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43~ Stronger version

Author: Ahsia Risan
last update Last Updated: 2025-03-28 18:21:41

Adriana’s POV

The past had a cruel way of creeping up on me and wrapping around my throat like a nooose threatening to suffocate me with memories I had no control over. But I refused to let it win. Not this time and Not ever again because these fucking men don’t deserve that.

With a deep shuddering breath, I wiped at my face with the back of my hand feeling the dampness of my tears smear across my skin. I hated that I had cried. Hated that Marco even in the form of a memory, still had the power to make me feel so fucking small. I had spent too many years like that. I was trapped under the weight of his words, of his disdain, of the belief that I was nothing without him.

But I wasn't that woman anymore. I wouldn’t be that woman again either. If Rafael thinks I don’t want him hurt because of Isabella then it’s all for the better. Marco doesn’t deserve my protection but I’ll give it to him for the sake of my daughter if I have to.

I straightened my spine, forcing my hands to still wh
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  • The Vengeful Mafia Kings’ Property   109: Ten steps ahead?

    Rafael’s POVI left the party before anyone else could stop me, didn’t wait for the last toast or fake congratulations. I couldn’t breathe in there. The air was heavy with perfume and power and damn lies. I needed to see her and needed to see her face her eyes and the storm she was hiding from everyone but me.My driver didn’t ask questions and I didn’t offer answers. The mansion came into view quickly, all sharp corners and silence. I didn’t go to my room and didn’t even check the time. I headed straight to her wing in the estate.Adriana’s room was empty and my chest tightened instantly but I knew where else she’d be. I turned to Isabella’s room.She wasn’t sleeping beside our daughter. She was just… lying there with her eyes open awake and too still, like her soul was somewhere else. I stepped in without a word and reached for her gathering her into my arms. She didn’t protest and didn’t speak. She just let me carry her like something inside her had finally cracked and left her ho

  • The Vengeful Mafia Kings’ Property   108: The past

    Adriana’s POVIsabella stirred just a little in her sleep turning onto her side and clutching her stuffed bear to her chest like it was her only anchor in the world. I stayed sitting on the edge of the bed my eyes fixed on her peaceful little face and without meaning to, my mind drifted. It started with a simple thought how content she looked right now and then it pulled me backward like a tide. Dragging me to memories I didn’t ask to remember.The day I told her we were leaving Marco came flooding in witj sharp and vivid like it had only happened yesterday. It was raining that morning. One of those weird, warm rains that made everything feel heavy and slow. I remember standing by the window staring out at the gray sky gathering the courage to say the words out loud. My heart was pounding so loudly it echoed in my ears. Isabella was sitting on the floor in her pink pajamas, surrounded by coloring books and dolls and completely oblivious. She was humming softly her little fingers gri

  • The Vengeful Mafia Kings’ Property   107: Maybe, run?

    Adriana’s POVThe drive back to Rafael’s mansion felt like it stretched for hours, though in reality it couldn’t have been more than twenty minutes. The silence in the SUV was comfortable in a way I didn’t expect. Ardian didn’t try to talk and didn’t ask questions. He just drove like he knew the road like he’d done it before many times. By the time the sleek black car pulled up to the familiar iron gates of the Romano estate, my eyes were heavy and my heart? Eeven heavier. The guards at the gate took one glance at the car then their eyes flicked to Ardian’s face as he lowered the window.“Ardian Basha.” He said calmly like he has every right. That was it with no explanation or extra details and he looks bored too. The guards looked at each other then nodded and stepped aside to open the gates like he was on some kind of pre approved list I didn’t know existed. That was strange but then he is Rafael’s soon to be brother-in-law so it makes sense. I didn’t have the energy to think abou

  • The Vengeful Mafia Kings’ Property   106: Ardian

    Adriana’s POVThe air outside was cold. Not the kind of cold that bit at your skin but the kind that settled heavy on your chest like disappointment. I hugged my arms to myself as I stepped down the marble stairs of the Capo’s mansion my heels clicking against the stone and echoing faintly beneath the distant sound of music that still floated through the walls. The grand ballroom was still alive full of violins and laughter and clinking glasses and secrets the dangerous and expensive ones. The kind of secrets that left you breathless when they slipped out in front of the entire underworld.I didn’t realize my steps were getting slower until I missed one entirely. My heel twisted awkwardly and before I could even catch myself, my ankle gave out and I hit the ground with a soft ungraceful thud. My palms scraped against the concrete and the sting immediate. The hem of my gown pooled around me like melted green velvet. My hair fell into my face.Perfect.I sat there for a moment too stun

