Authors POVClara knew what she said when she demanded if he was planning on getting caught, Nico thought, Signing and grimacing as he read through the pages.Elena didn't just have a clue or suspect; she was set to prove her assumptions, true or untrue, which was an audacious but wrong move.He had his hands tied; he couldn't do anything about her."Why does Matteo have to go to school every time?" Mia asked, pressing the round solid surface against the paper, her little hands holding the handle firmly.And unlike he did to others, he raised his head to answer her question; It was wild how she overturned his concentration and drew all his attention."To learn, the books won't read themselves."She shrugged, "That bad,"He folded his hands before him, peering into her busy face; if he continued like this, he would never get any job done, "Why is it bad?"She shrugged, "he comes back and continues studying."Now that wasn't his or any teacher's fault; Matteo's other half was his maths

It was dark already, yet my hands shook as I gnawed on my fingers from the fear that enveloped me. The image still stuck in my head; it didn't help that there had been no call regarding how he was.The country was at a standstill, reporters screaming into the mic, standing close to the heavily guided Quirinal palace, all of which I watched without hearing anything. My knees shook at the thought that he was dead.Immediately after the accident, Matteo was snatched out of school like I was pulled out of work and surrounded until I got into the car.Now the three of us were on lockdown, not allowed to move out of the house. School was paused for Matteo, which wouldn't be a big deal since they'd be closing the next day anyway.The kids were sleeping in their room when I left quietly, shutting the door, still hugging the phone to myself, waiting for a call, any call that would ease the unease raging in my head.I sat right at the center of the bed, my knees raised to my chin, and each time

Elena's POVThe sirens brought him early the following day when the kids were still asleep and watched the window because my insomnia had come knocking again.When he climbed out of the car, He looked weary and hurt and had his arm in a cast, his jacket around his shoulder; being walked on both sides, I could see the discomfort on his face.Guess he also wasn't comfortable with the life he told me to be satisfied with.And I wasn't sure if I was excited to see him back or just satisfied he was alive; I hurried down the stairs before maintaining simple steps when he was close.He was alone with Noah, who was hovering around, offering help that was refused over and over again.When his eyes met mine at the top of the stairs, he stopped, making me rub my arms in anxiety.All traces of weariness left my face when his lips turned up in amusement, "I don't want to believe you came down for me?"All of my concerns went down the drain; he had that look, the look when he had countered me in his

He sat with his legs on the desk, the MacBook on his lap as he scrolled through search results, grimacing and scoffing.Sensing the worry from Noah, he had decided to say nothing, although both knew nothing was right with him.He had tried, by God, he had tried, but all came crashing down after years, all because of a messy human who had decided his way of living didn't apply to her.She had rubbed off on him, not that; she had pushed him back into his rabbit hole, and now he couldn't believe how much he missed this; it was almost like he was back home where he could be himself.Only this time, she'd be the only one handling him, taking all the bad things he had in store, which was a lot after being suppressed for years."Sir, you're smiling to yourself again."Noah would, too, if he knew what he had in his left pocket.The grin turned wider, and Noah almost groaned."Any luck?"Nico raised a brow at him, "Not to sound cocky, but that shouldn't be a question" With his focus back on th

My mother slowly shifted away from me to the side, sober and staring at my father, who didn't look too happy to see me, his face holding his displeasure.I clutched at my bag, holding his gaze, my eyes pleading for forgiveness.How could he still be angry with me when it was many years ago? He knew my reason; didn't he say I took after him with my fighting spirit?"Father," I whispered.But then, as I watched, his lips curled into a smile, and then opening his arms wide.I didn't have to be asked twice; I ram into his arms, curling into the comforting smell of seawater and fish; it was the smell I remembered breathing in since I was a child.He caressed my hair, his hold tightening around me, "My little girl," he muttered against my hair, "My little girl is back.""I missed you, Father; I missed you so much."From the corner of my eyes, I could see my mother picking Mia up and hugging her, staring down at little Matteo, who was suddenly looking protective."You look so beautiful," my