Ace POV:I took one last glance at myself in the mirror before stepping out of the closet.She was still asleep on the bed, emitting small snores with a bit of saliva sticking to her lips. Jet lag.It was 7 in the morning, and I needed to leave for my office.We had returned to New York the previous evening, and she had been moody and sleepy since then.I wished the last week in the village could have lasted longer, but alas, time waits for no one.I took out a wipe and gently cleaned away her drooling saliva.She stirred and let out a soft hum, her hands instinctively moving to scratch her head.Her eyes squinted, adjusting to the brightness of the room."Mattina, amore mio," I murmured, leaning in to kiss her forehead.She smiled and sat up, returning the affection with a wide smile."Mattina, amore mio," she mimicked, rubbing her eyes sleepily.I took her hand and used my fingers to gently rub her eyes."Did you sleep well?" I asked as I lifted her up.She wrapped her legs around me

Third Person POV: *Mature* She lay on the floor in pain. He knelt beside her, inspecting her body. His fingers lightly tapped her cheeks, attempting to bring her some comfort, as she squinted her eyes, whimpering. "Is it hurting so much?" he asked softly, leaning in, he kissed her tear-streaked cheeks gently. She sucked in a breath, her chest heaving with the effort, and cried out in pain. Each inhale and exhale sent waves of agony through her body. "I don't like you, your skin is kind of rough. You're pretty, though," he said, stroking her bloodied head He broke her ribcage, and some cuts and tried to stuff a rod inside her but he didn't. Not yet. She was naked, her flesh slick with her own blood. Both of her hands were twisted grotesquely, one ankle was bent backward unnaturally, and her hair strands were ripped off her head one by one. A long needle was cruelly inserted inside her cheek, her bloodied tongue lying lifelessly on the floor. The light faded fr

Ace POV:A black eye peered at me through thick, white glasses, a hint of confusion evident.Iris quickly moved my hand behind me, concealing the gun."Mama!" Iris called out, her voice ringing with affection.Her small hands clung tightly to the woman's large belly."Oh! Baby look at you," the woman exclaimed, her gaze softening as she looked at Iris.Iris's face lit up with a big, beautiful smile."Who is he?" the woman asked, her eyes darting suspiciously towards me."Mama, it's Ace. Ace, meet Mama Trina," Iris introduced us, her joy apparent.I nodded in acknowledgment as I took in Trina's appearance. She seemed to be in her late 60s, her demeanor warm yet guarded.Returning Iris's smile, Trina spoke, "You're friend?" her gaze shifting between Iris and me."Mama... uh... he's my..." Iris hesitated, her fingers fidgeting nervously.Trina's gasp echoed in the room, followed by an intense scrutiny.Pardon me, didn't just look at me, she freaking scanned me from top to bottom."He lo