LOGINFIORELLA’S POVA wince escaped me with each step I took. There was dried blood from my miscarriage between my legs, and fresh blood kept running from my nose after Pedro’s beating. Tears rushed down my face, across the split in my swollen lips, and the salt stung in my wound. I needed the pain to stop, but more than anything, I needed the hurt in my chest to stop, and cutting myself could no longer help me.I needed to end it all for once. Without hesitation, I stepped naked into the cold lake until the water reached my chest level.Life wasn’t worth living anymore. It hadn’t been for a long time. I fell back with a splash, and everything immediately went quiet as I sank beneath the water. I had accepted my fate and couldn’t swim out even if I wanted to. I kept my eyes open as the water filled my lungs, letting the warm touch of death swallow me whole.At least it was gentle and comforting and peaceful. But that peace was disrupted when I saw a boy’s concerned face appear ove
FIORELLA’S POVThe meaning hit me a heartbeat too late.Horror shot through me.I let out a strangled scream and threw myself out of his hold so fast I almost hit the passenger door.“You fucking disgusting pervert,” I snapped, wiping at my shoulder as though I could erase the feeling. “A little body contact and you can’t even control yourself?”Rhys scoffed. “As if I’d ever get hard for you. I’ve never been softer.”My eyes widened as the meaning registered.If that had only been its sleeping form, then what would—Absolutely not.I shoved the thought out of my head. “That is unnecessary information. Just shut up until we get home.”“No,” he replied, shooting me an irritated look before turning his attention back to the road. “And it was necessary information. I can’t have you walking around thinking I wanted you.”I rolled my eyes. “Oh, please.”“If you don’t believe me, I can prove it. I can show you.”I turned my head toward the window so fast that my neck hurt, another wave of di
FIORELLA’S POVThe moment I jumped off that railing, my life was in Rhys’s hands. My heart jumped out of my body, and regret hit before I had even fallen halfway down.What had I done?I squeezed my eyes shut and waited for the impact, but opened them a second later. That was when I passed Rhys’s and our eyes met. He had a vengeful look in his eyes and a smirk on his face. “Rhys!” I screamed. “Help me!”He didn’t move to catch me. Panic swallowed every coherent thought I had, followed by a brief moment of acceptance. Just before I hit the ground, his hand shot out and caught a fistful of my robe, leaving me hanging an inch above the concrete.Relief crashed through me so fast. “You’re welcome,” he said.I stared at him in disbelief. “I’m welcome? For what? Have you forgotten this is all your fault?”His smirk disappeared. “Such an ungrateful thing.”Then he let go.I hit the pavement with a heavy thud. “Ouch.”Pain shot through my hip, and the back of my head bounced against th
FIORELLA’S POV Air finally reached my lungs again. I hadn’t realized how difficult breathing became whenever he crowded my space until that moment. I stepped out after him and walked into a room with a man sitting on the couch, drinks on the table in front of him. The man smiled when he saw Rhys. “The Don finally decided to grace me with his presence,” he said as he stood up and bowed. “It’s an honour to have you.” Rhys returned the smile and sat across from him. “I would hope so. Because it seemed like you’ve been avoiding me, Massimo.” I sat beside him and tried to distract myself by looking around the place. Marble floors reflected the chandeliers overhead while expensive paintings lined the walls. “I would never,” Massimo responded, sitting back down. “It’s just that my health restricted me from leaving the house. But I planned to pay my respects when I recovered. Is this our new Donna?” That snapped my attention back to them. I forced a smile. “It’s nice to meet y
FIORELLA’S POV Rhys stood by the door, wearing a fitted black T-shirt that stretched across his broad shoulders and muscular chest, paired with blue jeans. Every muscle in my body went stiff with fear and anticipation. So this was it. His eyes swept over me without the slightest attempt to hide their appreciation. The urge to cover myself hit so hard. I wanted to snatch the nearest blanket, throw it over my body, and poke his eyes with something sharp while I was at it. He crossed the room until he stood in front of me. “Has anyone ever told you yellow is your colour?” I held his gaze and tried not to look intimidated. “I have no interest in taking fashion advice from you.” Rhys didn’t look offended. I searched for another smart remark to hide my nerves, but before I could find one, his fingers brushed along my arm. “It brings out the gold in your skin,” he murmured. “A true Sicilian beauty.” I fought the urge to slap his hand away. Then caved and did.
FIORELLA’S POVThere was no way I was kissing Rhys. No chance in hell. I’d rather go through another public embarrassment and fall down the flight of stairs before I’d ever think about kissing him. Rhys looked like he had other plans.He reached up and lifted the veil.With my heart pounding in my chest, I watched him step beneath the veil with me before letting it fall around us both.The air caught in my lungs.He was so close that every breath he took brushed against my skin. With his face this close, I noticed a muted steel-blue ring buried beneath the black of his irises, his gaze never leaving mine.It felt like the whole church disappeared around us. Slowly, he leaned in until his forehead and the tip of his nose grazed mine.Then another inch.And another.My pulse pounded so loudly that I couldn’t hear the applause beginning around us.Just when I braced myself for his mouth, his lips brushed against my cheek to my ears instead. “Don’t mistake appearances for affection,
FIORELLA’S POVRhys pressed the doorbell and stood back. The silence between us was tense. We waited for what felt like hours but it was only a few minutes before the door opened. Gabrielle stepped out, her expression lighting up when she saw me. It was good to see her again.She looked differe
FIORELLA’S POVI felt warmth on my face before opening my eyes. It took me a few blinks to realize I wasn’t in my bedroom. I sat up, the memory of last night and that morning rushing back to me, along with the familiar dread of not knowing what Rhys had planned. At this rate, I was going to give
FIORELLA’S POVMy heart skipped a beat. The waiter returned with a bottle of wine and two glasses, luckily, giving me enough time to gather my thoughts. Rhys motioned for him to leave when he attempted to open the bottle. As soon as we were alone, Rhys opened it himself and poured the contents i
FIORELLA’S POV I ran down the street, my heart dropping into my stomach. But when I glanced back at Mr. Ghost, he wasn’t chasing me. He stood there, his hands still in his pockets and his posture unbothered. I dialed Gabrielle’s number and pressed my phone to my ear, still running like the







