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[TRIGGER WARNING: The following chapter contains violence against women, murder, and mention of self-harm.] Heavy, drunk, and menacing footsteps closed inside the dimly lit bedroom. Mia Armando's head whipped to the door, where her brother stood at a distance. A bottle of half-full vodka in his hand, the rim of his dark eyes were red, and white powder peppered around his slightly hooked nose. "Antonio? Why are you here?" Mia's voice was meek, like a scared mouse stuck in a den of vipers.She was sitting beside their paralyzed father, holding him protectively. She was the one who took care of their father after he was shot. Little bitch. The doctor had informed him that there was a chance that their father might fully recover again. Antonio couldn't afford that to happen. If he did, then his father will surely hand over his birthright to his stupid brother Andrae. Andrae was a soft-hearted idiot, he would ruin this empire with his gullibility. He approached the bed taking slow and
Enzo hadn't tried to get intimate with her after the incident that morning. Of course, he would always hold her close when they slept. He would spoon her, let her lay her head on his chest, and let her get used to their closeness. And he never complained about their sexless marriage so far. Enzo never complained about anything. He was so disciplined and so proper. She couldn't pinpoint any imperfection in that man. Lily began to feel bad for rejecting him because her body had started to crave him. Demand for him. It must be hormones, it was her ovulation period. That was why she was avoiding sex. She didn't want to fall pregnant so soon. Once this was over, she could get on the pill.Lily picked out her lab coat from the closet after she had gotten ready for the day. Enzo was already waiting for her at the table, reading The New York Times with serious scrutiny. "Good morning." She gave him a quick kiss on his stubbled jaw. He folded the newspaper and placed it on the table. "Morn
"My father was a good man, he was honorable and charitable even to the ones who never deserved any of it. I'm thankful to everyone who is here to mourn and pay respect to my dearest Papa. May he rest in peace." Antonio's dark, somber-looking eyes dampened as he looked down at his father's black casket. He ended the speech in tears and thanked everyone who attended the funeral. Matteo Russo and a few other male members of the Russo family including his grandson Saint also attended the funeral to pay respect to Guieseppe. Antonio had invited them over for a very important discussion for both of their families. They all gathered inside Antonio's office and got seated on the black leather seats. Matteo was obviously not comfortable coming here after the short dispute they had at the nightclub. "I cannot thank you enough for attending. I thought you would hold a grudge and not come." The corner of Antonio's eyes crinkled as he smiled. "Giuessppe was a good friend of mine. I could ne
Thick blue veins popped up on uncle Giovanni's forehead. He rubbed the corner of his eye and clicked his tongue in disapproval. "Why do you want Fredo out of prison? He's a fucking murderer." Enzo twisted the wedding band on his finger, a habit he picked up recently. "I forgive him.""Forgive him? Cazzo!" Uncle Giovanni stared at Enzo from the passenger seat as if he had just lost his reasoning. "He murdered your parents, raped your wife's mother, and you forgive him?" His expression contorted with contempt. "If I were you, I would only get that bastard out of prison to kill him myself!" uncle Giovanni snapped, poking his finger at his ribs. "I've made my decision," Enzo said with the rightful authority of a Don. Once Enzo's decision is made, then moving mountains would seem easier rather than changing his decision. Uncle Giovanni knew that more than anyone else, so he lifted his hands in surrender, but he was still riled up. "Your nonna made a big mistake by choosing you as her su
Drip. Drip. Drip.Lily dropped some sweet-scented lavender oil into the warm bathwater. The lit, scented candles made the bathroom smell like vanilla and roses. She wanted to take a warm and cozy bath after a long day at the hospital.Naked as the day she was born, she stepped inside the tub and soon sunk all the way in. A breath of relaxation left her parted pink lips as she felt the lavender do its trick. Which was relaxing her sour muscles. She half-submerged herself into her delicious-smelling bath, except for wetting her hair, which was tied up into a messy bun. Her eyes closed slowly as she soaked in the peace and quiet.As she was about to fall into a quick nap inside the shower, the bathroom doors abruptly slid open. Her eyelids snapped up, alert. Heavy footsteps closed in and she traced a masculine shadow out of the pale blue curtains.Enzo?He opened the shower and water drizzled down upon his body. When she looked down at the white floor, she saw red running down the drain.
Enzo blinked against the blinding sunlight pouring down from the french windows. He reached his arm out and something jack-knifed his heart as soon as he realized his wife's warmth was missing from their bed. He instantly sat up straight, his eyes wide and searching. He swung his legs on the Italian-marble floor and stormed into the bathroom. A delicious scent of vanilla and roses lingered in the space—her scent. But she wasn't in the bathroom. When he checked the closet, she wasn't there either. "Lily!" He called out as he hurried downstairs. To the desolate hall. The empty living room. His heart rate sped up, sweat prickled his skin like pins and needles. When he crossed the kitchen, he stopped in his tracks as soon as he heard a sweet, melodic song drift by. "Put your head on my shoulders... Hold me in your arms, baby..." The raising panic instantly cooled off as a bucket of cold water poured on an uprising flame. She stood there making egg sandwiches for breakfast in one
Lily's phone chimed for attention. She took out her phone from her pocket. A smile coasted her lips seeing Enzo's caller ID pop up on the screen. "I'm coming to pick you up," Enzo told her. She checked the time on her watch. It was almost seven p.m. "I'll be finished in like... fifteen minutes." She said."I'll wait," He said and cut the call. Lily pocketed the phone and smiled at her patient. "Congratulations, you're pregnant." Mrs. Miller and her husband looked at each other, their eyes wide and hopeful. "I can't believe this, we've been trying for years and... and..." Mrs. Miller was on the verge of a meltdown and so was her husband. "It's true? Diana is really pregnant?" He asked, still in disbelief. "Eight weeks. There might be some complications because of her age, but nothing critical. Just make sure she's well taken care of." She reassured the couple as she handed back the ultrasound report. Mrs. Miller was here to consult Lily after she suddenly fainted doing chores in
"I love spending time with you like this," Lily's confession was like a tidal wave, drowning him in emotions that he had lost touch with a long time ago. This woman made his life a lot more bearable just by being present. With her innocent, shy smile, and her awkwardness which he found adorable and amusing. Her kindness, her gratitude, and of course, her beauty. It wasn't merely pleasing to look at. It also gave away her thoughts and feelings so easily that he couldn't take his eyes off her. Thirsting for every drop of emotion that spilled out. From the moment he saw her, till now, he was stuck with her picture and he couldn't bring himself to erase it. And from that moment he knew he was in this deep. "So do I," He leaned in and pressed his lips to the side of her head. A stroll in the park was a completely different experience, compared to a daytime visit. The park took a serene quality, adding a trace of intimacy to the air. The darkness added a touch of mysteriousness. He li