ROSALINDA.I was so stupid. So fucking stupid. Knowing the dangerous world that surrounded me, I went ahead and took Carlo out alone. Without guards.Different thoughts were colliding in my head, and I was going crazy. I couldn’t think straight; my heart was burning fiercely, and my whole body was shaking. I was dishevelled and confused, not knowing what to do.I took out my phone to call 911, but I found myself dialing Antonio’s number instead.“Antonio.” I said breathlessly into the phone when he picked up, my chest heaving up and down.“What happened?” He quickly asked, worried.“I came... hospital... God, Carlo." I cried, unable to form a coherent sentence.“Rosalinda. I want you to take a deep breath and breathe out.” He told me, and I did just that.“Again.” He said, and I repeated it.“Now, tell me where you are; I’m coming there right away.” He said with urgency. He didn’t even bother to ask what happened anymore.I told him where I was, and he ended the call immediately.I lu
ROSALINDA.Lorenzo arrived shortly after he was summoned and was led to the living room, where Papà, Mama, Marco, Sofia, Giovanni, and I were all waiting impatiently for him. “Don Roberto.” He grinned as he approached Papà. He extended his hand for a handshake, which Papà took reluctantly. He didn’t even bother to acknowledge the rest of us sitting in the living room. “How’s your health? How do you feel now?” He asked Papà.Papà didn’t answer that question. It was obvious that he wasn’t interested in a chitchat. Instead, he gestured at the sofa that was opposite him. “Have a seat.”I never knew Papà cared so much about his grandson until today. The rage burning beneath his eyes was so intense. Lorenzo drew his brows together. “I thought you wanted my advice on business matters." He darted his gaze at us. “Why would we have it here?”“Seat, please.” Papà said again, not bothering to explain anything to him. “Okay.” Lorenzo said, exhaling sharply before going to sit. “So, why did
ANTONIO.“Sei Morto!” I growled, my chest threatening to explode with the multitude of rage that washed over me the second I sighted the bastard. Lorenzo narrowed his eyes as he observed my blood-stained shirt. “What did you do?”“Why don’t you tell me why you kidnapped Carlo?” I growled. “Where is Carlo? Did you find him?” Roberto asked. Rosalinda walked in with Carlo in her arms, so I didn’t need to answer his question. He sighed in relief before turning to look at Lorenzo. “I thought you denied kidnapping him.”“Oh, well.” Lorenzo lifted his shoulders in a shrug, grinning. “Busted, right?”“Why?“ Roberto asked, baffled. “Did you expect me to marry your daughter, knowing she had a child?” He asked, laughing hysterically. He was definitely a mental case. “But you said you were okay with it, Lorenzo! What did you plan to do with my grandson?“ Roberto asked, narrowing his eyes. “I was never okay with it. I didn’t want a woman who would have an emotional attachment to someone who
ROSALINDA. "Sei morto!" I heard a voice yell while I was leaning on my best friend’s car, smoking in the underground parking lot of a club.Out of curiosity, I peeked up to see what was happening, and the smoke of the cigarette suddenly filled my lungs at the sight of what I saw, and I puffed.A blonde man who had bruises all over him was on his knees, surrounded by men. Dangerous men. One of them was holding a gun to his head.I was born into a world of crimes, and I witness things like that regularly. But I still haven’t gotten used to it."Who is that?" I heard a voice say, and it was followed by footsteps. I quickly started thinking of ways to run away; I didn’t want to get into trouble. If my dad knew I was out clubbing, I’d be in deep shit.Before I could gather my thoughts, an image suddenly appeared before me, and I gasped.He was breathtaking! He had dark brown, lustrous hair and mesmerizing hazel eyes. He had a strong jawline and was dressed in a tailored black suit that ac
ANTONIO.Never in a million years did I expect to see the daring girl I met at the club yesterday here. The girl who enchanted me with her captivating green eyes. So, she was a Moretti. That explained why she was fearless and didn’t seem intimidated by me. Was she my supposed fiancée?"Antonio, I present to you Sofia Moretti." Roberto said as he gestured at the girl who came in with the daring girl. The girl who dared make my cock go crazy.She wasn’t Sofia. So, who was she? Rosalinda, her sister?"And this is Rosalinda, her sister." Roberto continued, confirming my guess as he gestured at her."Rosalinda." I muttered, my gaze fixed on her. Though my intention wasn’t to say that out loud, it just happened to slip off my lips."Have you met her before?" Roberto asked, with curiosity lingering in his eyes. Yesterday, she mentioned that she sneaked out of the house. Talking about our encounter would only put her in trouble. I didn’t know why I was protecting her, but—I flicked my gaz
ROSALINDA.Antonio Russo’s charm worked on me. Again. His presence had such an immense effect on me. An effect that made my body react to him in ways that it shouldn’t. I hated it. I hated him. Not only because I disliked his annoyingly bossy nature but also because he was my sister’s fiancée and I wasn’t supposed to be attracted to him. But I was."What’s happening here?" Papà asked briskly as he approached us."Rosalinda here needs to be taught some manners." Antonio said as he slouched on the chair where he was seated. "I wonder why you aren’t strict with your daughter’s. Strict enough to stop them from sneaking—" He paused, darted his gaze at me, and smirked smugly. "I mean, stop the them from going around and disobeying people."What was his deal? He was punishing me by making me believe he was going to expose my sneaking escapade to Papà. And hell yeah, his punishment worked because I almost hyperventilated. If Papà ever found out that I usually sneak out of the house, I’d be do
ROSALINDA. The following day, Antonio picked me and Sofia up from our place as planned, and he drove us to Lily Bridals.The only thing we’d said to each other since he picked us up was a simple greeting. Which was good, I guess, because the less we spoke, the better. The better I would be able to resist the scorching attraction I had towards him.When we got inside the building, we were welcomed by a receptionist.Her smile was broad as she spoke. "Welcome to Lily Bridals. How may I help you?""Uhm… My mom called and made a reservation for Sofia Moretti. We are here for—" Before I could complete my sentence, a lady suddenly appeared beside me and interrupted."Ahh... Sofia Moretti." She beamed as she tucked her blonde bob hair behind her ear, revealing more of her beautifully sculptured face. "Welcome to Lily Bridals. I have been expecting you." A small scowl suddenly flashed on her face. "She told me you were petite and had a little..."She had mistaken me for Sofia. Before she cou
ROSALINDA. Sofia’s dress was complicated, so I couldn’t help her pull it off on my own; I had to call Lily to help her out since she designed it.She was standing in front of the small room when I stepped out. She must have understood that Sofia was not in the best of moods and waited for me to comfort her, hence why she stood outside and didn’t go in with us."Is she okay now?" Lily asked concernedly the second she saw me."Yes." I nodded slightly. "Her dress is still on. Can you help her pull it off?""Sure." She said as she hurried towards the door and pushed it open.I strolled back to where I was seated and sat on the sofa while trying my very best not to glance at Antonio. A walking temptation.The scene of what he did to me before Sofia and Lily walked out of that small room kept replaying in my head, and I wanted to know why he did that. Was he also attracted to me?Before I could stop myself, I cleared my throat and asked. "Why did you sniff my neck the other time? You shoul