Octavia’s POVTwo days ago.“Mom, you came?" I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the woman with six bodyguards. She was pretty and fierce, looking more like a twenty-year-old than the fifty-something-year-old woman she was."I know you weren't expecting me, but I had to do it for my son," she smiled a little. Her presence attracted a lot of attention, but I knew Vanni would garner even more attention, especially since most of my peers loved to flaunt their men."You mean Vanni isn't coming?" I was very disappointed."I'm sorry, but let's talk after the event. I don't want to keep you waiting." I agreed with her and joined my mates for the ceremony, constantly watching out for Vanni and hoping he would show up to disappoint his mother, but that didn't happen.Foolish of me to have thought all these years that his mother hated me. Turns out she loved me enough to show up."Vanni has been so busy these days, but I will go and help him," I said to her, trying to hide my disappointment a
Molly’s POVI couldn’t be upset with Gianni because Octavia was Roger’s mother. However, Gianni should be nearing thirty. As to how the two produced Roger, it remained a mystery to me.Roger was in the shower when I reached his room, but he was bathing angrily. I went to help him.“Look, she’s your mother, and you have to accept it, even if you can’t love her,” I tried to explain to him, but he was irrational.“No, you are my mother. I don’t even know her, and all these years, she took all of daddy’s weekends, never caring about me and leaving me out of it. She only loves daddy,” Roger said, sounding more like an adult than a child. I turned off the faucet when I realized he was clean enough and wrapped him in a towel. How he was able to break down his mother’s character and understand that the woman never cared for him was exceptional but unexpected from a four-year-old. “Roger, there must be some explanation, okay? Daddy loves you so much, so if he brought her, then she must be g
Octavia’s POVVanni completely changed my son. Roger was more fierce and unwelcoming compared to Vanni, and when I looked at him, he seemed nothing like his real father.Gael was very gentle and kind, and I believe that if he were still alive, no one would associate him with Roger. This behavior made it challenging for me to implement my plans because Roger was as stubborn as a rock.He appeared so upset that his words seemed final. However, I couldn’t bear the thought of being pushed out of my son's life."Roger, can you please let her stay downstairs? She's still your mother," Molly pleaded, and I understood why Gianni loved her. She was talented and kind, which could work to my advantage, except I couldn't deceive Roger.His personality was complex. Like a light switch, he could shift from being caring to very mean. He was caring when interacting with his father or Molly, but mean when dealing with me."The fact that she gave birth to me doesn't make her a mother," he coldly stared
Molly’s POVI never knew Gianni to be weak, but Octavia must have something on him. Whatever it was, made Gianni kowtow to her demands, which upset me and Roger.After tucking Roger into bed and reading him a bedtime story, I lay beside him. He asked softly, “Mom, you won’t leave dad because of that woman, will you?”Knowing Octavia was just a jealous bitch, I reassured him, “No. Adults have misunderstandings, but we always work through them.”If Gianni said he never slept with her, then I believe him but whatever she said to have made him change his mind, made me afraid.“Thank you, Molly,” Roger said, embracing me before falling asleep. Despite my efforts, I couldn't sleep, and suddenly the door opened.“Who’s there?” I whispered, not wanting to wake Roger.“Can we talk?” Gianni's voice came from the doorway. I felt the need to talk with him, so I stood up, kissed Roger on the forehead, and left his room.“Sure, let’s go,” I replied. I noticed Gianni had showered but wondered why he
Molly’s POVOctavia must have regretted her words because she smiled nervously and tried to take them back.“That’s not what I meant. What I was saying was…”Gianni didn’t allow her to finish her sentence before cutting in. “Roger, I wanted to wait until you were older, but since she already said it, it’s true. You weren’t formed from my DNA, but the moment I laid eyes on you, you were mine, and I never stopped loving you.”Gianni’s words were honest, as his gaze bore into Roger's. The boy’s expression was unreadable, and a deafening silence took over the table as we waited for him to say something, but it took time.The more it was delayed, the more anxious we got, and for the first time, I saw tears in Roger’s eyes as he asked in a sorrow-filled voice,“So, are you going to let me go?” I felt relieved that his only fear was losing the only man he had grown to love as a father.Gianni smiled, and I knew things were going to get better. Octavia was already nervous, seeing that things
Octavia’s POVMolly, the bitch took everything from me. How could I have known she would come into the picture? If I had known, I would have tried harder to win Vanni over, but now she has won Roger as well.Even though my son knew Vanni wasn't his biological father, he still clung to him. Together with Molly, they looked like a perfect family, the family that was meant to be mine.I blamed myself. If only I had cared for Roger and made him happy, maybe Vanni would have fallen in love with me. I always thought men didn't like women with attachments, but I was wrong.Vanni had changed completely from the last time I saw him at home and not even memories of Gael could make him accept my demands."Octavia, I didn't ask Gael to take the bullet for me. We weren't even close. It saddens me that he died because of it, but I won't let you manipulate me. If someone else had sabotaged Molly like you did, she would be dead. Be grateful you're still alive."Tears welled in my eyes, but I held the
