บททั้งหมดของ Married To Danger: บทที่ 61 - บทที่ 70

ADRIAN Blood kept dripping down on Milo, and the goddamn thing kept licking it up eagerly. Enraged, I snatched the dog up by its neck, staggered toward the door, and tossed it into the hallway. It landed with a squeak before it dashed off. I stared down at my blood-covered hands then at the lifeless body of my wife. Slowly, I closed the door just in case. A bloody handprint remained on the white-lacquered wood. I turned back to the gruesome scene. The red roses one of the maids had bought for Serena as a gift for our sixth wedding anniversary lay crumpled beside the limp body. Red roses to match the blood-stained sheets and her white dress. A desperate attempt to mend a marriage that couldn’t be mended. Proof of my own failure. Seconds ticked by as I regarded my wife. Even lifeless, she was still beautiful. She’d chosen to wear her wedding dress when she killed herself. It still fit her perfectly. The crystals on her bodice glittered in the glow of the lamp. A few of them were spr

VALENTINA Knowing what I knew now, a chill crept over my skin when I found Stefan curled up in his mother’s bedroom the next morning. The air felt heavy in that space, still carrying the ghost of what Adrian had described so vividly, and so raw that I could almost see it. My throat tightened as I stood in the doorway. Stefan was lying on his side, small and quiet, his hair a dark tangle against the pillow. He looked peaceful in a way that broke my heart. I wondered what he remembered, what he’d seen, how much Adrian had tried to protect him from. I approached slowly, my steps soft on the carpet. It felt like I was noticing every detail in the room for the first time… the pale curtains, the faint scent of perfume that hadn’t faded, the bed that no one slept in anymore. How must it feel for Adrian to walk through this room, day after day, knowing what had happened here? I bent down and slid my arms under Stefan. He stirred, eyes fluttering open as he woke in my embrace. He wasn’t

VALENTINA It was two days before Stefan’s birthday. And since Adrian had confirmed we’d spend the weekend at the beach house, I decided to call Gemma. We hadn’t really spoken since the wedding… just exchanged the occasional polite text about holidays or family events. She answered on the second ring, and her warm voice filled my ear. “Valentina! What a surprise. Is everything all right?”“Yes, of course,” I said quickly.“Of course,’” she echoed, a smile in her tone. “You sound like someone trying very hard to convince me.”I laughed softly, even as my heart picked up. I couldn’t help wondering how much she knew about what had really happened… about Serena and about that night. Adrian said Gemma only knew the official version, but still… It was hard to imagine anyone in their world being completely in the dark.“Everything’s fine,” I said again, gentler this time. “Actually, I wanted to invite you and your family to Stefan’s birthday weekend. We’ll be celebrating at the beach house.

VALENTINA “Is Daddy a bad man?”I nearly fell off the ladder. For a heartbeat, I forgot how to breathe. In the three weeks since his birthday, Stefan had barely spoken. He had only made small, hesitant words here and there, and now, on the morning before Christmas Eve, this was what came out of his mouth.I steadied myself and hung the silver ornament on the top branch of the Christmas tree before climbing down the ladder. The pine filled the room with that rich, sharp scent I’d always loved, though right now it seemed too heavy.Stefan sat cross-legged among the boxes of decorations I’d bought. I’d gotten new ones, because I couldn’t bring myself to use Serena’s old things. They belonged to a past best left untouched. Sofia sat a few feet away, happily pulling apart a strand of tinsel she’d found, her cheeks flushed from the effort.I lowered myself beside Stefan. He was rolling a red ball back and forth between his palms, his small face serious. “Who told you that?” I asked gently

ADRIAN Valentina smiled. “I thought we could exchange our gifts tonight. Tomorrow should be about the kids and Milo opening theirs.” I chuckled quietly. “Don’t tell me you actually got the dog a present.” Valentina’s lips curved into a mock pout. “Of course I did. She’s part of the family. I even got something for Elia, Domenico, and Sybil.” I shook my head, fighting a smile. “How did your parents manage to create someone like you?” She smirked. “Marco turned out well too.” The mention of her brother stirred something in my gut. Marco and I tolerated each other, but trust was another matter. Still, I wasn’t going to let that ruin tonight. “Let me get your present. It’s in my office.” “I’ll come with you,” she said quickly, taking my hand. “Mine’s downstairs.” I let her lead me, her fingers intertwined with mine. When she stopped in front of the door to her art room, I realized I’d never actually been inside. “Close your eyes,” she ordered. I raised a brow. “Valentina, I’m no