Guilia Armando’s life has always been laden with turbulence and trials from getting caught in a forbidden relationship to getting pregnant and running off to another country to save face. Just when she’s about to take a breather, one more tragedy strikes. Being in an accident nearly causes her to lose everything in her life; her memory, her lover, her son and her psychopath husband. Vladimir Mikhailov, Russian Bratva consigliere, Guilia's lover and father of her son, comes back into her life by chance with the promise to make her fall in-love with him again, and by everything she holds dear, she indeed falls. But then her perfect world is tipped upside down, following an accidental meeting with a mysterious man, numerous texts that shakes the core of her being. Whatever peace she’s had goes down the drain. Now, she’s faced with a dilemma: find out who the mastermind behind all her troubles is, and ensure that she’s happy again. But will that be possible when she discovers that nearly everything in her life is a lie?
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If you’re reading this part right now, I want to use this medium to thank you for choosing to read this book, it means a lot to me. Your support is very paramount and I’d appreciate it if you drop comments and votes. Giving feedback makes me feel seen and inspires me to write better chapters. Note: I promised to tell the story of Guilia and Vladimir, so here it is. It can be read as a stand-alone. TRIGGERS This book contains imagery that a few readers might find disconcerting. Things like bullying, strong language, explicit scenes (highly consensual) are strongly present in most chapters. PROLOGUE GUILIA TWO YEARS AGO The music blasted loudly from the speakers while my feet dragged on wobbly to the last table before the door. Suddenly my eyes were trained on the outline of a man who looked too familiar to be ignored. His arms were placed comfortably on the fluffy rails of the sofa, his eyes fixed on the strippers who didn't stop twirling their semi-nude bodies around the black metallic pole. Though my vision was clouded by the intoxicating influence of numerous bottles of vodka I'd gobbled, I could figure out how bored he was by the look of resignation on his face. But his interest wasn't my business. After how things went with Ariel and Dmitri, I wasn't sure I wanted to be entangled with any of the Mikhailov brothers. Fortunately, he hadn't noticed me yet, so I trailed on with my unstable steps until a wave of dizziness slammed me and I missed my footing and found myself leaning against his table for support. His gaze darted from the unclad women to me as I dragged in shallow breaths. "I'm so sorry," I apologized immediately while praying that he wouldn't mock me for being unable to hold down my alcohol. "Guilia Armando, am I right?" His deep, unfazed voice caressed my skin while I clutched onto the edge of the table that had only a bottle of vodka and half-filled glass for balance. The excess alcohol I'd doused myself with was getting to me. My eyes did a quick scan on his inked chest that flexed with a slight movement. How could a man be so appealing yet scary? "How do you know my name?" I couldn't help but sound slurry even though I'd intended to be sober. His lips curled into a smirk, his thumb massaging his temples as he crossed his thighs. "I have my ways, buttercup, but let's get down to the real question, why did you have to stumble into me? Have you forgotten who I am?" His question threw me off balance because I didn't even know how I found myself in front of him. I'd come here to party and get laid, possibly by any hot demon I could find. And now I'd bumped into his table. He was more than the hot demon I wanted, he was the very blazing devil, and even when my senses screamed that I should run away, my body betrayed me and my feet remained stuck to the ground. Unlike his annoying brother who made my best friend's life a living hell, he seemed more friendly. His full eyebrows climbed his forehead when my response wasn't forthcoming. "Umm, I think I made a mistake by coming here. I'll just leave," The words rushed out of my lips and I spun on my heels to leave. His sharp reflexes caught me off guard as if he had sensed my plans to flee and he pulled me down to himself, the hem of my very short dress riding up to my ass. Just one move and my thong would be exposed for all the lust-filled drunk men who had been leering at me earlier to see. "What are you doing?" I croaked, making sure to avoid his intense erotic gaze that sparked strange desires within me. His hand rested on my hips and I squirmed, his nose grazing my neck. "You want me, Guilia," A tight gasp burst out of me while I shuddered. "That's not true. Maybe I'm a bit too drunk, but I don't want you," I lied through my teeth. "Your eyes speaks differently," His smirk switched to a cocky grin, knowing he was right. My heart pounded against my chest as my face flushed with heat. I wanted him just as he'd observed and if he didn't let go of me in the next few seconds, I might just damn the consequences and kiss him. "I... I have to use the bathroom," His grip tightened around my waist and bolts of pleasure vibrated in my core. "Why does that sound like a lie?" "It's not..." I was too slow to reply as his lips smothered over mine without a warning, his strong hands pushing me further to him. My nerves whirled in a frenzy as I tore my lips off his and struggled to break free from him, but how could I when my body wasn't agreeing with my wishes? He wiggled his brows and ran his tongue over his lips, enjoying how he toyed with my emotions. "Are you trying to tell me that you dressed this seductively just to go back home without experiencing new things? From the look of things, you want to be fucked, but you're held back by the shackles of your culture. The good news is that you're an adult and no one's gonna know if you don't tell them," Alright, enough of the games. It was true... I liked him too much for someone who looked like a player. The plan was to get drunk and laid and Vladimir seemed like the best option. However, I couldn't ignore the feeling that I'd regret this once the alcohol wore off tomorrow morning. Fuck it! Raphael was dead already and my father was behind it. I wondered how he'd feel when he discovered that his pretty little daughter wasn't a virgin anymore. After a long, hard stare, I pressed my lips together and exhaled. "I'm