LOGINFirst, I want to apologize for the delay. As I’ve mentioned, personal matters have been keeping me very busy, and finding the time to write has been a challenge. If you’re enjoying the story, please consider leaving a comment or sending gems and gifts. On days when my schedule is tiring and inspiration feels low, seeing your support truly means the world to me. It’s the best encouragement I could ask for to keep this story moving forward! Lotsssss of love!!!
Marcus’s eyes widened—and so did Julian’s.“You’re lying,” Marcus muttered, though the certainty in his voice had faltered.Rosa tilted her head slightly, a faint, amused smile playing on her lips. “Well, why don’t I call him?” she said lightly. “You can say hello yourself.”For a brief moment, even she couldn’t believe she was using his name—the very man she had never wanted any ties with—and calling him her husband.But she had learned quickly.In a world like this, you survived by playing the same game as the wolves around you.“What’s going on here?”The deep voice cut through the tension, making everyone turn.Rosa smiled.Julian and Marcus, however, went pale.Luca Santoro stood a few steps away, his presence quiet but commanding. His gaze moved to Rosa first—checking, assessing—before shifting into something colder as it landed on the two men.“Madam, are you alright?”The formality of his tone, the respect in the word Madam, left no room for doubt.Rosa’s claim had just been
Rosa had agreed to the meeting because the author, Julian Vance, insisted on the venue—a high-end restaurant just a few blocks from her office. It was the kind of place where deals were made over crystal glasses and whispered promises, where reputation carried as much weight as the words on paper.Soft amber lighting spilled across polished marble floors. The faint clink of cutlery and low murmur of conversation blended with the distant notes of a piano. Everything about the place spoke of quiet power.She stepped inside alone, her heels striking the floor with measured confidence. Her expression was composed, professional—but her mind was already working, anticipating the negotiation ahead.Until she saw the table.Julian Vance wasn’t alone.Seated beside him, leaning back like he owned the room, was a man she knew all too well—Marcus Thorne, owner of Thorne & Petals, the rival house to Prose & Stanza, known for his cunning and questionable tactics in the business. For a fraction of
Rosa sat in her chair, watching as Luca paced around her office. She waited patiently for a while, giving him space to prepare himself and speak, but he was clearly too anxious and scared to voice what he wanted from her.After a few minutes, she glanced at her wristwatch. “Okay, Luca,” she said gently. “Take your time and decide exactly how you want me to help you propose to Lucy. I have a meeting I need to attend now, but I'll be back.”Luca stopped in his tracks and glanced at Rosa with a flicker of hope. “We will figure it out together, okay?!" she assured him with a smile. “I’ll return right after my meeting.”Even though she was busy, Rosa truly wanted to help Luca. More importantly, she loved Lucy and wanted her to be happy; she knew Lucy liked Luca and would be overjoyed to spend the rest of her life with him.Luca smiled, his shoulders relaxing. “Thank you, Madam.”Rosa nodded. “In the meantime, if you want to order something to eat or drink, I’ll ask my assistant to get it f
Then Luciana added, “Today, Luciano and I will make breakfast for everyone.”Luciano smiled brightly. He was happy that his Rosie was receiving the affection he now wanted for her, and he knew his grandparents were nothing like his mother. He pushed the bitter thought aside, not wanting to ruin the morning. He turned on the gas and flipped the bacon in the pan while the eggs sizzled beside it. Once done, he placed them neatly onto a plate and repeated the process. Luciana stood beside him, guiding him gently, showing him how to cook everything just right.Soon, the food was ready. Renzo, Edoardo, and Rosa began eating first, while Luciana and Luciano joined them a little later.“So, have you decided what you’ll call us, piccolo cuore?” Luciana asked gently, using a soft Italian endearment.Renzo took a bite from Edoardo’s hand, clearly enjoying being fussed over. Edoardo watched him with quiet joy, as if trying to make up for lost time—wanting to do everything with him: play, talk, w
Luciana gasped, lifting her weathered hand to her mouth as her aged eyes shone with awe. Beside her, Edoardo watched the little boy with unmistakable pride. They were both captivated by the child—and by his mother, who still carried the same kind, innocent aura, though she had grown even more beautiful with time.Edoardo and Luciana stepped toward them. Renzo tightened his grip on Rosa’s hand, a flicker of nervousness replacing his earlier excitement. He had been eager to meet them, but now felt shy beneath their steady, searching gazes.To the surprise of both Rosa and Luciano, however, the elders greeted her first.“Hello, Rosa,” Luciana said softly, a gentle smile gracing her lips. “It’s so good to see you. How have you been, cara?” She took Rosa’s hand, pressed a light kiss to the back of it, and kept holding it in her wrinkled hands. Rosa’s eyes widened in surprise, and for a moment, she could only blink at the older woman and remained speechless.Edoardo then placed a hand over
Luciano had left the room, and Rosa started gently shaking Renzo from his slumber; it was time for his medicine and breakfast. “Wake up, sweetie. Breakfast is ready.” Renzo opened his bright blue eyes, rubbing them sleepily. Rosa reached out, caught his small hands, and moved them away from his face so he wouldn't irritate his eyes. “Good morning, love bug,” she murmured, kissing his forehead. Her heart swelled as she watched her son’s sleepy, innocent smile. “Good morning, mommy,” he chirped, wrapping his arms around her neck. Rosa pulled him into her lap, holding him close.“Baby, you know... someone came to visit us today,” Rosa said in a soft murmur, rocking him gently in her arms.Renzo perked up, looking at her with curiosity. “Who came, mommy?”“Your daddy’s grandparents. Your great-grandparents,” she replied, trying to keep her voice steady despite the nerves fluttering in her chest.“Really?” Renzo sounded excited. Until now, it had been only him and his mommy. Then came L
The car stopped beside her, and she startled when the door was suddenly flung open. Her instincts kicked in, and before she could run, a deep voice rumbled, “Get in.”Rosa blinked, glancing at the open door and then at him. He had removed his coat, loosened his tie, and rolled the sleeves of his wh
Yes, Laura had always been unkind—sharp-tongued, jealous, and possessive—but this level of hatred, and showing it so openly in public, was unexpected. Rosa wasn’t Luciano’s wife anymore. Laura was the one marrying him next month. So why did she still sound threatened? Why was she still this vicio
The entire store went still.Heavy footsteps cut through the silence, each one deliberate… commanding.The polished black leather shoes that stopped just inches from her own came into Rosa’s tearful view first. Slowly, she lifted her lashes, her eyes tracing the tall, imposing frame before her. Bro
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







