All Chapters of ROSES ON FIRE: Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

ClarissaPierre’s words echoed in my ears, and I stood there, frozen in disbelief. I never would have guessed the true reason behind his intense hatred for Riccardo. It was darker than anything I could have imagined.Pierre, with tears welling up in his eyes, revealed the horrifying truth that Riccardo was responsible for the injury that led to his little si’s death. The shock of that revelation coursed through my veins like an electric current, leaving me unable to comprehend the magnitude of the situation.Pierre’s anguish was palpable, and the weight of his sorrow settled heavily upon my shoulders. I could see the pain etched deep within his eyes, the loss he had endured, and the scars that would never heal. The realization hit me like a sledgehammer—Riccardo had shattered not only Pierre’s life but also the lives of all those who loved his little sister.“I’m in shock, Pierre,” I said, unable to believe what he had just told me. “Can you confirm if Riccardo was the one driving?”“

ClarissaThe moment Riccardo left my room, my mind started racing with thoughts. Hannah’s safety weighed heavily on my mind, and Riccardo’s words kept replaying in my head. The fear of Hannah suffering because of my stubbornness consumed me. I had principles; it was very true, but I couldn’t let anything happen to my best friend. The thought of what the mobster was capable of made my stomach turn. So I had two ways of looking at the problem. I had to make a choice between warning Hannah about Riccardo Serratore’s plans so she could escape or start writing the damn article. The completion of my mission would mark the beginning of a safer tomorrow for all of us. I took some time to ponder over my findings regarding this mobster and what I had documented so far. As time went on, my feelings towards him grew increasingly negative and I found myself hating him more and more with each passing day. Riccardo Serratore, a ruthless, one-piece man who never gave second chances... and I stoppe

CLARISSARiccardo Serratore had provided me with a small, dusty library with a desk that looked over 20 years old. He said it would help me get into the mood. Well, I hated my mood right now.The dimly lit room only intensified the guilt weighing heavy on my mind. The flickering lightbulb overhead cast eerie shadows on the worn-out furniture, making it seem as if they were alive and moving. As I reflected on what I had done, I felt the heavy burden of compromising my values, but for a good cause. Hannah.I couldn’t bear the thought of her being at the mercy of the heartless Serratore. There was nothing I could do as he held my future in his hands and made the final decision. I couldn’t help but picture Milena’s joy as I wrote the article, knowing it would be a financial windfall for her. Despite my initial refusal to accept it, the anger consumed me, towards both her and myself. I realized too late that the signs had been there all along, warning me that something was terribly wrong.

CLARISSAAlone in this dimly lit room, the consequences of my decisions haunted me. The realization hit me hard - I had been foolishly hopeful of thinking that writing that article would be my ticket to freedom. It was all a deception, a mirage that vanished before my very eyes.Speaking to Aida, Riccardo’s nanny, shattered the illusion completely. She didn’t hold back when revealing the truth about him, exposing his misdeeds and ties to the mafia. Things that I already knew. My knowledge had increased, but it did not ease my troubles. It was like pouring gasoline on a fire, only intensifying my anger. How could he have the audacity to keep me captive? He gave his word, so how could he break his promise?His world of crime and power didn’t interest me in the slightest. The only thing on my mind was the yearning for liberty, an escape from this oppressive existence. Despite my desperate attempts, Riccardo remained merciless, keeping me in his clutches. How could he be so heartless, so

CLARISSAThe day of the gala arrived. I wasn’t even sure what all the fuss was about. Just a bunch of mobsters telling each other what the last outlaw thing they did was. It made me sick just thinking about where I was going. But I didn’t really have a choice.Aida told me Riccardo was waiting for me in the lobby.My heart skipped a beat as I descended the stairs. Riccardo stood there, radiating an aura of irresistible attraction. His staggering handsomeness caught me off guard, and my breath hitched as my eyes widened. It felt like the world had come to a standstill when I met him. His presence was that captivating.Although he was a ruthless gangster, Riccardo was the very embodiment of perfection. His suit, tailored to perfection, highlighted every curve of his fit body. The fabric cascaded effortlessly over his sturdy shoulders, alluding to the power beneath. He carried himself with faultless posture, exuding an aura of self-assuredness that demanded attention.I felt an irresisti