All Chapters of A Wilted Rose: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

10 Chapters

Chapter 1

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

Chapter 2

I pulled out my duffel bag and quickly packed up my few belongings.Suddenly, Carlo kicked the door open in anger. Seeing the bag by my feet, he sneered and kicked it over.I frowned and glared at him. "What's your problem?""I should be asking you that, Rosa! Are you pulling that same trick again? You didn't die last time you jumped into the river, so where are you planning to go this time? Are you going to send another suicide note again?"Carlo was breathing hard, his expression twisted with contempt. "Don't bother, Rosa. Even if you're not sick of threatening me with suicide, I am!"I bent down and stuffed my old clothes back into the bag, then shot back at him, "Who said I'm going to kill myself?"If people as cold-blooded and brutal as him and Gemma could thrive in life, why should I lie down and die when I had a rare second chance in life?Carlo snorted, silent, the disdain in his eyes almost spilling over.Gemma followed him in and spoke up at just the right moment.

Chapter 3

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

Chapter 4

I quickly had my eyes on a job at a library.The pay wasn't great, but it was enough for me. Best of all, the library was in the next city, squarely on the Perez Family's territory.In my last life, having a job of my own was all I had wanted. Now, just the thought of it filled me with hope as I boarded the bus for a new start.Luckily, the interview went smoothly, and I was officially hired.I worked hard to familiarize myself with the position, feeling a peace I had never known before. Finally breaking free from Carlo made me giddy.But just as I was about to change into my uniform, Carlo called again. The second I answered, his commanding voice roared through the line. "Rosa, where are you?!"The good mood I had just disappeared in an instant. "What do you want?"Carlo's voice was cold as he demanded, "So, you're not really trying to leave. You're just trying to bring my grandfather back to force me! I won't let you have your way."When I returned to the villa owned by the

Chapter 5

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

Chapter 6

However, I stood on my own and just waved the family doctor off. Then, I walked to Don Vinnie just to bow again. "Thank you, boss. But like I said, my engagement to Carlo ends here."With that, I dragged myself toward the door despite feeling like I would crumble at any time. This time, nobody dared stop me.Behind me, I heard Carlo's angry shout. "Grandfather! Are you just going to let her leave just like that? She's just playing hard to get!"All he got was Don Vinnie's roar. "You piece of…! On your knees! You're not getting up until sunrise!"I checked into the best private hospital.The next day, the butler brought all my things over, including my mother's photo and a credit card with no maximum limit. He also brought a message for me. "Our boss says that the Gutierrez Family will always have your back."When I got out of the hospital, I headed straight for the neighboring city and started my new job at the library. Despite having to sort the books under the sun, I felt a p

Chapter 7

"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

Chapter 8

The Rivera Family's estate was bright with lights, with well-dressed guests filling up its halls.I walked into the banquet hall wearing the evening gown sent by the Gutierrez Family as I held onto Luca's arm. I instantly drew everyone's attention.The heir of the Perez Family had a date, and she was the former fiancee of the heir of the Gutierrez Family. The gossip alone was enough to confound the crowd.I straightened my back. I had already died once, so what was there to fear?Soon, I spotted Gemma Moreno. After Don Vinnie met with the Don of the Moreno family, the illegitimate daughter was kicked out by her family. Without their protection, she dumped the disgraced Carlo and instead hit it off with a Capo from the Moreno Family.When she saw me with Luca, the smile on her face froze. She stomped over in her heels."What are you doing here, you wench?"Luca stepped in front of me, his voice cold. "Watch your tone. Not just anyone can insult my date."Gemma's arrogance disappe

Chapter 9

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

Chapter 10

I looked down at Gemma as she lay on the floor helplessly. Suddenly, everything felt so pointless."Sell her to the darkest mines in the Southern Isle," I said calmly. "Make her spend the rest of her life working off her debts with her own hands."Gemma's eyes went wide with terror as she heard my words. She started groveling at my feet, begging me for mercy.I didn't even give her another glance as I walked away.Back at my apartment, Luca was already waiting for me."I heard what happened with Gemma," he said as he looked at me. "Did it make you feel any better?"I shook my head. "Not exactly. It just feels like everything is finally over."He wrapped his arms around me from behind. "Then let that chapter close. I'll always be here with you from now on."My phone suddenly rang at this time, and it was an unfamiliar number.When I picked it up, Carlo's weak, hoarse voice came through from the other end. "Rosa… It's me. I was wrong, I really was. So… Please come back, okay?

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