she whispered, her eyes wide with shock.Her heart slammed against her ribcage as the weight of those words settled in. Her lips parted, but no words came out.Pregnant.Tears welled up in her eyes—whether from fear, joy, or pure disbelief, she couldn’t tell.Her hands instinctively rested on her stomach, her mind spiraling.Everything was about to change.As Antonia sat in the dimly lit hospital parking lot, her fingers trembled as they brushed over her stomach. A cold shiver ran down her spine as the memories of that night came rushing back—the night Alessandro had taken away the last piece of control she had left.Her breath hitched, and she squeezed her eyes shut, trying to block out the haunting images, but they came flooding in like an unrelenting tide.His weight pressing down on her.His voice, cold and merciless.Her silent screams.A single tear slipped down her cheek, followed by another, until she could no longer stop them.She let out a shaky breath and opened her eyes, s
The word felt foreign, unreal, like a cruel trick the universe was playing on him.His gaze darted back to Antonia, still asleep, oblivious to the storm she had just unleashed inside him.A baby.Their baby.His hands trembled slightly as he lowered the test back onto the file. A part of him wanted to wake her up, demand answers, demand to know if this was real. Another part of him—one he barely recognized—felt something else entirely.A strange, unfamiliar tightness in his chest.For the first time in a long time, Alessandro Amato was afraid.Alessandro’s eyes remained fixed on the paper in his trembling hands. His mind raced, struggling to piece everything together.How did this happen?There had never been mutual feelings between them—no love, no tenderness, just a cold, forced marriage bound by obligations.And then it hit him.His stomach twisted. His breath caught in his throat.That night.The memory came rushing back like a violent tide, drowning him in guilt and regret. The n
"We have to change the decor and designs of this room," Alessandro announced, his sharp gaze scanning the space next to his own bedroom. His tone was firm, decisive—this wasn’t just any room. It was going to be their child’s room.The sounds of workers moving furniture and discussing plans filled the air, echoing through the halls.Meanwhile, Antonia stirred awake, her brows furrowing at the unfamiliar commotion. She sat up slowly, her body still adjusting to the changes within her. She hadn’t expected the morning to be filled with such noise.Confused, she wrapped a shawl around herself and stepped out of her room, only to be met with an unexpected sight—Federico, standing in the middle of the sitting room, grinning like a child who had just received a long-awaited gift."Good morning, Antonia! And good morning to my little niece or nephew!" Federico beamed, closing the distance between them and pulling her into a warm embrace.Antonia blinked in shock, her mind still hazy from sleep
As I walked toward the balcony, my body seeking solace in the crisp air of the morning, a voice—a familiar voice—echoed through the room.I stopped mid-step. My breath caught in my throat as a cold shiver ran down my spine. Slowly, I turned around, my eyes landing on the very people I never expected—never wanted—to see standing in my home.My mother.My stepfather.And her.My stepsister.The room suddenly felt smaller, the walls closing in as my heart pounded against my ribcage. A rush of emotions swirled inside me—anger, fear, confusion. What are they doing here? My mind screamed, but my voice failed me.I could barely move, barely breathe. My fingers curled into fists at my sides, a futile attempt to steady the tremble in them.Then, before I could process the moment, my mother took a step forward, her eyes unreadable, her lips pressed together as if searching for the right words.And then she did something unexpected.She embraced me.The warmth of her arms wrapped around me, but
“I need some air.”Without another word, Alessandro stormed out of the house, his emotions tangled in a mess of frustration and unresolved pain.Federico exhaled sharply, shaking his head. “Has this house always been this toxic, Aldo?” he muttered, collapsing onto the couch.Aldo sighed, watching Alessandro disappear through the front door. “Not always. But some wounds never heal… they just find new ways to bleed.”Meanwhile, outside, Alessandro changed into his racing gear—his fitted suit, gloves, and specialized shoes. The anger bubbling inside him needed an outlet, and there was only one place he knew could match his storm—the track.Sliding into his sleek blue racing car, he gripped the wheel tightly, his knuckles turning white. His jaw clenched as his thoughts spiraled.Why can’t she just fight back?Why can’t she bark at them, bite back, show them she’s not weak?Antonia let her stepsister’s cruel words pierce her over and over, never standing her ground. How does she expect to
Alessandro stormed into Antonia’s room, his heart pounding violently against his ribs. He barely acknowledged her startled expression as he yanked the curtains open, scanning the streets below for any sign of movement. His fingers gripped the window frame tightly before he shut it with force.He turned next to her closet, flinging the doors open, his eyes darting across every shelf, every corner. Nothing.Antonia watched in stunned silence as he moved like a man possessed, his sharp gaze sweeping over every inch of her space. He pushed open the bathroom door—empty. He strode to the balcony, his breath shallow, searching. Still, nothing."Alessandro, what are you doing?" Antonia finally spoke, confusion laced in her voice.He turned sharply at the sound of her voice—and froze.She stood there, bathed in the dim glow of the room’s warm lighting, her body barely covered by a delicate silk singlet that clung to her like a second skin. The fabric was so sheer it left nothing to the imagina
