Goodbye, My Once‑Upon‑a‑Time

I sat in an unfamiliar room, eating the strawberries Jonathan Caruso had brought me while watching the feed from a hidden camera.Jonathan, who had rushed out moments earlier, was now at the hospital. He had his arm around Kelsey Romano, whose belly was visibly swollen, as he accompanied her to a prenatal checkup.Watching the two of them being openly affectionate with one another sent a sharp pain straight through my chest.I tossed the strawberries aside and called Jonathan."What's wrong?" he asked, his clear voice carrying a touch of indulgence.On the screen, Kelsey frowned slightly and glanced at him. Jonathan didn't notice at all and simply guided her into the ultrasound room."I was scared," I said. "I woke up, and you were already gone. I was afraid it was just a dream. I was afraid I hadn't really escaped."The memories I'd buried surfaced all at once, and although I'd meant to sound fragile on purpose, my voice faltered anyway, a real tremor slipping through."It's o

I glanced past Jonathan and gave a subtle nod to his subordinate, Samuel Ferri, who was trailing behind him.Only then did I smile and say sweetly, "You're such a smooth talker. I'll punish you by making you stay with me all day."Jonathan laughed. "How is that a punishment? That's a reward."He took my hand and led me to the car.Another vehicle followed us at a careful distance, but Jonathan, focused entirely on pleasing me, never noticed.…At the auction, the staff led us to a private box in the center of the second floor.While standing at the door, I saw the woman who'd been following us enter the room next door.A trace of mockery flickered across my eyes. I deliberately clung to Jonathan's arm, and he happily wrapped an arm around my waist.Moments later, the sound of shattering glass came from next door. Satisfied, I pulled him into our box.Most of the items up for auction were jewelry. I placed bids on nearly every piece. However, Kelsey insisted on competing wit

The moment I ended the call, alarms blared throughout Colline delle Rose.Theodore kicked open the prison door and lifted me into his arms with one smooth motion.Jonathan heard the commotion and rushed over with his men, but Theodore didn't even quicken his pace.His eyes were full of concern as he asked softly, "Nat, have you been eating well these past few days? Did anyone upset you?"Before I could answer, Jonathan barked, "Who are you? How dare you trespass here?"As his words fell, his men quickly surrounded us."Don't you know who I am?" Jonathan sneered, loosening his collar as he stepped into the center of the crowd. "That's my woman you're touching."My grip tightened slightly around Theodore's arm.Jonathan's pupils shrank as his veins bulged against his temples. He pulled out a gun and pressed it to Theodore's forehead.The air went taut.Theodore merely curved his lips and gave me a reassuring look.I knew what he was capable of, but I still couldn't bear the th

That was the first time I ever saw Theodore.He was strikingly handsome, but his eyes were filled with a hatred that wouldn't fade. Later, I learned that hatred was for the enemy who had wiped out his entire family."This child is mine and Kelsey's! He's Mr. Frederick Romano's biological grandson."Jonathan's harsh voice yanked me back to the present."Sylora belongs to my son!" he shouted, announcing his ambition without a hint of restraint. "It's mine!"The room fell into a sudden hush, but Theodore laughed instead and clapped."Mr. Caruso, you've got nerve," he said. "But you're seriously underestimating me if you think you can walk into my turf with a couple of people and start throwing your weight around."Jonathan lowered his gaze and curled his lips into a smug smile."Don't rush me," he said. "We're still missing a guest."Only then did I realize Samuel, who never usually left my side, was nowhere to be seen.Jonathan's smile grew, as if Sylora was already his to take