CHARLOTTEI walked towards the elevator with slow, steady steps. The evening had ended on a calm note, and I was happy to be alone with my thoughts. The last thing I needed was a conversation with Sonia, or anyone else in particular.I simply wanted to walk into the apartment, take off my dress, and get into bed. I pressed the button on the wall, and the elevator doors slid open. As I stepped inside, I heard someone call my name and turned around to see Thiago walking towards me.I resisted the urge to groan and held the doors until he reached where I stood. I was just celebrating not having to talk to anyone, only to have the one person I absolutely had to talk to walk up to me.“I thought you had left,” I said as he stepped into the elevator.“Yes, but we had to turn around. I left something important in one of the apartments, and…” He reached into his pocket. “I wanted to give you this,” he finished, handing me a small black box.“What is it?” I asked, staring at the box intently.
CHARLOTTEMy eyes flew open when I heard a knock on the door, and I realized that I had fallen asleep on the couch. The empty bottle of wine lay on the floor next to my feet, and my head throbbed as the events of the previous night flashed through my mind. “Come in,” I called out, and the door opened.Two guards stepped into the room, carrying a large frame covered with a white film. I immediately sat up as they looked around, trying to figure out where to place it. Sonia walked into the room and pointed to a corner; they made their way there and carefully placed the frame on the floor before leaving as quietly as they had come in.“Good morning, Signora,” Sonia muttered, her eyes glancing around the room and resting on the bottle. “You look pale,” she added, and I clicked my tongue against the roof of my mouth.“Hello, Sonia. You look like you’ve come to make my life a living hell,” I replied, and she laughed.“You only think that because you’ve been drinking again— a little too much
CHARLOTTE“I can’t take the job,” I said as soon as I stepped into the office. Thiago raised his head to meet my gaze and broke into a grin.“I knew you’d come,” he replied, standing up. “Sit. How are you feeling?”“I’m exhausted, and it’s not the type that comes from physical exertion. I can’t explain it, but I’m genuinely tired of everything,” I answered, sitting down.He returned to his seat and watched my expression for a moment before speaking.“I can’t say I understand how you feel, but I know what it’s like to feel overwhelmed by situations, especially those beyond our control. But I think you should take the job.”“Why? I don’t have any experience. I don’t know what it’s like to run a business, and I don’t have a degree that would give me the foundation to pull it off either. What’s the point?” I replied, throwing my hands up in frustration.When we left the apartment, Sonia had tried to convince me to take the job. I had been considering it during the ride here, but when I st
CHARLOTTEWe spent the rest of the day shopping, and what I thought would be a tedious spree turned out to be unexpectedly delightful. It gave me a glimpse of Thiago in a completely different light. I’d seen him in many shades, commanding with his security personnel, thoughtful and kind, calm yet simmering with intensity. But this carefree, lighthearted side of him was new.He had Sonia and the other guards keep a respectful distance as we moved between stores, selecting outfits. Thiago would try on clothing, examine himself in the mirror, and eagerly ask for my feedback. I knew he valued honesty, so I gave it without hesitation.If something looked good, I told him; if it didn’t, I suggested a different color or style. He did the same when I modeled my picks, though it took me a little while to loosen up enough to show him.Each time I tried on a dress, skirt, or blouse, he offered playful yet sincere critiques that eased my nerves. By the end of the day, I was laughing at his exagge
ROGERIO“Hello, Rogerio,” the voice rang through the speaker, and my eyes flew open as I recognized who the speaker was. My mother rarely called. She was prone to making unannounced visits; a call meant that she had grown weary of the situation but couldn’t be bothered enough to make a trip.If it was important enough for her to make a call, there were two things attached to it. One, it needed to be urgently resolved. Two, she wouldn’t want to have the conversation again. I sat up and glanced around the room.I had taken the day off to schedule a meeting with Thiago, but he rescheduled, and I went home. It was a strange decision, an impulsive one, but I did it. The alternative was to go back to the office, then prepare for dinner with Elena, but I chose peace and quiet.“Hello, Mother, how’re you doing?” I replied and closed my eyes as she cleared her throat.“Were you asleep?” she asked, and I arched an eyebrow.“Why? You sound surprised,” I answered, trying to steady my nerves. I co
ELENARogerio’s approach to planning the wedding had finally pushed me to the wall, so I decided to call his mother. My family had spent the last few weeks reminding me that I’d thrown away my chances with the Thuthai family the first time, and I had to ensure the wedding happened this time. They didn’t care if I had to grovel or beg to become the next Signora Thuthai; they simply wanted me to do whatever it took to get it done.I knew calling his mom was a power move. She wouldn’t entertain the flimsy excuses Rogerio had been giving me for not picking a date, and he’d be forced to do whatever she said. As I sat at my vanity table, doing my makeup for the dinner Rogerio and I were supposed to have tonight, I wondered if he’d detest me even more than he already did - or if he’d understand that I’d done what needed to be done.The door creaked open, and a head full of red hair peeked through. I blinked, confused. I’d been expecting my assistant and had already prepared a speech to addre
ROGERIOThe wind blew debris across the estate as I stepped out of the front door. I watched the gardener and another worker dash toward the trash bins, trying to gather the scattered pieces and secure them. Climbing into the car, I glanced back at the house one last time.Maria’s response lingered in my mind as the vehicle hummed to life. The driver guided us through the gates and into the bustling city center, a blur of movement and noise. My visit to Maria had been a dead end; she was hell-bent on keeping Charlotte’s whereabouts from me, and for good reason.I was certain Maria knew exactly where Charlotte was staying, but she’d made the same calculations I had. My confession hadn’t helped my case.I’d assumed that being honest with her would make her see reason, that she might even try to help me out of this impossible situation. But hope, as I’ve learned, is a fickle emotion— present one moment, gone the next. As soon as she started laughing, I knew I’d lost the fight completely.
