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77: A Lesson In Defiance

Penulis: DiaryOfDaisy
last update Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-04-28 07:01:03

Maria crawled onto the bed, her breath shallow, her heart hammering against her ribs as Luca’s dark gaze pinned her in place. The room was thick with tension — the kind that made the air itself feel heavier.

“Middle of the bed,” he said, voice low, dangerous.

She obeyed instantly, moving to the center of the cool sheets. Her body was taut, strung tight with anticipation, her pulse skittering wildly beneath her skin.

Luca stood against the dresser, shirtless, his sculpted chest rising and falling slowly. In one hand, his phone; in the other, a belt, the leather flexing menacingly between his fingers. The dim light carved hard shadows across his body, highlighting every muscle, every ruthless line.

The phone rang once. Twice. A sharp click as the call connected.

“Voss,” he said, his tone clipped and cold.

Maria's stomach twisted.

No.

She pushed up onto her knees, desperation creeping into her voice. “Luca, please—”


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  • THE PRICE FOR HIS NAME    78: Tears And Tethers

    First round had been punishment — this was pleasure, wicked and indulgent, tangled with the remnants of anger he hadn't quite managed to shake.Luca couldn’t stay mad at her forever. No matter how much Maria defied him, no matter how she pushed and tested — she was his. Always his. His anger melted into something darker now, something possessive and hungry.His gaze pinned her down, unreadable, heavy.Then he leaned in, slow, deliberate, his breath a sinful caress against the shell of her ear. His lips barely grazed her skin when he whispered, low and vicious,“Keep crying for me.”The words dragged along her spine like silk and steel, a cruel promise and a dark demand wrapped into one.Maria whimpered, fresh tears brimming in her eyes. The saltwater clung to her lashes, trembling, before spilling down hot onto her flushed cheeks. Her thighs trembled from the effort to stay open, vulnerable beneath him, but she didn’t dare move. Could

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-29
  • THE PRICE FOR HIS NAME    79: Unexpected Alliances

    The early morning air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of earthy tones.Luca stood on the balcony, the city stretching far away from him in a haze of artificial lights and the fading darkness of dawn. A cigarette burned between his fingers, the embers glowing each time he took a slow drag.He hadn't slept well.Maria’s disobedience troubled him, the memory of her soft cries and stubborn glare gnawing at his chest like a dull, constant ache. His body remembered the feel of her, hot and trembling beneath him, even as his mind waged a war he couldn’t name.Luca exhaled a curl of smoke into the cold air.Inside, he could hear the faint shuffle of sheets. He turned his head slightly, just enough to catch a glimpse: Maria curled beneath the cotton duvet, her baby bump a tender curve even under layers of fabric. A picture of innocence. Fragile. His.His phone vibrated in his pocket, cutting through the silenc

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-30
  • 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

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-05-01
  • 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

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-05-01
  • THE PRICE FOR HIS NAME    1: Maria

    Maria Dominic never thought she would end up on her knees. Not in front of him. Not in front of the man she had loved, trusted, sacrificed for. But here she was—kneeling on the cold, immaculate marble floors of Edwards Kale’s office, her dignity slipping away with every second that passed. Her hands trembled as she clenched them into fists against her thighs. She had come here for justice, for fairness, for something that resembled the years she had lost. But as she looked up at the man seated in his oversized leather chair, all she saw was apathy. Edwards leaned back, exhaling slowly as he swirled the amber liquid in his glass. The sound of ice clinking against crystal felt like a hammer against her skull. His navy-blue suit was perfectly tailored, his golden cufflinks gleaming under the warm office lights. Everything about him screamed power, wealth, control. Everything about her felt powerless. “Get up, Maria,” Edwards said, his tone flat, emotionless. “You’re embarrassing you

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-22
  • THE PRICE FOR HIS NAME    2: The Art Of War

    The drive was quiet.Maria sat stiffly in the passenger seat, her hands gripping the hem of her dress as the city passed by in a blur. The streets of Hay Port were still waking up, bathed in the soft gold of the morning sun, but Maria couldn't appreciate the beauty outside.Her mind was still stuck in that office.Still kneeling.Still feeling the cold marble against her knees, the weight of humiliation pressing down on her chest as Edwards dismissed her like she was nothing.She clenched her jaw, staring down at her lap.The silence between her and Luca stretched. The man beside her-her brother's best friend, the reckless boy who had once been a constant presence in her childhood-was now driving her away from everything she had once called hers. Away from Edwards. Away from the life she had built for him.But strangely, she didn't feel lost.She felt... lighter.Like she was no longer carrying all of it alone.Still, confusion lingered in her chest."Why did you do that?" she finally

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-22
  • THE PRICE FOR HIS NAME    3: The Deal With The Devil

    Maria followed Luca into SpitFire Autos, her heels clicking softly against the polished marble floor.The moment she stepped inside, she felt small.Not because she was intimidated—but because this place was huge.The main hall stretched out before her like a grand atrium, its ceiling impossibly high. A massive chandelier hung above, its golden arms spiraling outward, dripping with thousands of tiny crystals that caught the light. It was the largest she had ever seen—bigger than the one Edwards had installed in their penthouse, bigger than the one in his company’s lobby.Her gaze moved downward, following the elegant design of the escalators.There were several, each leading to different sections of the building.Some moved slowly, taking employees to open workspace floors. Others had security scanners at their bases—meaning they required a special pass to access. Those escalators led to the more exclusive parts of the company.Maria recognized this kind of system. It was something on

