บททั้งหมดของ A love forged in Darkness and Desire : บทที่ 31 - บทที่ 40

Alessia's Pov He didn't answer but continued to walk towards the door.The tension in the air was so thick it felt like a blanket suffocating my thoughts. I had packed as much as I could into a single duffle bag, my heart racing with every sound outside the door. Luca stood at the entrance, scanning the hallway with unnerving calmness before motioning for me to follow. As we stepped out, I felt the weight of invisible eyes pressing on my back.The walk to the car he had parked a block away was eerily quiet, save for the sound of our footsteps echoing on the pavement. I clutched the strap of my bag tightly, my knuckles turning white as I whispered, "Are you sure we’re not being watched?"Luca didn’t respond immediately. He opened the car door for me, his eyes darting to the shadows around us. “Get in,” he ordered.I slid into the passenger seat, my heart hammering as I buckled the seatbelt. Luca climbed into the driver’s side, started the engine, and pulled away without another word. T

Alessia's Pov My chest tightened, and I looked around the massive room, suddenly feeling trapped. “What do you want from me?” I demanded, my voice breaking despite my attempt in being brave.“What we want,” the voice sneered, “is what’s owed to us. And we always collect, Alessia. Always.”“Who are you?” I whispered, gripping the phone so tightly that my knuckles turned white.“You’ll find out soon enough. Or maybe you won’t live long enough to care,” he said, his tone casual but laced with venom. “Let me give you some advice. Don’t get comfortable in that gilded cage Matteo's put you in. It won’t protect you when we come.”I could feel the blood draining from my face. “Why are you after me? I haven’t done anything!”The voice laughed again, harsher this time. “Your ignorance means nothing, Alessia. You’re a pawn in a game far bigger than you. Matteo knows it. Deep down, so do you.”I stumbled back, the edge of the bed catching me as I sat down hard. “I don’t know what you’re talking

Alessia's Pov “It’s not your fault,” she said softly, stroking my hair. “You’ve always been my priority, Alessia. I’d do it all again if it meant giving you a better life.”For a moment, the room was silent except for my quiet sobs. Then my mom pulled back slightly, her tear-streaked face softening as her gaze shifted to Luca again.“And this one,” she said, her voice lighter now. “He looks like he’d do anything to protect you.”I sniffled, wiping at my face as I followed her gaze. Luca stood silently by the window, his arms crossed and his jaw tight. Despite his usual composure, there was a flicker of something raw in his eyes—something protective and fierce.“He does,” I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.Luca stepped forward then, his voice calm but firm. “Mrs. Morreti, I need to ask you something important. Has anyone from the Claudia empire contacted you recently? Anyone suspicious hanging around the hospital?”She frowned, shaking her head. “No, nothing like that. Why?”

Alessia's Pov The car ride home was quiet, almost too quiet, with the occasional glance from Luca as his hands gripped the steering wheel. My thoughts were a whirlwind. The public proposal had been a spectacle, and though I’d agreed to it, the reality of being engaged to Luca Romano—a man whose world was a dangerous mystery—was finally sinking in.When we arrived at his sprawling home, the grandeur of it once again hit me. It wasn’t the kind of place you simply lived in—it was the kind of place you either ruled or got lost in. Luca parked the car, stepping out with his usual calm demeanor.“You can go to your room,” he said curtly, already walking toward the side of the house where his office likely was.I stood there for a second, clutching my bag. I didn’t know what compelled me, but the words tumbled out of my mouth before I could stop them. “When do we get to share a room?”Luca froze mid-step. His shoulders stiffened, and he turned back slowly, his piercing gaze locking onto min

Luca's pov As I stepped out of the Claudia Mansion, the cool night air hit my face, a stark contrast to the suffocating tension inside. The garden lights illuminated the path, casting long shadows that seemed to follow me like ghosts. My mind churned with the name that had been thrown at me moments ago—Gerald Arnold. The familiarity of it tugged at something deep, something buried, but I couldn’t place it. Not yet.Pulling out my phone, I dialed Rico. He answered on the second ring."Boss," he greeted, his voice alert, as if he’d been waiting for my call."I need everything you can find on a man named Gerald Arnold," I said, my tone clipped. "Every detail. His business dealings, his connections, his weaknesses. Leave no stone unturned."Rico was silent for a moment, then asked, "Gerald Arnold? Why him?""He’s the one holding 3% of the Claudia empire," I explained, keeping my voice low even though I was alone. "He’s been labeled a leak. If I’m going to play their game, I need to know