ANYA
"We are having a baby," Vincenzo told me. The weight of his words settled in my mind, leaving me utterly speechless. I didn't know how to react – whether to be elated or overwhelmed with emotions.
After the nurse left, Vincenzo calmly told me the news again. I looked into his eyes, trying to decipher his feelings, but all I saw was love. It confused me even more. Was he truly ready to become a father or was he just trying to comfort me?
“Vincenzo…” I murmured, my voice shaking with uncertainty.
“I am so proud of you, Anya. Thank you for making me the happiest man on earth. Thank you for making me a father,” he expressed, genuine awe and joy evident in his face.
I couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions. On one hand, I was scared of the new responsibility that was growing within me, and on the other hand, I was overwhelmed by Vincenzo's reaction. He was excited about this child, about becom
ANYAErik's small hand reached out and touched my hair. I raised my head to meet his gaze. “Why are you crying so much like this?”Tears still shimmering in my eyes, I managed a smile. “I'm just really, really happy.”He turned his gaze to Vincenzo. “Does she cry like this often?”Vincenzo chuckled. “Yeah, she does. It's a miracle she still has tears left.”Erik then looked at Vincenzo, a determined expression on his face. “Thank you for taking care of her. I promise, when I grow up, I'm going to repay you somehow.”My heart swelled with pride and love for this brave boy. I had missed him beyond words. When Uncle Pietro had told me Erik was dead, I thought a part of me had died too. I couldn't imagine what life would have been like without him, my only living family. Meeting him had become even more crucial now, as I needed to learn about my true parents.Vin
ANYAI spent another three days in the hospital before finally being allowed to go home. Stepping out into the fresh air, I relished the escape from the hospital's distinct smell, which had become increasingly nauseating.Vincenzo, true to his overprotective nature, treated me like a fragile egg throughout our ride back home. I understand he cares deeply, but sometimes it feels like he's fussing over me too much.“Would you stop frowning already? It doesn't suit you,” he remarked, his eyes on the road.I snickered and shot him a mock glare. “I'm not sick, Vincenzo. I'm pregnant, pregnant!”He glanced at me and chuckled. “Do you think I don't know that?”“If you do, then you must know that it is not necessary to do this,” I retorted. He had placed a small pillow behind my back and adjusted my seat so that I was reclining slightly.“It's just for safety measures. We
ANYAI felt as if the ground beneath me had crumbled. Staggering backwards, I stopped breathing for a moment. Vincenzo's hands reached out to steady me, but my attention remained fixed on my uncle. This couldn't be real; he must be lying. My parents were my real parents, this couldn't be true.“You can lie to yourself by choosing not to believe it, but the truth won't change,” he sneered, his words laced with venom. “You are not a Chirkov, not by blood or any measure. You don't even have our blood running through your veins.”His words were like a dagger to my heart, each one piercing deeper. Anguish flooded my chest, threatening to drown me. “You're lying!” I spat, my voice trembling with a mix of anger and desperation.I swung my fist at him, my knuckles colliding with his battered face, and I hardly noticed the blood now trickling from my own hand.Blow after blow, I unleashed my fury upon him
VINCENZOShe was taking longer than expected, and my worry grew with each passing minute. When I entered the room, I found her on the floor, her face etched with misery and tears streaming down her cheeks. Seeing her like this twisted something inside me."Anya, why is it that every time I see you, you're in tears?" I asked, concern filling my voice as I knelt in front of her."It... hurts so...much." She looked at me with eyes filled with pain, trying to speak but struggling to find her words amid her sobs. I felt a pang in my chest, a deep empathy for her suffering."What hurts?" I asked, placing a hand gently on her arm. Her pain felt like mine, a shared burden I wished I could lift from her."Here, it hurts here," she managed to say, clutching her chest as if trying to physically contain the emotional turmoil within her."Anya, what's wrong?" I felt a knot of unease forming within me, a sense that something truly distres
ANYAEverything had gone relatively smoothly for the past week. I spent most of my time taking care of Alessia and Erik, as Vincenzo seemed to be occupied with some matters he referred to as "cleaning."To be honest, I had no idea what that meant, but I trusted that he knew what he was doing.Our nights together remained passionate and intense, but I noticed a change in his routine. He would slip away in the early morning hours, leaving me to wake up alone. I missed him terribly during those hours, but I understood that his responsibilities were vast.Now, though, an entire day had passed without any word from him, which was unusual. Even Matteo and Carlo hadn't heard from him, which definitely set off alarm bells. Vincenzo wasn't the type to disappear without a trace, especially not for this long.Two weeks later and my worries had grown into full-blown panic. His absence felt like a gaping hole in my life, and the uncertainty of
ALESSIALosing someone was very unfamiliar to me. It wasn't just a mere void; it was like the universe had collapsed in on itself, leaving behind an immense darkness that enveloped my entire being. Vincenzo had shielded me from this raw pain when we lost our parents, but now, he was the one I had lost.The memories flooded back, the ones I had tried to bury beneath the surface. I had been there when Mom died, witnessed the brutality first-hand.The image of those men, the glint of their knives, the desperation in Mom's eyes – they were etched into my mind forever. Vincenzo didn't know I had seen it all; I had kept that hidden, locked away deep within me.I didn't want their pity. I didn't want them to see me as fragile or broken. I didn't want Vincenzo to blame himself for not protecting me from the harsh realities. I had lost my parents in a way, and now, I was losing the one who had become my everything.Tears flowed freely
ANYAI groaned as I opened my eyes, the harsh light from the window momentarily blinding me. Three days had passed since I received the devastating news of Vincenzo's death. In those three days, I hadn't ventured out of the confines of our room. Alessia, Cosima, and the guys had all tried to coax me out, but their efforts were in vain.My reason for existing, for smiling, for living, had been taken away from me. How could I possibly go on, smile, or find any meaning in life without him? I had cried until my tears ran dry, mourning the irreplaceable loss of the man who held my heart.This room, the one we had shared so many memories in, now felt like a void. I yearned to breathe in his scent again, to feel his presence, even though I knew it was an impossible wish.The realization that I would never see him again, never hold him or hear his voice, cut through me like a knife. Life without him seemed meaningless, an empty and painful existe
ANYAIn the days that followed, I worked on keeping that promise. I embraced the waves of sorrow when they came, allowing myself to grieve, but also learning to balance it with moments of self-care and determination.I had made a pact with myself – to ensure that our child knew about the incredible man who had filled my life with love. I would weave his memories into the fabric of our child's life, ensuring that Vincenzo would always be present in some way.But alongside the grief and the determination to honor his memory, there was a growing fire within me. A thirst for justice. Vincenzo's death had to be avenged. I was done with being a vulnerable pawn that others could exploit. I wanted answers, and I wanted those responsible to pay.And that began with finding Matteo. I needed to know where Vincenzo's body was laid to rest, to bid my final farewell. I searched for him, questioning everyone I could, until I finally found him down