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
Chapter 5: consummate. I kissed him back with the same urgency. He took the buttons into his own hands and ripped them off. He moved his lips down, nibbling on my neck. I sighed in approval and he zipped down my wedding gown, letting it drop to the floor. One night stand; it's a one night stand. I was bare in front of him and he still had his pants on. I immediately unzipped his pants, leaving both us with nothing but our underwear. He kissed me again, that time, so rough it felt like I had forgotten how to breathe, his hands traced my curves, kneaded my ass and unhooked my bra. He took a few steps back and looked at me, his lips slightly parted. "You're so beautiful. So beautiful, I'm grateful I waited till now." His voice became raspy. "Me too." I breathed out. "I can't promise I'll be gentle." He ran his finger through his hair. I did tame the beast. A ruthless, heartless, scary man was being considerate of how he was going to handle me. "It's okay." I assured him. "It's
Chapter 6: Breaking In. I woke up the next morning to an empty bed. I wasn't expecting Adriano to leave so early, not after last night. I got off bed and changed into my bathing robe, tied my hair into a messy bun and went into the bathroom to brush. "Serena." I heard Adriano's voice from the room. He hadn't left like I thought he did. I went out with the brush in my mouth and saw him holding a tray of food. I saw a plate with pancakes, blue berry and a bottle of maple syrup. My favorite breakfast. He was really trying to give his all, but I didn't get married to him to get all lovey dovey. I mumbled some words, telling him I wanted to quickly brush my teeth, but they only came out as gibberish. I guess he got the message though as he gestured for me to go. I finished and came back. He was already sitting on the bed, and the tray was on a small round wooden table. He was shirtless but had an apron on. At least he wore pants. Adriano was at least taller than six feet. I was small an