His Plots.

Same day in the evening, Vincenzo was sitting by the poolside along with his guards and Emma. The quiet sound of water lapping against the edge of the pool was the only thing filling the silence. His gaze was detached, shoulders relaxed as he sat back like a king, the picture of control. Emma sat closely towards him, brushing her hand against his, but he didn't even flinch.

Buzz… Buzz…

Vincenzo's phone vibrated. He picked it up, checked the caller ID, and stood without a word. Walking a few steps away, he answered the call in a cold, clipped tone. After a brief exchange, he ended the call and returned to his seat. He leaned back with slow elegance, crossed his legs, and lit a cigarette.

He took a long drag. Hiss.

Smoke swirled around him as he stared at his phone in silence. His eyes were glued to a picture on the screen. No words…just a cold stare.

"Go get her," he ordered, his voice deadly calm.

Then he smirked. A wicked, evil smirk.

Seraphina!

So pale, her face soaked in dried tears. She looked like someone who had been breaking every second for hours. And yet… he felt nothing. Or maybe he did. Maybe his real feelings were now drowned in betrayal.

He had trusted her blindly. With everything. And from his view, she had hurt him. She had chosen another man. She was ready to throw everything away for someone who wasn’t him. That thought alone was enough to make jealousy flare deep inside him like acid in his veins.

He exhaled sharply. His eyes narrowed, and the fire in them burned darker.

Moments later, Seraphina was led in…. Her steps are weak and hesitant. Her hands trembled by her sides, and her eyes were swollen from crying. She avoided eye contact, standing in front of Vincenzo like someone waiting to be executed.

“Are you ready to say the truth?” Vincenzo asked, leaning forward.

She didn’t answer immediately. Her voice came out cracked, low and broken. “I really don’t know anything. I don’t even know that name…”

Tears pooled in her eyes again.

Vincenzo’s expression didn’t change. “Okay then. I guess your boyfriend will answer better. He can explain everything, right?”

Her head jerked up, her voice shaking. “He doesn’t know anything! He doesn’t even know about your illegal business. He’s innocent!”

She spoke fast, terrified and desperate.

Vincenzo got up from his chair slowly, brushing the ash off his cigarette. He took a step forward, the sound of his shoes echoing against the floor. Tap. Tap.

He smiled. It wasn't a warm smile. It was wicked.

“Fine,” he said coolly. “You don’t know anything; your boyfriend doesn’t know anything.”

He paused. His tone dropped deeper, colder.

“But I want an answer. I want it at any cost. And for that, I’ll wait.”

He looked straight into her eyes.

“But you’re hiding something. I see it all over your face. You think I’m a fool?”

Seraphina shook her head quickly. “I swear I’m not…..”

He held up a hand. “Let me finish.”

He took a step closer, then another. Until he was right in front of her.

“Now…”

He dragged the words, letting each one drop slowly from his mouth, watching the fear grow in her eyes.

“...the punishment is…”

Her heartbeat thudded in her chest. Her body froze.

“You… can’t… meet… your so-called boyfriend… ever… ever again.”

His voice was a whisper by the end. Sharp as ice.

“Because I decided so,” he continued. “I have made it my mission to separate you both.”

He dropped the bomb.

Seraphina gasped. “No! Don’t do anything to him! He’s innocent!”

Her legs nearly gave out as tears streamed down her cheeks. Her voice cracked.

Vincenzo tilted his head, mocking her. “If I kill him, you’ll cry for a few days. It’s not enough. That’s not my way.”

He walked slowly around her, like a predator circling prey.

“And I’m not wasting time chasing him. No, this punishment is only for you.”

He stopped behind her and leaned in.

“You should feel pain every second for betraying me.”

She flinched.

“You should suffer hell.”

He whispered one more sentence into her ear, his voice thick, low, and dangerous.

“You’re going to be my wife.”

Her whole world was shattered by those words.

“No… No…” she cried, shaking her head.

“You heard it right.”

He moved back in front of her, calm and deliberate.

“Our contract ends in five months. After that, you think you’ll walk away free and run back to your boyfriend?”

He snorted. “You think you’ll be happy with him?”

His eyes trailed down her frame.

“You’ve got a super-hot body. I’m sure he feels heaven every night with you.”

Seraphina gasped, clutching her arms around her body.

“I don’t want you both to be happy.”

He closed his eyes for a moment, inhaling deeply.

He wasn’t trying to let it go. He let the fire simmer until it reached his lips.

He opened his eyes again, a storm of darkness dancing in them.

“From now on, Seraphina Hill… you belong to me.”

“What will it take for you to leave us alone?” she shouted. “I’m not going to marry a gangster like you!" I have a boyfriend! You’re insane, Vincenzo!” she screamed. “I didn’t come here to sell myself to you like a goddam cocaine wrap!” she cried. “I’m here to work! Whatever you’re accusing me of….I don’t know anything! Just fucking leave us alone!”

“Shut up!” he roared.

“You’re not going to be with him; I won’t let it happen...... I want you to suffer, I want you to scream for my every bite. I want you to cry every second of your life.”

He stepped in again, his eyes burning.

“I am going to marry you.”

He grabbed her chin roughly.

“And there will be no erasing our marriage.”

She pulled her face away, crying. “No! You can’t do this! You can’t ruin my life like this. I don’t want to marry you. I don’t!”

“It is my wish,” he said, lips curving into an evil smirk.

“I will die, but I will not marry you!” she screamed, her hands clenched at her sides.

“Oh really?” he said, raising a brow.

He turned his head slightly and shouted, “Jude!”

Footsteps echoed. Tap. Tap.

One of the men stepped forward.

It was Jude, the same man who once looked at Seraphina with a wrong gaze in his eyes.