Later that day, I realized the severe ache stemmed from the stress and anxiety I'd been under. It was a wake-up call to prioritize self-care and manage my emotions for the sake of my health and our baby's well-being. I was seriously stressing after Vincenzo dropped that bomb about his family's tradition. The whole idea just hit me like a ton of bricks. I mean, seriously, the last thing I want is for my kid to go through the same sufferings he did. It's like, why would anyone even think that's an okay way to raise a child? It's not just messed up; it's downright torture in my book. Like, who wants to grow up all emotionless and icy, without a drop of love or attention? That's just too harsh, man.Even though I've come to terms with the inevitable reality of stepping up as the next head of the Romanov mafia, the idea of some innocent kid having to endure all that suffering solo just to keep the family business running for generations? No way. I'm putting my foot down on that one. And I
As Vincenzo held my hand, we stepped into the new house he had bought for us. It wasn't as grand as his mansion, but it was spacious enough to accommodate us and some of hispeople. Given the constant threats to our safety, having extra security was a necessity. Yet, despite the need for heightened protection, I couldn't help but feel a sense of comfort in our new home. This house felt different, more intimate than the mansion. It was a place where we could truly make our own, away from the shadows of Vincenzo's family business. I could sense the effort Vincenzo had put into selecting this house, fitting it to my preferences, and I couldn't help but appreciate his gesture. Sure, it may not be as extravagant as what I was accustomed to, but it felt like home in a way that the mansion never did. Here, amidst the warmth of Vincenzo's embrace and the promise of a fresh start, I knew that we could build a future together, one where we could finally be free from the chains of our past. And f
As the pain in my stomach intensified, I clung tightly to Vincenzo, tears streaming down my cheeks as waves of stress and anxiety washed over me. My mind raced with a thousand possibilities, each more terrifying than the last. What if I lose my child? The thought echoed through my mind, sending shivers down my spine. The fear of the unknown gripped me tightly, threatening to suffocate me with its overwhelming presence. Ever since I was young, all I ever wanted was a family of my own—a family that I could build with my own hands and heart. I dreamed of carrying a child of my own, nurturing them, and watching them grow into someone I could proudly call family. But as the moments slip by, that dream feels farther and farther out of reach. “N-No… please, Enzo…” I whispered through tears, my voice trembling with fear. “My b-baby…” “Hush, we'll be fine,” he said, his voice soft and reassuring, but I could hear the undercurrent of worry that mirrored my own. Despite his attempt to comfor
As the pain in my stomach intensified, I clung tightly to Vincenzo, tears streaming down my cheeks as waves of stress and anxiety washed over me. My mind raced with a thousand possibilities, each more terrifying than the last. What if I lose my child? The thought echoed through my mind, sending shivers down my spine. The fear of the unknown gripped me tightly, threatening to suffocate me with its overwhelming presence. Ever since I was young, all I ever wanted was a family of my own—a family that I could build with my own hands and heart. I dreamed of carrying a child of my own, nurturing them, and watching them grow into someone I could proudly call family. But as the moments slip by, that dream feels farther and farther out of reach. “N-No… please, Enzo…” I whispered through tears, my voice trembling with fear. “My b-baby…” “Hush, we'll be fine,” he said, his voice soft and reassuring, but I could hear the undercurrent of worry that mirrored my own. Despite his attempt to comfor
As the pain in my stomach intensified, I clung tightly to Vincenzo, tears streaming down my cheeks as waves of stress and anxiety washed over me. My mind raced with a thousand possibilities, each more terrifying than the last. What if I lose my child? The thought echoed through my mind, sending shivers down my spine. The fear of the unknown gripped me tightly, threatening to suffocate me with its overwhelming presence. Ever since I was young, all I ever wanted was a family of my own—a family that I could build with my own hands and heart. I dreamed of carrying a child of my own, nurturing them, and watching them grow into someone I could proudly call family. But as the moments slip by, that dream feels farther and farther out of reach. “N-No… please, Enzo…” I whispered through tears, my voice trembling with fear. “My b-baby…” “Hush, we'll be fine,” he said, his voice soft and reassuring, but I could hear the undercurrent of worry that mirrored my own. Despite his attempt to comfor
PROLOGUEI found myself gazing at the crowd, bewildered by the unfamiliar surroundings. How did I land in a place like this? Each person was adorned in exquisite dresses and sharp suits, radiating an innate elegance. It seemed as if grace and sophistication were second nature to everyone present.I wore a light blue backless dress, with my hair up in a tight bun and just a bit of makeup. It made me feel like a completely different person. My parents were busy chatting with some important people, not paying attention to me at all. I couldn't shake the feeling of being out of place in the fancy crowd."I see you've got a beautiful lady right here," an old man remarked, a smile playing on his face as his gaze rested on me. Uncomfortable, I couldn't help but avert my eyes. The way he looked at me sent shivers down my spine, yet my parents remained oblivious, seemingly turning a blind eye to the situation."Ah, yes, of course. This is our daughter, Annizah," my dad chimed in, placing a han
I don’t know what happened next. It happened so quick before I could even process it. The last thing I knew, I was inside his limousine, and we’re actually driving back to his place.To say I was scared is probably an understatement. After my parents talked to him, my mother ensured that an agreement about our wedding was made, pushing me to go with him instead of returning home.I casted a glance at him. He was leaning on the backrest with his eyes closed. His throat and Adam’s apple were exposed. His slicked hair has somehow lost its neatness and was now disheveled. He looked at peace, as if he wasn’t just about to ruin my life. However, despite that unfortunate fact, I couldn’t deny how attractive he was. He didn’t look like one of those guys I’ve ever seen. He was taller, more masculine, and goddamn hot.But then again, looks can be sometimes deceiving.Vicenzo isn’t someone I can trust my life upon. Although I am destined to marry him, that didn’t give me the full assurance that
I was escorted by a maid towards the room I’ll be staying at in this mansion. I was still shaking from shock and fear from what happened. I was terrified to say the least, and I couldn’t even bring myself to bat an eye as I was conscious about my surrounding. I feel like at my given moment, someone’s gonna jump and attack me.“Here, have some milk, miss,” a middle-aged woman said as she handed me a cup of warm milk. I accepted it with reluctance. She gave me a soft, kind smile. “My name is Arcel, and I’ve been working here for quite some time now. Master has never brought a woman home before, so we were all so thrilled to finally be meeting you, miss Annizah,” she said.I couldn’t help but to flinch. Not only did place felt scary, but the people were also oddly kind to be working in a place like this. I glanced at Arcel. She looked to be around her late twenties, with enough knowledge and experience to not be oblivious about what’s happening. And for that reason, I felt more scared th