Giovanni POV

I could only watch them leave smiling happily at each other. My heart shattered into a million pieces. The boy I had spent many years of my life taking care of jumped into the hands of another woman so easily.

I wanted to go back and spend the night elsewhere, but the door burst open and the butler came out.

"Come inside, Mrs. Leonardo. I was told to call you," he said quickly.

I was stunned. Who among them had asked me to come inside? Without hesitating, I walked in

Getting into the living room, I saw them sitting in a romantic manner. Stephanie had her legs on his lap, and he was massaging her feet while they gisted and laughed.

Eric was there, eating apples and watching cartoon. What a sweet sight of a perfect family.

I pretended not to see them and started heading toward the stairs.

"Stop right there," he thundered.

I halted and looked back.

"Where the hell are you going?" he asked.

I didn't answer.

"So you’re gonna let my son starve? I heard he's been feeding on fruit since morning. Get in that kitchen and cook something for him. Not just for him—for all of us," he ordered. Eric is a picky eater, and I'm the only one allowed to make his food.

I smirked, feeling irritated, and answered, "You could get him something to eat. There are plenty of maids in the house."

"You know if he eats food made by someone else, he gets sick, do you want him dead?" he thundered.

"Then get your new woman to learn the recipes. Meet the head cook—she knows all my recipes. And by the way, I'm done with you. Expect divorce papers on your doorstep soon," I said, raising my brow.

He gripped my neck, cutting off my air.

"I guess I’ve been too gentle with you," he growled. "How dare you say divorce to my face? Who told you you could leave me? This is forever."

I scoffed and forced his hand off me. "Who said I’m doing forever with you?" I snapped, trying to catch my breath. "Ask Eric—he’s counting the minutes till I leave."

"Just get out of our life! I hate you! Can’t wait to see Daddy marry Aunty Stephanie!" Eric shouted, excitement all over his face.

"No, Eric, that's too harsh. You shouldn't say things that will break your mother's heart," Stephanie said, pretending to care.

"She's not my mum," Eric snapped. "She's evil. She's a witch. She's a murderer. Just leave and never come back."

I laughed bitterly. "I was going to leave eventually. Your dad should just marry her already. Since you're head over heels for her."

"Eric, go to your room," Mark said calmly.

Eric ran upstairs without looking back. I didn’t even flinch when he stepped closer to me, anger rolling off him.

"Since you're so desperate to leave," he said coldly, "let me help you."

He turned toward Stephanie kissed her lips, then said, without blinking, "Beat her up."

I couldn’t believe my ears. Beat me up?

I remembered hearing that Stephanie had learned martial arts while growing up. She didn’t hesitate. She walked toward me.

I tried to find a way to escape, but she gripped my hand, twisted it while I whinned in pain and give me a hard kick, making me fall to the floor. My head hit the ground hard, and pain shot through me.

Before I could recover, she threw punches at me.

I tried to fight back, but I was too weak.

Just then, the door burst open.

A group of people rushed into the living room.

I stayed where I was on the floor, dazed, but one guy came forward.

"Wonderful! you’re really here, Stephanie. Cheating on me with this pup?"

His tone was cold. His aura was something I couldn’t explain.

For the first time I saw Stephanie panic, fear was written all over her. "It’s not what you think, sweetie," Stephanie said, moving toward him.

He shoved her away without a second thought..

He moved closer to Mark.

"Son of a bitch, you're stealing for me now?" he asked and grabbed Mark by the neck.

"No, Don," Mark’s voice was shaky.

And that’s when I realized it—this was him.

The Mafia Lord.

The first time I saw Mark shiver in front of anyone.

"Then tell me what the hell is she doing in your house with this skimpy nightwear?" he demanded.

For some reason, I was excited. I tried to get up on my feet. The guy’s eyes shot toward me. He narrowed his eyes as he studied my face, then he ignored Mark and walked towards me, as if there was something interesting about my face.

"It's you. Giovanni Scofield," he called.

I froze, wondering how he knew who I was. Before I could say a word, he added,

"I have been looking everywhere for you."

Giovanni’s POV

I stood frozen, trying to understand what he was talking about. Who is he? Why was he looking for me?

"Who are you?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper, but his eyes didn’t leave my face. He kept inspecting me like he was searching for something.

"Who hit you like this? You're bleeding," he demanded, touching my forehead. I flinched — the sting made my eyes water.

"You can't be touching someone's wife like this," Stephanie snapped sharply, her voice full of anger.

"Who are you to tell me what to do?" he fired back coldly.

