جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 10

Carlo Gutierrez pointed at the golden retriever wagging its tail by the head seat, and gave me a cold order. "The dog sits there. You can stand."I stared at the dog lounging lazily across the dining chair that was supposed to be mine, so happy that I almost cried.Because I had gone back in time.I returned to the day Carlo humiliated me in front of everyone.Everyone knew I was the unwanted baggage the Gutierrez Family picked up from the slums.The reason? My father had died taking a bullet for Don Vinnie, Carlo's grandfather. However, I also ended up being tethered to Carlo because of that.Carlo was the only heir of the Gutierrez Family, the kingpin who ruled both sides of the law. Meanwhile, I was nothing but a stain on his otherwise perfect record.Everyone thought it was a pity for Carlo, and he thought so even more.That was why he had the golden retriever sit in my seat, while every underling and made man watched me being humiliated like some show."Rosa, Carlo's al

Carlo was bottling all his anger in his chest as he glared at me, before finally scooping Gemma off the floor and leaving without looking back.Ha! He wanted to throw me into the basement already? We did have some good memories together, didn't we?I remembered things between Carlo and me weren't this bad when I was sixteen. I liked to shadow him wherever he went because I knew about the engagement between us and how we would become a family.Once, he took me along to handle some family business, and we ran into an ambush from a rival family. He shielded me and took a knife to the back. It was cut so deeply that his bone was exposed. I was terrified and burst into tears, but he turned around and comforted me, saying it didn't hurt at all. Back then, he was the type of man who would risk his life to protect me. Now, he wouldn't hesitate to hurt me or yell at me for another woman.But…None of that mattered anymore.Once Don Vinnie came back, I could finally end this ridiculous

Carlo narrowed his eyes as the entire hallway went silent. Everyone was stunned by my shocking declaration.Don Vinnie stared at me in surprise before turning to look at his sorry excuse of a grandson.Gemma clutched her arm, forgetting to wipe away her tears as her whole face froze in disbelief. For the first time since forever, cracks appeared in Carlo's proud facade. He looked at me like he had just heard the world's biggest joke. "What did you just say? Say it again if you dare!"I held my battered body off the floor and looked at him straight in his eyes icily. "You're free now, Carlo. From today onward, I don't want you anymore. Go marry whoever you want. Make whatever alliances with whatever Families you want. It has nothing to do with me anymore, you hear me?"Carlo's face turned pale before turning into anger. He rushed toward me, looking like he wanted to tear me apart. "Who do you think you're talking to? You're just a dog kept by the Gutierrez Family! Who gave you

"Are you kidding me, Carlo? Am I your free maid or your personal cleaner? Where are all your made men and soldatos? Dead?" I snapped. "Don't push me, Rosa!" Carlo yelled and extended his hand at me.Before he could reach me, a hand came from the side and caught him firmly by the forearm. It was Luca."Carlo. Putting your hands on my people in my territory? That's against the rules, isn't it?" Luca smiled gently, but his grip was firm.Carlo's expression darkened. "Luca Perez? This is between me and her, so stay out of it!""Oh?" Luca raised an eyebrow. "Rosa is working for me now. Her business is my business."The atmosphere was almost burning as the two mafia heirs confronted each other in the middle of the library.Carlo glared at me, then at Luca standing protectively by my side. Jealousy and anger were practically eating him from the inside. "You found someone new so fast, Rosa? Not bad. What? Does he have something I can't give you?"What Carlo said was so offensive tha

My words hit Carlo so hard that he staggered backward, unable to mutter another word.That was right. What had he ever done? Scenes from the past played repeatedly in his mind.I didn't give him another look. Instead, I turned to face the guests. "If I may, I would like to take this opportunity to make an announcement tonight. From this moment on, I, Rosa Shaw, officially accept the Perez Family's invitation. I'll be serving as Luca's personal Consigliere. My past may be tied to the Gutierrez Family, but my future belongs to myself and the Perez Family."My words sent a shockwave through the room.Luca walked up beside me, smiling. Then, he took my hand in front of everyone. "Welcome aboard, my dear Consigliere."I smiled back. "It's my honor, boss."Carlo stared at our joined hands, the light in his eyes finally snuffed out. He dropped to his knees. He seemed to understand what he had really lost for the first time.I leaned down, speaking softly so only he could hear. "C