Mag-log inHotel Luxe Monumentale, Zone 9 (Porta Garibaldi-Isola), Milan – 7:00 p.m.The light from the crystal chandelier adorning the room’s ceiling appeared hazy to Anna. Her vision felt like it was spinning. The burning pain in her arm continued to throb, causing a sensation that left her entire body weak. Her breathing grew weaker amid the incessant whimpers escaping her lips.The sharp scent of medication stung her senses. Anna winced as she watched the doctor pull out a surgical needle.“The wound on your arm is very deep, Miss." The tear is wide and will require at least twelve stitches to close it properly,” the doctor said as he pressed the edges of the wound with gauze, causing Anna to wince reflexively as her exposed flesh was rubbed again.“However, based on the results of the brief examination just now, your anemia is quite concerning. Your blood pressure is too low, so I can’t risk administering anesthesia, neither local nor general. The risk of cardiac compromise is simply too g
Monumental Cemetery, Milan6:00 p.m.Dusk had completely enveloped the sky, transforming the gray hues into golden streaks just as Anna arrived at the Monumental Cemetery after a four-hour drive along winding mountain roads.The cemetery floor beneath her feet was still slippery and wet, and the air felt damp from the lingering rain that had recently cleared.Her steps halted right in front of a black marble sarcophagus, adorned with a silver angel statue with wings spread and half-folded.Slowly, her hand reached out to trace the beautifully engraved gold lettering on the marble: 'Isabella Moretti, 1925–2015, Eternal Mother.'Gazing at it for a moment brought a faint smile to Anna’s lips. “Grandma, I miss you.” Her breath felt so heavy."You must have seen from up there that Grandpa just passed away. Unfortunately, I didn’t get a chance to say goodbye because they kicked me out. Please convey my farewell to him, Grandma,” her voice softened, while her smile slowly faded."I'm sorry
The Moretti Family Residence – 11:00 a.m.She paid no heed to the light rain falling on the backyard of the Moretti mansion. The black dress clinging to her body was already half-soaked as she crept through the backyard toward the back door, the only safe route she could use to enter without being stopped by the guards.It was ironic, really she had to sneak in like a thief, fear of being caught weighing on every step, just as she was trying to enter her own family’s home.The narrow evacuation passage and the dirty corridor by the storeroom were the only ways Anna could reach her grandfather’s room without running into guards or servants.The room was now filled with the scent of incense. Not a single soul was on watch there. All the family members were busy in the main hall, frantically preparing the funeral details, handling the arrival of important guests, and dealing with the chaos of the circulating news. Her grandfather was now left alone, as if his presence mattered no more tha
A wave of weakness washed over Anna’s knees, but she managed to stay upright.Her heart was pounding harder and harder, as if it were about to burst from her chest. The man she had feared most for the past two decades was now standing right in front of her! If she made even the slightest misstep, she might never see tomorrow’s sunrise.“Why did you want to meet me?” Anna’s voice faltered."I need to confirm something. I'm curious just how interested my granddaughter is in you." His sneer deepened. "Turns out you're no different from her other female slaves."Aloist roughly released Anna’s chin, then flicked his fingers slowly. His gaze swept down over Anna with a condescending glare.“I almost misunderstood.”Every cruel sentence Aloist spoke made Anna shiver, especially the mention of Xavier’s former sex slaves.For anything in the world, she refused to become like them! Just imagining it made her sick, but what could she do? She had no choice but to stay by Xavier’s side for now.“M
After the waiter left, Anna could only stand frozen in the doorway. The message he had just left had somehow managed to leave her emotions completely shattered.“Aloist,” she murmured. The name Aloist swirled in her mind, it sounded familiar, until a moment later, her heart began to race and her pupils dilated as a memory of a major event from the past flooded her mind.She recalled the tragedy from ten years ago, when one night turned into a massacre as Aloist slaughtered every government official who dared interfere with him.The city had once been paralyzed by his terror, a massacre that brought the law to its knees leaving not a single official daring to touch him. Aloist Vanderbilt was a true demon. And what shocked her even more, What nearly made him fall to the floor was the fact that he was Xavier’s grandfather.At first, Anna had thought Xavier was just an ordinary mobster. Who would have guessed he was the sole heir to the Vanderbilt dynasty! If Xavier inherited all of his
[Xavier’s POV]A stifled groan escaped Xavier's lips as he regained consciousness. For a moment, his eyes remained closed, feeling the burning sensation ravaging his abdomen. The nerves throughout his body felt paralyzed, even his legs were numb. "That bastard gave me VX nerve agent. Because of this, I’ll be lying here paralyzed for eight hours, I’m going to kill him the moment I can move again!" He seethed inwardly, his eyes wide with a flash of anger.However, a moment later, that rage froze as his gaze fell upon the woman sleeping beside him. Anna appeared to be fast asleep in a seated position on the floor, her head resting on Xavier’s still-numb arm.Xavier studied Anna's sleeping face, his expression hardening. "Pathetic," he whispered, watching her vulnerable form.Recalling Anna’s worried expression for him last night, Xavier felt hatred swirling in his mind.That woman’s worry, fear, and tears deeply agitated him. He loathed such fragility. And this morning, Anna’s presence
The mark left by Adrian's slap felt hot, the heat spreading quickly to her chest. The love she had cherished for three years now left only hatred and deep disappointment."I hit you because you deserved it! This is punishment for your behavior, which has crossed the line!" Adrian snapped.Anna shoo
The incident that befell her kept Anna from sleeping soundly that night. Every time she closed her eyes, the image of her husband kissing Jessica passionately continued to haunt her.When morning came and she woke up, a glimmer of hope appeared in her heart that Adrian would be beside her bed and s
"Adrian, stop, the nurse will see us," Jessica said in a spoiled tone."I don't care." Adrian said dismissively, then kissed Jessica's forehead again. "I love you so much I can't stop. Do you know how scared I was of losing you just now?"Jessica's face clouded over, her hand pushing Adrian's chest
An overwhelming joy struck Anna's heart, and she almost screamed in the bathroom when the pregnancy test in her hand showed two lines."I-I'm pregnant," Anna muttered blankly, tears falling without her realizing it.She clutched the pregnancy test tightly. "Adrian, we're going to have a baby..." An







