MasukCarlo was blinded by his jealousy. He couldn't accept losing, even more so that I had fallen in love with someone else.On his last day in Porrie, he contacted a local mafia family in an attempt to abduct me back to Iradia."As long as I get you back to Iradia and lock you up, you'll still be mine. Even if we destroy each other together, I'll have you stay by my side." Like a madman, Carlo showed up with a group of men and blocked my path.However, he had underestimated Antonio and the law.The moment Carlo made his move, the Interpol agents who had been lying in wait barged in from the windows. Red laser lights dotted him and his men, covering their entire bodies."Carlo La Rosa, you're under arrest." Antonio stepped out of a police car, an arrest warrant in his hand. "You're suspected of abduction, unlawful detention, aggravated assault, as well as cross-border trafficking of drugs and illegal firearms."Carlo froze.He was the Don of the La Rosa famiglia. The law enforcement
Carlo refused to leave. He spent the entire night outside the gallery, like an abandoned stray.The next day, as I was heading out, I ran into Antonio Spada, who had come to pick me up.He was dressed in a crisp navy uniform, standing straight and looking composed.Antonio was a top-tier lawyer in Porrie, someone who stood for order and justice. He was also the ray of light that helped pull me out of my darkness over the past two years.In his hands was a bouquet of irises. When he saw me, the frost in his eyes softened, turning warm.Antonio slipped an arm naturally around my shoulders, positioning himself in front of me to block the cold wind. "Are you cold? I've got the heat on in the car."I shook my head, gracing him with a genuine smile. "I'm fine."That very sight cut deep into Carlo, who had been hiding in a corner. He lunged forward, his eyes bloodshot as he glared hard at Antonio's arm around my shoulders."Let go of her!" Carlo moved like a provoked animal, throwing
Two years later, I became a rising designer in the industry at Zorraine, Porrie.My artwork, "Rebirth", had earned its own solo exhibition.A light rain fell over Porrie on the day of my exhibition.Dressed in a sharp black trench coat, I explained my design philosophy to the guests in the center of the gallery.Suddenly, a commotion broke out near the entrance. A man had barged in, soaked to the bone. His hair was a mess, and his frame was gaunt. His eyes were sunken, with dark stubble shadowing his jaw.Gone was his previous look of the powerful, commanding man Carlo once was.The hollow look in his eyes was replaced with a sudden light the moment he saw me."Lydia—" Carlo's voice was hoarse, as if scraped raw. He staggered toward me, trying to pull me into a hug.The security guards beside me immediately blocked his path. "Please step back, sir."Carlo ignored them completely and kept his eyes fixed on me. Tears spilled down his face at once."Will you please come home w
Carlo assumed I had simply stormed out because I was throwing a tantrum. He cut off every bank card in my name, convinced that I would come crawling back."Give it three days before she comes back crying for forgiveness," he had said to his Underboss.But as three days passed, there was still no news about me. Then, a week went by. I seemed to have vanished from the world.An inexplicable sense of unease began to seep into Carlo's being.Whether he was dealing with family business or taking a walk with Serena, he couldn't focus. It felt as though a piece of him had been dug out.Just then, the hospital called to inform Carlo that Nonna was dying.In her final moments, she gripped his hand tightly. With trembling fingers, she pulled an old pendant from beneath her pillow.It was an ivory pendant darkened by smoke, with the name "Lydia" carved crookedly on it.Nonna said, "This was left behind by… the woman who saved you… during the fire at Saint Ferro Cathedral. It wasn't Sere
The room was deathly silent.No family was present, and there were no flowers around. Only a hired aide stayed on, idly scrolling on her phone.I moved my fingers. My abdomen felt empty, and I could still feel the ache of an unmistakable sense of loss.The doctor entered, his eyes filled with pity behind his mask. "You were brought in too late, Ms. Luciani. Your uterus was severely damaged. We had to remove part of it to save your life. It will be… very difficult for you to conceive in the future. Also…"He paused, then continued, "Your mother suffered acute heart failure three hours ago. Our attempts to resuscitate her were unsuccessful."My mind went blank. I had lost everyone dear to me in a single night.I touched my flat stomach, feeling an immense urge to cry, but not a single tear came.I was numb by now.I picked up my phone, which was still showing the trending headline "Don La Rosa Stays by Top Actress Serena Sergio's Side All Night Long".The article talked about ho
My head snapped up. "How do you know?"Serena laughed smugly. "Don't think everyone is as useless as you. The day you went to the hospital, every pill you picked up—I knew all of it. And you were planning to tell Carlo about the pregnancy? Let me tell you something. Even if you tell him, he'll just wish you were dead."Rage consumed me, leaving me without rationality.I raised my hand, about to fling the wine straight at her. But my wrist was seized midair, clamped down hard.Carlo had appeared out of nowhere.His expression was dark, his grip so tight that it felt as though my bones would be crushed. He snarled, "What do you think you're doing, Lydia?""She humiliated me!" I yelled, my eyes burning red.Carlo scoffed, "Humiliated you? Even if she did, you just have to take it."He stared at me with icy indifference, delivering his warning one word at a time. "Know your place and leave her alone. Otherwise, I'll make sure you can't survive in the La Rosa famiglia."…The clim







