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Tangled by lies
Last Updated : 2025-07-21
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"In the game of the rich and ruthless; where lines of humanity blurs, blood was inevitable, manipulation was ensured, and betrayal was a norm. You either become a pawn or a player." To the world, Chiara Marino was an art gallery owner with a perfect luxurious life. What people didn't know was a monster she was turned into with no choice but to embrace it. Carmelo Conti is an ambitious and ruthless billionaire who valued his people and family. He is calm and collected, until you touch where you shouldn't have. A forced marriage to a man far worse than her stepfather threatens her life purposes. To them it was just a game. But they forgot that she was a made monster. And monsters don't give a fuck! What happens when Chiara decides to create her own fate?
View MoreChapter 1
Prologue
21 years ago….
Laura
I shoved my things in my bag and swung it on my shoulder. Praying to quickly leave the training center before that shameless monster appeared.
Instead of using the front gates of the training grounds like the rest of the marathoners, I decided to sneak out through the little gate at the back. I'll be damned if I use that gate and submit myself right into the lion's claws. My feet moved quicker, my heart restless, and my body alert. My head turned back from time to time just in case he popped out of nowhere. He was very much capable of it, after all. No matter how many times I turned him down, he never stopped returning to harass me. I wiped my forehead. "It's just a few blocks away, Laura. We'll get home soon." I whisper to myself. A flash of my husband's face with his beautiful brown eyes, and then of my cute little baby, with the same eyes as her father, was displayed in my mind. I couldn't wait to return to them. I spent an entire day training for the upcoming marathon race despite the Christmas holiday just a week away. The sound of a bike echoed behind me. Making both my mind and heart stop. "No!" A silent gasp left my mouth. My hands began to tremble, but I gripped the straps of my handbag hard. Shoving the fear to the back of my head. You do not show the devil your weakness—especially a merciless one like him. Chills ran down my back, my body awakened by his presence. I swallowed hard as the bike pulled over right before me, blocking my path. "Laura, my love. I'm disappointed in you. I waited for you for hours, only for you to run away from me, again." His treacherous voice hit my ears. I raised my head and almost puked to see his face. His soulless eyes made me want to run away. "I never asked you to wait for me. In fact, I told you to get lost." I snickered. A grin stretched his lips. The son of a dick was amused. "When will you start considering my words, my love? I'm losing my patience." He pulled a red rose from his jacket, grabbed my hand, and shoved the flower into my palm. I was so shocked by the sudden move, but I worked not to let it show. My heart roared in my ears. He bought me roses whenever he came, a sickening monster. I looked at him defiantly, "How about never?" I let the flower drop before crushing it with my running shoe. "This will be the last time and last warning, you asshole. I'm married and have a family of my own. I can't and never will be with you." I spat on the damaged flower before turning on my heels and speeding away. "I'll never stop, Laura, my love. Not until I make you mine." He shouted, but I shut my eyes and blocked his words from making me tremble even harder. I breathed in and out before opening the door and walking into my home. "I'm back," I announced loudly. And quick little footsteps rang in my ears as my daughter ran into my arms. "Chiara, stop running around the house." I scolded her, but went on my knees and hugged her hard, kissing her forehead. She showered me with cheek kisses, calming my burning heart. "My Mamma is a marathoner. I can't help it." My eight-year-old little troublemaker uttered. I only shook my head and grinned at her. "Honey, you're back? Dinner's ready." My husband's voice came from the kitchen. My body stiffened. "Yeah. I'll go and wash up first." I said and placed Chiara down. "Go and help your Papa set the table. I'll join you soon." I patted her head. "Okie dokie!" she said and sprinted to the kitchen. I rushed up to the washroom, shut and locked the door. I leaned over the sink with my trembling, and tears rolled down like a waterfall. My head throbbed, recalling that unhinged man's words.'I'll never stop, Laura, my love. Not until I make you mine.' **** A week later. We were all settled in our living room, laughing heartily and opening gifts since it was Boxing Day. When the door was suddenly kicked open. Then my worst nightmare walked in as if it owned our home. My face paled at the sight of him. "Laura, my love. I found you." He uttered with a sadistic grin plastered on his dark face.Latest chapter
Tangled by lies Doom
~25~CHIARA Lake Como trip was fucked up, but not as fucked as it came to an end. I was returning home with a new victory to boast about. Relieved with a newfound friendship that we had formed between me and Carmelo. At least my time away from my gallery was worth it. The gates slid to the side, and the driver drove us in.CC: Promise me you won't drink alone. I'll be in Milan for a while, so just tell me.Me: PromiseNo way in hell had I thought I'd be chatting in leisure with the man either. But here I was, grinning like a fool as I exchanged texts with him. Turned out he could be tolerable. I slapped a hand on my face hard, shocking the driver who dared not ask a question.I couldn't get carried away by these stupid feelings that were built in one day. How could I forget that I was using him without remorse? I shoved the phone back in the bag and sat straight as the car pulled over at the entrance.The moment I stepped down, a guard and a maid came over. Without a word, the maid t
