MasukHello🖐 lovelies. If you have reached this chapter, thank you for choosing my book. There's so much more tension, spice, and drama coming your way. I can't wait for you to experience what's next! ❤Love, Fireworks🎆
~~~After thinking I was going to die from panic, we finally arrive at an exclusive bridal atelier, a luxurious boutique tucked away in the heart of the city.Luca parks the SUV with smooth precision.Francesca and I step out first. The afternoon sun is warm against my skin, yet I feel chilled to the bone.The moment we step inside, we’re greeted warmly by the staff."Mrs. Falcone, welcome back," one of the attendants says with a polite smile. "We've been expecting you."Francesca gives a brief nod just as a bright, enthusiastic woman hurries toward us, her smile wide and professional."Good afternoon! You must be Miss Bianca Rossi." She extends her hand. "I am Catalina, your bridal consultant. It is a pleasure to meet you."I shake her hand."Nice to meet you too.""We've prepared everything for your appointment," Catalina says cheerfully. "If you will follow me." She leads us through the elegant boutique until we reach a private fitting area."This space has been reserved exclusivel
I swallow the last bite of my overcooked noodles. The tasteless, soggy mush sits like a stone in my stomach, heavy and unwelcome.I set the bowl down with a quiet clink, staring at the empty container as if it holds answers.A sharp, impatient knock echoes through the room. My heart lurches violently into my throat. For a second, I can’t breathe.Who could it be? I hope it's not him.I force my legs to move, each step toward the door feeling heavier than the last. My hand trembles slightly as I turn the knob and pull it open.Relief floods me the instant I see who it is, though I wonder why she's here. I was careful when I cooked the noodles.Francesca stands there like a queen inspecting a disappointing subject. Elegant, perfectly poised, and ice-cold. Her sharp eyes rake over me slowly, making me feel small and exposed.My hand instinctively wraps around me, my feet intertwining out of nervousness."You have exactly ten minutes to change into something appropriate," she finally says
~~~The moment I slam the door to my room shut behind me, the weight of everything crashes down on me.I pace back and forth across the lavish carpet, arms wrapped tightly around my middle as if trying to hold myself together.I really need the anchor.My mind spins in chaotic circles, each thought more terrifying than the last.'Should I call off the wedding?' The question echoes endlessly. If I run now, if I try to disappear from this estate, Julian’s men will hunt me down and kill me before I even reach the Falcone gates.I have no allies. No money. No power left.But if I stay… If anyone discovers that I'm the bully from years back. If they discover what I had done to Luca all those years ago.The lie that destroyed his life.They will kill me, tear me to pieces. The Falcones were not forgiving people.And Luca… how long will he wait before he tells them the truth? How long before he reveals that I am the real villain in his story?I stop in front of the full-length mirror, starin
“Someone’s itching down there, huh?” Luca’s voice is low, rough, and dripping with cruel amusement. The blood drains from my face at his words. Heat rushes to my cheeks as humiliation crashes over me. The air between us crackles with tension. Charged. Dangerous. Before I can find my voice, he leans even closer, so much his breath warm against my skin, his face barely an inch from mine. I manage to turn my head away. But then I stiffen when I feel his tongue slowly trace the sensitive shell of my ear. The wet heat of it sends an unwanted bolt of electricity straight to my core. However, the unwanted intimacy triggers a flashback of the night he almost broke me in school. That night when he had me pinned, shaking with rage, gray eyes so void as he ripped my clothes, his fingers in my panties' waistband, my cries for help... The terror surges back like ice water in my veins. A primal surge of panic takes over, and I shove him hard. Jumping to my feet, my hand flies out instinctive
SPLASH.The violent sound of breaking water cuts through the silence, snapping me out of my spiraling thoughts.I jolt so hard my heart leaps into my throat, my entire body flinching from the sudden sound and the weight of everything Alessia had just confessed.My head snaps toward the deep end where a figure bursts through the surface like some dark god rising from the depths.He's shirtless.Water cascades off powerful frame as he shakes his head once, sending droplets flying in slow, glittering arcs through the golden sunlight.His dark hair clings to his forehead, water streaming down the sharp angles of his face.Luca…For a second, I simply stare. I hadn't even realized he was in the pool.He drags a hand through his soaked hair before gripping the stone edge of the pool with one hand and hoists himself out in a single, effortless motion.The muscles in his arms and shoulders flex and ripple under the movement, water sluicing over every hard contour of his body splashing softly
Without another word, the blonde turns on her heel and strides away, her heels clicking against the polished marble floor.I close the door and lean against it for a moment.'Spend time together? After the way she looked at me yesterday?'This isn't going to end well.Still, the last thing I need is another confrontation with Francesca. Swallowing my pride, I head to the closet.After rummaging through the rows of brand-new clothes, I settle on the simplest swimsuit I can find.A plain dark bikini.However, I hesitate before putting it on. The thought of exposing so much skin in a house full of Falcones makes my stomach churn.I quickly wrap a sheer white sarong around my waist, tying it tightly at my hip before giving my reflection one last nervous glance.It will have to do.…~...The walk to the outdoor pool feels far longer than it should.Warm sunlight pours over the stone pathway, reflecting off manicured gardens and towering palm trees.Finally, I step through the wrought-iron







