ROSALINDA.Ruby ran so fast that I missed her. After looking through the park for a while with no avail, I finally gave up and started making my way back to Antonio and my son. But as I walked through the park, my eyes caught sight of something—a red-haired girl standing behind a tree. Instantly, I knew it was Ruby, and I rushed towards the tree. Her fiery red hair gave her away.“Ruby.” I called when I came to a stop behind her, and she gasped in shock as she turned to look at me, realising I had caught her.“Rosa.” She whispered.“What did I do to you?” I shot the question at her without hesitation.“You didn’t do anything. It’s just…” She raked her fingers through her hair anxiously, causing me to arch my brow.What was wrong with her?"It is just what?” I prodded.“It’s just…” She blew out a sharp breath, and her demeanour suddenly changed to an angry one.“What?” I encouraged her to continue.“Nothing. I just don’t want to be friends with you anymore. Can’t you get that and leave

ANTONIO. “What more do you want from me? You asked me to keep my mouth sealed, and I did. I even had to say hurtful things that I didn’t mean to my best friend just to keep her away from me. Do you know much that hurt me? Why did you bring me here again? You promised to never bother me again.” Ruby uttered, her eyes flicking with hatred.“That’s the problem. You shouldn’t keep your distance from her. Now you’ve got her suspecting that something’s wrong with you. I don’t want her to be worried about you. You should act naturally around her."“Please just let me go.” She cried. I shook my head, sighing.“Why are you still standing there?” I growled. I felt a presence moments ago, and I had expected whoever it was to leave immediately, but they didn’t.When I didn’t get a response, I flicked my head to the side, ready to lash out at whoever it was, but the second I laid my eyes on her, I froze.“Rosa.” My voice suddenly went low. Her eyes blazed with rage as she started walking towards

ROSALINDA.Shortly after, the door suddenly started banging, and the second I heard Sofia’s voice impatiently calling my name, I had to forcefully shut down my emotions and stop crying immediately. Wiping the tears from my face, I inhaled and exhaled to calm myself before trudging to the door and pulling it open.“Rosa, what’s wrong?” She asked, confusion spreading across her face as she slipped inside the room.“Nothing.” I replied, closing the door and heading towards the bed.“Don’t tell me that, Rosa. I heard you crying. And I also heard your altercation with Piero. I know you hated him, but damn, I had no idea you hated him this much. What did he do to you?" The concerns on her face weren’t going to convince me to tell her what the problem was. I didn’t want to.“Agreed.” I turned to look at her. “Just as there’s something bothering you and you’re not willing to share, I am also not willing to share. So, let’s say we are even now.”She stood there, staring at me dumbfounded, una

ROSALINDA. Catching a break from Antonio seemed nearly impossible. After barely resisting his charm earlier, he was sitting in front of me, dressed in a white shirt that accentuated his muscles, looking as ravishing as ever.Papà invited him for dinner, and we were all gathered around the dining table. My other nemesis, Piero, was also seated with us, and I hated the sight of him. Seeing him always reminded me of the horrible thing he made me do as a teenager. Something I hated myself for.“Piero.” My father suddenly called, sipping from his glass of wine.“Yes, uncle.” He answered, raising his head to pay attention to what Papà wanted to say.“I guess you’ll be here till Sofia’s wedding, which is next month, right?” Papà asked.“Of course.” Piero replied, grinning, and I felt a sudden twist in my stomach.I couldn't bear the thought of being in the same space with Piero until then. I hated him, and I wanted him out of my sight as soon as possible. His presence brought back all the d

ROSALINDA.

“You know I’m still mad at you for not telling me earlier on that Ruby was abducted, right?” I told Giovanni as we walked to his car. He was finally leaving after a very long stay with us. 

“If you had told me what Piero made you do, I would have pulled his teeth out of his gum.” He grinned, changing the subject. 

I rolled my eyes, sighing. “Oh, please.” 

“What?” He asked, arching his brows. “Did I just see those eyes roll?” 

“So, would you come back soon or will you be gone for a long time?” I asked curiously. Even though he was the most annoying cousin ever, I’d still miss him. 

“Ah! Rosalinda would miss me!” He boasted, a face-splitting grin tugging his lips apart. 

“In your dreams, Gio. In your dreams!” I rolled my eyes and quickly averted my gaze to hide the smile that formed on my lips. 

He suddenly wrapped his arm around my shoulders, and I hoisted my head up to look at him as he spoke. “I’ll miss you too. And—” He paused. 

“What?” I quickly asked. 

“Be car