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Fractures In The Dark
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2025-05-06 18:18:20Chapter Twenty
The cold wind whipped through the narrow streets of the city, carrying with it the familiar scent of rain and something else—something unsettling. Alex’s boots echoed through the alley as he walked, his thoughts heavy and muddled. He hadn’t come here to think. He hadn’t come to wrestle with his emotions. But here he was, lost in the memories of Sophia—the woman who had torn his world apart. Every part of him wanted to turn back, wanted to find her, to ask her what had happened. But he knew the answer, didn’t he? She had played him, used him, just like everyone else. She was no different from the others. The thought cut deeper than he cared to admit. His phone buzzed in his pocket, pulling him from his spiraling thoughts. He pulled it out without checking the screen, flipping it over to silence it. The last thing he wanted right now was to talk to anyone. The only person he could think of—if he was honest—was Sophia. And that thought was dangerous. He had given her everything—his trust, his heart—and she had ripped it all to pieces without so much as a second thought. What was he supposed to do with that? His mind drifted back to the day he had found out the truth. It had come crashing down so fast, so violently, that it was impossible to comprehend. The revelations, the lies, the betrayal—it was a storm that had torn apart everything he believed. Alex had thought he knew who Sophia was. He had thought she was someone who understood him, who could see past the mafia world, past the blood and the violence. He had been wrong. She was just as tangled in it as the rest of them. But despite everything, despite the anger and the hurt, a part of him still longed for her. A part of him still wanted to believe that the woman he had loved wasn’t lost forever. He didn’t know how much time passed as he walked, consumed by his thoughts. The city was quieter now, the hum of traffic fading into the background, and the only sounds left were the rhythmic tap of his boots against the pavement and the distant murmur of voices. It wasn’t until he reached the familiar brownstone that he stopped, his heart thundering in his chest. He hadn’t meant to come here, hadn’t meant to confront the people he knew would be waiting for him, but his feet had brought him anyway. Diego’s face loomed in his mind as he stood in front of the building, the man’s cruel smile and cold demeanor haunting him. Diego had always been a danger to Sophia, a constant presence in the shadows, but now Alex was beginning to understand just how dangerous he truly was. The man was a master manipulator, and Sophia was tangled in his web, whether she wanted to admit it or not. With a deep breath, Alex pushed open the door and stepped into the building, the familiar scent of whiskey and leather greeting him. He could already hear the low murmur of conversation in the back room, the laughter, the clink of glasses. He walked toward it, knowing exactly what he was about to face. Carlo was the first to see him. The older man’s eyes narrowed as Alex entered the room, a smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. “Morano,” Carlo greeted him, his voice smooth, almost mocking. “Thought you’d be hiding out somewhere, nursing that broken heart of yours.” Alex didn’t respond, his gaze flicking over the room, landing on Diego, who sat at the far end of the table, a glass of whiskey in hand. His dark eyes gleamed with amusement as he watched Alex approach. “You look like shit,” Diego said, his voice low and almost teasing. “I would say you’re finally realizing what we’ve all known for a while, but I’m sure you already knew the truth. Sophia’s just another pawn. Another piece in the game.” Alex’s fists clenched at his sides, and his jaw tightened. Every part of him wanted to lash out, to strike Diego for his taunting words, but he knew better. He had too much to lose now. “Where is she?” Alex asked, his voice cutting through the silence of the room. “I need to speak with her.” Diego’s smile faded, his eyes cold. “Sophia isn’t here,” he said, his tone hardening. “She’s dealing with other matters. You’re wasting your time.” Alex’s gut twisted at the words, but he didn’t show it. He had to keep his focus, had to remember why he was here. He couldn’t let his emotions get the better of him, not when things were spiraling out of control. “I don’t give a damn about what she’s dealing with,” Alex snapped. “I’m here because of you. And I’m not leaving until I get answers.” Carlo laughed from across the room, the sound grating on Alex’s nerves. “You think you’re in control here, Morano? You think you can just waltz in and demand answers like some sort of king? You’re not in charge anymore. None of us is.” Diego leaned forward, his dark eyes fixed on Alex. “You’re a fool if you think you can get through this alone. The moment you started trusting Sophia, you sealed your fate. You’ve already lost, Alex.” The words hit harder than Alex cared to admit, but he refused to show weakness. He had to stand his ground, even if everything inside him screamed to walk away, to let it all burn. “I’m not done yet,” Alex said through clenched teeth. “I’m not walking away until I get what I want. And what I want is Sophia. I don’t care what it takes.” Diego’s eyes narrowed, a flicker of something dangerous crossing his face. “You’ll regret this, Morano. We all will.”
