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10: The Morning After
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2025-03-12 08:24:05Maria woke to warmth.
Not just the kind that came from thick blankets and soft sheets, but the kind that seeped into her bones, a heavy, steady heat pressed against her back.Her eyelashes fluttered as consciousness slowly returned, the memories of yesterday drifting into focus—Edward, the divorce papers, the rings, Luca—Her breath hitched.Luca.The realization sent a bolt of awareness through her.He was behind her.Close.Too close.Maria’s entire body went rigid as she took in the situation. Luca wasn’t just lying beside her—he was molded against her, his chest pressed to her back, his arm slung low around her waist.His warmth surrounded her.His scent—smoke, leather, and something darkly spiced—lingered in the air, wrapping around her senses like an invisible cage.She barely breathed.She needed to move.Slowly, carefully, Maria tried to inch forward.
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THE PRICE FOR HIS NAME 11: A Day In The Avancii Estate
Luca had already left for work when Maria began exploring.She wasn’t sure when he had slipped out, but by the time she finished having her bath, the house was quiet, the lingering scent of his cologne the only trace of his presence.It left her with nothing but time—and an entire estate to acquaint herself with.The Avancii estate wasn’t as large as she had expected. It was grand, yes, but not the overwhelming kind of wealth that screamed opulence. Instead, it was refined, designed for comfort rather than excess.The main house had seven bedrooms, meant to accommodate Mr. Collins—or Cole, as Luca called him—along with the two cooks, and now, Maria herself. The rest of the staff lived in the boy’s quarters, a separate building housing the gardeners, security, fish workers, house keepers, and drivers.A swimming pool gleamed on one side of the house, reflecting the early morning sun.And beside it, a small patch of land lay stubbornly bare, unlike the rest of the land.Maria paused, ti
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-13THE PRICE FOR HIS NAME 12: Crossing Boundaries
Maria hesitated at the doorway, fingers trembling against the smooth wood.She should leave.She should ignore the way Luca’s voice had curled around her like smoke, whispering promises in the dark.But her body was already betraying her.Slowly, she turned back.Luca had shifted his laptop to the side, his chair angled toward her as if making space just for her. His dark eyes flickered with something undeniable, unreadable—a warning and an invitation all at once.Without speaking, he lifted a hand, fingers beckoning.And Maria moved.Each step felt heavier, like the air had thickened around her, wrapping her in something hot and electric.When she reached him, Luca’s fingers wrapped around her wrist—warm, firm, commanding. He pulled her closer, guiding her onto the desk with effortless strength.Maria let out a soft breath as the cool surface kissed the backs of her thighs, but she barely noti
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-14THE PRICE FOR HIS NAME 13: The Ministration On His Desk
Maria's breath stuttered, her body trembling as Luca's mouth moved over her, slow and deliberate, tongue lapping through her slick folds with practiced ease.He had been at this for minutes now-teasing, tasting, savoring.Maria was a wreck against the mahogany desk-legs spread wide, robe fallen away, the cool air making her nipples pebble, heavy breasts rising and falling with each desperate breath.Luca's grip on her thighs tightened, fingers flexing against soft skin as he pinned her open.He was loving her like this-bared, breathless, needy.He could feel the way she pulsed against his tongue, taste the way she was already soaking for him, her body offering itself up, willing, desperate.And he loved that she still had the nerve to act like she wasn't.Maria let out a ragged little moan, fingers tugging at his hair, trying to pull him deeper, closer.Luca let her.Let her take what she needed.
