Lahat ng Kabanata ng Keep Your Merry Christmas to Yourself: Kabanata 1 - Kabanata 9

The moment I sent the message, I felt a huge weight lift off my shoulders.Before long, my phone started vibrating nonstop. The group chat was flooded with unread messages, but I didn't bother opening any of them.Then, Mamma's call came through for the third time.This time, I answered."Cristina, do you really have to break my heart like this?"Her voice was trembling. "Why are you giving us back those things? Giada is having a heart attack because of it! She's in the hospital now! She's your sister. Did you even think about how your action would affect her?"As I listened to her familiar words, my eyes stung, but no tears came.This again.Giada's poor health and fragile heart had always been her shield against criticism.She had congenital heart disease, so my parents had to care for her, and I was sent away to boarding school at a young age.And because of her, I was forced to learn how to survive independently before I even knew how to connect with my family.Later, wh

Third-person POVThe night after Cristina received the anonymous email, Ivano sat at the head of a private room in an upscale club on the outskirts of the city, casually sipping his drink and making small talk.Odorico Dante, a partner on the Fennaris project, approached with his own glass and clinked it against Ivano's."Mr. Dominici, you truly have some remarkable talent around you. Just the other day, I saw the design sketch posted by Ms. Giada Soave. The Soave family sure has put a lot of effort into nurturing her. Even her casual sketches have a certain charm."Ivano took a sip of his drink calmly. "She just does it to pass the time. She's not a professional designer.""Of course. She's the Principessa, after all. As long as she's happy." Odorico laughed, agreeing.Then, he swiftly changed the subject. This time, his tone was more excited. "But speaking of real professional designers, we've unexpectedly recruited a rare genius for our overseas project today!"Ivano didn't l

I had underestimated Ivano's methods.The next morning, just as I opened the door to my apartment, there he was. This mafia Don, with his far-reaching influence, was standing in the narrow hallway of my humble, run-down building.For the first time, there was a hint of regret on Ivano's usually composed face.He sighed lightly, then placed a bank card gently on my cheap fold-out table.His deep-set eyes were filled with indulgence, and his voice was soft enough to drown me. "Cristina, I hate seeing you suffer out here. Take this card, forget about the Fennaris project, and come home with me."I stared at the card and laughed.Even now, he still thought that money could solve everything.I looked away from the card."Ivano, I don't need your money." My voice was so calm that even I found it strange.Ivano froze for a moment, clearly not understanding my rejection. He must've been used to me carefully trying to please him.I continued, "If you really feel guilty, then please ke

When I returned to Soave Manor, the mood in the living room was just right.Mamma was trying on expensive jewelry on Giada, Papa was reading the newspaper, and Ivano was on the phone in the corner.The scene looked so warm.Frowning, Papa put down his newspaper as soon as he saw me walk in. "You finally remember that this is your home?"Mamma, on the other hand, quickly switched to a fake, concerned tone. "Cristina, where have you been these days? We've been so worried about you."Ivano hung up the phone, his face showing a trace of surprise as he took my hand. "Cristina, I knew you'd come around. Since you're done with this tantrum, just stay home now. I've kept your ring for you."I pulled my hand away and ignored him. Walking straight to the coffee table, I threw the document envelope I had been clutching onto it."What's this? How rude!" Papa's face darkened."A document."I pulled out a chair and sat down, coldly watching them. "A document about how much my life is really