MasukThe silence Chase left behind made Renata think twice.She had been overlooking things around her and only focusing on her own fears. To her, she simply asked for time, but she hadn't realized that to him, it felt as if she was keeping all the doors shut for him.If Chase hadn’t spoken up, she might have continued to let that happen, oblivious to his feelings.Domenico always seemed so untouchable and emotionally composed that the idea of him being truly hurt by her hesitation felt unreal.Thankfully, she realized in time and decided to talk to him before the gap of misunderstanding between them grew bigger.When she reached his door, she paused, her heart thudding against her ribs. She knocked softly and entered.Domenico was lying on the bed, completely covered in a comforter."Domenico?" she started, her voice barely above a whisper.He didn't respond. But she saw him tighten the hold on the comforter."I thought you'd want your space, Renata." He said as he sat up on the bed."I d
As Renata approached the gazebo, struggling slightly under the weight of the silver tray, Chase was on his feet in an instant. He reached out, taking the burden from her hands before she could protest."You shouldn't be working in your condition, Ren," he stated firmly, his concern genuine as he lowered the tray onto the white marble table.Renata shook her head, offering him a small, appreciative smile before her eyes darted to Domenico. She could feel the static electricity in the air, an annoyance radiating from him. She stepped closer to him, lowering her voice. "Are you tired?""No," Domenico answered, giving her a fake smile. He moved past her to the table, pulling out the chair.Renata sat, and Domenico took his seat across from her. Chase remained standing for a moment, observing the interplay between them with a look of guarded concern."You only brought one glass?" Chase noted, gesturing to the tray."Because we won't be drinking," Renata answered, folding her hands in her l
"Chase?" Renata’s voice echoed with genuine surprise as she saw him standing there.She moved instinctively, closing the distance to wrap him in a quick, warm hug. Chase returned the embrace, though he was careful to steady the gift bag in his hand, keeping it clear of the movement.As they pulled apart, Chase’s gaze immediately drifted past her, narrowing as it settled on Domenico.His eyes locked onto the thick support brace gripping Domenico’s shoulder.The intel he’d received at the station earlier that day had been true, a violent clash between two rival syndicates, and Domenico hadn’t walked away unscathed."What happened to you?" Chase asked. He didn't wait for a response, instead turning his focus back to Renata. "Last time I came, I was empty-handed. This is for you and Nico," he said, extending the gift bag toward her."Thank you," she replied, accepting the weight of the bag. She glanced toward Domenico, her heart tightening.She knew the pride in his eyes, the kind that re
After they both calmed down, the silence felt heavy to Domenico.He was a man of action, and being confined to these four walls felt more like a prison to him, and by mid-morning, he’d had enough."I'm going out," he announced, starting to shift his weight toward the edge of the bed. "I’m bored of sitting here staring at the ceiling."“No! You can’t just leave like that!” Renata urged, her hands immediately flying to his shoulders to keep him steady. Her eyes were wide with panic. “You are still hurt, Nico. I can’t let you run around in this condition.”Domenico let out a heavy sigh, looking over at Mathew, who had just walked in to check up on him. He knew Renata wouldn't listen to him, so he decided to use the only authority on the doctor.“Mathew, do inform her that I’m very well to walk. My legs are pretty much fine,” Domenico said, throwing a pointed look at the doctor.He had been trying for the last twenty minutes to make her understand that a little movement wouldn't kill him.
“How is he?” Renata asked, her voice filled with worry.“He woke up for a moment, Mathew. He said strange things he’s never mentioned before, and then he just slept again.”Mathew didn't look up immediately; his focus was on checking Domenico’s vitals. After a moment, he straightened, sighing as he adjusted the IV drip.“He’s stable, Renata,” Mathew assured her, his tone calm but firm.“Don’t read too much into the rambling. He was just under the effects of the anesthesia. It’s common for the mind to pull at whatever’s buried deepest when it’s wearing out.”Renata’s hand drifted to her chest, her heart skipping a beat. She looked down at Domenico’s pale, composed face. “I just hope he wakes up soon,” she whispered.Mathew stepped away from the bed and turned to her, his expression softening. “You need to relax, too,” he said, his eyes dropping pointedly to her stomach. “You’re carrying his child, Renata. If your stress levels spike and something happens to you, Domenico… He’ll lose him
Renata sat on the edge of the bed, her eyes fixed on the IV bag. It was half-empty. Emilio’s words echoed in her mind: 'It’s too risky. It’s always been like this.'It all clicked into place. The reason for the locked gates, the constant security, the way she was treated like a fragile porcelain doll, it wasn't just possessiveness. It was for her survival."Is this why?" she whispered into the quiet room, her voice barely audible. "Is that why you never have fun? Why you never let me leave the estate? Why you’re always so... suffocatingly protective?"She reached out, her fingers trembling slightly as she brushed a lock of hair from his forehead. A single tear escaped, tracing a path down her cheek. She didn't wipe it away."I won't ask to go out again," she murmured, her voice steadying with a cold realization. "I understand now. Your world isn't just dangerous. It is like a death. It must have been hard for you all this time."Renata pulled her hand back, needing to keep herself occ
Natasha brandished the chef's knife, the blade trembling in her grip as she faced Giovanni and his line of guards. "I dare you to come closer! I won’t hesitate to take your life!"Her scream ripped through the expansive hall, raw and jagged. She pointed the steel toward them with a tight grip. "I c
As Domenico posed the question, a playful glint entered Renata’s eyes, and she jumped into the conversation without hesitation."Chase had plenty of girlfriends in the past," Renata began, her tone bordering on proud. "He was always popular with women. Even I’m curious, who’s the lucky girl these d
Natasha paced back and forth in her room, biting her nails. She was still in shock after what had happened at the church.Everything had unfolded too suddenly.The ceremony had barely begun before chaos broke out.She stopped walking for a moment, her heart beating faster as the scene replayed in h
After leaving Renata’s room, Domenico paused in the hallway and turned toward the head butler, who had been waiting nervously nearby. The older man straightened immediately, sensing that another order was coming.“Send nutritious meals to her room,” Domenico instructed. His eyes briefly shifted tow