Then he turned to me again, his eyes softening with concern.

"Tell me, Giovanni, who hit you?"

Even though I didn’t know him, something about his presence made my walls come down. My throat burned with the words I had been holding in. I swallowed my fear and grabbed the chance.

"He ordered her to beat me up. He refused to let me go because I told him I wanted a divorce," I said, my voice cracking at the end.

His face darkened instantly, like a storm ready to destroy everything in its path. He turned sharply to his men.

"Beat him to a pulp. Don’t stop until he passes out," he said, his voice low and dangerous.

"And her," he added, pointing at Stephanie, "lock her up until I decide what to do with her."

"You need medical attention. Let's go," he said, lifting me easily.

Outside, the snow fell softly. Someone rushed over with an umbrella as the car door opened. I curled into him without thinking as we drove off.

*****

I woke up the next morning in an unfamiliar room. My body ached and my head was heavy.

I remembered the doctor, the sharp sting of an injection, and then nothing.

As I tried to sit up, a lady rushed in. "Are you okay, Madam?" she asked.

Madam? My stomach twisted.

"Why are you calling me Madam?" I croaked out.

"Mr. Blackwood said you’re the new Madam," she said simply, like it made perfect sense.

Shock rooted me in place.

"Why am I the new Madam?"

"I don't know," she replied, her tone soft but helpless.

Before I could ask more, the door burst open. A tall woman in an elegant dress entered, her beauty and confidence making me shrink.

"Madam Giovanni, I’m Mitchell. Mr. Blackwood personally chose me as your PA," she said warmly.

I shook my head in confusion, the knot in my chest tightening.

"What? Why is he treating me like this?" I asked, my voice breaking.

"You’re so lucky, Madam Giovanni. No one has ever gotten this much attention from Mr. Blackwood before," Mitchell said. "You must hold a special place in his heart. Anyway, you should rest. I’m just here to take care of a few things."

I didn't know what to feel — fear, hope, or dread. All I knew was my heart was racing, and nothing made sense anymore.

"You can bring it in," Mitchell called out. Immediately, several people filed into the room, carrying dresses, jewelry, and shoes.

"For me?" I whispered, almost laughing from how absurd it all felt.

"You, of course," she said with a gentle smile. But it didn't calm me.

When they finished arranging everything, she turned back to me.

"Your breakfast will be ready soon. Please come downstairs when you’re done. The doctor will be here to change your bandage," she said politely.

I could barely nod. My body was here, but my mind was spinning somewhere else. I had never been treated like this before. It didn’t feel real.

Just as she was about to leave, I called out desperately,

"Please, can I see Mr. Blackwood?"

She turned, looking at me kindly.

"He left for an urgent meeting early this morning. I'm sure he'll be back soon," she reassured me.

"Okay. Thanks," I whispered, feeling suddenly small.

*****

Night came, but Mr. Blackwood still hadn’t returned.

Every second felt like an hour. I asked Mitchell if she knew anything, but she just shook her head.

Then, finally, I heard the blare of cars horn outside. My heart jumped painfully in my chest.

Maybe now I would finally get answers. Maybe I would finally understand all this

But when the doors swung open, it wasn’t him.

A group of men entered, surrounding an older man who walked ahead with a powerful air.

"That's Mr. Luca Blackwood, Mr. Gray Blackwood's father," Mitchell whispered urgently.

"What?" My gasped

"Yes. I don't know why he's here all of a sudden," she said, frowning deeply before hurrying to greet him.

Mitchell bowed. "Welcome, Mr. Blackwood."

He didn’t even glance at her. "Where’s the girl Gray brought home?" His voice was full of anger

My brows furrowed. He’s looking for me?

"Why did you come for her, sir?" Mitchell asked bravely.

Without warning, the man slapped her hard across the face.

"Who are you to question me?" he snapped.

"Mr. Gray told me to protect her with my entire life. So I need to know why you're here for her," she said firmly, standing in front of him without fear.

"Then get rid of her," he ordered his boys coldly.

I rushed forward in panic. "No, no! I’m the one you’re looking for!" I shouted in fear.

There was silence. His eyes stayed on me as Mitchell struggled, pinned down.

He smirked. “Gray sure has good taste.”

For a second, I thought he’d let it go—but then his voice turned cold.

“Did you really think you could stop his engagement to Stephanie? Not while I’m alive.”

“James,” he called, and a man stepped forward.

“Take her somewhere Gray won’t find her.”

Giovanni POV

The men rushed toward me. Mitchell tried to fight them off, but one of them knocked her out with a gun.

