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."

Giovanni POV

I opened my eyes the next morning, and Gray was still beside me, his hand wrapped around my waist like he had no intention of letting go. I smiled as I stared at him, and the memory of his words from last night made my heart flutter. How could someone be so genuine?

And honestly… I enjoyed everything we shared last night. It was the first time something felt this real. I had never experienced this kind of connection before.

I was about to get up when he suddenly pulled me back into his arms.

“Are you done staring at me?” he asked, his voice low. “Can you do it a little more?”

I was stunned. So he’d been awake the whole time, letting me admire him in silence. I smiled shyly, and he kissed my forehead.

“Did you enjoy it?” he asked, his tone softer now.

I didn’t know what to say. No one had ever asked me that before. I just nodded, feeling my face heat up.

“I should go to the bathroom and wash up,” I said quickly, trying to use it as an excuse to escape the moment.

He held me tighter. “Are you trying to run away from me now?” he teased, his voice husky and playful. It sounded so good on him, I swear.

“I’m not running,” I said, lying through my teeth. “I just need to take a bath.”

He finally let me go, smiling.

“I have a dinner meeting with some business associates today,” he said. “Will you come with me?”

I hesitated, thinking it over.

“Isn’t that a little fast? Meeting your friends already?” I asked, trying to be logical.

“I’m going to marry you soon,” he replied without missing a beat. “I can’t wait to show you off to everyone.”

He said it so naturally, like he meant every word. I couldn’t help but wonder—why now? Why is he just showing up and making everything feel brand new?

"Okay," I murmured, forcing myself off the bed and dragging my tired body toward the bathroom.

******

We sat at the dining table for breakfast when Mitchell walked in.

“Mitchell,” I called, surprised to see her back. How could I forget to ask about her this morning after she tried her best to protect me with her life yesterday.

“Good morning, Madam Giovanni. Good morning, Mr. Blackwood,” she greeted with a slight bow.

I responded, but Gray said nothing. I glanced at him, wondering what was going on.

“I’m sorry, sir. I couldn’t protect her. I was knocked out,” she apologized.

“Okay,” he said, like the word burnt his tongue.

She nodded, then turned to me. “Madam Giovanni, the phone you said you were looking for—it was found inside the car.” She handed it to me.

My eyes lit up. Finally—my phone. I had so much on it. Notes, contacts… and my songs recording.

“Thank you so much, Mitchell. I love you,” I said, almost breathless.

When I unlocked it, I saw dozens of missed calls and messages—especially from my mother.

"I had to go and see my mother. She must be dead worried," I said, scrolling through my messages.

"It's okay. I should come with you," he offered.

I shook my head quickly. "Nope, you don't have to. I’ll be fine on my own. Taking you to my mum this early sounds somehow? I just got divorced a few days ago."

"Alright," he said, but his eyes didn’t agree. "Just make sure to go with enough men."

"I'll be alright. I’m just going to see my mummy," I smiled faintly.

"You can’t go alone. I don’t trust too many people—especially not my dad. Take my men with you," he said, then turned to Mitchell.

"If anything happens and you don’t call me, you’ll be in big trouble." His tone was sharp and cold.

Why is he so protective of me… but so dismissive of everyone else?

"Alright, sir," Mitchell replied quietly.

****

When we arrived at the house, the men spread out. One of them quickly stepped forward and opened the door for me. I wanted to say no—but I knew Gray might not take it lightly with them, so I let them do their job.

I walked in, with Mitchell right beside me.

Inside, I saw my mother reading the newspaper while Eric was focused on his phone.

“Giovanni,” my mother called out the moment she saw me. I could tell she had missed me. Her face held worry—probably because of all the messages she sent that I hadn’t replied to.

Eric stood up as well the moment his eyes met mine. I walked toward my mother, expecting a hug.

But instead of hugging me… she slapped me.

The sting hit my cheek instantly, and I held it in shock. My chest tightened. I didn’t understand what I had done to deserve that.

“So you asked for a divorce because you already have someone else?” she said, her voice rushed and sharp. “And not only that—he barged into the house, beat up Mark, and took him away! Eric told me everything. You signed the divorce, fine—but did you really have to go that far?”

I looked at Eric. The hate in his eyes cut deep.

“Why would I take Mark?” I asked, voice shaking. “I didn’t even know—”

But she grabbed my clothes, furious.

Mitchell moved, ready to defend me, but I stopped her. No matter what, she was still my mother.

Then she turned to Mitchell.

“Mitchell,” she said coldly.

I stiffened. How did she know her name?

Then her gaze shot back to me.

“Is it Gray Blackwood?”