Chapter 76: The Derelict.ADRIANO'S POV."We're not complete," Maria cooed.My other uncle and Luca dashed in."Oh, now we are!" She giggled, maniacally."Elizabeth," Federic breathed out. "Your plastic surgery looks hideous. You should take your money back and get your old face back.""Federic," she responded. "Good to see you too. You should get some work too if you're bitter about my face. It's a shame I got rid of Dante before this; it would've been a family reunion."My uncle pulled his trigger. "Die.""I guess you haven't looked up yet."Federic did and saw Serena. His eyes widened more than mine did, I suppose."Don't bring her into this.""Don't tell me what to do," she gnarled. "How could I not bring her into this? Her father tried to mess with me for people who lack loyalty like you do. Who sends an ally's daughter back into danger? If you shoot even once, I'll fasten the bomb's timer, and we'll all die in here.""Just kill yourself then!" Luca snapped!"Look at you," she sm
Chapter 77: Another ChanceSERENA'S POVI don't know how Luca did it, but he managed to climb up the ladder and reach the plank that held me. It wasn't a solid plan, but it was a little safer because the thick wood was attached to the ceiling.One mistake and we could've ended up in the acid."The bomb," I panicked."I deactivated it with the control," he reminded me."Oh, yeah," I added. "Thanks."He didn't reply, he just untied me."Ngh," I chewed on my bottom lip. The stitches on my arm and thigh weren't healed yet."Sorry," he said."Thanks," I replied. Maybe he wasn't totally cold towards me yet. "Let's throw the bomb into the acid just in case she tries to activate it again," I suggested."Is that safe?" he raised an eyebrow.I shrugged. "We won't know until we try."We tossed it into the acid, hoping that was the right decision.As soon as Luca helped me down the ladder amidst the turbulence, I sprinted towards Maria.Living a happy life or moving on won't be possible if that w
Chapter 78: Moving on.•TWO MONTHS LATER•The following day two months ago, the warehouse became one of the major headlines on the news. Different broadcasting stations were there with their own point of view. Some fabricated their own stories while some were honest.The police who claimed to be on the search for those who caused the fire have not raised anything since, and the best part was that Maria was dead. Skulls of bodies were found in and out of the warehouse, and a particular ring was attached to a skeleton's finger. Maria's ring, her most expensive one. I knew it so well, all too well that I'd be able to tell it apart from a fake because there was only one of it in existence.Days, weeks and times had gone by and so much had happened. There was a lot of explaining to do to everyone about who I actually was, both within and outside the Di Salvo mansion. People were curious to meet me.I met some of my father's old friends, many of whom I had actually forgotten over the years.
Chapter 79: Never Be EnoughIt felt surreal. I received a notification from Hanvard and immediately shared the news with Uncle Federic, who was the most supportive. He then informed everyone that they would be watching the results with us. It took some persuasion for me to agree, for two reasons. First, if I got in, I could rub it in everyone's faces, and if I didn't, they would be there to support me through any nervous breakdown. Uncle Federic even had two cakes made for the occasion. One for congratulations and the other for we still love you. What was I in? High school?The news was supposed to be a secret, but Lisa surprisingly let me in on it. She was confident that I would get in, and everyone seemed to share her optimism. I also invited Rosaline over, and she was thrilled for me."Is the projector really necessary?" I questioned the need for it."We want everyone to witness your success," Federico pointed out as he and his brother adjusted the projector's lighting."Perfect,"
Chapter 1: Murderer. It's been fifteen years since I lost those dear to me because of Adriano's goddamn father, Dante. That fucking old trap died and now I had to make do with his son to get my revenge on his family. Everytime I close my eyes, every time I try to sleep, all I hear are gunshots, multiple steps and my mother's screams. FLASHBACK "Sorella- Sister." I cried, burying my neck into my sister's gown, clutching at it as hard as I could, with the thought of never letting go. She yanked my hand off, shaking me violently." Aria! This is not the time to act like a freaking baby. Get in the fucking hideout right now." She sternly told me. "Where's Babbo?- where's father?" "GIA! Dov'e Mio figilo?- Gia! Where is my child?"I heard my mother's voice from behind. "Mamma!" I ran to her, pulling her floral patterned dress with my small hands, she bent down to match my height and caressed my cheeks, pecking them. "Mio figilo- My child." She smiled." You have to stay in there till G
Chapter 2: The truth. The cars in front entered through a black gate into an enormous compound. The car drove past a really big fountain down to where the rest of the cars were. Armani stepped out and gestured for us to do get down. All the armed men stood salute. The house was painted white, flowers filled the area and there was a fountain feet away from where the building was. I knew from the moment I saw the fleeting cars that these people had more power and wealth than I could ever comprehend. It felt like entering the Whitehouse or even grander. The armed men got out and stood, salute. I didn't care about all of that, I just wanted my family. A man of average height whose grey hair was slowly overtaking the black shiny ones with a pot belly wearing a white shirt with loose buttons exposing his chain and tattooed chest, accompanied by two armed men stepped out of the house. He took a puff of his cigar and smiled at Maria and I. "Come." She gave me her hand to hold. She waltzed
CHAPTER 3: Marry a Monster. Maria twirled around in her office chair, taking a puff of her cigar. Although my parents used to smoke, I hated the smell of cigarettes. "Has she had something to eat?" She asked Grace. "She wanted to see you first." Grace bowed. Maria chuckled. "Okay. You may take your leave. Aria come seat." With that, Grace left us alone. "Where are they?" I asked. "I knew you would say this so I got you an answer." She made a call and a man with a projector came in. "Play it." She took another puff. My legs felt heavy as I followed Maria and the man to the other end of the office. What I saw ended me. My breath hitched, my eyes felt dry and itchy as they teared up. I lost my stamina when I saw my family's body covered in blood. Men in black suits placed them together. My mother's white floral dress was completely red from blood, my father's head had several bullet holes in it, and my sister's face looked beaten up. The white tiles of our dining room was stain
Chapter 4: Husband and Wife. "You look gorgeous." Maria held my face. "Careful, you'll smudge my make-up." I cautioned her. "Of course." She withdrew her hands. "If you don't want to do this, let me know. Even if Maria said something-" "I want to do this, father," I told Rafaelle and he sighed. Perhaps he wanted a child so badly that he treated me like his own. He was willing to kill Dante for me, but I wanted to do it myself. I wanted to do it myself. I should've allowed him to, maybe then I wouldn't have to marry his son. I looked at myself, my brown locs were braided neatly, not a single strand left astray across my face. My heavy wedding gown restricting me from moving freely. I wanted nothing than for it to be ripped off me. It was like a snow white like wedding gown. Dante was the witch who fed me an apple and I was marrying his son and not a prince, or maybe I was Elsa, would fit, but I wanted to burn Dante, not to freeze him. Anyway, I was certainly no princess getting