Fabio's eyes flickered with annoyance as he turned back to Rosa.He stood over her "I don't care what you think of me" his grip tightening in her hair "Silvio is a powerful man here in Italy. You should be grateful he's chosen you. And you should be grateful to me.
My decision is final-you're his now and You belong to him"
The words hit Rosa like a physical blow, It felt like something inside her was being ripped away. Is this how my life has become, No! no way.. I’m not letting my dad detect my life.
*****
As the first light of morning streamed through the curtains, Rosa stood by her window, already dressed in a black tank top and jeans.
Her black cap was pulled low over her long hair.
She picked up a frame of her mother from the nightstand and ran her hand gently over the frame,
"Sorry Mum but I have to leave" she whispered "I can't keep living like this.. I love you" She pressed a soft kiss to the photo, then set it down carefully.
The quiet moment was shattered as the door swung open. Rosa's heart leapt into her throat,she thought it was him—her father but then she froze
"Mom?" she gasped.
Hana stood in the doorway, her own black bag slung over her shoulder, a look of shock on her face. She stared at Rosa, her eyes scanning her daughter's appearance as if trying to understand what she was seeing.
Hana stepped into the room, her face filled with disbelief.
Without a word, Hana pulled Rosa into a tight embrace. Rosa stiffened for just a moment, then melted into her mother's arms. She buried her face in Hana's shoulder
"I'm not letting him control us anymore, Hana said quietly pulling back slightly to look into her daughter's eyes "We are leaving”
Rosa nodded, This was real and she isn’t alone.
Together, they hurried through the dark, silent house, Hana's fingers brushed the door handle of the sitting room.
when suddenly, a rough force yanked her hair back. Her body froze and she spun around to see Fabio's furious face.
Rosa immediately react, grabbing Fabio's arm to pull him away from her mother but he shoved her back with a force that sent her crashing hard to the floor.
"Rosa!" Hana screamed, her voice laced with panic.
Fabio's palm immediately struck her cheek. The sound of the slap echoed through the room.
Blood trickled on her lower lips, she staggered back but before she could recover, Fabio's grab Rosa's arm, yanking her backward with brutal force.
Rosa gasped, her body jerking as she tried to break free, her fingers clawing at his hand "Let go!" she cried, twisting and kicking but his grip was merciless
“You think you can escape?” Fabio snarled “not when I’m alive”
When they reached her room, he tossed her onto the bed with such force that she bounced once
"You're never leaving this room" Fabio growled, slamming the door with a bang that rattled the walls.
Rosa stood to her feet, her hands hitting the door "Let me out of here, Dad! Please!" Her voice cracked as tears blurred her vision "I'm begging you..”
Meanwhile, Fabio reached the sitting room, his eyes scanning the empty space..He paused for a moment. There was no sign of Hana but just as he turned to walk away, a faint sound behind him made him stop.
In an instant, something heavy crashed into the side of his head.
The pricing crack of porcelain was the last thing he heard. His legs collapsed and he hit the floor with a brutal thud, his hands flying to his head as blood trickled from the gashes
The world tilted around him, pain blooming in
his skull. His breath came in jagged gasps.
"Hana... you won't get away with this" he growled
Hana stood over him, calm and composed. She didn't flinch as she looked down at him, her expression cold.
She reached into his pocket, taking his keys.She crouched down slightly, meeting his gaze “I already did my dear husband” she said quietly “you are pathetic”
She turned and walked swiftly toward Rosa's room, not looking back. The door swung open and there stood Rosa, huddled at the edge of the bed. Her face was puffy and tear stained. The instant Rosa saw her mother, she rushed into her arms..sobbing without a word.
Hana wrapped her arms around her, feeling the tremble in Rosa's small frame "it's okay sweetheart" she whispered, pressing a kiss to her daughter's hair "Mommy will always protect you"
Rosa pulled back slightly, her hands clutching at Hana's arms as she nodded quickly
"Let's go" Hana said firmly, her fingers tightening on Rosa's shoulder. Without waiting for an answer, she guided her out of the room
When they reached the sitting room, Hana's gaze flicked to Fabio. He lay crumpled on the floor, blood spreading slowly around him. The sight stopped Rosa in her tracks, her stomach churned as she quickly turned away.. her hand clutching at her mother's sleeve.
"Don't look" Hana said, her voice tight as she gently tugged Rosa toward the door. They stepped outside, the cool morning air sharp against their skin
The car was parked outside the house, they both got in.
The engine roared to life and they pulled onto the road. For a moment, the world outside felt unreal. Rosa couldn't help but stare at the open road stretching ahead of them, they were free.
Rosa’s face lit up with a soft smile as she turned to her mother "Thank you, Mom"
Hana's fingers reached out, her hand finding
Rosa's and holding it tightly. "Don't thank me"
she said softly "It's mommy’s job to protect you”
Suddenly, a brutal impact from behind slammed into their car. Rosa's breath caught in her throat.
"What's happening?"
Hana's eyes flicked to the rearview mirror, her jaw tightening "We're being followed”
Rosa's gaze darted to the side mirror and color drained from her face as two black vans loomed just behind them, closing the gap with terrifying speed.
Another crash hit their bumper, sending Rosa's body forward, her head slamming into the seatbelt. The impact left her dizzy, her vision swirling.
“Rosa, are you okay?” Hana asked, her voice laced with panic
Rosa blinked, nodding weakly even though blood trickled down her forehead. The sound
of the engine revved as Hana pushed the pedal
to the floor.
From one of the vans, a voice yelled.. The window rolled down and a man in dark sunglasses leaned out, his tone sharp "Miss, I suggest you stop the car and hand over your daughter"
"Never!" Hana screamed, her grip tightening on the wheel.
