" I compl
Samantha’s POVI found it so strange to run into Enzo at the mall, watching the same movie as us. If Henry had been there, I'd say it was a setup, but Enzo was with his girlfriend and her sister. The curious thing was that his girlfriend's sister knew Michael, and he almost had a meltdown when he saw her. What am I getting myself into again? I better found out.In the end, I really enjoyed spending time as a group. The girls were very friendly, Ivy was hilarious and super outgoing, so it wasn't awkward being there with a guy and my ex-boyfriend's nephew. But something was going on.Enzo insisted on getting the math materials I'd offered several days ago when we went for coffee. Then Michael left, and the teenagers came upstairs."Enzo, here are the materials," I retrieved the books and study guides from my room and handed them to him. "Now tell me, what was that coincidence today all about?""It was really cool, wasn't it?!" Enzo replied with an overly big smile. "Running into each oth
Samantha’s POVI rushed back to the office, and when I arrived, chaos had broken out. Rick quickly explained to me that Peter had been kidnapped."Catherine needs you!" Rick said. "Henry is on his way with the girls, and Tess is coming too.""Great, Rick. What else can I do?" I asked."Things are going to get chaotic here. Take care of Catherine and clear the entire executive schedule. Handle as much as you can so Alexander and Patrick can focus on this situation. If you need help, let me know," Rick instructed as I sat down to work. "You didn't get a chance to have lunch, did you?""No, I didn't, Rick, but I'll order something later and eat here.""Let's do better than that, let's arrange for some food to be available here all the time, so nobody leaves without eating," Rick suggested, and I thought it was an excellent idea."That's good. What do you want me to do?" I asked."Call the catering service and ask them to have everything ready within an hour at most," Rick said and went ba
Samantha’s POVI was relieved to see my mother was okay. It was incredibly lucky that Enzo ran into her - one of those things that nobody can explain, where some call it luck and others divine providence. But I can definitely say this kid saved me again. After they told everything that happened at the mall and Henry confirmed that the Nicole who was with my mother was the same Nicole who was his ex-girlfriend, everything made sense.And we were heading to the police station - my mother, Enzo, Henry, and me. Honestly, I just wanted to go home, but Flavian asked us to come there, so there was no way around it."Henry, why did Flavian ask us to go to the police station?" I asked, still not accepting that I couldn't go home."Sam, you were the victim of Romulus's setup. It was a fake kidnapping, true, but clearly intended to force you to go to him. Plus, your mother's phone was stolen and used for this." Henry repeated the same thing, but I felt he was hiding something from me."I want to
Flavian’s POVI had to say, this raid on Pipote Hill was only supposed to serve three arrest warrants for homicide, but it turned into a complete mess. Three drug dealers dead and two cops wounded, all because they wouldn't let us in. It was all because of that punk Sandro who decided to set up a drug spot here. I only decided to serve these warrants personally snice one of them was Sandro's drug spot manager, and I wanted information about this Romulus guy.At least no civilians were hit. People keep talking about stray bullets, but there was no such thing - there are only bullets that find their targets, and innocent people became those targets, which really upsets me. But fortunately, this time no innocent civilians were shot. Though one of the subjects named in the warrants died - he was one of Sandro's soldiers. We arrested the other two. That was six fewer criminals on the streets."Let's move out, team!" called the military police sergeant who came to support us. "Detective, I t
Samantha’s POVI was getting increasingly nervous. As the car moved toward my destination, I felt more helpless, scared, and distressed. The taxi driver, a very kind gentleman, watched me through the rearview mirror while keeping his eyes on traffic. He drove slowly and carefully, perhaps due to his age, making sure not to cause any accident.My phone rang and I grabbed it from my purse - it was Enzo. I couldn't answer him, I just couldn't. But he persisted. He always did, and I always answered. I thought it through - if I didn't answer, it would raise suspicions. Sure, Michael must have returned to the company, but he probably thought I was in another department and wouldn't be alarmed yet. Maybe he was still looking for me inside the building. So, it was better to answer Enzo.When he told me he was with my mother, I couldn't believe it. Then he put her on the line, and I heard her voice. I couldn't hold back anymore, started crying, and explained that Romulus had called me from her