CHARLOTTEThe party had gone according to plan; everyone had a great time, and I was delighted to have pulled it off despite my initial doubts. It felt like, for the first time in a long while, something had gone according to plan without any hitches, and I was delighted to be part of it.As people filed out of the establishment, I settled into my office chair, sipping wine straight from the bottle. It felt like a small reward for a job well done. However, by the time I reached my second bottle, I knew leaving the office without stumbling over objects, or even people, was becoming increasingly unlikely.I giggled at the thought of falling over things, but knew it would be a terrible sight for everyone involved to watch their new manager embarrass herself because she couldn’t hold her alcohol. That was why I had stuck to drinking only a few glasses while the party was in full swing. Now that I was certain everyone had enjoyed themselves, it was time for my little celebration.When I le
Dear Readers,We’ve reached the end of this story, and I can’t begin to express how grateful I am for each and every one of you. From the first chapter to the last, your support, comments, encouragement, and even your wild theories have made this journey unforgettable. Writing this book was an adventure, but sharing it with you was the real magic.Your patience, love, and engagement mean the world to me. Whether you’ve been here from the very start or just joined along the way, thank you for believing in these characters and their journey.But while one story ends… another is just beginning.🔥 Introducing my new book: S.I.X: The Mafia’s Kryptonite 🔥A story of power. Romance. Loyalty. Blood. In the world of the Mafia, trust is a luxury, and betrayal comes at a deadly cost.🔫 He was the legend. The nightmare. The one name whispered in fear—S.I.X.For ten years, SIX ruled the underworld as a ruthless enforcer for the La Fratellanza Mafia. But now, he’s desperate to leave. There’s just
EPILOGUEFive years had passed since Charlotte and Rogerio decided to give their relationship a second chance. They had committed to the process, putting in the work, and it had blossomed into something beautiful.Their marriage had grown stronger, filled with mutual respect, understanding, and a shared vision for the future.Together, they built a family, welcoming two children, a boy and a girl, into their lives. They vowed to raise them with love, patience, and the wisdom gained from their own past mistakes, ensuring they grew up to be better people than they had ever been.Determined to create lasting memories, they prioritized family time, going on trips, attending couple’s therapy, working on their businesses as a team, and making sure they were present in each other’s lives.Over time, both of them had changed in ways neither had expected, shaped by experience, love, and the desire to be better versions of themselves.Rogerio had learned to treat people with more empathy, to be
CHARLOTTEElena’s trial had concluded, and she had been sentenced to life imprisonment in a maximum-security prison. I wasn’t sure if the verdict truly satisfied me, but knowing she would be locked away for a very long time, unable to pose a threat to me or anyone else, filled me with reassurance.I decided to visit Thiago, who had returned to Milan to support his friend during the trial. I sent him a text asking if we could have dinner together; there were things I needed to discuss with him and I wanted his honest opinion. He readily agreed, and the next day, I boarded a plane to Milan.The entire flight, I couldn’t shake the gnawing feeling that this would be the last time I set foot in this city for a very long time.As soon as I arrived, I went straight to the estate to speak with the staff. I was still undecided about selling the villa, but if they were willing to stay and take care of the place in my absence, I would consider keeping it. When I spoke to the chef about this, he
ROGERIOI had been visiting Maria’s grave every week since my memory returned. Mostly out of guilt. I felt responsible for what had happened to her in more ways than one. If I had listened, if I had stopped Elena before she spiraled, none of this would have happened.Maria would still be alive, and perhaps, Charlotte would still be here too. But it was too late for “maybes” and “could-haves.”I hadn’t returned to the office yet. There was nothing there that my grandfather and mother couldn’t handle, and I needed to be alone. This place, the cemetery, seemed like the perfect escape.It had become a ritual. Each day, I knelt by Maria’s tombstone, remembering our time at the estate. She had been the mother figure mine never was, and losing her had affected me more than I could have imagined. I hated myself for it. As I sat there, lost in grief, I heard a branch snap behind me.I turned, expecting Thiago or one of the guards checking in on me. But when I saw who it was, every nerve in my
