Thinking she had finally broken free from her family's violence, Ariana has no choice but to attend the party her father had thrown for the man she has always hated. The ruthless mafia lord Matteo Donatelli, whom her family had taken under their wing when she was a teenager. Drunk and clouded by his new power, Don Matteo Donatelli unknowingly made love to his adopted sister. Moments later Ariana is Trying to hold back all the anger, emotions and tears when she sees the man who just stole her virginity, recklessly propose in front of the entire family to his outsider American girlfriend Becky Saunders. unexpectedly she slumps on her wedding day! But things take a surprising turn! Read on to find out!
ARIANA'S POV~
"My father is a beast, yes I said it, a beast and a terrorist, a rapist and every other evil and vile thing the criminals do in Italy! I hate him" I said, holding the paper in my hands and shaking with anger as I ruffled it and threw it to the floor.
"I hate home, and I never want to go back, my life since moving to Malta has been nothing short of beautiful, the handsome waiter I met last week, finally wants to take me on a nice date, somewhere fancy but instead I've been summoned home by my father," I said as I threw my handbag to the couch and slumped into it.
"TONIGHT!" I screamed, "And that ASSHOLE will also be there"
My cousin and best friend in the world, Fiona sat beside me as I cried continuously.
"If you refuse this, I'm sure you will be dragged to the plane" she said, sounding sorry for me as she picked up the paper to read its content.
"I thought when my father said 'Do whatever you want, I don't want to see your pathetic face around.' He meant it, what could this man need me for, I'm done with that life, I want to be done Fiona" I cried into the couch pillow.
"Look on the bright side, at least he will unfreeze the account now, and we can pay for the apartment we wanted, just go to the party, and come back, it's just tonight right, it doesn't say you have to sleep over," she said rubbing my shoulder lightly before lying on it.
"I know it's hard girl, but you will get through it, c'mon let's help you get a dress, you are still the beautiful eccentric Ariana Rinaldi, you have to stick it to your stepsisters, you know they will be there, with their gawking eyes," she said ruffling my hair and pulling me to stand on my feet,
Which I did reluctantly.
"I don't want to go, I wish I could tell them a train hit me or something" I said, shaking my head in protest.
"Not a chance, come on, let's go to La Perla Maltese boutique" she said, coming to pull me to the door.
3 hours later I was heading home to Italy to attend this party my father had decided to throw for my asshole adopted brother Matteo.
His name sent waves of pure irritation down my spine as I shrugged the thought of him from my mind. I hate him, with every fibre of my being, he is an asshole and I'm glad everyone sees it now.
A rotten bastard, my father would call him in secret, so why is he throwing this elaborate party for him and why should I be in the midst of all these old vile men?
I picked the invitation that had visibly been crumbled badly, and straightened it again, I read its content again, this time more clearly
You are cordially invited to an evening of intrigue and indulgence at the estate of the esteemed Don Vincenzo Rinaldi.
date: 30th of January 2023
Time: midnight until dawn
Location: Villa Rinaldi, nestled away amidst the shadows of Marina Verde.
Dress code: black for men, women are free to choose what enthrals them, with a hint of mystery.
Join us under the shield of the night, as we celebrate loyalty, life and the bonds of our fraternity. Revel in the finest cuisine, exquisite wines Sicily has to offer, and the temptations of forbidden pleasures.
But remember, within these walls, restraint is paramount, and the currency of the night is secrets, trust only those you know, for treachery carries severe consequences
The Rinaldi Family.
I looked at it with annoyance, these fake parties these men throw just to show who is more powerful, I was immediately disgusted.
It used to be my father, but now it seems Mateo is the new hotshot Don in town, calling all the shots, and my father didn't like it.
That must have cut deep into my papa, so why would he throw this party in his honour? And why do I have to be there?
Not after the last time he and my stepmother tricked me into offending Papa so much that I had to decide to leave Italy.
My father is like a vulture, he waits for you and then strikes.
Long after, I stepped out of the plane that I'd finished the process and I was home free.
All I could imagine was how I'd react to meeting that lying asshole again, and how fast I can't wait to get out of there.
My dad just picked the wrongest day to do this to me!
Just when Enzo finally asked me to be his girl, something I'd been hoping for.
I walked past the baggage claim and headed for the airport door.
As the door opened I took a deep breath, let out all the negative thoughts in my head and embraced a positive aura.
I smiled and as I did, a man carrying a fan passed me blowing the invitation from my hand.
I shrieked and leapt for it, I caught it before it could fly off and I steadied myself to land.
As I did I landed in the firm grip of a male airport police officer, his grip was much too tight to be friendly.
"Let go of me! what is this?" I inquired, my heart suddenly beating out of my chest.
"Are you Ariana Rinaldi?" he asked, looking intently at me, I looked at him in fright.
Do I deny my name right now or is this one of Papa's men?
I decided to go with the daunting hope that it was the former.