Silvio's men. The words buzzed in her head like a wasp, the panic rising as she clutched the seatbelt
Without warning, the car lurched again and Rosa's body slammed into the door as Hana swerved to avoid the impact. But it was too late.
A truck appeared from nowhere, charging toward them and in an instant, their car was thrown sideways, tumbling with the sickening sound of glass shattering and the world spinning out of control.
As Jia hurried to her car, Elena's voice stopped her in her tracks "Aren't you joining me for shopping?"Jia turned, offering a tired smile "I have to hurry home to my kids, I haven't spent much time with them lately.."Elena nodded, her expression understanding.Without hesitation, she rushed over and wrapped Jia in a quick hug "See you later then" she said.Jia returned the embrace, then nodded before waving goodbye. She slid into the car, shut the door and started the engine As she drove, her mind replayed Elena's bold confession and Silvio's reaction, a familiar twist forming in her stomach, Jia’s grip on the steering wheel tightened "I can't be angry... I shouldn't be feeling this way" she muttered under her breath, trying to reason with herself"But why can't I be happy for her? Elena likes Silvio and she's my friend. I should be happy for her” she repeated the words, over and over like a mantra but the words did little to settle the unease inside her.She arrived outsid
Before Jia could answer, Elena chimed in with a smile "We are heading out for lunch""We are also having lunch" Tiziano said smoothly "Why don't you join us?"Jia quickly shook her head “We are fine on our own, Tiziano" she replied softly There was a brief, uneasy silence.. Elena—however, hesitated. She didn't want to spend any time near Tiziano, but the thought of being so close to Silvio made it impossible to say no After a moment, she turned to Jia "Why don't we join them?" Elena suggested Jia's eyes widened as she glanced over at Tiziano, who was staring at her with a look she couldn't quite decipher. Her gaze flicked to Elena—who gave her a reassuring nod With a sigh, Jia finally agreed "Alright" she said quietly, her heart pounding in her chest When they arrived at the restaurant, they were ushered into a private room, where a lavish feast awaited them. The waitress quickly set the table, offering them a final check to ensure everything was to their liking before stepp
Days had passed since the incident and Jia still hadn't heard a word about Silvio. She tried to forget him but the harder she tried, the more his memory stayed Today, she was at the grand hotel in Rome for an audition. Her nerves tingling as she glanced at herself in the rearview mirror. She adjusted her glasses and straightened her posture.. taking in her reflection Just as she was about to step out.. the car door opened unexpectedly. Jia looked up..startled."Elena" she said, her voice soft but relievedElena gave her a small smile, without a word—she placed a cap on Jia's head"You will need this" Elena saidJia studied herself in the mirror one last time, then shut the car door with a soft thud, they walked into the hotel lobby together. The audition was taking place in a private wing of the hotel and Jia knew most of the actresses thereHer name was called and she stood to enter.Time seemed to stretch as she disappeared behind the door. Moments later—she emerged, her face li
Inside the yacht, Elena tended to Silvio's wound with gentle hands Jia and Tiziano sat in silence nearby but Jia couldn't help but steal glances at the way Elena worked so carefully, so close to Silvio. The way their shoulders brushed, a knot twisted in Jia's stomach.Tiziano noticed the change in her expression, clearing his throat— he shifted his gaze to Jia "Is something on your mind?" he asked, his tone calm Jia's eyes darted to him and she forced a small smile, though it didn't reach her eyes "How did you and Silvio meet?" she asked, voice quieter than she intended Tiziano's lips curled slightly "We are brothers” he replied.Jia blinked, surprised "Brothers?" she repeated, her voice soft with disbelief Tiziano nodded, the smile still playing at the corners of his lips. Jia frowned slightly and after a second…she asked "But you don't share the same last name?"Tiziano grew silent for a moment, his gaze flicking away.. deep in thought. Then he spoke "Not everyone wants to b
As Silvio moved cautiously down the hallway, he spotted four armed men up ahead. They were facing forward, unaware that he was already behind them. Silvio raised his guns and immediately opened fire.Before they could turn or retaliate, the men collapsed, blood seeping from their wounds, their bodies twitching but still. Silvio paused for a moment…ensuring they were down, then stepped out of the resort into the darkness. He cautiously peered around a corner, scanning for any signs of more threats.Suddenly, he felt the cold press of a gun against his neck. Silvio froze."Drop your weapons" a voice commanded.Silvio didn't comply, as the man's finger tightened on the trigger, Silvio acted in a flash.He slammed his elbow into the man's stomach, forcing the gun from his hand. Silvio kicked it aside then twisted the man's arm, bringing him to his knees. He snatched the weapon and slammed the butt into the man's neck.The attacker grunted, choking on the pain.. Silvio shoved him against
Silvio turned toward Jia, who stood frozen..her eyes locked on the fallen bodies.He closed the distance between them, his hand settling firmly on her shoulder "Jia" he murmured She blinked then slowly lifting her gaze to meet his"We need to move. Now"Her lips parted but she didn't respond with words. Instead—she nodded, her eyes still wide with disbelief. Silvio's hand tightened around hers and they hurried toward the exist.As they stepped out of the room, two men came speeding toward them. Jia's breath caught in her throat but Silvio was faster. His gun was out in a flash, two shots ringing out..hitting their legs. The men fell, groaning..unable to chase after them.They didn't slow their pace, but just as they neared the end of the vvip floor, two more men appeared from the left, and another two emerged from the right, each armed with heavy sticks. Silvio's grip on Jia tightened as he scanned their options."What do we do?" Jia's whisper trembled in the air behind him.Silvio