Adriana's POV
“Do you take Mr Diego to be your lawful wedded husband?” The priest's words sent shivers down my spine. I looked into Diego's eyes and felt his anger and hatred just from our gaze. “Yes,” I hesitantly replied in a whisper when someone shook me. I looked around until I saw Mr Antonio. I sensed a hidden agenda behind this sudden arrangement. I wanted to say something foolish but the smile in my father's eyes stopped me in my tracks. “Why did he have to be bleeding from his nose?” I thought. Seeing his bleeding nose when he turned to look at me when we were at home scared me, and I felt I had to accept the marriage just to keep him happy. “Yes, I do,” I finally said, giving in to the marriage. At that moment, Juan walked into the church, breathing heavily like he had been running. I gave him a look and he understood immediately, stopping in his tracks. It was too late to do anything now. The ride back home was dead silent, and I could hear my heart beating. “Why did Diego not call off the marriage even after reading my message?” I wondered. “What was he planning?” As far as I knew, Diego wanted nothing to do with me or my family. I looked at him, and he seemed completely apathetic. “WHAT?” Diego roared when Luis whispered something to him. He commanded the driver to turn the car around and the driver obeyed without question. I froze. “What is happening?” I wondered, filled with fear of what would happen next. Diego's POV I hadn't seen her since high school. Damn! She is incredibly pretty and gorgeous. The slim and curvaceous body she showcased in her gown was stunning. There was something about her that mesmerized me, and I felt compelled to find out more. After the wedding was over, we got into the car to head home, and Luis followed me as always. I could sense that she was uncomfortable as she entered the car, and I couldn't help but smirk. It was hard to believe she was the same girl who had sent me that message. I smiled to myself, thinking, “I will enjoy dealing with her.” I leaned back in my seat when Luis's phone began ringing. “Diego, they caught the guy who broke into our warehouse but he said he would leak your dirty secrets if we don't release him,” Luis whispered just as I closed my eyes to think. WHAT?” I roared. He dared to threaten me, the audacity that someone would do that to Diego Castillo. I commanded the driver to turn the car around, and he obeyed. I glanced at Adriana and could see that she was scared, but I didn't care. I was too furious to think rationally at that moment. “We're here,” Luis told me, and I looked up to see that we had indeed arrived at my building. I got out of the car and headed towards my target. I turned back and instructed my driver, “Keep an eye on her.” Then I walked up to the blonde who was tied to a chair. He had several scars on his body, and I was surprised by how tough he must be to have endured that kind of pain. “I hate asking questions twice, so I expect you to answer immediately,” I said to the guy. “Who ordered you to break into my warehouse and what was your objective?” My tone was cold, and I found it satisfying. He rolled his eyes and met my gaze. “If I am not back at my place by the end of today, my associate will expose your secret to my master. So I suggest you release me now.” That was all he could say, and I couldn't help but snicker; he dared to look me in the eye and threaten me. I asked him who his master was and he just looked away. He wanted to act tough but I was ready for him. Get me my weapon,” I told Rodrigo, and he complied. I had enough of this fool. He kills one of my men and dares to threaten me! Clearly, he didn't know what I was capable of. Rodrigo handed me my baseball bat. How I loved this precious item. One could hear the sound when I hit someone with it. I signaled for my men to move away. With a loud smack, I struck his face, causing his chair to topple over. With another smack, I struck him harder this time, and blood gushed out of his mouth. I continued striking him, harder than before. He bled all over and one could not recognize him again because of how swollen his face was. Please spare me,” he pleaded for his life after many strikes, but it was too late. He had a chance to do things the easier way, but he chose not to, and I do not accept pleadings once you have failed the first time. I heard a voice shout, “Miss, please get back in the car.” I turned to see Adriana looking at me in shock. She was gasping for breath, her hands shaking, and I paused what I was doing. What is wrong with you?” I yelled at the driver. “It was a simple job, and you couldn't even do that right!” For some reason, I was angry that Adriana had seen me act this way. At the same time, I felt a sense of satisfaction because it would make it easier to make her feel weak and scared of me, which was what I wanted. I instructed Luis to take her back to the car. “Why was she gasping for breath?” I wondered. I didn't feel like continuing what I was doing. “Take care of it,” I instructed Rodrigo as I dropped the bat. I washed my hands and got into the car. As I glanced at Adriana while getting in, I noticed she was still in shock, but her gasping had reduced. “Isn't she from a Mafia family? Why was she scared to see something like that?” I thought as the car drove us home. We arrived home, and I asked Luis to wake Adriana up, as she had fallen asleep during the ride. He had a shocking expression when he approached her. “She’s unconscious, Diego,” Luis said, looking perplexed. I rushed over to check for myself and noticed that her breathing was shallow and irregular. Luis looked at me as if he didn’t know what to do. “Don’t just stare at me—call the doctor, and fast!” I ordered the driver to carry her into the house and head for the bedroom. The last thing I would want is for this incident to get me in trouble. Not that I care,but I don't want to taint my image of assaulting a