"Yes, I am, what the hell is this?" I asked, jerking my arm from his grip, I watched as two female officers joined him, the blond one reached into her pocket to bring out what I hoped she was not!
"You are under Arrest for conspiring with Italian criminal and mafia don, Mateo Donatelli, to intentionally distribute hard drugs, anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law" the male officer announced, gesturing to the blond officer to place the handcuff.
"What! He is just my adopted brother! I don't know anything about this!"
But they didn't care, I was already getting hurled out and tossed into the police car.
I haven't even properly landed, Mateo, you slimy piece of shit, and I already want to murder you!
22-year-old Evelyn Carter is attempting to start over in California while avoiding her past. She will be embarking on a new career path as a private school teacher. She is smart, attractive, and doesn't put up with nonsense. Who wouldn't notice her? However, what happens when she attracts the attention of someone unwilling to let her go? Who wants her and nothing else after falling in love at first sight? A 25-year-old billionaire CEO and single father, Lucian Carrington. He takes what he wants and he is also a very dangerous man. All it needed was one look at a stunning woman to realize she was HIS, even though he doesn't believe in relationships because they always end. Preview: Miss Carter, you will be mine. I say firmly. "Release my arm, Mr. Carrington, before I force you to." She says, seeming to smile at me. I give her a sly smile. Squeezing my wrist with her other hand, she twists it uncomfortably. I gave a painful hiss. "Don't underestimate me, Mr. Carrington." "This is the only time I will allow you to walk away from me, Miss Carter." She glared at me as she turned. "Mr. Carrington, I am no possession of yours." I was left standing there when she opened the classroom door and left.
The dream of everyone with regards to marriage is to be able to find that special someone and settle down with them. Even arranged marriages grant you an opportunity to meet your partner briefly before the wedding. How will you feel about waking up in the morning with someone sleeping next to you who is not just anyone but your legally married partner yet with no memory of how that had happened in just a few hours of going out the previous day? This is the story of Jason Haward and Julia Harrison, two strangers trapped in a marriage they never planned. The quest to find out why led to the unfolding of a mystery which made them realize they are both living a lie. To find out more, read this amazing story of love, betrayal, revenge and murder.
"We are divorced, Adams." She sighed and wanted to walk away, but he held her. "It doesn't matter." He answered, his voice laced with determination. "I don't love you anymore." "That doesn't matter either. What matters is that I want you, and there's nothing you or anyone can do about it." ***** Alicia's life has been a series of ups and downs. She suffered abuse from her husband and his family because she couldn't give him a child. She thought she had seen it all, but not until the day she returned home only to receive the divorce papers from her husband's parents. She pleaded with them, but was met with deaf ears, and so she signed the documents and left. Little did anyone know that she was pregnant. She returned six years later with her baby girl only to find her Ex-husband craving her once more. How will she take this, and what other surprises does fate have in stock for her?
[Cute Baby + Secret Identity + Powerful hero and heroine!] Caroline loved Damian with all her heart for five whole years. She devoted herself to him and lived humbly for his sake. However, when the couple faced a crisis, she hoped that the news of her pregnancy would fix their marriage, but what she got in return was just a divorce agreement. And to make things worse, while she was about to give birth, she had fallen into someone's trap and her life was in danger. After managing to survive such a harrowing experience, she was determined to cut all ties with the man. Five years later, she re-emerged with her head held high, being the CEO of a famous company. Those who used to bully her now got a taste of their own medicine. And the truth about the past gradually surfaced... Dazzled by Caroline's newfound confidence, her ex-husband wanted to get back together with her, but she just turned a blind eye to his advances. Damian pleaded desperately, "Honey, our baby needs both his parents. Please remarry me!"
A sudden twist of fate connected Helena to a prominent and influential person. To onlookers, she appeared as a naive bimbo. In truth, she was a top-tier specialist, shrouded in layers of hidden identities. Charlie declared, “She’s quite delicate and easily hurt. Cross her, and you’re crossing me.” The elite families, outwitted by Helena's prowess, kept these truths from him. Helena eventually broke free from Charlie, sending him on a frenzied worldwide hunt. To him, she was a bird with dazzling wings, and his goal was to help her reach new heights.
The day Raina gave birth should have been the happiest of her life. Instead, it became her worst nightmare. Moments after delivering their twins, Alexander shattered her heart-divorcing her and forcing her to sign away custody of their son, Liam. With nothing but betrayal and heartbreak to her name, Raina disappeared, raising their daughter, Ava, on her own.Years later, fate comes knocking when Liam falls gravely ill. Desperate to save his son, Alexander is forced to seek out the one person he once cast aside. Alexander finds himself face to face with the woman he underestimated, pleading for a second chance-not just for himself, but for their son. But Raina is no longer the same broken woman who once loved him.No longer the woman he left behind. She has carved out a new life-one built on strength, wealth, and a long-buried legacy she expected to uncover.Raina has spent years learning to live without him.The question is... Will she risk reopening old wounds to save the son she never got to love? or has Alexander lost her forever?