The moment stretched, long and suffocating.
Gina stood in the center of the underground lab, her presence pressing against the walls like something too large to fit into reality.The dim lighting cut sharp angles over the burned side of her face, the part of her that had been claimed by fire and betrayal.The engineers—five of them—stood frozen in place, their collective shock hanging in the air like a static charge waiting to break.But no one was as silent as Luca.He hadn’t moved.Because Gina Frazer was standing there, breathing. Alive.And he had believed—truly believed—that she was dead.“Explain to me why you’re failing.”Her voice cut through the tension like a blade, sharp and unimpressed. It was the same voice that used to command entire rooms without ever needing to raise its volume.Roland swallowed, his throat bobbing visibly. “The engine won’t hold.” His voice was steady, but therMaria had spent years perfecting the art of control.Her words, her expressions, her very presence—all of it was calculated, deliberate, unshakable.But as she stared at the headline flashing across Sarah’s phone, she felt something cold settle in her chest."Edwards Kale Opens Up About Losing the Love of His Life—And How He’s Fighting to Win Her Back.”Maria read the words twice. Then once more.She exhaled slowly. “Who published this?”Sarah hesitated. “It’s everywhere. Business sites, tabloids, even finance columns. It’s not just a one-off interview—it’s a full-blown media campaign.”Maria’s grip on the phone tightened.Edwards had always been meticulous when it came to making a move. If he wanted to shift public perception, he wouldn’t just make a statement—he’d shape a narrative.And this? This wasn’t just about him talking to the press.This was a calculated attack.“Schedule a press conference,” Maria said coldly.Sarah frowned. “Are you sure? Responding could—”“I won’t let hi
Maria's body quivered, still trembling from the devastating climax Luca had just pulled from her on the dressing table. Her skin burned where his hands had been, every inch of her hypersensitive, raw from his relentless possession.She could still feel him-throbbing, thick and pulsing inside her-stretching her, filling her. The heat of him seared her from the inside out, making her mind swim with a hazy, desperate pleasure. His breath was hot against her ear, the scent of sex and his cologne thick in the air, intoxicating, inescapable.But it wasn't over.A deep, primal groan rumbled in Luca's chest, a sound so full of hunger and dominance that Maria shuddered, her breath hitching. Then, before she could gather herself, he moved-lifting her as if she weighed nothing, his strength effortless. His arms, powerful and unyielding, wrapped around her, holding her against his sweat-slicked skin as he carried her across the dimly lit bedroom.The only light came from the cityscape beyond
Luca stirred awake to the warmth of sunlight filtering through the tall windows of their bedroom. The sheets were slightly cool beside him, telling him Maria had already left the bed. He groaned softly, stretching his arms before rolling onto his back, his mind still hazy from sleep.Then he remembered.Gina.He exhaled, rubbing a hand down his face. That brat had made him worry for no damn reason. After all these weeks, she'd managed to fake her death, stay hidden, and even keep it from him. Luca smirked to himself. He had meant to tell Maria last night, but one thing had led to another, and well… priorities.Pushing himself up, he walked into the bathroom, letting the hot water wake him fully. By the time he stepped out, towel wrapped low on his hips, the scent of ginger and something sweet drifted through the air.Maria.The morning sun cast a warm glow over the marble floors as Luca stepped downstairs, the scent of ginger and sugar wrapping around him like a slow, teasing invita
Maria barely had a moment to breathe before he thrust into her again—slow, deliberate, dragging out every inch of pleasure as he filled her completely. The sensation was overwhelming, a heady mix of overstimulation and raw desire that left her gasping, her fingers gripping the counter as if it were the only thing keeping her tethered to reality.The wet, obscene sounds of their joining echoed through the kitchen, each thrust a slick, lewd melody against the backdrop of their breathless moans. The air was thick with the scent of sex—heady, intoxicating, laced with the remnants of last night. Luca was still inside her, and she could feel it, the remnants of his previous release making everything even hotter, even messier."You're dripping everywhere, baby," he murmured, his voice dark and amused, one hand gripping her hip possessively while the other trailed down the curve of her stomach. His fingers traced lower, teasing, smearing the evidence of their union against her skin.Maria w
Luca Avancii was a man who prided himself on control.Every breath measured. Every movement calculated. Every decision made with the kind of unwavering certainty that turned empires into dynasties.And yet, at this moment, his focus was fractured.The contracts spread across his mahogany desk should have commanded his full attention. The numbers, the clauses, the final steps in dismantling Kale Industries were all laid out in pristine, paper-bound authority.But his wife was in front of him.And she was staring.Silent. Still. Expectant.Luca knew better than to look up right away. He kept his eyes on the papers, his pen tapping lightly against the rim of his glasses as though he could will himself to ignore her presence.But that was impossible. It had always been impossible.Another five seconds passed. She didn’t move. Didn’t shift, didn’t cough, didn’t even tilt her head—just sat there in his study, her delicate fingers drumming lightly against the arm of the chair, her body so ut
Sitting in his study, with Maria staring at him like she always had, Luca sighed deeply. The dim glow of his desk lamp cast flickering shadows over the rich mahogany furniture, the faint scent of aged paper and leather-bound books filling the air.His fingers curled around the sleek black pen in his hand, but he barely glanced at the documents before him. Instead, his focus remained on her—the woman who had mastered the art of distraction with nothing more than a lingering gaze.“What is it?”Maria blinked, feigning innocence. Her hazel eyes gleamed with mischief, catching the light just enough to make them dance. She even tilted her head slightly—the same way she always had when she was about to manipulate him. A habit he knew too well, yet never quite managed to resist.“Nothing.”Luca exhaled through his nose, the sound sharp against the thick silence. He set his pen down with a quiet click, fingers smoothing over the fine grain of his desk before he lifted his gaze to hers.“Mire
When he pulled away, Maria smiled beautifully, her lips barely brushing his as she whispered, “Do I have to?”She was almost whining, a soft, breathy sound that sent a flicker of warmth down Luca’s spine.His lips quirked. She knew what she was doing.He chuckled, his fingers tightening slightly on her waist, thumb tracing the dip of her spine in slow, idle circles. “You’ll get what you want, mi reina,” he murmured, amusement laced in every syllable. “But I expect proper compensation.”Maria squealed, delighted, throwing her arms around his neck. Her warmth pressed against him, and the scent of her perfume—soft, floral, and distinctly hers—wrapped around him like a drug."Thank you."She had always known exactly how to win.Her excitement made him chuckle, a deep, indulgent sound, but before she could pull back, she added, “Oh! When can I see Gina?”Luca hummed, his lips trailing lower, brushing against the delicate shell of her ear. He felt her shiver, barely perceptible, but it was
Maria adjusted the strap of her handbag and cradled her belly as she stepped out of the museum. The cool evening air greeted her, mingling with the faint scent of old parchment and polished wood that still clung to her senses. She had spent the last few hours indulging in one of her new habits—shopping without checking the price tag. It was something she was still getting used to, but Luca had made it clear: she was his wife, and his wife would never want for anything.Her guards trailed behind her, arms laden with bags filled with delicate artifacts and paintings she had acquired on impulse. They weren’t just purchases; they were pieces of history, stories carved into stone and woven into canvas, each one adding to the growing collection she had started curating for their estate.Just as she was about to step into the car, a voice cut through the street noise.“Maria!”She barely turned at first, assuming it was just some overly familiar stranger or a paparazzo trying to get her a
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