Mag-log in~ Adriano’s POV ~ Honeymoon? Babies? Grandma had to be kidding. She was really expecting too much from this marriage. All I ever wanted was power ,to be the Don, to be on top of the world. That was the only reason for this marriage. And now here I was, actually agreeing to go on a honeymoon. I laughed inwardly at myself, running a hand through my hair and releasing a sigh, the other hand gripping the steering wheel. Grandma sure had her ways of getting me to do what she wanted. And Elena... what was that earlier? “Honey?” Did she seriously call me that? I was a little baffled by her confidence. I know I asked her to play her part, but somehow a part of me liked the sound of it on her lips. I glanced over to her side she looked beautiful, maybe too beautiful for her own good. The slit in her dress did nothing but send wild thoughts to my head, especially with the way she sat, the fabric riding up to expose just enough of her smooth, milky thighs. She probably had no idea how t
~ Elena POV “You’ll make beatiful babies,” she added with a delighted laugh. “Oh, I can’t wait to be a great-grandmother!” I choked on my food. “Cough—Cough—” Adriano immediately handed me a glass of water. I grabbed it, mumbling a quick “thank you” before taking a sip to calm my nerves. “Are you okay, dear?” she asked, worry etching her features. “I’m fine,” I replied with a polite smile, feeling my cheeks flush. Relief washed over her face. Babies? Was she really expecting one from us? She must have thought our marriage was perfect. If only she knew… we hadn’t even consummated it. The most we’d done was kiss and even that felt like something that shouldn’t have happened. I glanced at Adriano. His face was stoic, calm as ever, as he sipped his wine as if none of this fazed him. I was still trying to digest her comment when she decided to drop another bomb. “Since we’re on the topic of babies,” she began, smiling from ear to ear, “I booked a place for your honeymoon.” My e
~ Elena’s POV ~ The silence between us had become its own kind of punishment. Days had passed since the fight, yet the air still hung thick with everything we hadn’t said. We moved around each other like strangers sharing the same walls quiet, careful, pretending not to notice. Tonight wasn’t any different. I was still mad at him. He could have been nicer gentler. I almost got killed, yet instead of concern, I got scolded. Still, I had bigger problems to worry about now. We were meeting his grandparents tonight, and my nerves were a mess. I stood in front of the mirror, smoothing down my black strapless satin dress. The slit up one leg made it elegant but not too revealing. My hair fell in soft waves over my shoulders, and the simple pearl necklace in my hand added the perfect touch of grace if only I could get the clasp right. I struggled with it, turning slightly to get a better angle. I huffed in frustration when it got difficult to clasp in.Just as I was about to give
~ Adriano’s POV ~ The drive was silent. Too silent. I could hear the hum of the engine, the sharp rhythm of my own breath, and the faint trembling sound of her seatbelt as Elena clutched it like a lifeline. My hand gripped the steering wheel hard enough to crack bone. I’d been in a meeting when one of my men called she left the house. Just like that. As if she hadn’t been warned. As if she didn’t have my name tied to hers, painted across every target that wanted me dead. She disobeyed. She could have died. I didn’t even remember getting into the car. One minute I was standing in the middle of a briefing; the next, I was tearing through the streets. And the whole time, one thought burned through my head what if I was too late? Elena’s voice snapped faintly through the silence. “C-Can you slow down, please?” I didn’t answer. I only glanced at her, just once a sharp look that made her flinch and lower her gaze. Then I pressed the accelerator harder. By the time we rea
~ Elena’s POV ~ We were running, using the walls as protection while bullets ricocheted everywhere. The men in black didn’t seem to be holding back their shots came sharp and fast, echoing through the chaos of the mall. My palms grew clammy, and beads of sweat gathered on my forehead. Screams filled the air; people ran in every direction, desperate to escape. Jazmine pulled me along, her grip firm. “Keep low!” she shouted over the noise. We swerved past an overturned table, trying to reach the main hallway. My heart pounded so hard it hurt. Then a woman’s wailing voice pierced the chaos. “My baby!” she screamed, spinning around in terror. That was when I heard it a tiny, trembling voice calling out, “Mommy!” I froze. A little girl was crouched in the corner, tears streaking her chubby cheeks. She looked so small, so helpless… and dangerously exposed. If she stood up, the bullets would hit her. Without thinking, I let go of Jazmine’s hand. “Elena!” she shouted, realizing I’d sto
~ Elena’s POV ~ "What do you mean she can't leave?" Jazmine snapped, irritation flashing across her face. We were sitting in her car, parked right by the gate, and two of Adriano’s men stood blocking the way. Their expressions were as hard as stone, rifles slung across their chests. "Sorry, miss, but she can’t go unless we inform the boss," one of them said firmly. Jazmine scoffed, crossing her arms. "Are you kidding me right now? You’re acting like she’s a prisoner." I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks as I stared at the guards. They looked intimidating but at that moment, something in me refused to back down. Maybe it was the way Jaz stood so confidently beside me, or maybe I was just tired of feeling caged. Clearing my throat, I tried to sound braver than I felt. "I would like to leave," I said, forcing my voice to stay steady. The guard’s jaw twitched. "I’m afraid, ma’am, we can’t let you through." "Are you defying your boss’s wife?" Jazmine gasped dramatically, han