Octavia’s POV“What do you mean Gael is still alive? Mom, we buried him. I was at his funeral," I explained, just in case she was mistaken, but the seriousness in her eyes indicated otherwise.Her gaze held a conviction, that sent a chill down my spine. "Mom, please elaborate on this,” I pleaded with her."Octavia, do you think I would let my son sacrifice himself for a stepchild?" she questioned, causing my eyes to widen with shock.Vanni may be ruthless, but this woman was the true villain. If Vanni knew about this, he would surely eliminate her. Despite Vanni cutting me off, revealing this woman's intentions to him might give me a chance in his life again, right?"Mom, please tell me you're joking. Gael is dead." I had moved on from Gael and shifted my affection to Vanni, so this revelation was unexpected, and I wasn't sure if I could love Gael the same way again."Gael is in London but will return in a few days. I provided him with a new identity."Her words weren't enough to conv
Octavia’s POV“Gael was raised by my best friend, but I felt it was time for him to understand the Dawson’s business. So, I introduced him to Gio’s father as a nephew, but I didn’t know he would get suspicious. Also, Gio didn’t like Gael."Now it made sense. Gael faked his death with a bullet, but one thing was still unclear.“Why did I come into the picture?”She laughed sarcastically, hinting that there was more to the whole situation. “Octavia, I needed a virgin for Gael, which is why I had him take care of you as a teenager after your parents died.”Tears welled up in my eyes as I began to question Gael’s supposed love for me. Also, Beatrix always preyed on orphans like me because it was the same with Nicole but as for Gael, “He never loved me.”“Oh, stop it, you fool. No one is expected to fall in love in this game. That’s why as soon as I heard Gio had a woman in college, I had to separate them, and that woman is Molly. We had to ensure you were pregnant with Gael’s child before
Hank’s POVI desired Nora so much that when she expressed a desire for intimacy, I took the opportunity to propose to her, and she accepted.My joy was overwhelming, and as we spent the night together, I couldn't help but envision her in a wedding gown. I was eager to solidify our relationship quickly, but I didn't want to appear desperate, so I decided to wait a week or two before discussing marriage.Having Nora in my life made everything worthwhile, even leaving my lucrative job. It allowed us the freedom to spend time together whenever we pleased. I looked forward to supporting her business and seeing it flourish beyond her dreams.However, our peaceful morning was unexpectedly disrupted by Octavia."Hank, Vanni has blacklisted me, and I'm in trouble. Cage and his gang are after me. He deceived me. I'm hiding in my basement because I'm injured. He nearly killed me, Hank," Octavia pleaded as I reassured her, "Stay put, I'm on my way."I could track Octavia using her GPS as long as
Nora’s POVThere was nothing creepier than watching Hank take down Carter. I had thought Carter would put up a fight, but it turns out he's only good at harming fragile women like me.Even after it was all over, I found it hard to accept that I had almost died.What if Hank hadn't received my message and tried to call me? I had resisted when he first asked me to move in with him or find another apartment, but not anymore.Clearly, experiences like this were why Molly had toughened up so much. One can't always rely on a savior, so I need to toughen up if I want to be with a man like Hank.No matter what, there would always be dangers surrounding him. When I reached his house, I showered again out of anxiety, hoping the water would wash away my fears.It helped, but seeing Hank in just shorts, his chest exposed and his damp hair, as if he had just showered, a different kind of anxiety took hold of me.Men often walked around shirtless, and it was clear that Hank was the type to sleep in
Hank’s POVAfter Nora refused to vacate her apartment, I discreetly kept an eye on her ever since I spotted Carter in the elevator.Despite the events at Molly and Gio’s wedding, where I respected Nora’s desire to take things slow, I refrained from inviting her to my place and instead ensured her safety in her own apartment.I had been monitoring Carter and confirmed his departure on the day we went to the Island, causing my surveillance on Nora to lapse.As I neared my house, I almost ignored the message beep from my phone but a strong feeling compelled me to check, suspecting it was Nora.However, the call abruptly ended after two rings, signaling a problem.Instinctively, I made a U-turn, realizing that Carter’s sudden presence and the phone going dead were red flags.I didn’t anticipate Carter causing trouble without a contract, ruling out the possibility of him being hired to target Nora. It dawned on me that his actions might be driven by his feelings for her.Upon reaching Nora
