LOGINAVELINA'S POVMy phone vibrates in hand as i lay on the bed. A single message from an unknown number which causes my chest to tighten. Allessandro is in his study having a chat with Emilio which means i am alone in the room. My fingers lingers on the phone before opening it to read the message.Unknown"You're looking nice these days. I am glad you're doing well."I try to reread it again as my fingers go cold, nobody knows this number except Allessandro and Emilio. The room begins to feel small as look around to make sure nobody is watching me from the outside. another message pops in before i can respond to the first one.Unknown"I am not nearby, you can relax."I sit slowly on the bed as i try to process the words i am reading, placing my hand over my stomach as another message pop in again.UnknownCongratulations, by the way. You always did like permanence.He knows about the pregnancy. He knows about everything and has been monitoring my moves. My chest tightens at the thought
ALLESSANDRO’S POVMy phone rings for too long. Endless messages are never a sign of good news. I sit in the study when Emilio walks in without knocking. He is silent, staring at me.“Say it,” I tell him.“Word’s moving,” he says. “Quietly. But it’s moving.”My jaw tightens. “How far?”“Enough that it reached people who shouldn’t be curious anymore.”Lucia. Orlando. We don’t need to say the names. I stand and adjust my cuffs. “Increase rotations. No patterns. No predictable routes. Avelina doesn’t leave the house without me or you. And I want eyes on everyone who smiled at us in the last month.”Emilio nods once. “Already started.”Good. I leave the study and walk upstairs._________________________________________________________________________________________________________AVELINA’S POVI can feel Allessandro outside the window before I see him. The door opens, and the atmosphere changes. Alessandro walks in like he’s carrying a weight he doesn’t want me to touch. His jacket is of
AVELINA’S POV As I stand in front of the mirror, smoothing my dress, I feel how soft and loose it is around my waist. A lot has changed since I became pregnant. Allessandro has updated my wardrobe, giving me new choices. He watches me from the doorway, looking distracted. “You shouldn’t stare at me like that,” I say softly. “I have to,” he replies. “You look pretty.” I laugh. “I’m just going out for dinner.” “This is your first outing since we got the news about the baby,” he says, adjusting his shirt. “You’re acting like it’s a big deal.” “It is.” His hand rests on my lower back, grounding and warm. When he leads me outside, the cool night air brushes against my skin, fragrant with the sea. The car is waiting, and the guards stand discreet but close. He opens the door for me, as he always does. Genoa is alive with energy. Laughter and soft music spill out from the restaurant as people go about their evening. For the first time, I don’t feel like an outsider. The
AVELINA’S POVThe house goes quiet in a way that only places under guard can. It’s not empty. It’s not asleep. It’s just alert beneath the silence.Alessandro helps me into bed like he thinks I might vanish if he blinks too long. He adjusts the pillows, tucks in the blanket, and dims the lights to a low amber glow that makes the room feel softer than ever.He doesn’t climb in right away. Instead, he stands there with his arms crossed, watching me like he’s counting my breaths.“You’re hovering,” I murmur.“I’m supervising,” he replies.I smile faintly. “I’m not glass.”His mouth twitches, but he doesn’t argue. He sits on the edge of the bed and takes my hand, pressing my knuckles to his lips with quiet reverence.“Today changed everything,” he says.I swallow hard. “Is that bad?”“No.” He looks into my eyes, steady and certain. “It’s terrifying. And perfect. And I would do it again without hesitation.”He finally lies beside me, careful with every movement. One arm slides beneath my h
ALLESSANDRO’s POVThe house feels different since the news of Avelina’s pregnancy came out. The guards walk with extra precautions, stands straight and guide the house extra hard. I walk past them through the hallway towards my room where she is, with a cup of warm tea and some snacks. Getting in i notice Avelina on the bed, curled up with her knees to her chest. The blanket draped around her. She turns over her shoulder immediately the door flung open.“I noticed you didn’t sleep.” she murmurs.“I had to watch you,” I respond quietly.Setting the cup of tea on the night stand, i sit beside her on the bed as my fingers brush through her hair.“How are you feeling ?” I ask.She thinks for a moment. “Tired. Strange. Hungry… and not hungry.”A smile curves my lips.“That sounds about right.”She shifts, propping herself up on one elbow. “You’ve been pacing.”“I’ve been planning.”“That’s worse,” she says softly.I lean down, pressing my forehead to hers. “I know. But listen to me.”Her
ALLESSANDRO'S POVStepping out of the room into the hallway, with feelings of the news of Avelina's pregancy still overwhelming me, i see Emilio sitting in the study going through some files. He notices footsteps and lifts his head."Hello Don. Everything good? You're all smile."Swallowing hard, my throat feels stuck as i try to tell him the news.“She’s pregnant.”“What?” The files in his hands slip back on the table.“Avelina,” I say more firmly, placing a hand over my chest. “She’s carrying my child.”“No. No way. Seriously?” He says as his eyes widen in shock. Not the sarcastic type i am accustomed to.“Yes.”“Congratulations, boss,” he says quietly. “That’s incredible.” And for the first time in a long time i see a huge smile plastered across his face.“It is,” I reply, lowering my voice. “But listen to me carefully.” I continue as his expression chamges.“From today on,” I continue, “the security around this house doubles. No excuses. No mistakes.”“Yes, sir. she’ll be safe. Bo