The Wisdom Of Insecurity: A Message For An Age Of Anxiety

"Your insecurity is my temptation," I groaned, lowering my head and kissing every one of her exquisite curves. Araceli Serrano — innocent, sheltered, and trapped under the mercy of a cruel stepmother and a venomous stepsister — had no control over her own life. So when she was suddenly handed over in marriage to Matvei Orlov… a man she had never seen, never spoken to, never even dared to imagine — fear became her only companion. He was darkness where she was light. Power where she was powerless. Danger where she had only ever known silence. Thrown into his ruthless world, her insecurities and fragile naivety clashed violently with the cold man she now belonged to. But somewhere between his dominance and her fear… something began to shift. Because the more his dark world tried to swallow her whole, the more it awakened a confidence in her no one had ever seen before. Matvei Orlov — a powerful mafia king, feared, obeyed, and never questioned — was a man carved from ice. Cold. Cruel. Proud to the bone. So when he chose to marry a mere commoner, Araceli Serrano, it wasn’t out of love… It was revenge. A calculated move meant to spite his father and prove that no one — not even blood — could dictate his choices. To him, she was nothing more than a pawn. Soft. Powerless. Easy to control. But Matvei had ruled empires, not innocence. What he never saw coming was this —trying to tame someone so untouched by his dark world… might be the very thing that would drag the mighty Matvei Orlov to his knees.

I packed the last of my things from the apartment into a box and sent my fiancé, William, a voice message. [Let's break up.] A second later, he replied, [OK.] Across from me, my cousin Mia almost spilled her martini on the tablecloth. "You two were together for seven years, about to get engaged, and it's over just like that? How is it that when I dump a guy, it turns into a whole dramatic saga?" "Still, I have to admire you. Giving up your life as the family’s Princess to build everything from scratch with him." I slowly stirred my coffee, the bitter taste flooding my mouth. "Because he never listens to my voice messages." I tossed my phone onto the table and pushed it toward her. Her eyes landed on the screen, on a long list of unplayed voice messages. For the past seven years, my conversations with William had been a one-way street. The rare 'Mm' from him was the most enthusiastic response I could hope for. I had grown used to his cold nature long ago. Until I saw a long voice message on his phone, played in its entirety. It was from his childhood friend, Tessa. In that moment, I finally let go of the sliver of hope I had been clutching for seven years. And now, it was time for me to return to the Miller family as its heiress.

On my birthday, I go out to eat with my family. I make a wish, hoping that we will always stay happily together. When I open my eyes, I see my son, Luigi Marino, holding up his tablet. On the screen, a line of text reads, "Dad, Maria says she's pregnant with your baby. Am I going to get a new mom?" Giovanni Marino is busy taking pictures of me with a Polaroid. He glances at the screen casually before writing a reply on the back of the photo. "No. I made a promise with your mom. If either of us betrays the other, we will have to disappear from the other's life forever. I can't live without your mom. So, you have to help me keep this from her. Even if Maria's baby is born, they will never appear in front of your mom." After writing that, he looks at me and asks in a gentle voice, "What's wrong, my love? Why are your eyes red? Did the smoke from the candles irritate them?" My tears are about to fall, but I force a smile and reply, "I'm fine. The birthday gift you all prepared for me is wonderful. I'm so touched that I can't help but cry." He doesn't know that my dyslexia was cured a week ago. It seems I no longer have to hesitate about the job offer from a well-known international nonprofit that teaches children with dyslexia how to read. The paperwork will be done in seven days. When that time comes, I will disappear from their world completely.

My husband and I were in a passionate embrace when his phone suddenly rang. He pushed me away without hesitation, and I snatched the phone from his hand angrily. It was a message from his sister-in-law. [Henry, my mastopathy is acting up again. What should I do? My breasts hurt so much.] It was followed by a picture of her in sexy lingerie. That was when I lost my temper. "Your sister-in-law is such a shameless woman! How could she share such a picture with you in the middle of the night? How dare she harass you like this after your brother's passing?!" Henry kicked me out of bed. "Stop being petty and vicious, Tessa! My brother's death has been a huge blow for her. What's wrong with me showing her concern as family when she's sick?” "Have you any idea how disappointed I am with you? Apologize right now, or I'll divorce you!" In all our years of marriage, Henry would always threaten me with divorce because I was the one who courted him for five years before finally marrying him. He felt that I would never be able to leave him, but this time, I had lost all hope in him. I did not want him anymore.

MATURE CONTENT!! FOR 18+ ONLY “ What the fuck did you call that reason again?” he asked coldly, making me wonder where his gentleness had gone! “ I… I’m five years older than you, Kelvin, and being in a relationship with you…” “ Bullshit!” he snapped and suddenly grabbed my neck roughly. My eyes widened. “ What are you doing, Kelvin! I’m your teacher…” “ You didn’t think about that when you let me kiss and finger your pussy huh? You even screamed my name like your lord" then he chuckled. "Look, you can’t even free yourself from my grip.” Then he effortlessly pulled me closer and leaned toward my ear. “ I will make you beg for my love, Lisa. You will learn the hard way that the age gap you valued between us is just a number. You will have nowhere to go but my side, unless you travel off this planet, Lisa. I’ve already claimed you, leaving you with no choice… now get out,” he said calmly, yet very dangerous. I quickly grabbed my bag and escaped from the room! How did I even get myself into this situation? I suddenly felt Kelvin was more dangerous than Timothy, my ex-husband!! Not only am I older than Kelvin! I’m also his homeroom teacher, for goodness sake!! His parents intentionally avoided young teachers and trusted me with their son because I’m older! Now look who is dating him!! ….. Ever since Lisa resigned from being his teacher, her life has turned upside down!

Before taking over the next shift, I receive a huge amount of money from my work buddy, George Rowland. He has given me ten thousand dollars in total, and the remark on the transfer notes that it's the payment for the morning shift I've taken for him. "Hey Wilbur, I'm going back to my hometown and enjoy my new retired life. Have fun dealing with the night shift at the control room by yourself. "When I was patrolling the apartment yesterday, I got my hands on treasure that came out of nowhere. Now that I'm rich, I no longer have to deal with the residents anymore." With a grin, I curse George out for being unusually lucky. That guy is so stingy that he refuses to even buy himself a bottle of mineral water that's worth two dollars. To think that he actually struck the jackpot this time! I accept the money happily, thinking that I should take my younger sister out for a nice dinner once I get off work. Ten minutes later, George sends the clock-off photo of him handing the shift over to me on the work chat as usual. His caption reads, "I've gone through my final shift properly." The moment I make out the photo, I feel the hairs on my back rising. "Hello? Is this the police? A murder has taken place in Riverside Residences!"