down for it. You fuck me nice and clean and tomorrow we'll pretend like nothing ever happened. What do you say?" I replied very calmly even though nothing was calm about how I felt within. My palms became clammy with sweat and I lowered my lashes, hoping that he'd refuse so that I'd have a reason to run far away from him, but tonight wasn't that night. Instead, he chuckled lightly and let go of me, getting to his feet. His hand found its way around my waist and he smirked. "I have a room,”Chapter 78Guilia“I’d take it that you’re having a good time with my brother, eh?” Dmitri probed, throwing his stress ball into the air as he swung casually on his executive chair.A sigh breezed out of my lips as I leaned properly on the back rest of the chair. “I wouldn’t assume that if I were you,” He scoffed with a look of amusement spreading over his face, slightly reminding me of his brother. I almost snorted. It was difficult having people walking around, carrying the face of the man you wanted to toss into the recycle bin in your brain.He ensured that I wouldn’t forget him.“You slept in his place last night, am I right?” he questioned with a smug grin on his face.I had to snort. “That meant nothing,”Lies.“You could have refused sleeping there, but you did,” he pressed on in a way that was becoming irritating.“Dalian wanted us to spend time as a family and I just wanted to make him happy because of the injury he incurred, the one your brother watched him incur," I knew
Chapter 77Guilia I woke up to Dalian peering at me wide-eyed, curiosity blaring in his gaze. “Hey, handsome,” I ruffled his hair with the memories of last night flooding into my mind.Like a teenage girl who just had her first kiss, I giggled, sheepishly. He had taken everything I had to give and I did the same. We had no need to be wary of neighbours as our voices crossed the roof, our moans pouring out in endless pleasure. We both decided that it was best for me to stay with Dalian in case he needed anything, but that was after we’d gone on three extra rounds.Like every forbidden act, it was always sweet, but it ended up leaving a sour taste afterwards. Our lovemaking was great because I was still very much in love with him, but when I climbed down from the high he’d put me, reality began to set in.At first it was noise resonating from the downfloor. While I took care of Dalian’s injury, arguments ensued between Vladimir and a familiar female voice I knew too well, but despised
Chapter 76GuiliaVladimir and I exchanged surprised glances, an I-told-you-so smirk growing on his lips afterward as if he had been expecting Dalian to take a side.With the feeling of trepidation building up within me, I caught Dalian’s chin, gently turning his face to look at me. “But you have to go home with me. Daddy doesn’t live with us anymore,” I explained.“Daddy said that I can come and stay with him whenever I want,” his sparkling brown eyes gazed at me expectantly, his small hands reaching for my hair. He knew how to get me, just like his father. “Let’s go, mummy,” he persisted, sending me into a state of befuddlement.Vladimir, who was leaning against the wall, listening to our conversation silently, chose to chip in. “You heard the man,”“What you’re doing is wrong and you know that. The both of you are only to meet during the day and not at night,” I expressed my anger.His broad shoulders worked out a shrug. “It’s not my fault, Guilia. You heard what the little man sa
Chapter 75GuiliaThe spur of creativity I was riding on had drastically reduced to a mere flame. Not wanting to crash completely and burn out, I stopped, taking a step back to admire the work my brain and fingers had put together.The sketches were haphazard, but I could see the potential in the picture. All I needed was time to turn it into the beautiful, jaw-dropping portrait that I’d envisioned. Unfortunately, twenty-four hours seemed to be no longer enough.Done for the day, I covered the easel holding the canvas with a clean fabric that was thick enough to protect it and glanced at the clock.My stomach rumbled, reminding me that I hadn’t taken more than a slice of cake and coffee all day. My eyes bulged upon realizing that it was already 6 P.M and I wasn’t hearing anyone running and squealing to my room.I snatched my phone from the bed with a frown, ready to tongue-lash Vladimir for not fulfilling his part of the deal.Dalian was supposed to be home already.“Why haven’t you b
Chapter 74Guilia“What are you talking about Igor?” “Like I said, I’m not so sure of what I saw because the light in the club was dim and my job took me out of there in a hurry. Maybe I saw someone that looked just like Carlton, but it’s very certain that they have the same body figure,”My heartbeat had skyrocketed and I didn’t know why it was hard for me to believe that it was no other person but Carlton that he saw. The way he said it remained stuck in my mind as though there were no other possibilities.But what could he be doing there with her? I wondered what they were talking about?Restlessly, I paced “How did you see them together?”“They sat beside each other, talking”I nodded slowly, thoughtfully. “Have you found the sender of that picture?” “No, but what has that got to do with anything?” he answered reluctantly.My foot stomped the ground in an unrhythmic manner as I tried to squash the unease that had welled up within me. “I’m not sure, but everything feel so suspici
Chapter 73GuiliaThere was nothing more draining yet satisfying than being drilled by a two-year old that was on the verge of turning three.My mistake was telling him that his father would be taking him to a game arcade today where they’d both have the time of their lives. He’d been filled with excitement ever since, to the point of waking up as early as five A.M to select an outfit for their outing.I couldn’t deny that I felt a little tinge of jealousy, but it was better this way; our son wasn’t caught up in our misunderstandings.“Can I call daddy and tell him that I’m ready?” he asked innocently, batting his lashes at me.I patted his head while my mind rummaged through the pile of responses to give to him. “You will after having your bath. Don’t worry, I’m sure daddy is already on the way,”It was difficult but I was able to get him through the process of getting him washed up nice and clean while he kept babbling on how he’d play with Vladimir. His words weren’t all that clear
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