NinaNo matter how beautiful the morning looked, it irritated my soul. I had a sinister plan run over in my head multiple times last night before I went to sleep. One that was certain to send Marianna packing and also to rid whatever love of hers that was left in Alceo's heart.I stole the keys from one of the guards tasked in watching her. I walked into the dungeon with all of them oblivious of what I was doing. They were probably still sleeping, I cared less.She sat up, playing with the face of the man who was locked in with her. Her beauty radiated and she glowed irrespective of the fact that she hadn't had a good bath in days.Instantly I became jealous and that envy helped fuel the disdain I was having for her.Her head went up in my direction. Her body seemed to stiffen, she attempted to wake Diego but I was faster.“You don't have to do that Marianna, I'm here to see you,” I said calmly, trying to be convincing as much as I can.The doubt and surprise on her face were staring

Marianna“Here is what would happen,” he started. I gripped the table cloth used to cover my shame tightly. My heartbeat raced faster and I prayed that he would be lenient. Nina's words were slowly working its way in him. Doubt laced every corner of his eyes, Alceo no longer believed that I was carrying his child.He would have despised me but I'm sure the memories we held from the past still had an effect on him.“I'm not going to be cruel, even though I should be. Over here, we do not tolerate rubbish. You have 2 options Marianna Del Vecchio,” he said and my heart sank deeper. He rarely called me by my father's name and for a moment, I was glad that he didn't call me Bezzio.“My apologies, Mrs Bezzio,” he corrected himself and it felt like my thoughts were being read. “You have 2 options; walk away from here or render yourself to be a servant to the Russians. Make your choices well, whatever you choose, will be applicable to Diego as well.”Nina cut in immediately. “There shouldn't

MariannaIt's the second week in the servant's quarters and it was kind of like what I expected a bit. Glares of death and foul words spewn the air like oxygen anytime I passed or whenever they sighted their eyes upon me. I was determined to lay low and just mind my business, I couldn't afford to make one single mistake. Anything done wrong, I would find myself on the streets. I felt like Alceo had given me a chance to save myself. I couldn't afford to go back to Javier. He must have almost ran mad looking for me. Maybe he knows where I am, maybe he doesn't, who knows? He should have connections up to that point.“Thinking again, Marianna?” A sweet serene female voice called out to me. I gently turned my head towards the direction of the call. It was Valentine, the only female friend I had there. When everyone treated me with hate and disrespect when I moved there, she was the only one who drew me close and put me through.“Not quite, I am just taking some fresh air in. Want to join m

DiegoAlceo was nice to relieve me and Valentine of our duties that day. Valentine cried all through as she sat beside me, lamenting how careless she had been.“It's really Alceo's,” she said. “At least everyone would retract their words now.”“Yeah, I guess,” I desperately wanted to say some mean words about the Russians but she proved to me that not all of them were bad.“What if Alceo wants her back? Would you allow it?”That question was one of many questions ringing in my head. I knew this would come up immediately. I saw his expression when he saw the child, it felt like Marianna didn't birth that child. It looked like Alceo vomited him out.“Well Valentine,” I scratched my head. “There's nothing I can do, mine is to make sure she's alright.”She took her seat opposite me. “Are you sure? Because I've seen the way you look at her. Those looks do not represent a brotherly love or a protection love.”I sighed, rubbing my hands over my face.“Is it obvious?” I asked.She shrugged he

AlceoThe steps I took back into the main house were slower than a tortoise's. I couldn't wrap my head around how adamant Marianna could be. Every word that came out of her mouth stung me like a scorpion's sting.I couldn't bear losing her. I wasn't even in love with Nina, even if I tried. The hope I gave her a few days ago was starting to sound like a lie. I couldn't even try to bring myself to love her. All I wanted was Marianna, all I wanted was my pretty. She had grown in every way that I just noticed today.And the way she gripped her baby closer when I talked about coming to see them broke my heart. That was our child, she told me countless times but I refused to listen.I walked right into the living room. Uri, the men and Nina were seated, watching a TV programme and laughing to themselves.I obstructed their view, grabbed the remote and switched the TV off.Uri was the first to talk. “What was that for?”“Did none of you hear that someone tried to kill Marianna and her baby?”