ANYAIt was midnight, and once again, my Aunt had locked me up in the basement. The darkness engulfed me, suffocating and terrifying. In the pitch-blackness, I fought to steady my ragged breaths. I closed my eyes, trying to calm the storm of fear within me. Inhale, exhale, I repeated silently, seeking solace in the rhythm of my own breath.Tears streamed down my cheeks, evidence of the overwhelming terror that consumed me. The darkness played tricks on my mind, whispering haunting thoughts and conjuring phantoms in the depths of my imagination. "I am sorry. Please, let me out," I whispered, my words a plea to the uncaring void that surrounded me. Desperation laced my voice, hoping that somehow my plea would be heard.Curled up in a corner, I trembled uncontrollably, my entire body quivering with fear. Despite the chill of winter, sweat trickled down my forehead, a testament to the sheer ter

ANYAI woke up with a jolt, my senses instantly assaulted by the harsh brightness of the room. My head throbbed mercilessly, sending sharp waves of pain through my skull. Confusion washed over me as I realized that the covers I was wrapped in were not my own.Blinking away the discomfort, I surveyed my surroundings with a mixture of surprise and recognition. This room... it seemed strangely familiar. My gaze shifted, and a gasp escaped my lips as my eyes settled on Vincenzo. He lay beside me, his head propped up on his hand, wearing a gentle smile that sent a flutter through my heart."What... what... why am I lying on your bed?" I stuttered, my voice trembling with confusion and a hint of apprehension. I sat up, the covers sliding off me as I searched Vincenzo's eyes for answers.He sat up as well, leaning against the headboard with a casual yet guarded posture. His eyes met mine, and a small smirk played at the corners of his mouth. "Go

ANYAThe coughs and sneezes wracked my body, signalling the arrival of an unwelcome cold. I sat on my bed in my room, with Alessia by my side, offering her support."Can I borrow your phone, Alessia?" I asked, my voice slightly hoarse. I needed to know if Erik was safe, to ease the worries that gnawed at my heart."Why? Do you have someone you want to call?" she inquired, her curiosity evident in her expression.“Mh- mhmm” I nodded.She pushed her face towards mine and grinned childishly. “Who? Your boyfriend?”I scoffed and pushed her away “Like I have one.”“Fine. So who do you want to call?”I hesitated for a moment, contemplating whether to reveal the depths of my concern. Finally, I nodded, deciding it was time to confide in her. "My brother."Surprise flickered across Alessia's face as she processed this new information. I could sense her genuine asto

VINCENZOShe was having another outburst, and this time, it struck me just how intense it was. Her gaze fixated on my car, her breath caught in her throat, and for a moment, the world seemed to stand still. In that fleeting instant, I realized that her pain ran deep, far beyond anything I had ever imagined.Her piercing blue eyes held an unfathomable amount of suffering, an anguish that sent shivers down my spine. The rawness of her emotions was palpable, radiating from her trembling hands, clenched so tightly that blood trickled between her fingers. The sight shook me to my core, leaving me with a myriad of questions.What had she endured? What tragedy had etched itself so deeply into her soul? The weight of her pain seemed unbearable, and I couldn't help but wonder what had brought her to this point of torment.Desperate to provide solace, I gently tugged at her hands, hoping to anchor her in the present moment. Her tear-filled eyes met

VINCENZO"You say what?" I repeated, my voice laced with disbelief and anger."Emiliano has joined hands with the Russian boss and Chirkov to bring you down," he reiterated, fear etched across his face.The revelation sent shockwaves through the room, evident from the stunned expressions on the faces of my loyal men. Emiliano Giordano, a former ally, collaborating with the Russians and Chirkov. The magnitude of the betrayal was staggering."Why?" I demanded, my voice filled with a mix of anger and confusion. "Emiliano doesn't have anything against me. Why would he try to kill me?"The silence that followed hung heavy in the air, the weight of the truth yet to be uncovered. Blanca, always ready to resort to force, seized the spy by his hair, forcing him to look directly into my eyes."Spill everything," I commanded, my voice laced with an intensity that brooked no disobedience.The spy trembled under the pressure, his