CHAPTER 148 CHARLOTTEThings in L.A. had been going smoothly, but my heart was still in Milan. The case remained unresolved, making a return seem like a foolish idea, yet each passing day filled me with the temptation to board a flight and see things for myself.The air here carried a tension of its own as the reveal Thiago and I had planned drew closer. I wanted to delay it further, but there was no point, it was better to get it over with once and for all.School was the only thing holding together any shred of sanity I had left, and I didn’t take it for granted.I allowed myself to grieve Maria and heal at my own pace, though the days dragged on, making it feel like there was no coming back from such a loss.While I tried to focus on the silver linings, I still felt alone, even with Thiago’s unwavering support. I hated how lost I felt deep down. Two weeks later, I decided to damn the consequences and visit Milan. What was the worst that could happen?If things went terribly wrong,
ROGERIOWe had returned to Milan, and the police dropped by the house to question me about the accident, the trip, and a million other things, but Thiago wouldn’t let them past the gates after the first interview.In his words, I needed time to recuperate, and this was true. I had gone from feeling much better to being disoriented.I couldn’t tell if it was the barrage of questions or the flashing lights from the press trying to get pictures of me when I came out of the apartment, but I certainly needed a break from everything. Things were moving too fast, and to top it off, I was having occasional headaches.My memory was still hazy, but I would occasionally remember things, only for some parts to remain out of reach, leaving me struggling to recall.It was a continuous struggle between trying to stay in the present and drifting into fragments of the past, but I tried to maintain some composure and hoped that things went as planned.My mom and grandfather occasionally came to visit,
CHARLOTTEAfter carefully processing the information I had uncovered, I decided to return to Milan to warn Rogerio about Elena. I chose not to inform Thiago, knowing he would try to stop me.Besides, he had told me it was my prerogative to do what I felt was right, and I fully intended to do just that.Upon arriving in Milan, I went straight to the detective I had previously hired. Though he had mixed feelings about my return, he remained in charge of Maria’s case, which made things easier.I laid out everything I had learned about Elena’s involvement in the attacks and her plans for Rogerio. When I refused to disclose my source, he assured me that they would treat it as an anonymous tip to protect my safety while they investigated further.I asked if I could speak to Rogerio directly, only to learn that he had already left the city, with his last known destination being Mykonos. The realization hit me, he had been following me.That only reinforced my suspicions. If Elena knew he was
ELENARealizing that I had made such a grave mistake kept me on edge. I hadn’t heard anything implicating from the media or Rogerio, but I was still nervous.I had stayed away from the public eye and ensured that my return to the city hadn’t made any headlines. It was enough that the topic had shifted from my disastrous wedding to the attack on the Thuthai estate and Maria’s death.The news hadn’t mentioned anything about Charlotte, and I started to wonder if Rogerio had brought her up just to rattle my nerves.“Well, if that was his plan, then he succeeded,” I muttered to myself, wondering if I had gone too far in ordering the men to attack his vehicle.I hadn’t wanted anything serious to happen to him, just enough to make him come back home and give up his search for his ex-wife. But the silence from his end over the past few days was starting to bother me.I didn’t want to show up at his mother’s estate uninvited; she must be irritated with all the chaos surrounding her family, and
ROGERIOThe sun’s rays beat against my face and I put out an arm to block it, then looked around. The last thing I remember was getting off the plane and the car somersaulting several times in the air.I didn’t know where I was or what exactly had brought me here. I got up from the ground and tried to brush the sand off my clothes when I realized that I was injured in a few places, but it was nothing serious.The car, however, lay turned on its back, tires rolling in the air, which smelled of petrol and something else. I looked at the car and realized that there were people trapped inside. I wasn’t sure how I had gotten out, but I had to help them out too.I tried to move and realized that I had sprained my ankle. I didn’t realize how terrible it was earlier because my body was still recovering from the shock.As I tried to move my limbs, my body let me know that it had gone through much more than I could reckon. I couldn’t move as quickly as I wanted to, and I wondered if I would be