Chapter 19
YEAR 2019
“Careful…”
Lothario’s hand steadied me as I took slow steps down the tree-lined path of the private park in his exclusive estate. The breeze was light, the sun gentle-but all I could focus on was the warm grip guiding me forward.
He was patient. Focused. Too focused.
I stopped, breath shaky, and looked up at him.
He turned, catching my hesitation. “Are you tired? Want to rest for a while?”
“Lothario…”
“Hmm?”
‘Why are you doing this?” I whispered. “After everything, after we broke up… you could’ve found someone better. I didn’t fight for us. I hurt you. And now-I’m just a burden. There are so many women out there who-”
‘None of them are you.” His hands cupped my face, gaze locked onto mine. “I love you, Ivanna. And no matter what happens, I will always choose you.”
THUD. THUD. THUD.
pressed my palm over my chest. My heart was pounding too fast.
He looked deep into my eyes. “Do you still love me?”
Love?
didn’t even know how to define it anymore-not with this hatred clawing through my veins. Not when all I wanted was revenge.
I’m sorry, I said, gently pushing his hand away. I turned my wheelchair around.
Behind me, Lothario didn’t follow.
didn’t look back.
couldn’t.
f I did, I might shatter again. I might let him in. And that would only end up hurting him more.
But fate didn’t give us time to grieve.
A sleek black van screeched to a halt in front of me. Doors flew open. Men in black suits stepped out, forming a line like soldiers.
Lothario rushed forward and stood between me and the threat. “Who are you?”
One of the men stepped forward and bowed respectfully. “I am Victor. Butler of the Desmonte family,”
Desmonte?
My blood ran cold. I looked up. “The ancient family… the first mafia line?”
Lothario narrowed his eyes. “What business does a Desmonte butler have with us?”
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Victor smiled calmly. “I mean no harm, sire. We are simply here to retrieve our long-lost heiress.”
He looked straight at me.
‘… Me?” I pointed to myself, stunned.
.OTHARIO’S PENTHOUSE
gripped my teacup, knuckles white. My hands were trembling.
Victor sat across from me, explaining everything. My mother-Vivianne-had been the original eiress of the Desmonte family. But she ran away in her youth, refusing to marry the man her amily chose. She even sent a letter to Don Fredrinn, renouncing her ties with the Desmontes entirely.
He accepted her defiance publicly, sending her ten million as a farewell sum. But behind closed loors, he assigned someone to secretly keep an eye on her.
She disappeared completely.
And so, the Desmontes lost their heir.
Don Fredrinn later fell into a coma. When he awoke, he learned not only that Vivianne had died- nurdered-but that her daughter, I, had supposedly perished as well.
Only… I hadn’t.
/ictor-Sam’s older brother-had uncovered the truth.
stared at Sam. “He’s your brother?”
Sam scratched the back of his head. “I’m technically just a doctor.”
.othario raised a brow.
Sam coughed. “Okay, fine. I also do some… extracurricular things when needed.”
Victor nodded. “Like your mother, Sam wished to avoid the mafia life. But fate has a way of dragging us back in.”
Sam groaned. “Yeah, yeah. What can I say? I enjoy getting my hands dirty now and then.”
turned to Victor. “So… are you here to take me back?”
Lothario, who’d been quietly lounging, sat upright.
Victor bowed his head. “The Don wishes to pass the organization to you. And aren’t you in neec of power, Ms. Ivanna?”
leaned back slowly. “Well. It’s not the worst inheritance offer I’ve heard.”
DESMONTE TERRITORY – DESMIL CITY
We boarded a private jet arranged by the Desmontes.
As we descended over Desmil City, I pressed my hand to the window in awe.
Perched atop a lush mountain, the city overlooked the sea. It was clean, beautiful, powerful. You
could feel the difference in the air-this wasn’t just a place. It was a throne.
Victor smiled from across the cabin. “Welcome to Desmil City, everyone.”
My mother’s birthplace.
For the first time in a long time, something stirred in my chest.
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Peace.
DESMONTE FAMILY ESTATE
Lothario quietly pushed my wheelchair through the main house-not the mafia headquarters, but the Desmonte family residence. Here, business and blood didn’t mix.
The staff bowed in quiet respect as we passed.
Then I saw him.
Don Fredrinn.
My grandfather.
His eyes softened as he approached. He didn’t hug me. Didn’t bombard me with emotion. He simply sat down and spoke to me like I wasn’t broken.
For once, I didn’t feel like I was.
The sun had already set by the time we finished our long talk.
Before we left his office, he turned to Victor. “Call Lothario in.”
Lothario entered, unsure.
Don Fredrinn didn’t hesitate. “Do you love my granddaughter?”
stiffened. “Grandpa-”
He raised a hand to silence me.
Lothario stepped forward without blinking. “Yes. I love her more than anything in this world. vanna is my life. I can’t live without her.”
My heart skipped.
Jon Fredrinn stared at him.
I don’t trust words,” he said.
Lothario swallowed.
You’ll have to prove it to me.”
Lothario and I exchanged a glance.
And then… my grandfather leaned forward.
And whispered his condition.
Chapter 19
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