جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 8

Caterina's Point-of-ViewI stood there like a senseless puppet, unable to move. I suffered through the slow destruction of what I believed in over the past five years, and with every stroke, raw flesh and blood were torn away. Luigi Sartori, my husband, said with a sigh, "I mean, Caterina dropped out of school without hesitation because of your illness, and she even agreed to marry me to satisfy my specific fetishes. I'll have someone clear out and renovate the room tomorrow."Simone Novello, my younger brother, chuckled. "You've been waiting for Maria for five years—and she's finally back. Do you really intend to get rid of that room, Luigi?"Luigi swirled the wine in his glass. "I don't need that room anymore—I can't bear to do those kinds of things to Maria."I felt my heart hammering against my chest after hearing that, my face immediately turning pale. I could still feel my body aching from his rough handling in that room full of torture devices, but that physical pain was n

I noticed that the front door was wide open, and the house was in complete disarray. Simone was being held down on the ground by someone, like a desperate stray dog in its final struggle. That scene was so familiar that I started shaking all over—my previously broken ribs seemed to flare up with phantom pain.It was then that Davide Conti, the leader of the group, said, "It's been a while. When are you paying this month's debt, Ms. Novello?"I turned completely pale. "Didn't Luigi pay it all back already? How do I still owe you anything?"Davide spat on the floor before waving the iron rod in his hand a couple of times over Simone's back. "If I say you owe us money, then you owe us money. You don't want to pay up, huh? I'm not sure how many swings Simone's brittle bones can handle, though, Ms. Novello.""I'm the one who got you into this mess, so just forget about me and leave, Caterina. I'm just a cripple—it doesn't matter if they beat me to death!"I had heard those exact words

Simone's Point-of-ViewI had just gotten on the private plane when Maria, who had been waiting, ran over happily. "You finally have time to travel around the world with me, Simone!"She then took out a detailed travel plan with every destination checked off. She had visited these places over the past five years.I was worried that she wouldn't have the best experience whenever she traveled, so I had provided her with top-tier tour guides, elite security, and the finest luxury hotels.I showered Maria with excessive affection, while for five years, I feigned being a paralyzed ALS patient to trick Caterina. I stood by and watched as Caterina gave up her future and her freedom, turning into a machine that worked day and night to earn money just to pay for my so-called treatment.I had once again made up another excuse about getting treatment and left Caterina in that cramped, stifling rented apartment just because Maria wanted me to travel the world with her again. I had lied so mu

I hurried straight to the rented apartment without stopping after disembarking from the private plane. I didn't even bother changing my clothes. I had traveled everywhere with Maria during those two weeks, my thoughts often drifting to how I should have brought Caterina to see these places as well.I thought that since the punishment was over, I was going to pick up my princess and take her back to the castle where she belonged.I pushed the door open, only to find the place empty. I then thought of the messages that had gone unanswered for a long time—something that had never happened in the past.I felt a sense of growing unease gnawing at me as my face gradually lost its color. I took out my phone at once and called my assistant. "Go find out where Caterina is right now."There was silence on the other end of the line for a few seconds before my assistant's somber voice came through. "You should head over to Don Sartori's place this instant, Mr. Novello."I noticed Luigi clutch