Last Updated : 2025-07-21Tangled by lies I'm fucked up
~24~CHIARA The trip back wasn't as boring as we came."You went through all the hassle to write a whole damn love poem, only to end up losing. Must be hard on your ego," I teased. Turns out the other guy won because he came back to save me at the last minute during the competition on cruise. I'm honestly grateful for it."Excuse you. There were some ungrateful fish that I had to save from drowning." He shot back, his hands flexing as he turned the wheel. "Did you just call me a fish?" I huffed. "Did you hear me mention a name?" He clapped back."The fish says thank you, by the way." I blurted after a short silence. He paused and then turned to me. "Thank you for saving my life," I added. He looked taken aback before he nodded with a small smile and faced forward. “Thank you for helping my sister.” He murmured. I'd never thought a day would come for us to have a normal conversation, yet here we were. I just thanked the man whom I felt irritated to be around with for years. And it fe
Last Updated : 2025-07-21Tangled by lies Serene moment
~23~CHIARA “Are you kidding me?” He said, turning slightly to me, causing our cheeks to graze each other. I quickly faced forward, “Do I look like I’m the one laughing to you? And you said so yourself… I'm shameless.” His steps paused, “You need to walk, and I need to catch my breath. The shoe shop is just right over there.” He pointed. But it went in through one ear and out through the other.“You just want me to keep carrying you, right?” he nudged me. “I’m just tired of walking, okay? And you are the one who brought me here.” I finally said. “So it is my fault? How are you gonna pay me for this?” He asked. I knew he was going to hound me for this. “Take it as a charity. Do it for the love of God.” I said calmly. He threw his head back laughing and continued walking. While I bit my lower lip to stop myself from joining him. It was freaking natural and contagious.We stopped by the shop, and he bought me flip-flops. Of course, I complained about the damn choice but ended up wearin
Last Updated : 2025-07-21Tangled by lies Are you embarrassed, Chiara?
~22~CHIARA A heavy sigh left his mouth. I turned back to see his eyes pinched shut. Then they opened and caught up with mine. I blinked when they softened the next second. Tell me why that made him look so beautiful? So devastating.“You shocked me to death.” He let out another sigh. “It’s just my bodyguard. There is nothing toworry about.” He explained.I was stupefied and could feel my cheeks heating up. I pulled myself from him and started to walk without a knowledge of where I was going.Fucking bodyguard, he said! And here I was, losing my mind wondering who it was. I only walked a few steps before my shoe strap came out. “No fucking way!” I groaned deeply, clenching my hands. Why now, of all times? As if it wasn’t enough embarrassment for the day.“The way is over here, Chiara. Not there.” He yelled. His voice was laced with a hint of amusement. I took off the stupid shoes and dumped them in a bin at the side of the path, andthen turned back. I stormed past him and headed to
Last Updated : 2025-07-21Tangled by lies Shameless
~21~CHIARA I cleared my throat. "Is this the part where you're going to take me to your secret restaurant just to brag about it?" I asked, walking side by side with him.He chuckled, his hands sinking deeper in his pockets. His usual posture, I noticed. "As lovely as that would've been, no. I don't own any restaurant in Varenna. But now that I think about it, it will be a good investment." He replied, taking a corner, and I followed.Thankfully, it wasn't a vacation period, or these beautiful and colorful streets would've been flocked with tourists, buzzing around. No offense, but I couldn't stand people going here and there like bees jumping from one flower to another. Or you could just say I hated people in general if you still couldn't tell yet.We climbed up a number of stone steps. The streets were busy with people's noises over lunch and their clicking glasses with wine. Some were even singing in the local language. Beautiful melodies that covered you like a warm blanket. Unli
Last Updated : 2025-07-21Tangled by lies You're worried about me?
~20~Chiara The cruise returned to the port, and people disembarked. Some with long faces and some with a mature understanding of the series of events that took place, which urged the trip to stop midway.At the exit was a crowd of reporters waiting to crush anyone with their questions. I said my goodbyes to Viva and Leo because I didn't want to get caught up in their wave when they were surrounded by reporters who were demanding their statements.Alex's death was all over the media, just for starters.While I was zoned out in my theories, a hand wrapped around my wrist. "This way." And then I was pulled away with my suitcase in his other hand. I followed along, watching the back of his head. The perfect lines of the cut, and the little bit of pointy ears that stood out in his facial features, and then down to where he was holding my wrist. The touch wasn't foreign, but it was very unexpected of him.He stopped by the boat, "Get on before they catch a whiff of us." He said. I looked
Last Updated : 2025-07-18
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