Chapter 12: Date Week I woke up to an empty bed, not that I expected him to be there anyway. I sat up, stretching my sore body from the way Adriano gripped it the previous night. Even though he lost to me, at least I got my one wish. I planned to use it wisely. I stood up, butt naked, looking for the nearest clothing to cover myself with when I heard a knock on the door. I grabbed my black robe, swiftly knotting it before saying, "Come in." And in came four maids. Two of them were carrying wrapped boxes and the others had jewelry sets. "Good morning, ma'am," they bowed before placing the boxes on the bed. "Good morning," I gave a polite smile. As they turned to leave, one of them handed me a small note. For my woman, I hope they are to your liking. Be ready by 6:30 tonight. ~ I love you. ~ Adriano♡ "Perhaps if your father was alive to pay, maybe you could have gifted these to someone who would be swooned by your gestures." I burnt the note with a lighter, making sure there wa

Chapter 14: Petty. Upon entering the house, Mamma Lia and a maid welcomed us as if we were getting married again. Before leaving, Mamma Lia had mentioned that she wanted to hear all about how the night went. "How did it go, I-" Before Mamma Lia could continue, Adriano interrupted her. "Mamma Lia, could you have someone bring the first aid box to my room?" He said, leading me upstairs. "What happened? Is everything alright?" Mamma Lia expressed her concerns, but Adriano didn't say a word. Instead, he continued to lead me upstairs. His actions didn't surprise me, nor was his silence killing me. I knew he would demand an explanation, and I was more than prepared to give him one. He opened the door and sat me on the bed. I tried to remove the coat on my own, but he stopped me. "Don't. I'll help with that. Your hand is terribly wounded." "How did you-" "There was blood on the gun after I took it from you." "Oh." Was all I said. The air around us was tense, and the confidence I had

Chapter 16: His Bidding"Mamma Lia! Madame! Help!" Mamma Lia and I woke up to the wailing screams of a maid.I opened the door in a fuss to send her off, but her state didn't let me. She bowed with her head to the ground, refusing to look up. I could hear her heavy whimper, and no one had to tell me who was responsible for the sorrows of a young girl on a morning like this."H-help p-please Don Adri will k-kill Stefano." She cried, her voice was so shaky, it was obvious- the petrified emotions that surrounded her.A few more maids came and bowed in the same position as she was in."Help Stefano madame!" They all chorused. Mamma Lia stood beside me, and I saw the worry in her eyes as well. I should've known from the way that his cheeks were swollen yesterday that Adriano wasn't going to let him go like that.It was my fault, I put him in trouble so I would have to take responsibility. "Where are they?" I inquired."The t-torture c-chambers." The girl was still sobbing. I don't know why

Chapter 18: Adriano's POV - (Date week)I was taken aback when she rejected the idea of a honeymoon. The internet clearly stated women liked honeymoons, even though I barely had time to spare, I made sure to choose Serena over work whenever I could. I didn't want to be anything like my father, a man who couldn't look after his own family. My mother died waiting for him to come to see her. She could've died peacefully, but he prevented her from having peace even in her last moments.I swore to never be like him and follow the teachings of my mother, to respect my wife and love my family over work or to give both equal attention. I did like the idea of us going out every week. That would prove to Roderigo, my business partner, that I can handle my work as well as my family. Pietro just had to interrupt my morning with my beautiful wife. I left before I could see her wake up.Ever since my father had assigned him to train me and put me in check for at most two years before his death, he h

Chapter 20: Adriano's POV (for fun & petty)"Come with me," I said, selecting a few of my men while the rest guarded the restaurant. I had to do that just in case one of the perpetrators involved in kidnapping my wife was still in there.Once we were out of the restaurant, I told them to search the street while I took Stefano with me."If anything happens to her, you'll be paying with your life," I warned Stefano as we reached an alley. Stefano ran ahead of me. I guess he wanted to live.I got furious seeing that lanky fool point a gun at my wife. As expected, he took off running. I wasn't surprised; I'd come across several cowardly men like him.I had my men get him so I could torture him before I sent him to hell.I pointed my pistol at his head. "Who the heck are you to mess with my wife?!" I needed to know his name, if he was related to any of my father's enemies."Ask her!" He grinned as though he was going to survive whatever was going to happen to him."I told you, Adriano, it w