LOGINBruno’s point of viewA car door slammed somewhere behind me, gravel shifted and footsteps approached..“Took you long enough to come looking.” Tiano’s voice cut through the tension like he had been expecting this all along.I didn’t turn immediately, my eyes were still locked on Isabella. Still trying to understand how everything had changed so much.“You knew,” I said finally, my voice low.I turned to face him.He stood a few steps behind me, hands tucked loosely into his pockets like this was just another normal day and he hadn’t been sitting on the truth for an entire year.“You knew she didn’t lose the child.” I accused, taking a step toward him.“I have a daughter and you hid this from me for a whole year.”He didn’t flinch, he just rolled his eyes at me, as if what I was saying wasn’t a big deal.“Yes, I knew.” He said simply.The word hit harder than I expected.“And you didn’t think to tell me.” I asked.He huffed out a quiet breath. “I thought about it.” He replied.My fist
Bruno’s point of viewThe house was smaller than I expected, not poor but quite and hidden. The kind of place a man chose when he didn’t want to be found. Tiano had always been like that, very careful and calculated. But still… I found him.The gravel crunched faintly beneath my shoes as I stepped further into the compound. The air smelled clean out here and it was peaceful, it didn’t suit the life we came from. Or maybe it suited the life she chose.I had told myself I wasn’t here to forcefully take her back, the decision was hers to make.I will leave if she pushes me away.A soft sound broke through my thoughts, tiny footsteps, unsteady ones.I stilled instantly, then I looked down. There was a little boy standing in front of me, small and barely steady on his feet, walking towards me like didn’t understand fear yet. Like the world hadn’t taught him what men like me were capable of. He stopped a few steps away from me, tilting his head slightly, studying me with wide curios eyes.C
Isabella’s point of viewOne Year LaterThe world didn’t stop for me, it didn’t pause, break or shatter the way I thought it would after everything that happened. It just…..kept moving, the sun still rose. Things were still normal, though the trauma remains.But somehow, I was still here breathing, living and surviving.“Mama….”His soft, clumsy voice pulled my attention instantly. I turned just in time to see him wobbling towards me, his legs unsteady, his arms stretched out like he was afraid the ground might disappear beneath him.A small smile tugged at my lips despite everything.“You are getting better at that,” I said gently, clapping my hands.He let out a proud little sound as he reached me, immediately grabbing onto my dress for balance. His fingers curled tightly into the fabric like he didn’t want to ever let go.He was one year old now, strong, alive and growing. The same child I had once shielded with my body in that dark, suffocating place…. now standing in front of me,
Bruno’s point of viewA low table was between the chair the king and I sat, on the table was a bottle and two glasses. I sat comfortably because I was tired and my legs were heavier than they should. The king poured the drink for me, and pushed the glass toward me. I looked at it for a moment, then picked it up.“You did what was required.” The king said.“Don’t.” I said flatly, he looked at me with a slight grin.“Don’t make it sound like honor.” I added. “ It wasn’t honor, it was transaction and we both know what it was.” He said nothing to that, he drank, and I also drank.“The woman you love.” The king said after a long silence. “She is recovering?”My grip tightened on the glass. “Yes.” I replied.“You haven’t been with her.” It wasn’t a question. I looked at him sideways. “Tiano talks too much.”“Tiano didn’t tell me.” The king replied. “You did, just now. A man who has been with his woman wouldn’t carry this particular weight you have on your face right now.”I said nothing, in
Isabella’s point of viewNight came softly, like the world was pretending nothing had happened. The mansion was quiet, the kind of quiet that made every small sound feel louder, the ticking clock, the distant footsteps of guards changing shifts. I sat at the edge of the bed and stared at the baby that was tucked carefully against my chest, Kai recently brought him back, he was the one who has been feeding the child and taking care of him.The child was warm and alive, breathing softly like the word didn’t try to destroy him. Sometimes when I look at him, all I see is his father. But this child doesn’t deserve hatred, he was forced into this world, I traced my fingers across his tiny cheek.“You don’t deserve any of this.” I whispered, neither of us did, but here we are, alone. Because Bruno never came after the rescue, not even once. After everything that happened to me. At first I told myself he was busy, that he was still handling things after he told my father about the death of Je
Bruno’s point of viewI didn’t go in, not that day. Not the next, I stayed away because every time I thought about stepping into that room, I saw the video again, I heard her voice and the guilt was suffocating. Everything that happened to her was because of me, if I hadn’t brought her into my world, if I hadn’t touched her, she would have been safe. Normal and untouched by all of this.Two fucking days.And it felt like two months, deep down I want to walk inside that room and hold her tight. But I couldn’t, instead I made the hallway my prison. I stood there like I had the night before…… and the one before that. The same spot, the same silence and the same feeling. The goddam door stared at me like it knew I didn’t have the courage to open it. It mocked me.My hand lifted slightly, then stopped mid air. I couldn’t do it. My jaw tightened as I dragged my hand back down, clenching it into a fist. This was ridiculous, I have walked into rooms full with enemies, into gunfire, into death
DiegoMy mind was occupied with so many things I couldn’t say without breaking something or destroying things I came across, and betrayal was the top on the list.Miguel’s body hasn’t been buried yet, I didn’t even get to apologize to him, he has indeed been loyal and I doubted him, a great mistake
The drive back was a blur, all I could hear was the sound of Diego’s ragged breathing and Bruno’s low curses. I kept whispering his name over and over again like I was in trance.“Stay with me,” I begged. “Please, stay Diego.”Bruno’s eyes were fixed on the road, his face read no emotions. But I kn
Unknown’s povThe world believes I am dead, it’s amusing. It really is. People believe the moment a coffin is sealed and lowered into the earth, that ends it al. No more questions, and they stop looking over their shoulders, they can sleep easier.Diego De’ Luca sleeps easier.He doesn’t know that
DiegoCarlos’s body was found in the garden at the east path, he had been left with a crushed skull and a blood stained note flapping in the air, whoever did this wanted it to be personal and loud.I went there myself to take in every detail, his body laid there cold. I took the sight in, letting m