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Chapter Twenty The cold wind whipped through the narrow streets of the city, carrying with it the familiar scent of rain and something else—something unsettling. Alex’s boots echoed through the alley as he walked, his thoughts heavy and muddled. He hadn’t come here to think. He hadn’t come to wrestle with his emotions. But here he was, lost in the memories of Sophia—the woman who had torn his world apart.Every part of him wanted to turn back, wanted to find her, to ask her what had happened. But he knew the answer, didn’t he? She had played him, used him, just like everyone else. She was no different from the others. The thought cut deeper than he cared to admit.His phone buzzed in his pocket, pulling him from his spiraling thoughts. He pulled it out without checking the screen, flipping it over to silence it. The last thing he wanted right now was to talk to anyone. The only person he could think of—if he was honest—was Sophia. And that thought was dangerous.He had given her ever
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Chapter Nineteen The tension in the air was palpable. It weighed down on Sophia’s chest like a heavy stone, and every breath felt harder than the last. It had been days since Alex left—days since their confrontation, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that things had already crossed a line that couldn’t be uncrossed. She had seen the hurt in his eyes, the disbelief that she had chosen this life over everything they could have had together. And the worst part? She couldn’t blame him for it.She had lied, hidden things from him, and manipulated the very truth he had trusted her with. And now she was paying the price.Sophia was sitting in the darkened study of the villa, a half-drunk glass of wine in her hand. She wasn’t sure how much time had passed since Diego’s visit, but it felt like an eternity. She hadn’t heard from Alex, and despite everything, she missed him. The way he looked at her, the way his presence made her feel safe despite the danger that surrounded them. It had always
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Chapter Eighteen The sound of the villa’s door slamming behind Alex echoed in Sophia’s chest, reverberating in the space between them, leaving an unsettling stillness in its wake. She could still hear his footsteps, fading in the distance, each one a reminder of what was slipping away from her grasp. But even in his absence, the lingering heat of his anger seemed to cling to the air, thick and suffocating.Sophia moved, though the weight of the moment made her feel rooted to the spot. She glanced around the room, almost expecting Alex to walk back in, to demand answers she had no choice but to give. But he didn’t. And that was the problem, wasn’t it? The trust had already been broken, so much so that it felt irreparable. He had left, not just the room but her, a hollow echo of what had once been something beautiful.Her pulse raced. She had no idea how to fix this, how to mend the shattered fragments of what they had once shared. Was it even possible? Or had she crossed a line too fa
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Chapter Seventeen The tension in the air was suffocating, a thick fog that clung to every corner of the villa, refusing to lift. The grandeur of the mansion, with its cold marble floors and towering windows, felt suddenly empty, like a shell that no longer contained the warmth it once had. It was as though the walls themselves were suffocating under the weight of unspoken words and unresolved emotions.Sophia stood motionless in the center of the room, her heart pounding in her chest. She could hear the muffled sound of Alex’s footsteps approaching, the rage in his steps unmistakable. But as he appeared in the doorway, standing tall and brooding, his jaw clenched in frustration, a pang of regret washed over her. She had never seen him like this—so utterly consumed by distrust. And for the first time in what felt like forever, she couldn’t find the right words to fix it.Alex’s piercing gaze locked onto hers, his expression cold, unreadable. For a moment, neither of them spoke. It was
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Chapter Sixteen Sophia’s hands trembled as she placed the phone back on the nightstand, her thoughts swirling in chaos. The words Eliza had spoken still echoed in her mind, louder than any thoughts of Alex or the mess they’d found themselves in. “You forget where you come from. What are you?” The implication was clear. Eliza Maranzano had made it known that Sophia’s connection to the Maranzano family was something that could never be erased, no matter how far she ran.But it wasn’t just Eliza’s warning that unsettled her. It was the way her blood felt like it had turned to ice. She wasn’t just part of the Maranzano legacy. She was part of a war—one she couldn’t escape.Alex.The name filled her thoughts like a breath she couldn’t catch. He had every reason to hate her. Every reason to pull away. And yet, she couldn’t shake the feeling that something deeper than betrayal had drawn them together.It was more than just a desire for revenge. More than just family loyalty. It was their un
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Chapter FifteenThe villa was quieter than usual—too quiet. The kind of silence that crept into the walls and made them feel colder, heavier. Sophia stood at the tall window in the guest room, arms crossed, watching the night fold in over the estate. She hadn’t seen Alex in hours. Not since he stormed off after she attempted to explain what she’d just learned herself.Every word between them lately had become a landmine, and she wasn’t sure which of them would ignite the next explosion.She had meant to find him earlier, to clarify what little she could about Eliza Maranzano, but how could she? How do you explain betrayal when you’re still trying to understand your part in it?A soft knock interrupted her thoughts.It was Diego.“Alex hasn’t come down,” he said without preamble. “I thought he might be with you.”Sophia shook her head, her voice almost a whisper. “I haven’t seen him since earlier.”Diego studied her closely. There was no contempt in his eyes—only wary calculation. “He’