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-15THE PRICE FOR HIS NAME 14: Unspoken Boundaries
Morning light streamed through the sheer curtains, casting golden streaks across the bed. The sheets beside her were cold.Maria turned her head, staring at the empty space where Luca had been.Gone.She wasn’t sure why she expected anything different.Her thighs still ached from last night—her skin tingled with phantom touches, and her lips were swollen from the way he had kissed her, claimed her, devoured her. She squeezed her thighs together, remembering the way he had pulled her apart with nothing but his hands, his mouth, his voice.And yet… he had left without a word.Maria let out a slow breath and sat up, pulling the sheets over her bare body. The heavy silence of the room felt suffocating.She hated this.Hated how her heart clenched at his absence.Hated how she missed him.Last night wasn’t supposed to mean anything—at least, that’s what she told herself. It was just a moment of weak
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-16THE PRICE FOR HIS NAME 15: A Package And A Warning
The morning was bright, the sun casting a warm golden glow over the estate as Maria knelt on the small patch of barren land, her fingers digging into the soil. Sweat trickled down her temple, and a light breeze carried the scent of freshly cut grass from the other side of the garden. She had spent the past hour working, determined to bring life to this neglected patch of earth. The estate itself was beautiful, nestled in the quieter part of the city, surrounded by tall trees that shielded it from prying eyes. It was a world of its own—a place where silence was only broken by birds chirping, the distant hum of the fountain, and the occasional laughter of the staff moving about their tasks. Maria wiped her forehead with the back of her hand and leaned back, surveying her progress. The land still looked lifeless, but she wasn’t giving up. Just then, the crunch of approaching footsteps made her look up. Mr. Collins, or Cole as
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-17THE PRICE FOR HIS NAME 16: A Storm Brewing
Luca stood at the entrance of the hospital room, his eyes fixed on Maria’s unconscious form. Bruises marred her delicate skin, a stark contrast against the sterile white sheets. The sight made something dark and violent coil inside him.She had almost died.Someone had dared to touch what was his.His jaw tightened as he exhaled sharply. "Stay with her," he ordered the doctor, his voice sharp and cold. "If anything happens—if she even stirs—you call me immediately."The doctor nodded nervously.Luca turned on his heel and stormed out.He had business to take care of.The drive back to the estate was silent, but his mind roared. Every second, every breath, was consumed by an uncontrollable rage.By the time he arrived, the entire household was already awake, summoned by his wrath before he even stepped inside.His men stood stiffly in a line, eyes wary, their shoulders tense. The housekeepers,
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-18THE PRICE FOR HIS NAME 17: The Devil's Bargain
The phone call ended with a sharp click, but Edwards Kale barely registered it. His fingers clenched around the device, the plastic creaking under his grip. His breath came in short, uneven bursts, his heartbeat hammering against his ribs.Luca Avancii.Even the name made his skin crawl.That man had walked into his life like a storm—violent, chaotic, and merciless. And he had taken everything.Maria should have been his.She had no parents, no siblings, no one else to run to. She should have depended on him.That was always the plan.He had never meant to divorce her. No, that would have been too easy. Too clean.He had wanted her to feel trapped.She would cry, she would beg, but she wouldn’t leave—because she would have needed him. Relied on him.And then, when she was too exhausted to fight anymore, he would have married Grace. Maria would have accepted it because she wouldn’t hav
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-19THE PRICE FOR HIS NAME 18: Just Maria
Maria’s recovery had been smoother than expected. After a few days in the hospital, the doctors finally discharged her, much to Luca’s relief. He had arranged for a private nurse to check on her at home, ensuring she had everything she needed.And for the first time since their engagement, he was home on time.Every evening, Luca would return early, making sure she ate, took her medications, and rested. He didn't hover, but he was there—always watching, always aware of her every move.Maria noticed it all.The way his fingers would brush against hers when he handed her a glass of water. The way his gaze lingered on her when she shifted on the couch. The way his arm would settle around her waist at night, as if he were afraid she’d disappear.He was trying.But she couldn’t forget the growing doubt in her chest.She didn’t pull away at first—she wasn’t sure why. Maybe because, for a brief moment, it was nice. The way he t