lady.Diego's POV Following the location on my phone, I sped along the highway, heading there. My father's threats about Adriana and the pain of losing another of her blood stirred anger in me. I couldn't let Adriana feel pain or lose someone so dear to her. Not again.I had already scarred her by killing her online family, her father. I couldn't scar her for life again. I nedio free my family from danger once and for all. Finally. There was no space for fear. My son was the only thing on my mind . He was the only purpose I was going.I would get him back. Safe and sound. He won't be harmed.Finally, I reached the location, stopping my car a bit away from the place. I didn't want them to noti my arrival and flee. I had to catch them this time.The area was deserted and polluted. Of course they would come to an area like this to hide. People barely came around here. I immediately opened the glove compartment of my car and took out the Sig Saucer I had kept there. It was for purposes like
Diego's POV I rushed to my car and immediately started the engine. I zoomed off, speeding beyond the limits. I would do anything to bring my son back today.I reached Ignacio's office and entered inside. “Ignacio, I need you, now!” I said, my voice firm.Ignacio shot up from his chair, his expression bold. “Yes, boss. What do you need me to do?”“My father called. They took my son. They are with him right now.Ignacio froze. “They have your son? How did they manage to take him?”“Don't ask,” I said.“I'm sorry, boss. But I have been scanning the area for their identity and nothing came out. I don't know how they managed to go near you without been noticed by the cameras I installed.”“That doesn't matter.” I took out my phone from my pocket and slammed it on the desk. “He called me with an unknown number. It's hidden, so I want you to trace the call.”“But boss, I can't trace the call. It's only if he calls again, then I will be able to trace it,” he said. I sighed. “He will call ag
Diego's POV Adriana's panic was growing, desperate. I could see how terrified and tense she was from her face. She handed Jimena back to Camilia and rushed to Juan, panicking.“Juan, have you seen Dante? Have you seen my son?” She asked, her voice loud and desperate.Juan held her, trying to calm her down. She resisted his grasp on her, frantically running around, looking at every corners of the compound. I couldn't bear to see her like that.She then approached me. “Diego, you were supposed to be watching them!” she cried, her voice cracking. “How did he leave from here without you noticing?” The accusation was fair. I had left them on their own to answer a useless call.I had failed to protect my children, even for a moment, I couldn't protect them. I thought it wouldn't be bad to leave their side for a moment. I was wrong. My mind raced, trying to retrace Dante's last movements, but I couldn't.“Adriana, calm down,” I said, though my own pulse was hammering against my ribs. “He pr
Adriana's POV Later that night after dinner, I sat up on the bed, waiting for Diego to freshen up and enter the bedroom. When he was finished, he came and lay down on the bed.“Diego,” I called.He looked at me, still lying down. “Is something wrong?” he asked.“Nothing’s wrong. I just need to talk to you.”He sat up on the bed, his gaze sharpening. “Talk to me? What is it about? Go on!”“Tomorrow is my father's burial anniversary,” I said, looking at him. “I know I've missed it for two years, but I can't miss this one.”Diego's expression changed. His usual composure cracked, replaced by guilt or… regret? I couldn't quite place it.“Adriana…”“I was wondering if… if you would come with me. And the kids of course.”He stared at me, guilt pricking at him. “Are you sure? You want me to come with you?” he asked.“Yes, I do. It would be better for me.”He sighed. “But you know what I did. I mean I was the one…”“It doesn't matter again, Diego. It happened years ago. It has been forgotten
Adriana's POV The first few days back home were normal and peaceful. We lived peacefully. I had learned to understand Diego and love him more and he continued to care for me from time to time. Jimena and Dante, upon waking to their new surroundings, needed a little time to adjust, but soon found joy in every part of the mansion. They played freely and moved around, however they could without a limited place to go. I always spent hours watching them explore and play around the house comfortably. This was the life I had wanted for them. This was how comfortably and freely I wanted them to live. Not in confined spaces.Diego, being cautious, had doubled the security. New faces, new men of his were always around the house, discreetly watching out for enemies. He also made sure that their presence never affected the children's freedom.This time, he was always around. He barely went to his office. He would play with the kids or take them to the garden, always watching them play. He was
Adriana's POV I descended the stairs, carrying both Jimena and Dante in my arms. I was ready to leave. Diego was waiting by the front door. He looked less tired than he had last night, a flicker of resolve in his eyes.His men had already loaded the last of the luggage onto the trunk of the car. We were finally ready to leave.“Ready?” he asked, his voice low.I nodded, a mix of happiness and anticipation in me. This was it. Two years of being in solitude. And we were now leaving. Going home.He carried our son from my hands, kissing his forehead.“Let's go,” he said. He led the way, and I followed behind, clutching my daughter tightly. When Diego's men were finished with the packing, they shut the door of the trunk. Then, Diego led me to another black SUV parked there.He opened the back door of the for me to enter, then he entered too, placing our son on his laps. After a few minutes, one of him men entered the front seat of the car, the other one entering the driver's seat.Then,