LOGINEMILY GRAYSON'S I woke slowly, suspended somewhere between dreams and reality. The first rays of dawn slipped quietly into the bedroom, bathing everything in soft gold. Beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows, endless vineyards stretched across the rolling hills, every row of vines glowing beneath the morning light. Tiny drops of dew clung to emerald leaves like scattered diamonds, sparkling each time the breeze stirred them. Marble fountains in the gardens caught the sunrise, their crystal waters shimmering beneath the awakening sky. The Antonio estate had never looked more beautiful.Today… It wasn't a fortress surrounded by armed guards and towering gates. It wasn't the headquarters of one of Italy's most powerful mafia families.Today...It was a wedding venue. A place filled with flowers instead of weapons. With music instead of strategy meetings. With laughter instead of whispered warnings. Today was the day everyone had waited months for. And today… I was going to marry the love
EMILY GRAYSON'S Sleep refused to come.No matter how many times I turned over beneath the silk sheets.No matter how many pillows I hugged in an attempt to fill the empty space beside me.No matter how many times I closed my eyes and reminded myself that tomorrow would be the happiest day of my life.Sleep simply wouldn't come.The room felt...Too quiet.Too empty.Too unfamiliar without him.I lay on my back, staring up at the ornate ceiling while the antique clock mounted on the wall ticked steadily through the silence.Tick.Tick.Tick.Moonlight streamed through the open balcony doors, spilling across the bedroom in soft shades of silver and blue.Outside, the vineyards stretched endlessly beneath the night sky, their leaves swaying gently in the warm summer breeze.The fountains in the gardens murmured quietly in the distance.After days of endless preparations, decorators, planners, florists, and guests filling every corner of the estate...The mansion had finally fallen aslee
EMILY GRAYSON'S The week disappeared faster than either of us expected. One moment there had been endless checklists, final fittings, floral arrangements, and seating charts... Then next… The wedding was only a day away. The Antonio estate had been transformed into something that looked as though it belonged in a fairy tale. Because the after party will happen here. Thousands of white roses bloomed throughout the gardens. Crystal chandeliers had been suspended beneath elegant glass marquees overlooking the vineyards. The marble fountain at the center of the courtyard overflowed with floating candles and flower petals. Staff hurried from sunrise until well after midnight, putting the finishing touches on every last detail. Luxury cars came and went through the estate gates carrying decorators, musicians, pastry chefs, florists, photographers, and wedding planners. Everywhere I looked...Someone was smiling. Someone was celebrating. Someone was counting down the hours. Tomorrow...
EMILY GRAYSON'S I couldn't stop looking at my reflection. It still didn't feel real. The woman staring back at me stood beneath the soft glow of the crystal chandelier, wrapped in layers of ivory satin and delicate French lace. Tiny pearls shimmered across the bodice every time the light caught them, while the cathedral train flowed elegantly behind me like a river of silk.I can barely recognized the person staring back at me in the mirror now. She looked...Radiant, Peaceful, HappyNot the frightened. Haunted. Broken girl.But the woman before me now… She looked hopeful. She looked like someone who had finally found her way home. A smile slowly spread across my lips.One week. Just one more week. Seven days from now. I would walk down the aisle and marry the man I loved. The thought alone sent a flutter of excitement racing through my chest. The head seamstress made one final adjustment near the hem before slowly standing. She stepped back, studying every angle with the critica
EMILY GRAYSON'S The boutique manager greeted us the moment we stepped through the grand glass doors, her welcoming smile as elegant as the boutique itself."Mrs. Antonio," she greeted respectfully, inclining her head toward Erina before turning to me. "Miss Emily, welcome back. We've completed every alteration exactly as requested."Erina's lips curved into a satisfied smile."I knew you would."She slipped her arm through mine, practically glowing with excitement."Come on, sweetheart," she said, gently tugging me forward. "I've been waiting for this moment for years."I couldn't help but laugh."You sound even more excited than I am.""I am."She didn't hesitate for a second."I've dreamed about seeing my son marry the woman he loves for longer than you can imagine."Her words settled warmly in my heart.Sometimes I still found it difficult to believe this incredible woman was talking about me.An assistant approached us with a kind smile."If you'll come with me, Miss Emily."I no
EMILY GRAYSON'S Erina glanced at me, her eyes sparkling with excitement as the car rolled through the peaceful mansion, Sunlight streamed through the windows, bathing her in a warm golden glow that somehow made her look even younger. She reached across the center console and gently squeezed my hand."I've waited years for this day," she confessed softness I smiled, tilting my head."For your son's wedding?" I teased. She laughed, the sound light and full of happiness."For that too."Then her smile softened.Her gaze lingered on me with so much affection that my chest tightened."But mostly..." she whispered, "...for the day I'd finally get to help my daughter choose the dress she'll wear as she begins the next chapter of her life." The words stole the air from my lungs."My daughter." Emotion caught unexpectedly in my throat.For a moment, I couldn't even find my voice."I..." I swallowed hard, blinking rapidly. "I never imagined I'd hear someone call me that again."Her smile tremb
EMILY GRAYSON'S The knock came close to midnight. Not loud. Not aggressive. Just three slow taps against the apartment door. The entire living room went quiet. The television still played softly in the background, but nobody was paying attention anymore. Lexi looked toward the door first, then Rap
EMILY GRAYSON'S It had been six days. Maybe seven. I wasn’t sure anymore. Time didn’t exist properly in this place. There were no windows, no sunlight, no sunrise or sunset to separate one day from another. Just cold. Endless, suffocating cold. The room itself felt designed to break people slowl
***EMAIL GRAYSON'S***“What?” I asked, narrowing my eyes playfully. “You,” he said simply. “You look like something out of a dream.” I rolled my eyes, but I could feel the warmth creeping into my cheeks.By the time we reached the house, sunlight was pouring through the glass walls, making the ocea
***ALEXANDER***I stepped into his space—close enough that he had to tilt his head to meet my eyes. “You dared to put your hands on my woman,” I said quietly. “And you told her I killed her parents.” I let the words settle before continuing, my voice still level. “For what?” I asked. “