Enzo’s POVBeing a student was getting harder and harder. The English teacher decided to make us read a book that was almost impossible to find. I had to trek all the way across town because out of all the bookstores in the malls, only this one had it. Everyone was complaining that they couldn't buy the book because they couldn't find it. I spent two days on the phone and finally tracked it down. So I rushed to secure my copy to avoid getting a zero on the test that the teacher had already warned us about.But since I was at the mall, I might as well take a little walk around. I bought the book first - I had reserved it, but you never know if someone might accidentally sell my copy, so I went to the bookstore first. When I left, I was walking through the food court when I spotted Aunt Pearl at a café nearby. I had to say hello."What a coincidence! Aunt Pearl, how are you?" I approached and noticed she was with a younger woman who was pretty but strange-looking."Enzo, darling, what a
Samantha’s POVMy bachelorette party was the most fun event I'd ever been to, despite the snake incident. Erica and Emilia had really outdone themselves. However, it wasn't as enjoyable for Henry, who was tense and worried when he came to pick me up.At home, he told me about his suspicion that Isabella had sent the snake, and I was surprised - I hadn't thought that insufferable woman would be so brazen.We spent Sunday at home, resting and just enjoying each other's company. It was nice to have that peaceful moment with him, knowing the upcoming week would be hectic with wedding preparations, even though everything was already set.This week, I needed to get ahead with all my work since I'd be on my honeymoon with Henry the following week. Starting Thursday, I wouldn't be working as I'd be at the beach house overseeing all the wedding setup. I was so busy that during lunch, I just had a quick snack while working and turned Manu away when she came for afternoon coffee.Then my phone st
Romulus’s POVLittle Samantha must have been crazy if she thought she could ghost me like that. I've called several times and she won't answer, where could she be hiding? I needed to teach her a lesson, but this week I couldn't put my plan into action since Sandro needed me to check the accounts at his drug spot.Sandro wanted me to move to the hill, but to be honest, I preferred little Nicole's apartment, it was better located. But there's no way around it, I made a deal with him and he was the boss. He only gave me one more week to sort things out with little Samantha.I would use this week to resolve my situation with little Samantha and deal with little Nicole too. I was running out of patience with her, but it had to look like an accident, after all, she's Sandro's sister. I was going to do the job and blame the old man, but the idiot got arrested and was even trying to go back on our deal. He wanted little Samantha all to himself - that was pure greed.But little Nicole was still
Henry’s POVI arrived at the Social Club with Edward and Enzo. The guys had reserved a room there and they'd gone all out - they'd set up a room with a pool table, poker table, and arcade games, leather sofas scattered around, and a 1950s-style bar stocked with every kind of drink. This was going to be fun and relaxing."So, ready for your last bachelor party bender?" Patrick asked as soon as I arrived."I thought this day would never come." Alexander approached and handed me a glass.Only then did I notice they were all wearing the same t-shirt - a black one with a cartoon of me being dragged by a rope tied to my foot by a cartoon of Sam, with "game over" written below. These guys were acting like kindergarteners.As if the t-shirts weren't enough, they had prepared several activities, and they all involved lots of alcohol. I probably wouldn't remember my own name the next day.I was already slightly drunk when I saw Flavian answer a call and slip out of the room. When he came back, h
Samantha’s POVThe plans for the night were explained, and the girls decided to start the games. Soon we were all seated, and a bowl with folded papers was placed in front of me."Let's start with the lingerie, everyone grabs your box," Erica said, kicking things off."Okay, Sam, you'll draw a paper and read what's written. To win the gift, you have to guess who experienced the situation described in the paper. If you guess wrong, you'll have to share a situation that happened to you. When you open the present, you'll keep your eyes closed and feel around to figure out what it is. Got it?" Emilia explained the rules of the game."Oh my god! Alright, let's begin," I said and drew the first paper. "On my first time, my boyfriend and I watched some movies to learn because it was his first time too. When we tried to do a position we saw in a movie, I accidentally kicked him in the face, and he fell off the bed and broke his nose. I ended the night still a virgin and in a hospital making up
Samantha’s POVThe week had finally ended, and it had been exhausting. Romulus kept calling and threatening me, but Flavian said the wiretap was active and they were gathering lots of evidence, including proof of other crimes Romulus was committing, so he'd be arrested again soon. But it was horrible to keep getting his calls and hearing threats, not knowing what to expect.As if that wasn't enough, ever since he found out that Edward's sisters were organizing my bachelorette party, Henry had been pestering me to know what they had planned, why I'd let them organize the party, and if there would be any kind of wild rituals, as he put it. I assured him I knew nothing about it, but that he shouldn't worry. However, he kept suggesting every five minutes that we should ditch our friends and family and spend time just the two of us. He was driving me crazy with this whole thing, but I wouldn't budge - I was having my bachelorette party, and it would be fun, he'd just have to deal with it.I