Unedited... This is exactly what I meant when I teased that something big was coming up! How are you feeling about these plot twists? Your thoughts mean the world to me, so don't hesitate to drop a comment and share your views! And to each and every one of you, I want to say that your support touches my heart deeply. I've read all your prayers and well-wishes, and I can't express just how grateful I am. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. XOXO! 💕
Vincenzo⋅•⋅⊰∙∘∘∙⊱⋅•⋅Vincenzo Capone - Fifteen years old... I was just fifteen, sitting beside my mother's sickbed, my heart heavy with concern. Her once vibrant face now appeared pale and feverish. Tiny beads of sweat clung to her forehead. I held her hand, which had always offered me warmth and comfort, but now felt cold and clammy."Mom," I murmured, my voice trembling, "You have to get better. I don't know what to do without you."She managed a faint smile, her hand reaching up to caress my cheek. "Vincenzo, mio amore, don't worry about me, it's just a fever. I'll be fine."I nodded, "Yes, you will because I'm here to take care of you."Dipping a cloth into a bowl of water, I gently wiped her forehead, hoping to relieve her fever. As I tended to my mother, the weight of responsibility settled on my shoulders. This was the first time I had seen her so vulnerable. My father's deep voice echoed through the house, calling my mother downstairs to his office, "Isabella!" A frown appe
Claire⋅•⋅⊰∙∘∘∙⊱⋅•⋅It was drizzling... I stood there in a black dress, holding an umbrella, my eyes swollen and red from tears.I had attended nearly six funerals since morning, and Ethan's was the last for the day. Tomorrow, there were a few more funerals to face.Ethan's world had always been a solitary one, with few friends and little family to speak of. I had received word that his mother had been informed of his passing, and I held onto the hope that she would arrive before we proceeded with the final rites. Ethan would have wanted his mother by his side, and I couldn't bear the thought of him leaving this world without her presence.As I stood there in the drizzle, my thoughts drifted to the moments I had shared with Ethan. He had been a quiet and diligent man, but there was a warmth and kindness in his eyes that spoke volumes. Despite the hardships he had faced, he had always carried an air of quiet strength.I wished for his mother to witness the small crowd that had gathered
Claire⋅•⋅⊰∙∘∘∙⊱⋅•⋅I stepped into the spacious, gleaming marble bathroom in Vincenzo's penthouse. My heart was heavy with the memories of Ethan's death, making each step toward the massive glass-enclosed shower a struggle.With a sigh, I began to undress, peeling away the layers of clothing that felt like a protective barrier against the harsh realities of my life. The cold bathroom tiles stung against the soles of my feet as I stripped down, my clothing dropping in a messy heap on the floor.The tiles felt uncomfortable beneath my feet as I approached the shower. I hesitated before stepping inside, my hand trembling as I reached for the faucet. The large rain showerhead loomed above, an invitation to let the water wash everything away, but my trembling fingers made it hard to grasp the handle.I turned the faucet, and the water burst forth in a warm cascade. Its comforting embrace was inviting, but I couldn't shake the nagging feeling that I was an intruder in this grand bathroom. W
WARNING: Some readers may find this chapter extremely depressing. Trigger warning: This content includes themes related to drug abuse. Please proceed with caution, and if you find it distressing, consider seeking support or skipping this part of the story. Your well-being is important. Claire⋅•⋅⊰∙∘∘∙⊱⋅•⋅Tears blurred my vision as I snatched up my heels and sprinted toward the elevator. I couldn't bear to stay a moment longer in that suffocating room.He thought he owned me. He did all this because he thought I was his property. The words that Vincenzo had spoken, the idea of me belonging to him, of him claiming me as his possession, now hit me like a ton of bricks. It was as if a veil had been lifted from my eyes, revealing the truth I had been too naive to see before.The elevator doors slid open, and I stared at the floor, hoping to blend into the background as I navigated my way through the lobby and past the security personnel. My heart pounded furiously in my chest, threateni
Vincenzo⋅•⋅⊰∙∘∘∙⊱⋅•⋅"Will you be okay here? I have some important matters to attend to," I informed Aunt Alessia.She sighed heavily, her eyes showing traces of tears, "I'll manage, as long as Adriano and Silvio recover."I nodded, assuring her, "The doctor said they're out of danger."Her hand reached out to hold mine, "I know, you go ahead. I'm here, and once they wake up, I'd like to return to Chicago. I don't feel safe in this place anymore. It's not safe for you, it's not safe for any of my boys." I gently kissed the hand resting on top of mine, "We'll make arrangements to leave soon."I gave her hand a reassuring squeeze and then turned to leave. As I walked away, I couldn't help but think about this fucked-up situation. Santino's attack has shaken our family, and I'm going to make sure we would deal with it decisively. But first, I needed to take care of her. Exiting the hospital, I slid into my car and dialed her number, the sense of urgency gnawing at me. The phone rang pe
Vincenzo⋅•⋅⊰∙∘∘∙⊱⋅•⋅Bianca Costello spoke with a hint of sadness, a faint smile touching her lips as she said, "Just look at all these people..." She glanced at Allegra, who was teary-eyed, and continued, "You know what she used to say, right?"Allegra sniffled and gave a slight shake of her head. "What did she say?""She used to confide in me," Bianca began, her voice heavy with emotion, "She'd tell me, 'I don't want to die alone, Bianca, but sometimes it feels like you're the only one who will be at my funeral.' She genuinely believed she didn't have people who cared about her enough to be there when she was gone. I'll never forget the day she cried on my shoulder, fearing she'd die alone."Tears welled up in Allegra's eyes as the weight of Claire's words sank in. "Bianca, we should have been there for her more. We should have shown her how much she meant to us."Bianca cried even more, "I'm such a terrible fucking best friend. I shouldn't have left her alone like this. She acts to
Claire⋅•⋅⊰∙∘∘∙⊱⋅•⋅My eyes slowly fluttered open, and I stared at the unfamiliar ceiling. The room was dimly lit but it was seriously fancy. I mean, it was like something out of a movie or a rich person's I*******m feed. Panic clawed at my chest as I tried to piece together the puzzle of where I was. This wasn't my home. Am I in heaven? I made it, Mom and Dad... I turned my head to the side, wincing as a sharp pain shot through me. My body ached, and I could feel the heaviness of blankets covering me. The details of the room came into focus—the wallpaper was all swanky, with deep reds and golds, and the lighting came from these fancy chandeliers that made everything look like a mood. This was no hospital or heaven; it was someone's home.My memory was a jumbled mess. The last thing I could recall was the desperate need for escape. The sting of a needle, the familiar rush of heroin, and the surge of cocaine snorted through a rolled-up bill. A deadly cocktail I thought would silence
Claire⋅•⋅⊰∙∘∘∙⊱⋅•⋅Four days...It's been four long days since I was unceremoniously transported to this unfamiliar territory known as Chicago. Allegra, with her kindness and a baby bump to boot, keeps urging me to step out of this room, but the overwhelming embarrassment holds me back. I never asked for any of this, and I'm lost in a sea of strangers.But the most unnerving aspect of this situation is the presence of Vincenzo Capone. I'm well aware of his authority and his reputation here in Chicago. In New York, I had a sense of power and Scott to back me up, but here, in Capone's domain, he reigns supreme. He's the untouchable boss, and my vulnerability in this foreign territory is fucking real. In his world, he could pull the strings as he pleased, and no one would so much as flinch.I want to be the brave, gutsy Claire, ready to face whatever curveball life throws at me. I want to jump out there. But anxiety? It's like this relentless bully that's got me cornered. I've spent the