Rebekah povI lounged in the garden, surrounded by the vibrant colors of blooming flowers and the soft chirping of birds. The warm sun cast a golden glow on my skin, and for a moment, I felt at peace. My gaze drifted to the help standing beside me, her eyes fixed on me with an admiring glint."Get me fruit, veggies, and a bottle of liquor," I instructed, my voice low and husky. "Blend the fruits and add liquor to it. And don't skimp on the liquor."The help's eyes sparkled as she nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. "Yes, ma'am."As she turned to leave, her gaze lingered on me, and I felt a flicker of discomfort. "Ma'am, Rebekah, you look stunning in this new dress of yours," she said, her voice filled with genuine admiration.I felt a surge of shame. How did she know it was new? I hadn't been to the mall in ages, and Lyra's departure had left a void in my life. I'd ordered the dress online, hoping to fill the emptiness. I raised my gaze, a smile spreading across my face."Thank
Cassandra’s POVI stood up, my heart pounding and eyes locked on the grand staircase that spiraled elegantly to the second floor. The weight of the unfolding drama crashed down around me like a thunderclap. Vincenzo, the enigmatic man I once thought I understood, had just shoved me aside as if I were a mere afterthought in his world. How dare he? The audacity. The nerve. A simmering resolve built within me; I would show him the consequences of playing with Cassandra.The sharp click of my heels echoed through the lavish hall as I stormed toward the two security guards who had witnessed the entire humiliating exchange. My anger surged, intensifying with each step. "You," I snapped, pointing directly at the first guard, allowing my voice to drip with venom. "You saw what just transpired, didn’t you? Don’t play coy with me."His face paled, and he shifted his weight nervously, glancing between me and the imposing staircase. "Y-yes, ma'am," he stammered, clearly rattled by my intensity.A
Vincenzo’s POVI stepped out of the car, the sound of the slamming door echoing in the stillness of the late afternoon. The security guards stationed near the entrance nodded in unison, their expressions a blend of familiarity and cautious intrigue. I brushed past them, my heart racing as my feet carried me toward the sprawling mansion that loomed ahead, its white façade glistening under the golden sun. There was an urgency in my stride, a desperate determination that propelled me forward.As I entered the grand living room, the scent of polished wood and expensive perfume filled the air, mingling with the faint sound of classical music playing softly in the background. Cassandra's voice chimed in like a bell, bright and welcoming. "Vincenzo, darling!" she exclaimed, her graceful figure rushing toward me with arms outstretched for a hug. I sidestepped her embrace instinctively, my gaze darting around the room, searching for the one person who had been occupying my thoughts."Where's L
Marcello’s POVThe darkness seemed to swallow everything whole, but I stood tall, my resolve burning like a fire. I would not be defeated. I would not be denied.Lyra would be mine again, no matter the cost.I stepped out of the dimly lit room, the cool evening air enveloping me like a refreshing embrace, a stark contrast to the stifling atmosphere I had just escaped. The muted sounds of the night—distant leaves rustling and the soft hoot of an owl—seemed to mock my turmoil. My godfather's sudden appearance was like a slap in the face; his calm demeanor was a sharp contrast to the chaos swirling in my mind."Marcello, what's going on?" he inquired, his voice smooth as silk, as if he were discussing mundane matters over coffee rather than confronting a crisis. His eyes, sharp and penetrating, seemed to dissect me in the fading light, searching for the hidden truths I was struggling to articulate.A surge of anger rose within me, and my words tumbled out in a frantic rush, each syllable
Marcello povMy boots echoed ominously through the cold, damp corridors as I stormed towards the guardroom, each step fueled by a burning fury that simmered just beneath the surface. The air was thick with tension, and a sense of dread hung heavily in the gloom. Where the hell is Lyra? I demanded, slamming my fist against the rough-hewn wooden table, the impact reverberating through the small chamber and causing the guards to flinch."I-I don't know, sir," one of them stuttered, his voice tremulous and shaky. He avoided my gaze, his eyes darting apprehensively between his comrades, searching for any semblance of support that never came. "She was in her room last night, and this morning…she was just gone."A low growl of frustration escaped my lips as I glared at each of the guards, my stare lingering on their pale faces, where fear was etched deep in their features. "You incompetent fools," I spat, my voice a dangerous whisper laced with menace. "You were supposed to keep her safe, no
Lyra povI leaned against the balcony's wrought-iron railing, the cool metal sending a shiver through my fingers as I stared down at the ornate gate that framed the winding path below. The absence of Vincenzo hung in the air like a thick fog, and his sister's earlier conversation with Cassandra echoed in my mind, a relentless loop reminding me of his missing presence. I had overheard enough to piece together that he was nowhere in sight, and I had no desire to run into those two again. Particularly Cassandra, whose words seemed to slither and coil around topics like a serpent lurking in the grass, always ready to strike with sharp, venomous remarks.My thoughts wandered to Marcello, and an involuntary shudder ran through me. Anxiety crept into my chest as I considered what he might be doing in my absence. Was he organizing a search party to comb the city for me? Or was he delivering some form of retribution to Rebekah for defying his orders and sneaking me out? The mere idea of her fa