My father led me upstairs.As I entered the room, the air in the room was thick with the sterile scent of medical equipment.It felt strange .The whole room lookedike a hospital room.It is a constant reminder of the battle my mother, Maria was bravely fighting. The room, resembling a hospital ward, echoed with the hum of machines and soft footsteps of attending servants dedicated to her care. My father seems to be spending too much for her care.He told me that doctors have given up, that the cancer might not get cured now. But he wants my mother to have the best medical care.My heart sank as I took in the sight of my mother.She looked so pale and skinny.She was frail and weakened by the relentless grasp of late-stage lung cancer.Tubes and wires snaked across the room, connecting my mother to various monitors and IV drips.Even the scenario scares me.The soft glow of monitors cast an eerie light on her pale face, reflecting the toll the illness had taken. My eyes welled with

I did not want to burden my father with the issues and problems he is totally unaware of. I came here just so I could provide a safe roof for my children. But now that Emma accidentally spoke about it in front of everyone, I have no other option but to tell everything to my father. He looks so concerned.But something I did not expect was Salvatore’s reaction. He looks more concerned and worried about me than my own father.“We will discuss it later, after dinner.” I looked at my kids and then looked at my father, expressing him not to talk about this topic any further in front of the kids. I want to keep my kids out of this crap as much as possible, I want to give them a normal life, out of my past and anything related to the crime world.One of my conditions that I proposed before coming here was that no one will ask me anything about my past, but now it feels wrong after seeing how everyone got worried. I don’t want to keep them in this constant of worry.After the dinner got over,

I felt a lingering unease as I stepped into the library after a week away.I thought I was feeling this way because I have been at home for a whole week. Nobody wants to go to work after such a long rest. But it was a different feeling. The air was thick with an unsettling tension, an invisible fear that clung to the shelves and whispered through the quiet aisles. I don't know why was I feeling anxious.Salvatore dropped me to the library and I gave him the exact time when I will be free from work. He told me not to go anywhere and that he will be there to pick me up.My father trusts Salvatore blindly, I got to know that. He appointed Salvatore to take care of my security, but I told him to drop me and go back to the mansion back again.I don't want a bodyguard and I don't want to be a trouble for anyone.As for Aida and Emma, they are enjoying their childhood at my parents' house. They are no longer going to the day care. There are many maids who are taking care of my kids day and

Adriano left.As Adriano sauntered away, a chilling parting shot slipped from his lips, "See you soon, darling." The door clicked shut, leaving me alone in the suffocating silence of the office.I sank to the floor, legs giving way beneath the weight of fear and worry.How is he even alive? Am I dreaming? Is this for real?Before leaving he threatened me with one more thing, "Don't tell anyone about me, Emilia. Or I swear on my life I will not only take Emma away from you, but make your life a living hell."His words echoed in my mind, a sinister promise that sent shivers down my spine. The room felt colder, the air heavier, as the reality of his return settled in.I feel sick.I hugged myself, as if trying to shield from the invisible menace Adriano brought with him. Suddenly I was feeling cold. I felt like I was going to have a fever.The simple promise of his imminent return left me deeply worried, my mind racing with the uncertainty of what he might do next. Fear clung to me li

The prospect of returning to work after that unsettling encounter with Adriano weighed heavily on my mind.My mind was clouded with negative thoughts and I did not want to leave my children alone. I sat on the edge of my bed, staring blankly at the floor. The shadows of fear clung to me, and a sense of unease settled in my chest.The idea of stepping back into the routine felt like tiptoeing through a life of uncertainties. I hesitated, feeling a little lost in the echoes of Adriano's threats.As I sat there, a heaviness settled over me, and the room seemed to close in.The idea of facing the outside world felt like a mountain to climb, and for a moment, I allowed myself to succumb to the weight of it all.Depression like feeling crept in like a silent intruder. The past from which I always kept running is now running behind me.Deep down I know that Adriano won't stop unless I listen and obey him. He is wicked.I fear that if I take any wrong step he will make me pay by taking away