Mag-log inThe following morning arrived with a gentle breeze sweeping through the Deluca mansion.For the first time in years, laughter drifted through the breakfast hall instead of silence.Tony sat proudly in his highchair, banging his tiny spoon against the table while Flaviana tried unsuccessfully to stop him.“My little prince,” she laughed, “the table has done nothing to you.”Tony only giggled louder.Across from him, Lidia couldn’t help smiling.Bruno sat quietly beside her, stealing occasional glances in her direction while pretending to drink his coffee. Every now and then, Tony would point excitedly toward one of them, making the atmosphere feel strangely… normal.It almost felt like a family.After breakfast, Bruno stood and adjusted the sleeves of his dark shirt.“Shall we?”Lidia looked at him for a moment before nodding.Tony immediately stretched both hands toward Bruno.“Daddy!”Bruno’s face softened as he lifted the little boy into his arms.Lidia noticed the smile that spread
The black convoy rolled through the city like royalty.Luxury SUVs surrounded Bruno’s car from every direction while bodyguards remained alert through their communication devices.Their first stop…The largest toy store in the city.The moment Tony stepped inside…His tiny eyes widened.Rows upon rows of colorful toys stretched endlessly before him.Cars.Robots.Building blocks.Stuffed animals.Helicopters.Mini motorcycles.Toy kitchens.Everything a child could dream of.Tony gasped loudly.“Wooow!”Bruno smiled.“Everything he touches.”Romano blinked.“…Boss?”“I said buy everything he touches.”Within minutes…Chaos erupted.Tony pointed toward a dinosaur.“That.”Romano nodded.Purchased.“A car!”Purchased.“A bear!”Purchased.“A train!”Purchased.Soon the bodyguards were carrying mountains of shopping bags while confused customers watched the terrifying Mafia King happily following a toddler around the store.One elderly woman whispered,“Is that really Bruno Deluca?”“I t
The black Rolls-Royce slipped quietly through the towering iron gates of the Deluca estate.Warm lights illuminated the winding driveway, reflecting against the polished marble fountains that lined the entrance. The mansion stood proudly beneath the moonlight, its towering pillars and grand balconies giving it the appearance of a royal palace rather than the home of the most feared family in the underworld.Inside the car, Tony had already fallen asleep.His tiny head rested against Lidia’s shoulder while one little hand remained wrapped around her finger.Lidia smiled faintly.Children truly healed without knowing it.Bruno glanced at them before looking back through the windshield.“We’re home.”The words escaped him naturally.The moment he realized what he had said, he became quiet.Home…It had been years since that word carried warmth.Tonight…It almost did.The car came to a smooth stop before the mansion.Before the chauffeur could move, Bruno stepped out first.He walked aro
The night air carried the scent of roses as Bruno and Lidia stepped out of the private dining pavilion.The ocean breeze swept gently across the gardens, lifting a few loose strands of Lidia’s hair. Behind them, the violinist continued playing, the melody fading into the distance as they walked toward the waiting Rolls-Royce.Neither of them spoke.The dinner had ended peacefully—far more peacefully than either of them had expected.A valet hurried forward to open the rear door.Bruno waited until Lidia climbed inside before taking the seat beside her.The car eased away from the restaurant, disappearing into the quiet streets illuminated by rows of golden streetlights.For several minutes, only the low hum of the engine filled the silence.Lidia rested her forehead lightly against the cool window.Outside, the city had already begun to sleep.Most shops were closed.Traffic had thinned.Only a few late-night cafés still glowed beneath the stars.But her mind wasn’t on the city.It wa
The evening sky shimmered with thousands of stars as Bruno’s black armored Rolls-Royce glided silently through the city’s glittering streets.Inside the luxurious car, silence settled between them.Not the uncomfortable silence that had once existed whenever Lidia was around Bruno.This one was… uncertain.Gentle.Every now and then, Bruno stole a glance at the woman seated beside him.The lavender dress fit her perfectly, making her look elegant without trying too hard. She sat with both hands folded neatly on her lap, staring through the tinted window at the rushing lights outside, pretending not to notice his gaze.Bruno smiled faintly before looking away.He didn’t want to scare her.Not tonight.Tonight wasn’t about redemption.It was about creating one peaceful memory.One memory untouched by pain.…Twenty minutes later, the Rolls-Royce rolled through a pair of grand iron gates.The restaurant was unlike anything Lidia had ever seen.It wasn’t in the city.It overlooked the oce
Despite herself…A small smile tugged at the corners of Lidia’s lips.She shook her head, though warmth quietly bloomed beneath her guarded heart as the two women walked toward the entrance to await the delivery.“I have served that boy for over thirty years,” she murmured. “Never—not even once—have I seen Bruno Deluca kneel before anyone.”Lidia lowered her eyes to the floor.Neither had she.The image of Bruno kneeling before her refused to leave her mind. The man who had once ruled her life with nothing but cold commands had lowered himself willingly, asking instead of demanding.It unsettled her.“Come,” Flaviana said cheerfully, clapping her hands together. “We don’t have much time.”Lidia blinked.“For what?”“For dinner, of course.”“I…” Lidia hesitated. “Maybe I should change my mind.”Flaviana immediately hooked her arm through Lidia’s.“No backing out now.”Before Lidia could protest, Flaviana was already leading her toward the grand entrance.A long line of luxury garment b
CHAPTER — THE LIE THAT BURIED HERRico didn’t waste a second.The Ice King’s orders were law, and when Bruno DeLuca commanded, the world moved—or burned. Rico stormed through the luxury boutiques, clearing racks without blinking at the price tags. Gold jewelry vanished into velvet-lined boxes. Dres
“Lidia. Lidia!”Bruno’s voice echoed through the corridor the moment Gennado’s footsteps faded beyond the mansion gates. The urgency in his tone betrayed him, stripping away the Ice King’s composure. He waited.Nothing.Minutes passed.“Lidia!” he called again—this time sharper, anger bleeding into
Bruno swallowed hard.The Old Wolf stood before him, tall and unyielding, his presence heavy with authority that no walls—not even Bruno’s—could entirely shut out. For the first time in years, Bruno found himself unsure of what to say. Any argument would ignite a fire he wasn’t prepared to put out.
Tuk.The sharp notification cut through the charged air like a bullet hitting steel.Bruno’s head snapped toward the sound instantly. He didn’t need to check the source. He knew that sound the way a soldier knew gunfire.His phone.The distraction lasted less than a second—but it was enough.Lidia