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-24
  • THE PRICE FOR HIS NAME    4: The Plan For Ruin

    Maria finished the last bite of her pastry, wiped her fingers on a napkin, and rose to her feet.Luca watched as she walked toward his desk, her steps steady but slow, as though she was absorbing everything.She placed a hand on the polished wood surface before turning her attention to the floor-to-ceiling window.From up here, Hay Port stretched far and wide, the skyline gleaming under the morning sun. The world outside was calm, unchanged, completely unaware of the war that was about to begin.Maria folded her arms."What's the plan?"Luca pushed his chair back and strode over to her, standing beside her but slightly behind-close enough for his presence to be felt, but not overwhelming."First," he murmured, "you'll go through with the divorce."Maria's expression didn't change, but she gripped her arms a little tighter."He'll give you something, even if it's just a fraction of what you deserve." Luca leaned against the desk. "We'll take it."Maria nodded slowly.Then Luca smirked.

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-24

Bab terbaru

  • 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

  • THE PRICE FOR HIS NAME    79: Unexpected Alliances

    The early morning air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of earthy tones.Luca stood on the balcony, the city stretching far away from him in a haze of artificial lights and the fading darkness of dawn. A cigarette burned between his fingers, the embers glowing each time he took a slow drag.He hadn't slept well.Maria’s disobedience troubled him, the memory of her soft cries and stubborn glare gnawing at his chest like a dull, constant ache. His body remembered the feel of her, hot and trembling beneath him, even as his mind waged a war he couldn’t name.Luca exhaled a curl of smoke into the cold air.Inside, he could hear the faint shuffle of sheets. He turned his head slightly, just enough to catch a glimpse: Maria curled beneath the cotton duvet, her baby bump a tender curve even under layers of fabric. A picture of innocence. Fragile. His.His phone vibrated in his pocket, cutting through the silenc

  • THE PRICE FOR HIS NAME    78: Tears And Tethers

    First round had been punishment — this was pleasure, wicked and indulgent, tangled with the remnants of anger he hadn't quite managed to shake.Luca couldn’t stay mad at her forever. No matter how much Maria defied him, no matter how she pushed and tested — she was his. Always his. His anger melted into something darker now, something possessive and hungry.His gaze pinned her down, unreadable, heavy.Then he leaned in, slow, deliberate, his breath a sinful caress against the shell of her ear. His lips barely grazed her skin when he whispered, low and vicious,“Keep crying for me.”The words dragged along her spine like silk and steel, a cruel promise and a dark demand wrapped into one.Maria whimpered, fresh tears brimming in her eyes. The saltwater clung to her lashes, trembling, before spilling down hot onto her flushed cheeks. Her thighs trembled from the effort to stay open, vulnerable beneath him, but she didn’t dare move. Could

  • THE PRICE FOR HIS NAME    77: A Lesson In Defiance

    Maria crawled onto the bed, her breath shallow, her heart hammering against her ribs as Luca’s dark gaze pinned her in place. The room was thick with tension — the kind that made the air itself feel heavier.“Middle of the bed,” he said, voice low, dangerous.She obeyed instantly, moving to the center of the cool sheets. Her body was taut, strung tight with anticipation, her pulse skittering wildly beneath her skin.Luca stood against the dresser, shirtless, his sculpted chest rising and falling slowly. In one hand, his phone; in the other, a belt, the leather flexing menacingly between his fingers. The dim light carved hard shadows across his body, highlighting every muscle, every ruthless line.The phone rang once. Twice. A sharp click as the call connected.“Voss,” he said, his tone clipped and cold.Maria's stomach twisted.No.She pushed up onto her knees, desperation creeping into her voice. “Luca, please—”

  • THE PRICE FOR HIS NAME    76: Bound By Consequences

    Luca rolled his eyes before speaking in a clipped, almost bored tone. “Take your ass back to Domus Vossus, Alexei, before Voss ruins the whole country down looking for you.”Maria opened her mouth to interject, but before she could get a word out, Luca’s sharp glare snapped to her.“Stay out of it,” he bit out, voice as sharp as a blade.Maria flinched at the coldness in his tone. Her lips pressed together, the urge to argue bubbling in her chest, but she forced herself to swallow it. Luca was rarely this outright harsh with her, and if he was, it meant the situation was far worse than she initially thought.He exhaled sharply, running a hand down his face before muttering, “Eat dinner before you leave, Alexei.”Maria watched the tension in Luca’s frame as he poured himself a drink. His fingers gripped the glass too tightly, the muscles in his forearm flexing as he took a slow sip. It was a silent warning—one she ignored.Later i

  • THE PRICE FOR HIS NAME    75: Familiar Stranger

    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 PRICE FOR HIS NAME    74: A Game Of Kings And Queens

    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

  • THE PRICE FOR HIS NAME    73: The Art Of Persuasion

    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

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