  • The Vengeful Mafia Kings’ Property   105: Sin & Salvation

    Rafael’s POVThe applause was still ringing in my ears but I couldn’t hear any of it. I stood on the stage looking out into the crowd and saying words I’d rehearsed a hundred times hell, a thousand but nothing about it felt right now that I was here. My mouth moved and myvoice came out calm and steady and convincing. Like the perfect future capo dei capi. Like a man who had it all figured out.But inside, I was breaking apart. Elira Basha walked up the steps beside me witj her expression smooth and poised her heels tapping gently against the marble stage. She didn’t say anything. Just stood there with her chin raised and her lips curved in a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. We weren’t holding hands and we weren’t touching. Just two people playing parts on a stage too grand for either of us to admit how wrong everything was. I didn’t dare look down at her. Because if I did, I might forget where I was supposed to be looking and she might think it was a threat. My eyes found Adriana’s

  • The Vengeful Mafia Kings’ Property   104: Engagement

    Adriana’s POVThe car door shut in the way that made your heart hitch without knowing exactly why. The SUV was dim and cool inside. I was still reeling from the way Rafael had stared at me just moments ago. That look with tight jaw, clenched fists and the quiet devastation in his eyes like he was holding back from saying something that would change everything and it was burned into my brain. But he said nothing. Not one word or even a compliment. He just stood there like a statue carved out of restraint and let Nathan lead me away while he remained outside not even following in the same vehicle. I thought we had an understanding after yesterday?I frowned, settling into the plush leather seat as the SUV pulled out. Anthony was in the front passenger side, his head tilted toward the windoew but I could feel the shift in his energy the second I let out a quiet sigh. He glanced over his shoulder and caught my eyes through the mirror."Don't overthink it.” He said plainly like it was tha

  • The Vengeful Mafia Kings’ Property   103: Confident flame

    Rafael’s POVAdriana stepped into the courtyard like fire through darkness. And just like that everything stopped moving entirely. I didn’t hear the guards beside me anymore because their voices dropped to nothing. My gaze found her instantly as if it had been waiting for her all along.Emerald.That dress was a fucking weapon. It clung to her in a way that wasn’t just elegant but is sinful. The color was rich and deep like envy and desire swen together. The sleeves barely sat on her shoulders and the neckline dipped low enough to make my throat dry and the way it flared at her waist it made her look untouchable and regal. Like fucking queen. And that hair. Her hair was the color of fire twisted up into a softy almost careless knot but I knew better. Nothing about her tonight was careless. Every detail had been chosen to disarm and mesmerize then remind the world and me exactly what had been hidden behind grief and silence for far too long.My hands fisted at my sides before I could

  • The Vengeful Mafia Kings’ Property   102: A Goddess

    Adriana’s POVI didn’t think I’d be speechless at the sight of myself, not after everything I’ve lived through. But there I was standing in front of the mirror in a room I had barely stepped foot into before this morning utterly and completely without words.Madam Corvina was nowhere in sight now after she’s finished her kob. Her assistants had scurried off after the final tug and pin and last spritz of perfume. The room was empty except for me and my reflection.And God I didn’t even have thoughts. Not proper ones.The woman looking back at me wasn’t someone I recognized. And yet somehow, she was me. She had my red hair, piled loosely into an elegant twist, a few soft strands falling like deliberate rebellion against the sculpted perfection. She had my eyes that were wide and uncertain. My lips painted a shade darker than I would have ever dared to choose. But it wasn’t just makeup or fabric that made her look breathtaking. It was the quiet power in her stance. The kind of beauty t

  • The Vengeful Mafia Kings’ Property   101: More mystery

    Rafael’s POVI froze bevause i hadn’t been hugged in years maybe. Not like that and not by someone who just wanted to with no motive behind it. I stood stiffly for a second then let myself relax just enough to wrap my arms back around her gently and careful not to ruin whatever joy she was carrying.She pulled back just as quickly and ran out of the room, light as a breeze as if she hadn’t just knocked the air out of my lungs. There was something about that hug that I want to relive every moment of. I stared at the door for a long time after Isabella had left still feeling her arms around me. And as I stood there oddly still my eyes drifted again to the pink comb she’d forgotten on the edge of the piano. I picked it up, turning it over between my fingers, wondering why it felt like more than just a comb. Maybe it was nothing. Or maybe it was something strange and dangerous blooming inside me anx some part of me that wanted to protect that girl with the midnight hair and bright eyes

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