ANTONIO.“Sei Morto!” I growled, my chest threatening to explode with the multitude of rage that washed over me the second I sighted the bastard. Lorenzo narrowed his eyes as he observed my blood-stained shirt. “What did you do?”“Why don’t you tell me why you kidnapped Carlo?” I growled. “Where is Carlo? Did you find him?” Roberto asked. Rosalinda walked in with Carlo in her arms, so I didn’t need to answer his question. He sighed in relief before turning to look at Lorenzo. “I thought you denied kidnapping him.”“Oh, well.” Lorenzo lifted his shoulders in a shrug, grinning. “Busted, right?”“Why?“ Roberto asked, baffled. “Did you expect me to marry your daughter, knowing she had a child?” He asked, laughing hysterically. He was definitely a mental case. “But you said you were okay with it, Lorenzo! What did you plan to do with my grandson?“ Roberto asked, narrowing his eyes. “I was never okay with it. I didn’t want a woman who would have an emotional attachment to someone who
ROSALINDA. Although I was immensely grateful to Antonio for saving Carlo, I hated that he claimed me as his substitute bride. I was just a replacement pawn in their business agreement, and I so much hated that. I was livid and didn’t utter a word to him on our way to his mansion, even though he tried talking to me a few times. I had a lot of things to say to him, but I just couldn’t put them out in words. “Bath him and feed him. Take his things to one of the guest rooms; he’ll stay there pending when his room gets set up. While Rosalinda’s things would go to my room.” He instructed his maids once we got out of the car. He just decided that I would stay in his room without asking me first. Fine. I walked inside the main building, and I could feel him walking behind me, but I didn’t bother to look back. I didn’t need to be given directions to his room; I had been there before and knew my way. The moment I walked inside his room, he slipped right behind me and shut the
ROSALINDA. “Please, please, please. I want to play more games.” I heard Carlo’s distant voice. It felt like I was dreaming.“No.” Antonio said, and the next thing I heard was Carlo’s giggles. It seemed like Antonio had tickled him. “You’ve played enough for this morning.” Antonio told him. It was then that I realised that it wasn’t a dream because the voice sounded clearer now.Slowly, I opened my eyes to see Antonio and my son on the sofa that was at one end of the room, looking bright and happy, with Antonio tickling Carlo while he giggled.“Mommy!” Carlo was the first to notice that I was awake. A lazy smile touched my lips as I stared at him. He quickly disentangled himself from Antonio’s arms and pranced towards me with his tiny legs. He found it difficult to climb up the bed, but he was determined to, and he succeeded. “Good morning, handsome.” I said with a smile as I watched him crawl towards me. “Good morning, mommy!” He was so vibrant and seemed exceptionally happy t
ANTONIOI was sick and tired of hearing that phrase over and over again. Carlo was my son, my blood and flesh, and it was my duty as his father to save him. I didn’t need to be thanked for merely performing my duties. It was high time Rosalinda knew about the secret I had been hiding all this time. I didn’t know how to put it out to her; I don’t even know how she would take it. But she deserved to know the truth, and I needed to find a way to give it to her.When Carlo called me ‘daddy’ earlier, the warmth that filled my heart was immeasurable. I wanted to be able to tell him that I was really his daddy, and I planned to do that soon. I had a lot of work to do, so I went to my office to get it done. But my work was cut short as soon as I started with a call from an unknown number. “Who is this?“ I said into the phone when I picked up. “Figlio di puttana!” The person on the other end of the phone groaned, and I instantly knew who he was. I had been waiting for his call. Sergio. Lo
ANTONIOCamilla quickly disentangled herself from Marco. Their gazes were down, avoiding eye contact with me. Rage saturated my entire being as I ventured further into the room. “My sister?” I yelled, folding a fist and attacking Marco’s face with it. He staggered backwards due to the impact and placed his palm over his face. I inched closer to him to throw another punch at him, but Camilla was quick to stand between us, blocking me with her body. “Get out of my way!” I growled. “No, Antonio. Stop it!” She retorted strongly. “Get out of my way!” I growled again, glaring at Marco with murderous intent. “What do you want to do? Kill him?” She challenged. I shifted her out of my way and punched Marco hard in the stomach. I tried to hit him again, but before I could, Camilla stood in my way again. “Antonio, please! What is his crime?” She yelled, tears already forming in her eyes. “Messing around with you.” I replied firmly. “Tell me, has he slept with you?”An awkward silence
ROSALINDAFrom the moment our lips collided to when we tumbled on the bed and made love like never before, everything was a blur. I had done this with him multiple times, but it seemed like a new experience each time. His hands on my body were magical. He knew just the right spots to touch. He knew exactly how to satisfy me. Oh, how I loved him so much.We had just finished having sex, and we were both naked on the bed, staring lustfully into each other’s eyes."The look in your eyes..." A small, charming smile touched his lips. "You want more?"I quickly averted my gaze before I delved into his arms again. "No." Clearing my throat, I continued. "You came inside me.""I know." The next thing I felt was his fingers beneath my chin, forcing me to look at him.As my eyes met his, my heart skipped a beat. Oh, damn, he was so handsome."I need to take the pills, or else I will get pregnant." I told him what he already knew, my voice a whisper."I want a baby with you. Perhaps a baby girl
ROSALINDA“Tell me this isn’t true.” I said again, my voice barely a whisper as I began to slowly approach him. He opened his mouth to respond but closed it again, frustration evident in his features.“So you were the one that night?” I asked, more like a statement. How did I not know? That explained why he liked Carlo so much and why he risked his own life to save him, because only someone’s blood could do that for anyone. I should have suspected, but no, I was too dumb to think that far. “Rosa, I wanted to tell you, but—“ “For how long have you known?!” I cut him off, rage burning within me as I glared at him. “Why didn’t you fucking tell me?!” I yelled. “I have known for a while now. A few months. I don’t know precisely. But I got to find out the day you told me about the all-masked party. I had suspicions that it was the same party I attended, and I also fucked someone the same way you said you were fucked. So…” He blew out a sharp breath and raked his fingers through his hai
ROSALINDAThe air in the car thickened with tension as Antonio, Camilla, Carlo, and I rode in the same car. None of us were on speaking terms, so I just peeked through the window all through the ride with my earpiece plugged to my ear to avoid unnecessary and uncomfortable conversations. Five other men, whom Antonio claimed to be his most trusted men, rode in another car while we all made our way to the safe house. I didn’t know where exactly it was, but he said it was a coastal hideout. We circled locations meticulously to make sure we weren’t being followed before finally making our way to the pier, where we took a boat to a large white beach house that was nestled among swaying palm trees, creating a tropical paradise vibe. In front of the building was a private swimming pool that glistened with sunlight. It was the perfect escape I sought, only that it would have been better if Camilla wasn’t in the picture. Carlo was in my arms as we all silently entered the house. The interio