His voice cut through the air like a knife, his arm reaching for her just as blinding headlights flooded their vision.The world seemed to slow down as Federico’s warning left his lips, but it was already too late.The roar of an approaching motorcycle filled the air, and before Antonia could react, the bike slammed into her with devastating force. The impact sent her body crashing onto the hard pavement, her head striking the cold concrete with a sickening thud."Antonia!!!" Federico’s voice cracked with panic as he rushed to her side.Blood pooled beneath her head, a deep crimson against the pale sidewalk. Her breathing was shallow, uneven—each breath a struggle. Her delicate fingers twitched slightly before going still.The biker hesitated, glancing back for a fleeting second, before revving the engine and speeding off into the distance, disappearing into the night.Federico’s hands trembled as he cradled Antonia, his heart pounding wildly in his chest. "Help! Somebody, please help
"We have to go again—one last time! One… two… three… clear!" The doctor’s voice rang through the emergency room as the defibrillator shocked Antonia’s lifeless body."Come on, Antonia!" Federico pleaded, gripping Alessandro’s shoulder for support. "You can fight this!"The tension was suffocating. Alessandro’s chest tightened with every agonizing second that passed, his mind a whirlwind of prayers, regret, and fear.Then, the doors to the emergency room burst open, and a team of doctors and nurses emerged. One of the senior doctors, his face still masked with urgency, looked around before asking, "Who are Antonia’s guardians?"Without hesitation, Alessandro and Federico stepped forward."We are," Alessandro said, his voice barely above a whisper, dreading what the doctor was about to say.The doctor exhaled deeply before speaking. "We managed to stop the bleeding in time and—against all odds—we saved both the mother and the baby."Alessandro felt his knees weaken as relief crashed ove
The hospital walls were too white. Too quiet. The kind of sterile quiet that didn’t match the chaos pulsing inside Antonia’s chest. She sat stiffly by Alessandro’s bedside, her hands clutching his motionless one, her face pale but unreadable. The heart monitor’s steady beep was the only sign that he was still with her — somewhere behind the curtain of unconsciousness, somewhere she couldn’t reach.Alessandro had been in a coma for three Months.Three Months since he’d thrown himself in front of the bullet meant for her.Three Months since she’d held his blood-soaked body in her arms, screaming for help, praying to any god that would listen.Now, it was just her.Her and the silence.But the silence didn’t scare her anymore. What scared her was the thought of her sons growing up without the man who’d loved them so fiercely, who’d bled to protect them. What scared her was forgetting the warmth of his voice, the shade of blue his eyes turned when he smiled at her, the way he whispered “M
The silence after the last gunshot was deafening. Alessandro’s body lay motionless in Antonia’s trembling arms, blood soaking through his white shirt like an ominous rose blooming across his chest.Antonia could barely see. Her vision blurred with tears as the reality of what just happened crashed over her like a tidal wave.“Alessandro, stay with me... please... please stay with me...”His eyes fluttered, barely open. A faint breath escaped his lips, but then his body slackened. Panic surged through her veins like fire.The twins were sobbing behind her, their little arms wrapped around each other. Their innocence—shattered.She looked at them through her tears and found her voice, low but firm.“Matteo, Antonio—listen to Mommy,” she said, her voice shaking. “Go upstairs. Go to your room. Hide under the bed. Don’t come out no matter what you hear. Do you understand me?”Antonio sniffled. “But what about Daddy?”“I’m going to help Daddy. But I need you to do this for me first.”Matteo
The air reeked of gunpowder and betrayal.Alessandro’s hand gripped the pistol so tightly his knuckles turned white. His body, trained and battle-hardened, stood in front of his family like a fortress.Across the room, Federico grinned—madness gleaming in his eyes—while Beatrice stepped into the living room, heels clicking on the marble floor. Her gown shimmered like a snake’s skin, her lips curled in satisfaction as she lifted a small black pistol.“Why, Federico?” Alessandro growled, his voice hoarse with disbelief. “Why are you doing this?”Federico tilted his head, the grin never leaving his face.“Why?” he echoed. “Isn't it obvious? Because I can. Because for once, I want to destroy something you love as much as I loved you.”Antonia’s arms tightened protectively around Matteo and Antonio, her heart thudding in horror.Federico walked slowly toward them, ignoring the gun pointed at him.“I gave you everything,” Alessandro said, voice breaking. “I treated you like a brother—you we