Nora’s POVGio, were they responsible for the threatening note?" Hank inquired. Gio nodded. "Yes, they targeted Molly and Roger. When they couldn't reach her due to the tight security, they exploited her health condition."He smiled bitterly and continued, "During our first antenatal visit after our honeymoon, Molly mentioned seeing this boy, but I dismissed it as a hallucination. They have been monitoring her for a long time without success."Now everything made sense, but why did they use Wade? "What about the boy? Why send him?" I asked, and Gio looked saddened."They manipulated him, poisoning his mind. Before I killed Wesley's father for murdering his wife, he hinted that there were more threats coming. I suspect his other two children," he explained.If this young boy could have murderous intentions towards Roger, then his siblings could be even more dangerous. They needed to be located.Gio gazed at Wade with concern evident in his eyes and voice. "I assure you, we will protect
Nora’s POVAfter the wedding, I finally understood why Molly loved Roger so much. He was disciplined, intelligent, and resilient.Inspired by him, I started training alongside himself and Hank every morning until Molly and Gio returned from their honey mon.Roger's dedication to learning also improved my relationship with Hank.For the first time, I felt like a mother figure, caring for a child who was independent and mature beyond his years.Molly then suggested another concert, and I eagerly agreed, putting my business on hold.The final day of the concert took a somber turn when Molly collapsed, but I stepped in to handle the situation, inadvertently gaining some unwanted attention.Despite the incident, Molly's connection with her fans deepened as they showed their support by gathering outside the hospital. Gio, as I now referred to him, helped manage the situation and dispersed the crowd.Although it felt strange to call him Gio, I knew I would eventually get used to it.Each day
Molly’s POVThe honeymoon was the best thing that ever happened in my life. The food, the ambiance, Gianni’s gentleness, all brought about a relaxation in me that inspired me to write some new songs.Even though I knew Gianni might not agree, I still asked him, “Gianni, do you mind if I host one last concert until after our baby is born?”“No, Molly, we can’t risk it,” he refused. I knew he was right, but I insisted, “I intend to be away from the limelight for at least two years after giving birth. Are you still going to say no?”His silence was heavy, but he eventually agreed with conditions. “There will be a doctor on call 24/7, but you won’t hold a double concert.”I embraced him eagerly, and we made love again. His sexuality had undergone a dramatic transformation in the sense that, though he still lasted outrageously long, he didn’t have to be so wild to reach his release.I still missed those wild moments, but the baby always came first. “I miss Roger,” I said during our fifth d
Giovanni’s POVWhy is she here?" I asked Hank after Nora left, her face flushed with embarrassment. Their on-and-off relationship was causing me stress."She's giving me a chance, but she wants to take things slow," Hank revealed, sparking my excitement. "Last night things seemed to be escalating, but today everything is falling into place."Then a thought struck me, so I inquired, "What if Octavia changes her mind? I know it won't be long, especially since I mentioned the money in front of Cage."As much as I wanted both women to be happy, I didn't want any conflicts between them because of my best friend."Gio, do you even have to ask? The moment Octavia put me in a position where I had to beg to be chosen, she was never mine to begin with. Nora only dated once, and I'm the only man she made a move on. I'm not an option for her, but the one she truly desires."His words stirred up emotions in me. Hank, who was always as reserved as I am, had once said he couldn't settle down, and I
Molly’s PovI woke up to the delicious smell of breakfast with Roger, and it felt perfect. Gianni was in the shower, but we were so hungry that we started eating without him.Gianni joined us later and remarked, "You two are awake." I hummed in response and continued eating as he looked at me longingly."Don't eat too fast. You're pregnant," he revealed, causing me to freeze instantly. The cutlery slipped from my hand. "Pregnant?"Roger seemed excited, and I wondered if he already knew. Then, I remembered chatting with Nora and waking up in bed."You seem surprised," Gianni observed with amusement. I asked him, "How did I get here? I remember chatting with Nora."He smiled at Roger, who began to recount everything. "Mom, I was swimming with Uncle Hank when I saw you faint."The realization dawned on me, and I exclaimed, "I never thought I'd be able to get pregnant." For the first time in my twenty-six years of living, I am finally pregnant."Well, you are," Gianni admitted. I knew he
Nora’s PovThe tension in the air was palpable, but the other guests seemed unfazed, indicating they were aware of what was happening.They left the dining room one by one, only to quickly return to their rooms as a heavy downpour began outside, contrasting with the tense atmosphere indoors.I struggled to accept the truth. "It can't be true. You're not an assassin, are you?" I had always suspected he was involved in something, but being an assassin was beyond what I had imagined.The world of the mafia was not something I wanted to be a part of, given all that I had witnessed and heard."He's not," Don asserted, but Cage interjected, "He's lying to protect his friend, but it's true. He was hired to kill my boss once, and I was there. That's how I know him."Just as I was contemplating the possibility of a future with him, this revelation shook me. Despite my desire to give him a chance, being involved with a hitman was not something I had ever considered. Could he have changed?Don p