All Chapters of ROSES ON FIRE: Chapter 41 - Chapter 50

CLARISSAAs we rushed home, we couldn’t help but feel an overwhelming need to be in each other’s company. I could feel Riccardo’s every heavy breath, every hungry look. He was kissing me like crazy in the back seat of the car. His hands never left my body, and every second I was getting more turned on. I could feel his erect penis through my tight dress, on my thigh. He pushed gently, giving me a taste of what was to come. And here we were in his room, facing each other. Riccardo’s piercing eyes held me captive, and I felt a shiver run down my spine as he reached out to touch me. I finally reached the desire that had consumed my thoughts for so long in that one moment. I made a choice in that moment - to grant myself the liberty to feel his touch, to let myself be vulnerable to the unknown.As his fingertips grazed my skin, a jolt of electricity shot through my body. Each touch felt like a gentle breeze blowing away the burdens of my past, bringing me closer to healing and freedom.

RICCARDOMy fists clenched tight as I stood there, watching Clarissa disappear through the front gate, the anger within me boiling like a raging inferno. Although I let her go, I wasn’t foolish enough to not fully comprehend the significance of the events that had just taken place. In that moment, the realization became crystal clear to me, and I knew exactly what I needed to do. The entire episode seemed to have been depicted in my mind. The strength of it was so intense that it fueled the blaze that was already raging within me.My cousin Fabrizio had confided in me about the horrific assaults that Clarissa and her sister Skyler had endured in the past. The experience of listening to that story was quite heart-wrenching. The emotions of sadness and anger that I felt after hearing it were truly overwhelming. Thinking that someone intentionally caused such excruciating pain to innocent souls generated an intense surge of fury to ripple through every fiber of my being. I had made a so

CLARISSAThe weight of my emotions made the journey back to Riccardo’s house feel longer, each step accompanied by a new thought. With the truth finally unveiled, it was clear that he caused my sister’s tragic fate and losing my innocence. My heart felt heavy as the weight of this revelation sank in, leaving a bitter aftertaste in my mouth. To solve the problem, I knew I had to be both cunning and deceptive, while also being careful not to reveal my true intentions. I had to convince Riccardo that I was unaware of his malicious actions and still the same gullible person he always knew. I knew I had to play a role, and it had to be so convincing that he wouldn’t see through my true intentions. It was a challenging task to return his necklace, the very symbol of his malevolence, amidst the tangled web of deceit, without raising suspicion.A wave of emotions hit me as I neared Riccardo’s house - memories of my sister, grief, anger, and the determination to seek justice. The wolf in shee

CLARISSAHis words cut deep into my heart. No one had ever defended me like that before. His eyes radiated hatred but also compassion. But if the mobsters were famous for anything, that was cheating. And he was no exception. So I wouldn’t let him fool me.I would play as he sang to me just long enough to regain his trust and then I would give him the deathblow. Who did he think he was fooling, that he wasn’t the one who hurt me? My troubled mind and bleeding body never deceived me. I couldn’t forget that. His breath reeked of alcohol. His every sickening touch. Every gross kiss. And now I had to remember all that again.“Ok, I will tell you everything!” “I’m all ears!” he said and took a seat in his chair. He motioned me to do the same.Despite my fear, I forced myself to recount the horrifying events of my past. With a heavy heart, I finally found the courage to share the memories that had been weighing me down. As I spoke, the weight of the words seemed to echo in the room, and th

CLARISSAIt feels like just yesterday that I returned to Riccardo’s house, yet an entire week has passed. Hannah has been staying with us for that entire time.The sound of my phone ringing caught me off guard. I was relieved to find out that only Hannah was next to me.“Hello?”“Clarissa? It’s Pierre,” he said in one breath. “I am sorry I disappeared like that. I haven’t forgotten about the promise we made to perform together, have you?” he asked, his tone more jovial.How could I forget? Only it wasn’t the right time now.“Of course, I remember. How have you been?” I asked, diverting the conversation a bit.“I’ve been great, Clarissa! But that’s not why I’m calling. It’s time to keep that promise of ours. I’ve gone ahead of you and signed you up for a performance at Diamond Hall this weekend,” he blurted. “Wait, this weekend? Pierre, I wasn’t expecting that. I hadn’t performed in ages, and the idea of doing it at Diamond Hall makes me nervous.” I tried to excuse myself.“I know, I