REBECCA Entering the kitchen, I spotted Lynda clutching a tray. As her eyes met mine, her face brightened, and she greeted me with an exuberant smile. "Oh my goodness, you're an absolute lifesaver!" Confused, I loosened my apron from around my waist and inquired, "What do you mean?" Instead of answering, she pressed the tray into my hands, placing a glass filled with a white substance on top. "This is protein for Artemy. I need you to give it to him," she explained. "What?" I hesitated. I didn't want to encounter him, let alone be in the same room. His presence was overwhelming, and I preferred to keep my distance. "Please, do this for me," Lynda pleaded, her voice tinged with desperation. Shaking my head, I questioned, "Lynda, why can't you do it yourself?" "Because..." She nervously bit her lip, searching for the right words. "You know..." "Lynda?" I raised an eyebrow, prompting her to elaborate. Just as she was about to speak, her attention shifted towards Milandro passing

REBECCA "Well, I would describe jealousy as a wave. It crashes into your heart with a mix of emotions. Anger and sadness. Most of the time, it's not a pleasant feeling, but it hurts. Right here," she said, placing her hand over her heart. "It hurts. Your chest tightens, and it feels like you can't breathe. Sometimes you might feel like crying or becoming so furious that you want to resort to violence, like punching someone in the face. I can't exactly put it into words, but it's quite overwhelming." Placing my hand over my heart, I looked down at my chest. "I don't know. I didn't feel anything like that. I was confused, shocked, and disgusted, but not jealous." "You weren't?" I detected disappointment in her voice, and I raised my gaze to meet her eyes. "I don't think so. Why would I be jealous?" "I don't know. I thought maybe you felt something for him. I mean, the tension between the two of you is practically palpable." I was numb. Emotions were off-limits, especially when it

ARTEMY At the age of ten, I tiptoed into the chilling basement, cautiously shutting the door behind me to avoid drawing any attention. In the center of the room, a man was bound to a chair, his face and clothes stained with blood. He slumped against the restraints, emitting whimpering sounds of agony that reached my ears even from a distance. Gazing at him, an intense surge of fiery anger coursed through my veins. It was a wrath of murderous proportions. Kill him. Make him suffer. Spill his blood. These thoughts screamed in my mind as my body trembled with the intensity of my fury. He was one of them—a Cavalieri. An Italian. I could still recall his face from that dreadful night, the night when he and others tormented my mother. I could see the sick amusement in his laughter. Purposefully striding forward, I stood face-to-face with him. His gaze met mine, and if it were possible, his swollen eyes widened in fear. He attempted to utter words, but only a muffled, gurgling sound e

REBECCA Balancing the final tray in one hand, I swiftly wiped the dining table with the other. Straightening up, I walked away from the table, briefly glancing down at my dress to spot a small stain. Lost in my thoughts, I collided forcefully with what felt like a solid wall of muscle. My eyes widened as I felt myself teetering backward, desperately trying to regain my balance. But I was losing the battle. Bracing for impact, I shut my eyes tightly, preparing for the jolt of impact with the ground. However, instead of hitting the floor, an arm wrapped around my waist, holding me securely. My heart raced in my chest as I cautiously opened my eyes. It was Artemy. My body arched backward as he kept me close to his chest, his firm hold preventing my fall. "Be careful there. You should watch where you're going," he remarked, his voice laced with a hint of admonishment. My heart skipped a beat, sending a shiver down my spine as his voice resonated through the room. Anxiously biting my

ARTEMY As I was about to switch off the lights, a faint knocking sound echoed from the other side of the door. Perplexed, I straightened up and stared at the door, my forehead furrowing in confusion. There was another tap, breaking the late night silence. Late as it was, I couldn't help but wonder who could be at the door. I waited, expecting another knock, but instead, I heard a rustling noise against the door. Hastily, I made my way towards it, gripped the doorknob, and swung the door open wide. Before I could even register what was happening or catch a glimpse of the person, someone stumbled forward and fell into my arms. My eyes widened in surprise—it was Rebecca. She trembled violently, her entire body shaking uncontrollably, barely managing to stay on her feet. Without hesitation, I wrapped my arms around her waist, holding her close. Her fingers clung to my shirt with a desperate grip, her nails digging into my skin. Tears streamed down her face as she cried, her body convu