MasukAdriana’s POV.It had been three days since Paige left. Three days and the mansion already felt different.It was strange how one person could make such a big difference. Paige was just a maid to everyone else, but to me, she had been more than that. She had been my only comfort in this house. The only one who spoke to me like I was human and not just Mrs. Moretti.The silence in the mansion was louder than ever. The halls felt longer. The rooms felt bigger. Even the air felt heavier.It didn’t take long before they replaced her.Of course they did.The new maid came the very next morning.She looked a little older than Paige, maybe by a few years. They had similar body shapes, similar height, even similar hair but that was where the similarity ended.She was not Paige.Not even close.She was quiet. Too quiet.She kept her head lowered whenever I was around. She only spoke when necessary and even then, her words were careful and distant.“Ma’am.”“Mrs. Moretti.”That was all I was to
Adriana’s POV.Don Moretti walked toward me slowly, his presence alone enough to shift the atmosphere in the room.He didn’t even glance at Vincent, that alone said a lot.His eyes were fixed on me, sharp and observant, like he was trying to read something beneath the surface.“Are you okay?” he asked.His voice was calm, controlled, but there was something heavy behind it.I nodded quickly.“Yes… I’m fine.”For a moment, he just looked at me, like he was deciding whether to believe me or not. Then suddenly, his expression hardened. He turned to Vincent.“What happened?” he asked coldly. “I was told she was missing?”The air in the room shifted instantly.I felt it.Vincent straightened slightly beside me.“Father…” he began, but there was hesitation in his voice.Vincent never hesitated, the only person that could make him hesitate is his father.“I wasn’t missing,” I said quickly, stepping in before things escalated further. “I went to see my father. It was just a misunderstanding.”
Vincent's POV. This was my last chance. I knew it the moment I stepped out of the car and into the tall glass building that held Mr. Palermo’s office. I had already messed up once. I wasn’t going to make the same mistake again. Not this time. I adjusted my suit as I walked toward the receptionist. My steps were calm, controlled, even though my mind wasn’t. “Mr. Palermo is expecting you,” she said politely. Of course he was. I didn’t respond. I just walked past her and straight toward his office. The door was already slightly open. I pushed it in. “Mr. Palermo,” I said, stepping inside. “I’m glad you agreed to meet again… despite how the last one ended.” He didn’t answer immediately. He sat behind his desk, relaxed, almost too relaxed, like this was all a game to him. His fingers tapped lightly against the table as he studied me. “I didn’t really have a choice,” he said finally. I frowned slightly. “And why is that?” He leaned back in his chair, a small smirk forming
Many years ago…The hospital room was filled with tension. The sharp smell of antiseptic hung in the air, mixing with the sound of hurried footsteps and quiet, urgent voices. On the bed, Anna Russo cried out in pain. Her fingers clutched the sheets tightly, her body trembling with every wave that hit her. Sweat covered her skin, her hair sticking to her face as she struggled to breathe through the pain.“Ahh… !” she screamed, her voice breaking.A nurse quickly wiped her forehead, trying to keep her calm.“Stay with us, Mrs. Russo… you’re doing well,” she said, though her voice carried worry.Another nurse looked at the monitor and frowned.“She’s losing too much blood,” she said quietly, but not quiet enough.The doctor stepped closer, his expression turning serious.“We need to stabilize her,” he said. “Prepare to sedate her.”Anna shook her head weakly, her hand reaching out as if searching for something.“No… no… my baby…” she whispered.“You’re going to be okay,” the doctor assu
Adriana’s POV.The cab slowed down as we approached the tall iron gates.I remembered the last time, I came here. I had just found out about Vincent and Stella. I was heartbroken, I still am and my father wasn't helpful, then again I didn't expect him to be.The Russo mansion stood, large, silent, and intimidating. The high walls stretched endlessly on both sides, guarded like a fortress. Nothing about this place felt warm, It never really did.“Ma’am… are you sure this is the right place?” the driver asked, his voice hesitant.I didn’t answer immediately. My eyes were fixed on the gates.Of course I was sure.“Ma’am?” he repeated, more nervous this time.“Yes,” I said finally, my tone sharp. “It’s the right place.”He let out a small, uneasy laugh.“With all due respect… this place belongs to some dangerous people, it's not safe for outsiders.”That made me turn to him slowly.“You don’t think I know that?” I asked, my voice cold.He went quiet immediately.Good.I didn’t have the pa
Adriana’s POV.The walls of the mansion felt closer every day, like they were slowly closing in on me, suffocating me without mercy. Everything was quiet… too quiet. The kind of silence that made your thoughts louder than they should be and mine wouldn’t stop.Being idle was getting to me, I thought back to everything that has been going on recently in my life.A shaky breath left my lips as I stared at the ceiling of my room. I had been lying here for hours, doing nothing, thinking too much.Luca’s voice echoed in my head.“Be careful.”“Don’t go out alone.”I turned to my side, frustrated.Careful?How was I supposed to be careful when I didn’t even know what I was being careful for?Someone attacked me.Someone killed Fred and I could still see his face every time I closed my eyes.Was I supposed to sit here and do nothing?No.I wouldn’t.I sat up abruptly, swinging







