With an awful headache, I woke up and sat up straight. “What happened?”“Just like they say in the movies.” I heard a chuckle, making me look to my right. Christian, who held a cloth in his hand, pushed his arm against my forehead. “You’ve fainted.”Fainted?I breathed heavily, remembering every little detail. I was at Berto’s, and he started shooting around like a madman, but somehow we got out.“Where am I?” I looked around, realizing it was our safe and secure bedroom. “Oh, never mind.”“Ramiro says you’ll be fine.” Christian brushed his hand through my hair and pushed me back down.“The baby—“He shook his head. “Our baby is fine.”“And Siena—““She’s not here.” He cut me off once again. “She at my grandparents.”My poor Siena, who I had abandoned, thinking Berto would really hold his end of the deal. All I wanted was my baby.“I need to see her,” I begged, reaching for Christian’s hand. “Please!”“N-now?”“Yes,” I spoke clearly, but Christian did not want to hear any of it and pu
Christian“Hey, sleeping beauty!” Beau kicked Christian’s leg, waking him up. “We have to go. Dario is expecting you.”Startled, Christian opened his eyes, noticing he had fallen asleep in his chair while caring for Serena. “Where is she?” He asked, not wanting to lose her again.“Matteo took her to Siena, and we’ve got to go.”Stressed, Christian got up from his chair and brushed his hands through his hair. “She didn’t wake me. Why didn’t she wake me?” He paced back and forth, eventually reaching for his phone.He let out a frustrated sigh at the long list of missed calls. “Please tell me your dad didn’t see me like this?”“Oh, he didn’t.” Beau simply shrugged. “Serena told him you were taking a nap, and he went off. Something about you not being allowed to rest.” He said. “But don’t worry, I stuck up for you as always—“ Beau’s sentence was cut short by a pillow getting thrown at his face.“Ow.” He frowned. “What was that for?”“Just call Dario and tell him we’ll be on our way!”Some
Christian“Father, mother—what a pleasant surprise!” Berto said as the two followed his eyes.In the doorway stood the person he despised the most.Franco Lamberti.Just as Dario and Christian were about to step closer, Franco stuck out his hand, ordering them to stop.A shocked Maria made her way to the front to take a better look at her son. “Roberto…” She had difficulty speaking. “What happened to you?”Christian did not know his grandma as an emotional woman, and as far as he knew, she had bottled up her feelings and had never expressed her loss.Franco and Maria being on good terms after everything that happened proved for Christian that his grandpa had already confessed his sins to Maria. The two were probably in in together.He left Berto behind, and Christian could understand why he did that. His uncle was insane.His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a hard smack. Shocked, Christian ran over to his grandma, holding her cheek, and pulled her backward, realizing the sit
“One, two—three!” Christian threw a happy Siena in the air, ignoring my pleas for him to stop. With my hand on my heart, I leaned against the wall as a sound of relieved laughter escaped my lips.“See!” Christian held her by her leg, turning her upside down. “She enjoys it, so I do not think it’s your place to interfere!” He spoke, pretending to drop her.Not wanting my child to crack open her skull, I rushed to their side and grabbed her from his hands. “Okay, that’s enough for now.”Today would be an eventful day, but unfortunately, one I wouldn’t get to experience. While Christian would soon be headed to the location to deal with his uncle and Luca, I would be stuck at home.It wasn’t all too bad because I got to spend time with Siena—but although I had promised not to involve myself in any business, I couldn’t help but be curious.“What’s on your mind?” Christian raised my chin, inspecting the sad frown on my face. My mind told me to let it go, but a part of me still wanted to try
I shut my eyes, wishing for an angel to appear, and that was exactly what happened as Johnny barged through the door.“Christian, stop!” He was out of breath as he made his way behind the glass. My eyes moved to the knife in his back pocket, wondering whether Christian and Dario, who had only been focused on Luca, had noticed the sharp object.“Johnny?” Luca said, relieved. Christian rolled his eyes in annoyance while Dario stayed out of it. Judging by his mild reaction towards Luca and Christian's unbothered response towards his uncle, the two must’ve made some sort of deal.It only took Johnny one second to stand in front of his brother and he stretched his arms, protecting him. “I won’t let you do this.” He stated.Christian tensed his hand around the gun. “Move.”“No.”Dario cleared his throat to speak. “Johnny—““Move!” Christian raised his voice at Johnny, pointing his head to the door.“No.”“Fine, then you’ll die with your brother,” Christian said, and I could tell he wasn’t b
“All of that because I didn’t have his back?” I whispered to myself. Johnny rushed to Luca’s side—while Enzo slammed his arm around my shoulder.“Don’t take it personally. He’s always been like that—whining like a little child.”“Yes, I know.” I folded my arms. “But leaving me behind?”“With me.” Enzo shrugged. “That means he trusts me—doesn’t it?”“He’s not angry with you. He’s upset because you looked at him with those puppy eyes.” Dario stepped forward, smirking.“What puppy eyes?” I pouted. “All I told him was not to murder his cousin, and now suddenly I’m the bad guy?”Dario tapped his finger against my nose. “Those puppy eyes.” He showed me his dimples, making me blush. “Don’t worry about him too much, and just let him calm down.”I didn’t love Dario the way I loved Christian. I had already ruled that one out, but having someone to talk to who shared the same interests and knowing he was back to his old self melted my heart.He deserved happiness.“So what will happen to uncle B
It was a bright and sunny day, filled with talks and laughter. The Lamberti estate was full of guests, including different families who were all present for Lucio’s birthday party. His birthday was two weeks ago, but today felt like a good day to celebrate his existence.A month had passed since everything went down, and for the first time in forever, things were actually going great. Everything was nice and peaceful.“I’m happy to see all of you here together.” Lucio grabbed my hand to connect it with Christian’s. We glanced at each other, and a soft smile appeared on Christian’s lips.“So am I.” He spoke. It still seemed unreal, but our relationship was perfect. Every now and then, we had minor disagreements, but that was it.“And you?” Lucio looked over at Cesca, who held Siena in her arms. “You should get along with your daughter-in-law.” He spoke. “Serena has always been like a daughter to me, so I need all of you to take care of her in the future.”Hearing him speak as if he was
Hours had passed, but Christian had yet to move a muscle. Many had either left the graveside in tears or had stepped out to take a breather, but not Christian.“It’s okay to cry, Christian.” I wrapped my arm around him, leaning into his chest. “If you want to yell, bawl—punch someone…I’m here.” I spoke. “Okay, maybe not the punching part—““I know.” I felt Chistian’s soft lips pressed against my temple. “I should be crying, but people are relying on me, and I can’t let them down.” He tried convincing himself. “Tears are a sign of weakness.”His words to me were nonsense, but I respected his wishes. He felt obligated to be the bigger man this family needed him to be and held back every bit of emotion.Others depended on him to prepare a perfect service for Lucio, and he did. Gio and Enzo were older, Franco who had lost his son had more experience—but as the heir, everyone expected Christian to do everything—as if he was not grieving as well.Christian didn’t mind. There was no good way