After I married Riccardo, the Don of the Moretti family, he paraded a string of mistresses in front of me. He never gave me a second glance. But on our tenth anniversary—right after my father’s death—he suddenly promised me half of his empire. The catch? In return, he planned to seize control of all my family’s arms-dealing routes. That pissed off his favorite mistress. She cornered him on his yacht, demanding he take his words back. Then she fell overboard and died. An “accident.” After she died, Riccardo went insane. He took it all out on me. He tied me to the back of his yacht. He dragged me through the sea, a human anchor, until the rocks shattered my legs. The rocks shattered my legs, crippling me for life. I became the family’s shame. Then, as I lay helpless, he finished the job with poison. Then I opened my eyes. I was back on the day Angelo Marino—the head of our rival family—proposed to me. In my last life, my family forced me to say no. He came for me, a one-man army. He killed Riccardo, but died in the process. This time, I looked at his kind face and nodded. Yes. But as we embraced, Riccardo appeared. He ripped me from Angelo's arms and claimed me as his own. That’s when I realized the cruelest joke of all. My monster was back, too.
View MoreI stared at the deeds and Angelo's letter, my world turning to ice. He had traded his freedom for my future. That stupid, stubborn man. I immediately mobilized every resource the Sterling Group had. I contacted the best lawyers, looking for any way to get him out. But they all told me the same thing: it was hopeless. The charges against Angelo Marino were too many, too severe. The evidence was ironclad. There was no way out.A week later. The Marino Estate. I sat alone in Angelo's study. It still smelled like him. The whiskey on the bar was his favorite brand. The book on his shelf was open to the page he’d last read. I pulled open a drawer, desperate to find anything that would make me feel like he was still here. My fingers brushed against a hidden switch. With a soft click, a section of the wall slid back, revealing a safe. The password? I tried a few numbers. Nothing. Finally, I typed in the date we first met. The safe opened. Inside, there was no money, no secret
Two weeks later. The Marino Estate. I sat in Angelo’s study, surrounded by three laptops and stacks of documents. This was the final battle. After Angelo’s relentless attacks and Julian’s corporate siege, Riccardo Moretti’s empire was circling the drain."Lady Seraphina we've taken the last stronghold," Marco reported over an encrypted line. "All of the Moretti family's assets are under our control.""Good," I said, tracing the healed scar on my arm. "Have the legal team begin the acquisitions." Angelo stood behind me, watching the progress on the screens. "Are you really going to burn it all to the ground?" he asked."Never show mercy to an enemy," I said without looking up. "That's the first thing you taught me." Angelo fell silent.Suddenly, the study door burst open. Gia charged in, clutching a silver butter knife. Her hair was a mess, her eyes wild with madness. She had clearly snapped."It's all your fault!" she screamed, lunging at me. "You ruined everything!" I didn't even
Three days later, the entire New York underworld knew Riccardo Moretti was finished. His last partner had cut ties, and Julian Sterling's brother had publicly disowned him. Riccardo was truly alone. I sat in Angelo’s study, looking over the latest intelligence report. "The Moretti family's finances have completely collapsed," I said, placing the file on the desk. "Riccardo is a cornered animal now."Angelo stood at the window, his back to me. "A cornered animal is the most dangerous kind.""You're worried he'll retaliate?""He has nothing left to lose," Angelo said, turning to face me. "A man like that is capable of anything." I knew Angelo was right. In fact, that was exactly what I wanted. A desperate Riccardo would do something crazy, and I needed to use that madness."Maybe I should go back to Chicago," I said, feigning concern. "I don't want to bring you any trouble.""No," Angelo’s voice was firm. "You're not going anywhere.""Why?" I stood up and walked toward him. "I'm just
The Marino estate was dark and imposing in the night. I followed Angelo through the familiar oak doors. Three years ago, I came here as his girlfriend. Now, I was his prisoner."Prepare a guest room for Lady Seraphina" Angelo told the butler."Yes, sir.""Wait," I said. "I don't need a guest room."Angelo turned to me. "Where do you want to stay?""I want to go back to Chicago," I said calmly. "Julian is waiting for me."Angelo's face went dark. "Forget him."Just then, the sound of high heels echoed from the staircase. A woman was slowly descending. She wore a white silk robe, her long hair loose, a gentle smile on her face. Gia.The moment she saw me, her smile froze. The glass in her hand slipped, shattering on the marble floor. "Impossible…" she whispered, her voice trembling. "You… you're dead."Angelo frowned. "Gia, this is Ms. Seraphina."Gia stared at me, wide-eyed, like she’d seen a ghost. "Hello, Gia," I said, giving her an elegant nod. "You look as though you've seen a g
Liliana’s POVThe next morning, I was drinking coffee in my hotel suite. A sharp knock came at the door. "Room service," a polite voice called. I put down my cup and walked to the door. Through the peephole, I saw two men in black suits. Not hotel staff. I stepped back quickly, but it was too late. The door was kicked open.Three of Angelo's men stormed in, led by the one called Marco. "Lady Seraphina" Marco said with a polite nod. "Mr. Marino would like to see you.""This is kidnapping," I said coldly."No, it's an invitation," Marco smiled. "An invitation the boss insists you accept." I knew fighting was pointless. If Angelo was making his move, it meant Julian had folded."I need to pack.""That won't be necessary." Marco gestured toward the door. "Everything has been arranged."At a private airfield, Angelo was waiting. He wore a dark grey suit, looking even colder in the harsh sunlight. His eyes, a mix of emotions, watched as I was "escorted" from the car."Angelo Marino,"
Liliana’s POVBack in my hotel suite, I sat alone by the window. I took off the mask, revealing the face Angelo had been searching for. Three years. The first time I’d seen him in three years. He’d changed. He was harder, more dangerous, but the pain and longing in his eyes was a blade twisting in my chest.I thought back to that bloody night three years ago. The entire estate was in flames when Dr. Valerio smuggled me out the back. "Go, Liliana, hurry," the old doctor said, pulling me into the car. "We're out of time.""My legs…" I whispered weakly."They'll be fine," Dr. Valerio said, starting the car. "I have a friend in Switzerland. The best spinal surgeon in the world."Three months later, Geneva, Switzerland. I lay in a hospital bed, looking out at the snow-capped mountains. The surgery was a success. My legs were completely healed. Stronger than before. My father's diagnosis, the lies that I'd never walk again—all of it was a lie paid for by Gia. "After physical therap
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