LOGINDear Readers, The story is moving forward at its own pace. I cannot skip scenes just to rush toward the climax, or the "how" and "why" of the plot would be lost and the story wouldn't make sense. Everything that happens in these chapters has a purpose; every sequence is vital and connected to what comes next. I sincerely ask for your patience and kindness. Just as kind words can be a great inspiration, harsh comments can truly be a breaking point for a creator. You never know what someone’s mental state might be, and I am currently battling regular writer's block while trying my absolute best to find the inspiration to provide daily updates. I know waiting for specific moments can make you impatient, but please know that I am working harder than ever to bring this vision to life. Thank you for staying with me.
Luciano removed her hand and slid his palm into hers, pressing it against his chest.“Hey, hey... baby,” he murmured, gently wiping the tears from her cheeks.Rosa closed her eyes, leaning her face completely into his touch.“Relax. I’m fine, I’m right here,” he said, letting out a dark, mocking laugh at his own expense. “It takes a lot more than a few bullets to put me down. God knows I’ve survived worse than this.”But Rosa stared at him in disbelief. He was telling her about a near-death experience as if it was nothing at all.“No, it’s not fine,” she snapped in a harsh whisper, mindful of Renzo sleeping beside them. “You didn’t tell me you were fighting for your life in the hospital, and you even made your men lie to me that you were on a business trip?”Rosa’s anger resurfaced all over again, and she gritted out, “I’ll deal with Luca later, but first you tell me—why would you do that?”Luciano had never seen Rosa this angry before. This time, she looked like she wouldn’t let this
Rosa sighed, gesturing toward the middle of the mattress. “Renzo throws his arms and legs everywhere in his sleep. I’m afraid he’ll hit you and your wounds will open up.”“Then you can sleep between the two of us and protect me from our little son,” he said. That amused, effortless tone was back, making Rosa want to roll her eyes.“It’s better if you sleep separately. It will be much more comfortable for you,” she insisted.“But Luciano wouldn’t budge. ‘No, Rosie. My comfort lies with you. And what if I’m in pain in the middle of the night and need something? I don’t want to be alone,’ he said with such sincerity, wearing an innocent expression—as if he wasn’t the intimidating, control-freak Italian Don.”Rosa could only shake her head in disbelief. When on earth had the ruthless Don become such a drama queen?“How can we all fit in there without you pressuring me?” she protested again.Luciano only smiled. “I know you can take care of me. Right, baby?”Rosa felt irritation rising at
“Yeah, piccola,” Luciano murmured.He slowly wrapped his fingers around her wrists, pulling her even closer to where he sat. Then, keeping his grip gentle, he wound his arms around her tiny waist and pressed his face directly against her stomach. “I’m in pain. And I need you to make it go away.”Rosa’s heart skipped a heavy beat. His proximity had always affected her, but this… this vulnerable demand for relief from her was entirely different. He had never broken down like this before. Without overthinking it, she wrapped her arms around his head and held him tight against her. Letting out a long, shaky exhale, she leaned down, resting her face against the top of his head.“Then why didn't you tell me when you were in the hospital?” she murmured softly. “I would have come to take care of you.”“Would you?” he asked.He pulled back slightly, tilting his head up to look at her. Rosa looked down into his dark blue eyes, and her heart melted the way it always did. She swallowed hard, a qu
Luciano startled, his shoulders tensing. “Rosie? Weren't you sleeping?” he asked in a low, gravelly voice.He quickly began pulling his shirt back on—the very shirt he had just taken off to clean his wounds. The dark crimson blood was already beginning to bleed through the white gauze, a direct consequence of him overexerting himself earlier.“What happened to you?” Rosa murmured in sheer shock.She stepped closer, cutting off his movement. Before he could slide his arms into the sleeves, she snatched the shirt from his grip and threw it aside, letting it drop carelessly to the floor. Her breath hitched, her eyebrows drawing tightly together as she stared at his exposed torso. The raw sight of the medical tape and seeping blood reflected the phantom pain she felt twisting inside her own chest.Her throat worked as she slowly lifted a trembling hand, reaching out instinctively to touch the edge of the bandage.Before her fingers could make contact, Luciano caught her wrist, holding her
After dinner, Renzo padded into the living room and tugged on his father’s sleeve. “Daddy, are you gonna give me a bath tonight?” He was looking forward to splashing around like they had the other day, but Luciano hesitated, his expression tightening.“No, Renzo. Let Mommy handle bath time tonight. It’s getting late.”Renzo’s face instantly fell, his eyes darting to the floor.“Daddy, please?” he pouted, his voice dropping into a dejected whine. “I want to play in the bathtub like last time, and that bubble bomb was so fun. I liked how that duck came out of it.”Luciano let out a heavy sigh before kneeling down to kiss the top of the boy’s head. “Please, little man. Not tonight. I promise we’ll do it another day, okay?”Before Renzo could protest any further, Luciano stood up and walked out of the room.Rosa, who was loading the dishes into the dishwasher, watched the exchange from the kitchen, a small frown creasing her forehead. She shrugged it off initially—Luciano had always been
Rosa only stopped when she entered the bedroom, where Renzo was sitting quietly at the small table and chair set aside for his studies, coloring in a picture book. The moment he saw his mother enter the room, his blue eyes lifted to hers.Rosa closed the door behind her and looked at her son, who still seemed nervous. A wave of guilt crashed through her for scaring him. But she had been terrified when she saw that gun in his hands. He didn’t deserve any of this.He deserved a healthy environment and a happy home—not mafia chaos, guns, and the toxic atmosphere that surrounded his father’s world.She hurried to him, kneeling in front of him before pulling him tightly into her arms. The tears that had been burning behind her eyes for so long finally spilled over as she lost control of her emotions. The overwhelming pain in her heart had become too much to keep buried any longer.“Mommy?” Renzo whispered the moment he sensed Rosa crying. He gently caressed her head like a little adult try
Rosa felt uneasy when she found a pair of intense blue eyes staring back at her with recognition in them, followed almost instantly by a flicker of annoyance that tightened the man’s already cold expression.Luciano Mancini sat in the middle, the other two men positioned on either side of him. For
As Rosa hurried out of the building, her vision blurred—her tears spilling before she could even take a breath. And as if the sky itself felt her despair, the clouds opened, rain pouring down in heavy sheets, weeping with the mother who refused to stop fighting… even when she had no strength left.
Rosa didn’t say a word.It was known across the world that Luciano Mancini was rumored to be the Italian Don—but there was never any proof, nor was it ever made official. He owned countless legitimate businesses, charity organizations for noble causes, schools, and hospitals that served people for
Panic surged instantly, flickering across Lucy’s features.“Who is he?” she whispered, her breath hitching as her eyes darted across the lobby. She quickly zeroed in on three men who had entered the hospital in Rosa’s wake.“I don’t know,” Rosa murmured. Her voice remained steady, yet an underlying