"Please, leave me!" I cried, struggling, but their grip was too tight.

They were about to drag me away when several cars suddenly sped into the compound.

The car doors burst open, and Gray stepped out, followed by his men.

As if a thunderstorm strike them, the man holding me let go, immediately they saw Gray get out of the car.

I ran straight to Gray, sliding into his arms, panting and trembling.

"Are you okay?" he asked urgently, his voice tight with worry.

I shook my head, fresh tears spilling down my cheeks.

"They… they wanted to take me away," I stammered, clinging to him.

Gray pulled me closer, wrapping his arms around me protectively.

"I'm here now," he said softly, his voice fierce and reassuring. "I won't let anyone hurt you."

Before I could even catch my breath, Mr. Luca’s voice cut through the air.

"Gray, what do you think you're doing?" he demanded, his tone sharp and accusing.

"Take her inside, Andrew," he ordered one of the men beside him.

"Okay, sir," Andrew replied. I led the way, feeling the weight of Mr. Luca Blackwood’s glare burning into my back. If looks could kill, I’d be six feet under by now.

Behind me, I heard Gray’s voice, sharp and angry. "What do you think you're trying to do?"

"If you ruin your engagement to Stephanie because of her, I’ll make sure she’s killed," Mr. Blackwood said coldly. My heart skipped a beat. I didn’t know if I should run or stay.

"Just try it and see," Gray shot back without fear. "Besides, I already sent my message to her family. There won’t be any engagement. Do your worst."

"You think I’m joking, Gray?" his father roared.

Gray’s voice dropped lower, but it was even more dangerous. "Try anything stupid, Father, and you’ll see. I won’t let you get away the way you got away with my mother’s death."

Those were the last words I heard before I finally stepped inside.

My heart raced.

So his father was responsible for his mother's death?

*****

I sat on the bed, waiting for Gray to come. At least he could tell me how he knew me—so I could finally understand what all this was.

Then, the door opened. It was him.

I quickly stood up.

“Did I keep you waiting?” he asked.

I nodded.

He smiled as he walked closer. “I’m sorry,” he said gently.

“It’s okay. Please… can you tell me what all this is? How do you know me?” I asked, my voice low but steady.

“You really don’t remember?” he asked, still smiling. I nodded again. I hadn’t seen him before—or maybe I had and just forgot. If I had, he should remind me.

“I don’t remember anything,” I said honestly. “I don’t think I’ve even seen you once before.”

He took a deep breath and suddenly pulled me closer. Leaning in, he whispered in my ear, “Sonic Scope Music Production.”

My eyes widened.

“Does that ring a bell?” he asked.

Sonic Scope Music Production. That was the company I had performed for seven years ago. The night I won my award… the one Eric scattered days ago.

"I know Sonic Scope Music Production. How are you connected to it?" I demanded, my eyes narrowing.

"The guy you saved by the kitchen door—the one who panicked when he saw the fire from the leaking gas… that was me," he said, his voice laced with shame.

"Really?" I shouted, the memory flashing in my mind.

"It’s a good thing you remember," he said softly. "I’ve been looking for you ever since, but two years later, I heard you had died. I went to the funeral to confirm it... but I couldn’t stay. So seeing you alive now—it’s a shock."

"I wasn’t the one who died. It was my twin sister," I replied, locking eyes with him. There was something there—a strange warmth, a spark. Too fast, too sudden… and yet, I felt it.

"I never knew you were a twin," he murmured. "Maybe I would’ve kept searching if I had."

"So....... you're looking for me just to say thank you?"

"No no, that's not the only reason... I want to get to know you better, to start something real" he answered.

I froze. My breath caught, I knew where he was driving at but I wanted to be sure.

"What do you mean you want to know me better?" I asked, heart racing.

He didn’t blink. "There's always been a wall around my heart, but ever since you rescued me that day, that wall was scattered. I couldn't stop thinking about you, I searched everywhere for you. I want to give love a chance with you"

I didn’t know what to say. No one’s ever said that to me before—not like that. I was always just a body, a way to pass time. Never wanted. Never chosen.

But him?

He was dangerous. Magnetic. And I couldn’t lie to myself—I wanted him too. My legs trembled slightly, and I felt the heat growing between them.

I looked into his eyes. I didn’t know if it was madness or desire, or both, but I couldn’t walk away. I didn’t want to.

"You can have me," I whispered.

And then he came for my lips.

"I let him have his way before I finally gave in. I knew it wasn’t right, but I didn’t care about the consequences. I just couldn’t let go of this burning desire."