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-20
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THE PRICE FOR HIS NAME 88: Trustfall
The city lights flickered like dying embers in the distance as Maria sprinted through the empty streets, her breath sharp, her heart hammering in her chest like it was trying to escape her ribcage. They were still behind her. She could hear them—footsteps pounding with ruthless intent, voices barking cold, clipped orders that cut through the silence of the night like gunfire. “Find her!” one of them snarled, rage lacing every syllable. Maria’s stomach twisted, a knot of panic anchoring deep in her core. She didn’t know where she was anymore—what street, what block—only that every turn felt like a trap, every shadow a threat. The city had always been big, but tonight it felt endless, merciless. The cold air sliced at her exposed skin, making every step feel like a punishment. Her shoes—cheap, worn down, barely holding together—slapped against the pavement with frantic rhythm. She had barely esc
THE PRICE FOR HIS NAME 87: Silk And Steel
Maria woke up to an unfamiliar stillness.The penthouse was too quiet, too cold, as if it had been abandoned overnight. The usual soft hum of the city that crept through the double-glazed windows felt muted today, as if the world had decided to hold its breath.Her hand instinctively reached for the other side of the bed, but it was empty. Not just empty—untouched.The sheets were smooth, still pressed, a stark contrast to her side where the blanket twisted around her legs. A chill ran down her spine, her brows knitting together as she sat up, the silk strap of her nightgown sliding down her shoulder.Edwards had come home last night, hadn’t he?She remembered waiting for him, curled up on the velvet chaise by the window, watching the minutes drag by. The clock had ticked past midnight, then one. Still, she waited. She had convinced herself that he was just busy. That was always the excuse.Important meetings.
THE PRICE FOR HIS NAME 86: How To Break A King
Miles away, in a room thick with sour smoke and the metallic stench of old blood, Mikael smiled too — but it wasn’t laughter he tasted. It was war, bitter and electric on his tongue.Mikael sat at the head of the table, one hand loose around a glass he hadn't touched. His fingers tapped once, twice — a sound like a ticking clock — then stilled. Not a man's patience. A predator's.The men gathered around him were a mix of old blood and new money, each one bringing something to the table: favors, weapons, information.But tonight, it was the man seated at the far end who commanded the most attention.Edwards Kale.He looked nothing like the arrogant bastard he once was. The man who had once dared to challenge the Avancii name now sat hunched, gaunt, a shadow of pride smoldering in his ruined eyes. His hands trembled as he shoved the folder forward — like the paper itself was poisoned — then clenched them into fists against the polished wood
THE PRICE FOR HIS NAME 85: Brother's Favorite Toy
Maria whimpered softly beneath him, her hips instinctively rocking back, greedy for every last flicker of sensation, every last pulse of him spilling into her.Slowly, reverently, Luca shifted, slipping an arm under her, gathering her close."Easy, mi amor," he rasped, his voice rough and sweet and filthy all at once.With aching tenderness, he coaxed her onto her side, spooning her against his chest.His cock slid deeper with the shift, drawing a broken gasp from both of them.He groaned low, forehead pressed to the nape of her neck."Fuck," he breathed.His hand splayed over her lower belly, protective, reverent, possessive.Maria trembled, overwhelmed, her hand flying down to cover his, threading their fingers together over the soft swell of her stomach."Mi esposa perfecta... madre de mi hijo..."(My perfect wife… mother of my child…)Maria turned blindly, seeking him, and he caugh
THE PRICE FOR HIS NAME 84: Home Is Under You
