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 asLuca 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,
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
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
Maria’s body reacted before her mind could.A deep, shuddering breath left her as Luca’s voice wrapped around her like a velvet chain, tightening around her limbs and making her body hum in response.Maria Mireya Dominic.The way he said it.Deep. Commanding.His tongue curled around the syllables, making her name sound sacred.Only he called her that.Only Luca.Maria felt the sharp sting of frustration and something dangerously close to surrender coil deep in her stomach.His name on her lips felt like a prayer she refused to say.Her lashes fluttered as she took in the man before her—half-naked, broad, and tattooed, his dark eyes gleaming with frustration and concern.The sheer size of him—hovering over her, pinning her with his gaze—should have made her feel trapped.Instead, it made her feel…Grounded.Her heart betrayed her, thudding against her ribcage
Luca woke up to an empty bed.His hand stretched toward Maria’s side, but it was cold.Frowning, he cracked open his eyes, blinking against the sunlight that streamed through the floor-to-ceiling glass doors leading to the balcony. The morning glow bathed the massive bedroom in a soft golden hue, making the luxurious space feel almost ethereal.The king-sized bed was ridiculously big for just the two of them, its sleek black frame wrapped in sewn-in silken sheets that had wrinkled slightly from their movements the night before. Luca sat up, running a hand over his face as his gaze drifted across the room.The inbuilt walk-in wardrobe, its sleek doors seamlessly blending into the walls, stood closed across from him. Next to it, a large smart TV was mounted on the wall, its dark screen reflecting the sunlight. The room carried a certain kind of understated wealth—expensive but not excessive.His eyes moved to Maria’s queen-like dressing table, an elegant piece of furniture adorned with
The evening sky stretched wide, painted in strokes of burnt orange and dusky lavender, with wisps of clouds drifting lazily across the heavens. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth, carrying the lingering warmth of the sun as a cool breeze whispered through the vast estate.Cicadas hummed in the distance, their rhythmic song blending with the occasional rustling of leaves. The golden light of the setting sun bathed everything in a soft, dreamlike glow, making the fields look like something out of a painting.Maria stood in the middle of it all, barefoot, her toes sinking into the slightly damp soil as she watered her land. She was dressed in a flowy, off-shoulder sundress, the fabric clinging to her form whenever the wind picked up. Stray strands of hair fell from her bun, sticking to her damp skin as she focused on her task, the spray of water arcing from the hose in her hand, drenching the rows of thriving plants
Maria tried to lose herself in the words on the page, but they blurred together, her mind refusing to focus.She wasn’t sure how long she sat there, curled up on the plush armchair near the grand window, staring at a book she wasn’t reading. The soft hum of the television from the other room still carried through the walls, Luca’s deep chuckle mixing with the voices of reporters dissecting their engagement like it was a national event.She sighed, dragging a hand through her loose curls.The scent of leather-bound books and aged paper surrounded her, usually a comfort. This library was her escape, a place where the outside world couldn’t reach her. But tonight, it wasn’t enough. Maybe she was feeling like this because Edwards had always kept her hidden, kept her from the world. Edwards rarely took her out and always preferred home dates, but not even a month with Luca and he already made her the center of attention.
The bedroom was quiet except for the soft rustle of pages as Maria absently turned them, her mind elsewhere.The earlier laughter had faded, leaving only the weight of everything that had been left unsaid. She curled her knees to her chest on the oversized chair, her thoughts tangled with Luca’s words.She had barely noticed when he slipped into the room, but she wasn’t surprised either. Luca never really let her sit with her thoughts for too long, not when he could see them wearing her down."Can’t sleep?" he asked, his voice softer now, stripped of its usual teasing edge.Maria exhaled, shaking her head. "Not really."Luca hummed in understanding before dropping into the armchair across from her. He didn’t press her to talk, didn’t push. He just sat there, elbows resting on his knees, watching her.After a long stretch of silence, Maria spoke. "Tell me about you and Johan."Luca blinked, and for a moment, she thought h
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
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.
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
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 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
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 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 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 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