Dinner was unusually silent that night.The clinking of cutlery against porcelain echoed hollowly around the massive dining room, the air thick with words unsaid. Matteo and Antonio, still buzzing with the energy of childhood, babbled about their day at school, unaware of the heavy glances their parents exchanged over the table.Antonia barely tasted her food.Her hands trembled slightly as she wiped the twins' mouths, ruffling their hair when they laughed.After the meal, she tucked them into bed, smoothing the covers over their small bodies, pressing kisses to their foreheads."I love you," she whispered into their soft hair."Love you, Mommy," they murmured, already drifting into dreams.She closed the door quietly behind her, her heart pounding so hard it echoed in her ears.Tonight. It had to be tonight.No more waiting. No more hoping things would magically fix themselves.She couldn’t allow Alessandro’s secrets to put their children in danger again.She wouldn’t.Upstairs, Ales
The old restaurant on the edge of town had long since fallen out of favor.Its once grand chandeliers now hung crooked, dust clinging to their crystals like parasites. Torn leather booths and cracked mirrors lined the dim interior. A single flickering lightbulb buzzed overhead, casting shadows that seemed to crawl across the walls.Beatrice tapped her manicured nails against the table, her lips curled in impatience.Where was he?Her phone buzzed, and she snatched it up."On my way," Federico's message read.Beatrice sneered. Typical.Always late. Always careless.She adjusted her sunglasses, even though the place was so dark she could barely see, and crossed her arms over her designer coat.A few minutes later, the door creaked open.Federico strode in, looking more like a ghost of the man he used to be — thin, his face gaunt, his eyes hollowed out by rage and obsession.He slid into the booth across from her without a word.For a long moment, they simply stared at each other.Two br
The house was unusually quiet that evening.Dinner had gone by with the usual laughter and chaos — Matteo trying to sneak more dessert, Antonio fiddling with his new hearing aid and gadget — but underneath the surface, Antonia felt the tension simmering.She smiled, she laughed when she had to, but her mind was elsewhere.The packet of papers weighed heavily in her handbag, a burden she couldn’t forget even as she read bedtime stories to the twins.She tucked Matteo and Antonio into bed, smoothing their hair back with trembling hands."Mama," Matteo whispered, already half asleep. "Love you.""I love you too," she murmured, kissing his forehead.Antonio grinned at her, his hearing aid glinting in the dim nightlight."Night, Mama.""Good night, my love."She lingered at the door longer than she should have, her heart breaking as she watched them drift off to sleep.I'm doing this for you, she thought fiercely.Turning off the light, she stepped quietly into the hallway.Alessandro was
The next morning dawned grey and cold.Rain drizzled against the windows, the sky heavy with brooding clouds, but Antonia barely noticed.Her mind was elsewhere — caught between a thousand regrets and a brutal, necessary determination.Today would be the day she took the first real step.Toward freedom.Toward safety.Toward a life where Matteo and Antonio would never again have to suffer because of her mistakes.Because that’s what Alessandro had become, hadn't he?A mistake.A beautiful, tragic mistake that she had loved too fiercely, too blindly.She finished helping the twins get ready for school, tying their shoelaces, smoothing their hair.Matteo clutched her skirt, looking up at her with bright, worried eyes."Mama, you’re coming to pick us up today, right?" he asked.Antonia smiled, forcing cheer into her voice."Of course, sweetheart," she said, ruffling his hair."And you’ll be there for the soccer game tomorrow?" Antonio piped up, his new blue hearing aid flashing as he til
The evening sun dipped low, casting a warm, golden glow over the sprawling Amato estate.Dinner had been a quiet, tense affair — the twins happily chattered about their day, oblivious to the storm brewing between their parents.Alessandro had sensed it the moment Antonia walked through the door.There was a new distance in her.Not anger — something colder, something final.After dinner, Antonia wiped Matteo’s and Antonio’s mouths gently, her touch lingering a second longer on Antonio’s ear aid, her heart tightening."Go get ready for bed, amore mio," she murmured, ruffling their hair.The boys ran upstairs, their laughter echoing down the marble halls.When she straightened, she found Alessandro watching her from across the dining room, his arms crossed, his eyes shadowed.She didn't flinch.She didn’t even pretend to smile.Without a word, she wiped her hands on a towel and motioned him to follow her into the private study.Once the door closed behind them, silence fell — thick and
The evening sun dipped low, casting a warm, golden glow over the sprawling Amato estate.Dinner had been a quiet, tense affair — the twins happily chattered about their day, oblivious to the storm brewing between their parents.Alessandro had sensed it the moment Antonia walked through the door.There was a new distance in her.Not anger — something colder, something final.After dinner, Antonia wiped Matteo’s and Antonio’s mouths gently, her touch lingering a second longer on Antonio’s ear aid, her heart tightening."Go get ready for bed, amore mio," she murmured, ruffling their hair.The boys ran upstairs, their laughter echoing down the marble halls.When she straightened, she found Alessandro watching her from across the dining room, his arms crossed, his eyes shadowed.She didn't flinch.She didn’t even pretend to smile.Without a word, she wiped her hands on a towel and motioned him to follow her into the private study.Once the door closed behind them, silence fell — thick and