{Mac Allister}{Two weeks later}The past two weeks that went by had been a tug of war between my mother and Abebi, or should I say my consigliere. My mother refuses to support any advice given by Abebi to me. She even went as far as faking food poisoning when Abebi cooked special delicacies for us.As for Abebi, it is this not bowing attitude she developed for my mum. She feels as if she is too big to be corrected by her. I couldn't do anything about Abebi's situation because of the vow I had with her in Cerami to me not to reduce her in front of my mum."Pass me the salt," Madame Beatrice said to Abebi, her voice laced with expectation. Abebi, however, played deaf for a moment before subtly signalling for Chiara, who stood behind her, to take the salt and pass it to her mother. I could see a hint of disappointment on my mother's face, as if she had expected Abebi herself to fulfill the request. It was a small interaction, but it spoke volumes about the unspoken competition betwee

{Abebi}I think within my solitude of myself as I think about the events of the past.{23 years ago}{Somewhere in the province of Enna }My heart raced as I watched the tense scene unfold before my eyes. My mother's anger echoed through the room, filling the air with tension. Young Tony and his twin brother, Mateo, stood beside me, their expressions a mix of fear and confusion."Where is the money I kept in the box?" my mother shouted, her voice filled with frustration and desperation. Her eyes darted between the three of us, accusing and searching for answers.Fear gripped my young heart, knowing that my mother's wrath could unleash a storm of violence upon us. I clung tightly to Tony's hand, seeking solace and support in this terrifying moment."If you don't tell me who took it, I am going to beat you all!" my mother threatened, her voice trembling with anger. The threat hung in the air, suffocating us with its intensity.Just as my mother was about to carry out her threats, a su

{Abebi}Resting my head against the comforting embrace of Mac Allister's chest, I sought solace in his presence. His steady heartbeat echoed in my ears, calming my racing thoughts. "We are going to work it out," I reassured him, my voice filled with determination. "I can't believe she was caught sleeping with Duran's half-brother," Mac Allister expressed, his voice tinged with disbelief."She lost her golden chance," I replied, my tone laced with a mixture of disappointment and resignation. As we lay there, seeking comfort in each other's presence, Mac Allister's hand gently massaged my back, easing the tension that had accumulated within me. His touch was a soothing balm. "Let's get some sleep," Mac Allister suggested, his voice filled with a sense of practicality. "We have a mass wedding ceremony to attend tomorrow." With a nod, I nestled closer to Mac Allister, allowing the blanket to envelop us both. The weight of the world lifted as sleep beckoned, offering respite from the

{Abebi}I hid the poison beneath my bed at the back of one of my boxesMy heart raced with a mixture of relief and apprehension as I saw Mac Allister enter the room. I hastily stood up, my body tense with the weight of my secrets. His words struck me like a thunderbolt."My mother told me everything," Mac Allister said, a warm smile spreading across his face as he approached me. His words echoed in the room, mingling with the delicate dance of hope and fear that swirled within my soul.I met his eyes, searching for any sign of judgment or anger. Instead, I found understanding and acceptance in his gaze. It was as if he had seen into the depths of my struggles and chosen to embrace me despite them."I'm glad you two are getting along," Mac Allister continued, his voice filled with genuine happiness. His words resonated within me, offering a glimmer of solace in the storm of my inner turmoil.I couldn't help but feel a pang of doubt. The fragile peace we had found seemed too good to b

{Abebi} The night sky stretched out above us, its vast expanse adorned with a tapestry of twinkling stars. The moon, a radiant crescent, cast a soft glow upon the world below. Shadows danced playfully across the landscape as we navigated the winding road, our headlights piercing through the darkness.The air was crisp and filled with a sense of anticipation, blending with the scent of pine trees that lined the roadside. The occasional rustle of leaves and the distant hoot of an owl created an eerie symphony, heightening our senses and reminding us of the clandestine nature of our journey.As I glanced upwards, my gaze fixed on the stars that seemed to shimmer with secrets. They held an otherworldly allure as if they, too, were witnesses to the trials and tribulations we faced. Each twinkling light felt like a guiding beacon, offering solace and reassurance in the midst of uncertainty. We arrived at the imposing mansion, and the gates swung open, revealing the grandeur that lay beyo