LOGINAlessiaās POV We arrived at Matteoās mansion surrounded by a full security entourage. Luca and Arianna rode just behind us, while Marco led the convoy ahead. Camellia followed closely behind them, and all around us were armed escorts from Rinaldi Holdings, forming a protective shield. āDonāt you think this is a bit too much?ā I whispered, glancing at Matteo as he held Tiziana comfortably on his lap. āNo,ā he replied without hesitation, his voice steady and firm. āProtecting you and the kids is my top priority now. Nothing comes before that. Absolutely nothing.ā There was no doubt in his tone. I nodded softly, warmth spreading through me at his words. My gaze drifted to Ruggero and Tino, who were caught up in playful bickering, their laughter filling the space. Then I looked at Renzo. He was smiling. A wide, genuine smile that eased something deep inside me. He was interacting with his siblings more freely than I had ever seen in his four years of life. There was something prot
Alessiaās POV I woke to the soft murmur of morning light spilling gently into the hospital room, the golden glow brushing against my skin like a quiet reassurance. Blinking away the last traces of sleep, I realized I was tucked safely in Matteoās arms, his steady heartbeat echoing beneath my palm like a rhythm meant only for me. As I stirred and tried to sit up, his voice stopped me, low and rough with sleep yet filled with quiet authority. āDonāt move just yet,ā he murmured softly. āStay here⦠just for a moment.ā There was something in his tone that made me pause without question. Trusting him, I remained still. Slowly, he lifted my hand and pressed it more firmly against his chest. āAre you alright?ā I asked, my voice barely above a whisper, though his earlier words echoed in my mind. It beats for you. Warmth rushed to my cheeks, and despite everything we had been through, a small smile found its way to my lips. āWhatās wrong?ā I asked, turning slightly so I could see his
Matteo Rinaldiās POV As Alessia rushed out, I couldnāt help but chuckle at her sudden exit, the sound low and brief, but filled with something I had not felt in a long time. Relief. Moments later, Marco walked in, and I pushed myself up slightly against the bed, already reading the weight of whatever news he carried from the look on his face. His expression was grave, yet controlled. The kind of look that told you everything and nothing at the same time. āBrother, I see youāre in good spirits,ā he said as he stepped further into the room. āWell, what can I say?ā I replied, rolling my eyes slightly at the faint, knowing smile on his lips. āThatās great news,ā he continued, pausing just long enough to make me focus completely on him, ābecause I have another one for you.ā My body tensed instinctively. āYour father called,ā he said finally, voice steady. āHeās at the mansion, waiting for you, the kids, and Alessia.ā I exhaled slowly, already calculating my next move. āTell him
Alessiaās POV Monitors. Beeping sounds. IV drips. White walls. And that sharp, unfamiliar antiseptic smell that clung to the air like something I couldnāt escape. My eyes fluttered open slowly, my head pounding with a dull, persistent ache as awareness crept back in. A hospital. The memory hit me like a sudden blow. Matteo. Matteo had been shot. Panic surged through me instantly, wiping away every trace of weakness. I pushed myself up, ignoring the protest from my body as dizziness threatened to pull me back down. No. I had to see him. I stumbled out of the bed, my legs unsteady beneath me, gripping the edge for support before forcing myself into the hallway. I barely made it a few steps before I almost collided with Camellia, who caught me immediately, pulling me into a tight embrace. āAlessia⦠youāre awake,ā she said, relief flooding her voice. āMatteo,ā I choked out, my voice breaking. āI need to see Matteo.ā She pulled back, holding me at armās length, her eyes
Giuliaās POV I threw the gun in my hands to the floor as I tried to come to terms with what had just happened. Everything had gone horribly wrong, spiraling out of control within mere seconds. Driven by rage and hatred, I had fired at Alessia, but the moment the shot echoed through the room, Matteo Rinaldi had already stepped in, taking the bullet for her. The force sent both of them crashing to the ground. Before I could even process it, another shot rang out. The menacing man they had called Raffaele Ricci turned his gun on me. The bullet grazed my shoulder as it passed, and pain tore through me, sharp and burning. Still, adrenaline refused to let me fall. Almost instantly, Matteoās men retaliated. Gunfire erupted from every direction, his security clashing with the mercenaries we had brought. Chaos swallowed the room whole. Through the madness, I saw my father, Raimondo Conti, struggle to his feet. Blood spread across his shirt as he staggered toward me, each step weaker tha
Matteo Rinaldiās POV I stood there, frozen in disbelief as Raffaele Ricciās words echoed through the chaotic room. āWhy do you prefer to go with someone who keeps hurting you every single time?ā His accusation cut through the air like a blade, tearing into the fragile tension already holding everything together. Alessia paused mid-step, tears shimmering in the dim light of the Conti mansion. My chest tightened with anger and desperation all at once. How could he speak to her like that? Alessia, who had endured so much, deserved none of this. āYou donāt get to tell her what she wants!ā I snapped. āAnd do you think you do?ā Raffaele replied coldly. I clenched my fists, my gaze shifting between Alessia and him, fully aware that every second now mattered. āShe knows what is right, and you donāt. So get the hell out of here already!ā I barked. He was unbearable to look at. āHave I warned you not to step into waters you cannot control?ā he asked, his tone dropping as he raised hi
Alessiaās POV As I walked back into the hospital room, memories of the past flooded my mind, each one more bittersweet than the last. I could not stop myself from thinking about the early days of the Rinaldi Children Foundation, when Matteo and I had just started the organization together. I
Matteo Rinaldiās POV Entering the casino, I felt the familiar rush of adrenaline that always accompanied the flashing lights and pulsing music. As I made my way to the VIP lounge, I couldnāt shake the image of Alessiaās face from my mind. I have to be the first person she sees when she wakes.
Alessiaās POV Fuck! Like a whirlwind, the thought that Matteo Rinaldi was still married to Giulia hit me. How could I have entertained such thoughts, even for a moment? Matteo was a married man, and I was simply his exānothing more! What was I even thinking? I let the emotions that had engulfed m
Matteo Rinaldi's POV Walking into the room behind Alessia, I saw the children still playing quietly, despite their evident fatigue. āWe tried to get them to calm down,ā Camellia said, her tone gentle but firm. āItās fine, Camellia,ā Alessia replied with a soft smile. āTheyāll be staying at Matt







