[ D O M I N I C O ] Why isn't she answering? It's been two hours. I've been trying to call her since Enzo and I left the cemetery. So far, still no texts, no callbacks, no emails from her. She didn't even bother telling me she's going somewhere. Waiting for my static inbox to move, I peel myself off the sofa and stand behind Enzo. We're one action flick down and two glasses away from finishing the bottle of red wine I rescued from the fridge. “So? Where's your wife?” Enzo's loud voice and grumpy tone only amplify the tension in my shoulders. “At the mall, prolly.” I pace behind the couch, my eyes glued to my phone. Worry is starting to consume my mind. I dial Seraphine's number again. Still no answer. Paolo hasn't called me back, either. The fuck is happening? Are they on a secret dinner date or something? They'd better not be making out on some gondola, or anywhere else. I ring his other phone number, the knots in my stomach only doubling by the minute. “Paolo,” I say the s
[ S E R A P H I N E ] Game over. Barely three hours later, my not-so-original escape plan's all ruined. The dickhead I unfortunately have to refer to as "my husband" just found me. Of course he would. I don't know how, but, I already felt his presence before I even saw his face. Ugh. How did he know I'm in here? In this hotel? A hunch? Or should I blame his bodyguards? Wearing no tie and a tailored black two-piece suit, he stands beside his straight-faced security staff right outside the glass doors. Their eyes are busy scanning the surroundings, as if they're waiting for some gun-slinging strangers to disrupt this unwanted reunion. The lobby isn't empty, but not crowded, either. Darn it. There's no way I can outrun any of them now, especially with all this stuff in my bag. I roll my eyes when he struts in through the glass doors without even pausing for the security check. Like he owns this place. The asshat looks like he just left an important board meeting — not the most ta
[ S E R A P H I N E ]Crap. I can't believe he just said that. What for? To discourage me? Scare me? Convince me that he wanted me to move in because he wants to turn this fake marriage into something more? Something real, serious, and permanent? Bullshit. The truth is, he's trying to convince himself that he wants and needs this relationship to work out. There's no way he actually wants me to be his new wife. Nor is he eager to marry and start a family with someone he just met a few months ago.I don't know where to go. Where to hide. If I try to leave again, he's gonna tell his bodyguards to stalk me. Like I'm some prey that can't ever escape this cage. A voiceless, helpless prisoner who can't ever say no to him.Sighing to myself, I glance at the locked door. I'm back in the room I slept in last night. Alone. Tired. A little hungry. I should be starving, but my appetite's been iffy these past couple of weeks.I pace around the room. The lights stay dim. Everything's the same. I g
[ S E R A P H I N E ]It's almost ten. Enzo just left. Before walking out the front door, he told me to forgive his cousin and trust Dominico more. He's convinced that Dominico only wants to keep me safe. Hence his decision to make me live with him. To make me pretend we're legally married. Maybe Dominico thinks being his wife will be enough to protect me from his father and Ignazio's accomplices? When Dominico was in the living room, he sounded busy on the phone. I think he was talking to his father at one point, while Enzo and I were eating dinner alone in the dining room. Instead of getting more annoyed for not having much privacy, I'm actually thankful that we had a guest. Another person I could talk to. I'm not quite ready to confront Dominico again, too bewildered by how our conversation in the garage ended. Having Enzo around more often will be enough of a buffer the rest of the week. I'm trying to act like nothing happened, like I didn't just bolt and tried to leave the
[ S E R A P H I N E ]A month flies by in a blur. Dominico and I revised the terms of our arrangement weeks ago. The negotiations took a while, and it wasn't easy. But what we have now is a better setup than him paying the bills and putting food on the table while I pretend I'm his stay-at-home trophy wife.When he asked me to stay here in Florence, I said yes. Out of worry, mainly. This property is hours away from Genoa and belongs in a relatively quiet neighborhood, but it's not enough to ensure our safety. I'm still living here in his house for free. In return, I do the chores like cooking and cleaning most days of the week. Usually after my classes. The least I could do for his generosity and encouragement. We hang out more often now, except when I'm at school or he's at work. But our sleeping arrangements haven't changed. Dominico and I still have separate rooms. I don't think he'll try to change my mind about it anytime soon. This weekend, though, we're gonna be sleeping in t
[ D O M I N I C O ] I shouldn't have thought of that bet. It was plain stupid. Juvenile. Clearly she's not thrilled about sleeping here. Sharing a room with me all weekend. Her face says it all. It's not the real problem, though. She's not the issue.I am. Like always. I'm exhausted physically, but my mind's not ready to rest. I just can't shut off my brain. Having been away from her has been messing with my head more than I want to admit.Before Seraphine moved in with me, I was perfectly fine with not seeing her every day. Apparently, some part of my brain's not convinced that this is nothing but a sham marriage. “It's eleven? Already?” I sigh to myself, scowling at the yellow numbers beside my head, my phone finally quiet on the nightstand.Sephie remains still beside me. Her back's pressed onto the pillows leaning against the headboard. She's frowning, sitting with her bare legs crossed, her creamy skin paler than my sheets. The thick book on her thigh holds her attention while
• ALL RIGHTS RESERVED COPYRIGHT © 2024 by M.Z.Mauve • DISCLAIMER • Scenes, characters, dialogues and events in this story are all invented. This story contains mature themes, profanity, violence, and sexual content not intended for young readers. All photos included in this book belong to the copyright owners. Full credits to the owners. Unauthorized reproduction of any part of this story or plagiarism of any kind is prohibited by the law. | MAIN CHARACTERS | FL ••• Seraphine "Sephie" Lee Azur- 24 years old - receptionist at one of the Tomassinis' country clubsML ••• Dominico "Doni" / "Dom" Deschanel Tomassini- 29 years old - CFO of his father's new firm - founder and former CEO of a bankrupt fintech company Chapter 1 •••••••••••••••••••• [ S E R A P H I N E ] I'm a killer.I killed someone last night.Sweet old Sephie is dead. I murdered innocent little Sephie in more ways than I imagined. She died the moment I accepted the money. Gratefully. The biggest payment I'v
[ S E R A P H I N E ] "You good?" Dominico squints at me, then tosses back the whiskey in his second glass."Sì, Signore." [Yes, Sir.] The guy stares at me with furrowed brows. "Don't call me that." My heart drops at his emotionless voice. My shoulders tense up, and my cheeks feel like they're burning. "Pardon?""I'm not your boss." My gut clenches. Embarrassment heats up my throat and the back of my eyes. "Right." I try not to scowl as I put away the cleaning supplies. What the heck is this asshole's problem? Is it me? Because I didn't even try to look like I belong here? Is he disgusted by this outfit? Because I look too tacky for his refined tastes? According to some pictures online, he dated a 20-something Spanish model slash actress. Therefore he probably likes women with immaculate fashion taste.The jerk finally gets up from the stool and swigs the rest of his drink. As I keep my mouth shut, Dominico plops the empty glass back on the bar. "And I'm pretty sure you know my