جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 8

Daniela's POVAfter Antonio Vinci hung up the phone and saw how swiftly I had signed, he suddenly smiled.He slid his arms around my waist and intimately asked, "Why are you so obedient, Daniela? If I asked you to die for me, would you do it?""Maybe."Resting his chin on my shoulder, he closed the folder and said, "This is a marriage agreement. Are you happy that I'm finally marrying you?"I gave a slight nod. "Weddings are a lot of work. That includes setting the date, picking the rings, dress fittings, and arranging the guest list. We're going to be busy.""Our tenth anniversary is two days from now. Let's have the wedding then. I'll have everything else arranged, while all you have to do is wait to be my bride," he said and brushed a kiss against my ear.The air between us turned thick and heavy with intimacy. Antonio gently lifted me onto the desk and tilted his head up to kiss me again and again."It's been ten years, Daniela Valenti. Will you resent me for taking so long

"Antonio! Are you really going to side with Lucia like that? What about me? Do I even matter to you anymore?"Ignoring the pain in my hand, I chased after Antonio and demanded an answer. He didn't answer, but the bodyguards behind me pinned me down and dragged me straight to the basement.Three years ago, Antonio had proposed to me, but the Vinci family forbade marrying commoners. He had endured 100 lashes just to have that rule abolished.Now that I thought about it… Lucia's background was nothing special, either. Her dad had been Lorenzo Vinci's driver, and the latter had only adopted her because her dad had saved his life. Was Antonio's rebellion back then really for me, or was it for her, too?The whips came down on my back, one after another, until the pain threatened to swallow me whole."Tomorrow," I told myself. "Tomorrow I can leave Antonio and the Vincis."Just as I was about to pass out, I thought I saw Antonio running toward me. He carefully cradled me in his arms and

Enrica briefly froze. Then, she leaned forward to glance behind me. When she noticed that I was alone, she smiled and asked, "Have you broken up with Antonio?"I nodded. We were never together to begin with, so it was hardly a breakup.Enrica didn't pry. She took the ring from me and gave it a quick look. "He gave you this? That's cheap. I can't believe he'd try to pass off such bottom-shelf junk as a gift.""Lucia told me that this was your keepsake."She immediately waved it off. "I didn't leave anything when I left. She was lying to you."I chuckled bitterly. I guessed I did let my feelings cloud my judgment.Luckily, Enrica was still alive. As for how she was still breathing… she simply explained that she couldn't stand Lorenzo's philandering ways anymore, so she faked her death and escaped.Later, when I told her my story, she realized we had both used the same escape plan and started laughing.Over the next few days, Enrica brought me everywhere. We traveled and explored

"Dad ! Lucia's pregnant with your baby!" Antonio screamed as he hurled the paternity test report at Lorenzo.Lorenzo didn't look surprised at all. All he said was, "The Vinci family needs an heir.""So, you got in bed with Lucia?" Antonio roared. "Mom knew from the start, didn't she? Answer me!"Lorenzo avoided his gaze and said, "Your mom was too stubborn, and I can have a child with whoever I choose since you'll inherit most of my assets…"Antonio suddenly snapped. He lunged forward and locked his hands around Lorenzo's throat. "It was you! You destroyed Mom and ruined me!"You drove her to her death, then you did the same to Daniela. You're not my dad!"Antonio strangled Lorenzo with such force that soon, his face turned a deep, sickly purple. Seeing that Antonio was truly going to kill him, Carlo rushed in and forced them apart.Lorenzo slumped to the floor and coughed violently, pointing a trembling finger at Antonio as he struggled to find his voice.Antonio coldly stared