The past two weeks had settled into a rhythm—a ridiculous, clingy, over-the-top rhythm. Maria was always on the phone. If she wasn’t calling Goodness to complain about Luca eating the last of her ginger biscuits, she was on the phone with Nune as they gossiped about Ichiro’s latest death-wish stunt. And when Mafalda finally came back after a week of complete radio silence, their group chat exploded. Maria, Nune, Alexei, and Goodness had been frantic, their messages unanswered for days, their calls going straight to voicemail. Then, as if nothing had happened, Mafalda popped back into their chat with a single message: Mafalda: I live. Relief crashed through the group chat like a tidal wave. Maria: WOMAN, WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN? Goodness: We were about to stage a fucking rescue mission! Nune: Is he dead? Do we need to help hide the body? Alexei: Are yo
THE PRICE FOR HIS NAME 83: Love, Screaming & Something Dramatic
A few days had passed, yet it felt like mere minutes for the women.The estate, once a fortress of power and control, now stood in disarray. The grand halls, which had witnessed whispered secrets and stolen laughter, now echoed with the wails of its most beloved occupants. The very walls seemed to mourn their impending separation, shadows stretching long under the glow of the chandeliers, as if reluctant to let go of the mischief and warmth that had once filled the space.Maria, Mafalda, Nune, Alexei, and Goodness clung to one another, their arms locked in desperation as though sheer force could prevent what was inevitable. But their husbands—men who commanded entire empires, men who had the world at their feet—were wholly unimpressed by their theatrics.To them, this was inevitable.To the women, it was unbearable.Luca stood at the far end of the room, his arms crossed, cigarette burning lazily between his lips as he watched M
THE PRICE FOR HIS NAME 82: Broken Knees, Broken Kings
The room was thick with the scent of tobacco and expensive cologne, the kind that settled into leather and power. It was the kind of space where fortunes were made, alliances were tested, and destruction was decided with a single word.Malachai sat at the head of the long, obsidian conference table, fingers drumming idly against the polished surface. The dim glow from the chandelier overhead cast a golden sheen across the room, reflecting off crystal glasses filled with aged whiskey.Luca, seated to his right, flicked open his lighter, the flame briefly illuminating the sharp angles of his face before he lit his cigarette. He inhaled deeply, letting the smoke coil around him like a ghost before he passed the lighter across the table to Rafael DeSantis. Rafael took it with a nod, his own cigarette already perched between his lips.Aziel Tau leaned forward, sleeves rolled up, his forearms flexing as he tapped a few keys on his t
THE PRICE FOR HIS NAME 81: Where Power Wears A Smile
The docks were a blend of rustic charm and rugged elegance, the wooden piers weathered with years of use. Boats of various sizes bobbed gently on the water, their sails filled with the coastal breeze, creating a quiet rhythm as the waves lapped against the stone and wood. The air was thick with the scent of saltwater, a subtle reminder of the vast ocean beyond the island.The horizon stretched out in a wide arc, where the deep blue of the ocean met the sky in an endless line. The island felt like a place suspended in time, a realm apart from the rest of the world.Luca’s arm tightened around Maria’s waist, pulling her closer as he leaned in, his voice a low murmur against her ear. “Behave, unless you want to be punished again.”Maria simply nodded, her heart racing as she tried to hold her composure. This was a new world for her, a world of power and danger that she barely understood. She had to play her part, not just for herself, but
THE PRICE FOR HIS NAME 80: The Beginning Of The End
The day after Maria’s spa treatment, the tabloids exploded. The world couldn’t stop talking about her. Every moment captured by the paparazzi had its own headline. A multitude of pictures flooded the internet—Maria at the spa, her baby bump glowing in the soft, golden light of the afternoon; Maria sitting at the café, croissant halfway to her lips, sunglasses hiding her frustration. The world was obsessed, speculating, questioning every move she made.Headlines screamed:“Maria Avancii’s Baby Bump: The Real Reason She's Staying Out of the Spotlight?”“Maria Avancii’s Health: Why the Pregnant Wife of Luca Avancii Has Become a Rare Sight”“Is Maria’s Condition Keeping Her From Her Empire? A Glimpse into the Struggles of Pregnancy in the Spotlight”“Baggy Clothes: The New Trend Maria Avancii is Bringing into Fashion”Meanwhile, a different scene unfolded in Edwards Kale’s penthouse. Alone and furious, Edwards sta
