ANMELDENBella’s POVThe wind was cold.It carried the salt of the sea up the shore and settled it on my lips, my cheeks, the corners of my eyes. I didn't wipe it away. I didn't move. I just sat there on the sand, my knees drawn to my chest, staring out at the water.The waves rolled in and out, steady and indifferent. They didn't care that my marriage was falling apart. They didn't care that my husband was dying. They just kept moving, as if nothing had changed.I wished I could be like that.I pulled my scarf tighter, but it didn't help. The cold I felt wasn't the kind the weather brought. It was deeper than that. It had settled into my bones the moment I heard him say the words."I don't know. Possibly."I had asked him if he was dying. And he had said possibly. Like it wasn't the end of everything.I pressed my hand against my mouth, but the sob came out anyway. I didn't try to stop the next one. Or the one after that. I just let them come, one after another, until my chest ached and my th
Zayden’s POVI stepped into the room, closing the door shut behind me."You're not supposed to be in here, Bella," I said firmly."I'm not supposed to be in here?" She repeated, her voice rising. She held up the journal like it was evidence. "This is your room, Zayden. And I happen to be married to you so I have every right to be in here.”I looked at the journal in her hand. "You also weren't supposed to read that.""How about you stop telling me the things I'm not supposed to do," she snapped, "and you just tell me the truth?""And what truth is that, Darling?""Are you sick?" she asked. Her voice cracked on the last word."Given the fact that you broke into my room and went through my stuff," I said coldly, "I don't think I need to answer that question."She looked at me like I had slapped her.The room went quiet. Then she spoke again."Are you dying?"There it was.The question I had been dreading since the moment I saw her on the floor."I don't know," I said firmly. "Possibly."
Zayden’s POV"Zayden—"Nico's voice was behind me, but I didn't slow down. My shoes echoed against the concrete, each step sharper than the last. The warehouse felt smaller now. Hotter. The walls pressed in like they wanted to trap me here with Hiram's words still hanging in the air.“I will take Bella for myself.” Who did he think he was?"Zayden, wait—" Nico called out again. I pushed through the metal door and stepped out into the night.Nico caught up to me before I reached the car."You need to calm down Zayden. That was exactly what he wanted," he said, falling into step beside me. "You know that, right? He wanted you angry."I kept walking."He was provoking you. Every word out of his mouth was designed to get a reaction. That's Hiram. That's how he operates.""Then he should be careful what he asks for," I said flatly. “Because he also knows how I operate. I should have shot the motherfucker when I had the chance.”Nico grabbed my arm."Let go of me, Domenico."He didn't. He
Zayden’s POVThe warehouse sat on the edge of the industrial district, far enough from the city lights to feel isolated. Two black cars were already parked outside when we arrived. No plates. No obvious guards in sight — which only meant they were well hidden.Nico glanced at me as he put the car in park.“You sure about this?”I didn't hesitate. “I’m sure.”I turned to look at him. “Everything and everyone is in place?”He nodded. “Yeah, we got it covered.”“Alright,” I said.I stepped out. The night air was cold and carried the faint smell of salt and rust. Some of my men stayed by the cars as instructed. Only Nico walked with me toward the entrance.Inside, a few hanging industrial lights dimly lit the space. The concrete floor echoed under our shoes. At the far end of the room, under one of the lights, a long metal table had been set up.And there he was — Hiram.I slowed for a moment. For some reason, I couldn’t believe this was actually happening. For a second, I just looked a
Bella’s POVI didn’t move from where I stood. “Talk about what?” I asked. Emerald walked further into the room, glancing around as if assessing everything. “You’ve settled in well. The staff speaks highly of you. Even Noemi seems… fond.”I stayed quiet, waiting for her to get to the point.Emerald turned to face me fully. Her smile didn’t reach her eyes."I must say, I never expected my son to take such an interest in you. I suppose every man needs a distraction.""I'm not a distraction," I said softly, yet firmly. "No?" She raised an eyebrow. "Then what are you?"I held her gaze. "His wife."Emerald laughed, a soft, dismissive sound. "A title means nothing when the marriage was built on desperation and obligation. I assume you are, at least, aware of that."I didn't answer.She moved closer, her eyes studying me like I was a puzzle she had already solved. "Tell me, Isabella. Do you truly believe my son loves you?"“I’m not about to go over this bullshit again,” I said sharply.“Ans
Bella’s POV“Ah… fuck—”The sound slipped out of me before I could stop it.I was straddling Zayden, my knees pressed into the mattress on either side of his hips, my hands braced on his chest. His cock was buried deep inside me, thick and hard, stretching me perfectly with every slow roll of my hips.His hands gripped my waist firmly, fingers digging into my skin as he guided me. Up. Down. Deeper.I moaned again, louder this time, as I sank onto him fully. The feeling of him sliding in and out of me was overwhelming.Every time I lifted myself, I felt the drag of his length against my walls. Every time I dropped back down, he filled me completely.“That’s it,” he murmured, voice rough. His thumbs stroked over my hip bones as he helped control the rhythm. “Just like that.”I bit my lip and moved faster, chasing the pleasure building low in my stomach. The wet sound of our bodies meeting filled the quiet room. My thighs trembled. My breasts bounced with every movement.A broken moan es
Bella’s POV I lay on my bed, staring blankly at the ceiling, feeling the weight of my father’s words crush me over and over again. Ten days. Ten fucking days to become Matteo Moretti’s property. Ten days to lose my freedom, my future, my name. He kept acting like this was normal—like sellin
Bella’s POVI woke to the sound of my bedroom door creaking open. Rosa slipped in carrying a garment bag over one arm and a silver tray of cosmetics in the other. The smell of fresh espresso and warm cornetti followed her, but my stomach still turned.“Buongiorno, mija,” she whispered, eyes soft w
Bella’s POVI stood at my bedroom window for what felt like hours, watching the dark driveway like a prisoner waiting for parole.I’d chosen the most modest thing I could find: a long red silk dress that covered everything, I twisted my hair into a sleek bun, and the diamonds in my ears screamed “M
Bella’s POV I wasn’t supposed to be home this early. The diner had been dead all afternoon, just two truckers nursing cold coffee and a drunk who kept calling me “sweet cheeks.” My manager shrugged and told me to clock out at six. Fine by me. My feet were killing me, my head was splitting, and al







