The sound of water dripping softly roused Isabella awake. She opened her eyes, wincing from the sharp pain that tore through her head. Her vision was blurry, and a persistent ringing made her head ache. She moaned softly, shutting her eyes for a moment. Where was she? Something wet spilled down the side of her face, and she lifted her hand to wipe it off. However, she realized she couldn't move. Her hands were restrained. She opened her eyes again, and her vision wavered for a moment before becoming clear. She took in her surrounding, frowning with confusion. This wasn't the apartment. She had been transported to another place while she was unconscious. She was locked in a dim room, with several water pipes around her, fastened to the wall. She looked down and realized her hands were bound before her. She lay sprawled on the floor, on her side. She suddenly recalled how she got there, and her eyes widened in fright. Her babies! She sat up abruptly, and a wave of nausea hit he
"Did you and Mario do it last night?" Isabella asked. She was sitting in the living area with Esmee, cradling Adriana in her arms while Esmee held Romeo. Esmee turned bright red when she heard her. She looked around to make sure Mario wasn't in sight. "Why the hell would you ask me that?" She hissed. "We're taking our relationship slowly. One day at a time.""It didn't sound like that last night." Isabella murmured smugly. Esmee's jaw dropped open. "You snake." She laughed. "How did you know?""Thin walls." Isabella laughed. "If it had been back at the villa, I probably wouldn't have heard you screaming at the top of your lungs.""Oh stop it!" Esmee threw a pillow at her and hid her face. "I feel so embarrassed.""There's nothing to be embarrassed about." Isabella teased. "I'm glad you're with him. I just hope you never hurt him. He's... very special to me.""You know I would never hurt Mario." Esmee replied. "Remember how I used to walk you to the parking lot after school, all fo
In the middle of the night, after Isabella fed her babies, she crawled into bed beside Antonio. He had stayed awake with her for hours, holding Adriana while she breastfed Romeo. Then rocking Romeo to sleep while she breastfed Adriana. Now that both babies were asleep, she felt exhausted. "Are your okay, my love?" Antonio asked, pulling her against him. He kissed her cheek, her lips, her neck, rubbing her back in soothing circles. "Just tired." She mumbled. "You should sleep. You need rest.""I know, but I don't feel sleepy." She nuzzled into the warmth of his body and sighed. As the room turned silent, she heard something. Muffled moans came from the room next to hers, the room Mario and Esmee had taken. She raised her head slightly, straining her ears to listen harder. The sound came again, a soft insistent moaning followed by a deep groan. She looked at Antonio, only to find him grinning at her. "Is that...?" She paused, laughing softly. "Is that what I think it is?""It
A month later, Romeo and Adriana were discharged from the NICU. Mario was discharged too. He stood with Esmee outside the hospital beside the SUV, waiting for Antonio and Isabella to emerge with the babies. But they wouldn't return to the villa. The battle with Leonardo had ruined what was once their home.Instead, they would go to one of Antonio's penthouses in the city. They would remain there until the mansion was rebuilt again. Apart from Mario, Marcello had survived, along with Montero, Henry and a handful of the bodyguards. The others died in the fight with Leonardo. Marcello and Henry had already transported all of Antonio's cars to the penthouse, while Montero and the rest of the maids moved everything else they would need. The drive home was silent, but it was a comfortable silence. The babies were strapped into identical car seats. Isabella beside them at the back, cuddled in Antonio's embrace, while Mario drove the car, with Esmee sitting in the passenger's side. The
Isabella was finally able to hold her babies a month after they were born. Emilio explained that they had to remain in the NICU for an additional month, before they would be discharged. Isabella was fully recovered, and was ready to be discharged. But she decided to stay in the hospital so she could be close to her babies. The first time the nurse placed them in her arms, she cried. Happy tears spilled down her eyes as they nestled into her arms, fast asleep. Antonio sat beside her, watching with eyes filled with love. It was a precious moment, and he couldn't resist leaning close and placing a kiss on her lips. He looked much better, and he no longer had to wear the hospital gown he despised so much. Now he was in casual clothing, a black t-shirt and grey slacks. "They're so perfect." She whispered. "I feel scared just holding them." Antonio chuckled softly. He stroked the baby boy's cheek softly, then the girl's hair, his heart overflowing with love. "You still have to
Isabella awoke with a shrill scream. Strong hands wrestled with her and she thrashed in terror, fighting to jump off the bed. In her mind, she was back in the mansion. Leonardo stood before her, with a gun aimed at her. She heard the roar of a gunshot and pain exploded in her stomach. Her screams turned raw and primal, but everything ceased when she heard Antonio's voice. "It's okay, my love. You're safe now. I'm here with you."He spoke in a whisper, and she almost concluded that she was hallucinating. She calmed down, breathing shakingly, clutching him tightly as if she was terrified to let go. Then she felt him stroke her cheek. She opened her eyes and looked around. The room was dim, and the curtains were drawn, keeping the harsh sunlight away. Antonio was lying beside her on the bed, softly stroking her face. She looked up at him, taking in his appearance. The was a tiny plaster taped over a cut on his eyebrow. He was putting on a light blue hospital gown, the same as the