Adeline Pov

I exhale, the breath stuttering from my throat, a knot of worry curling in my gut, "What choice mom?" I questioned.

She kept quiet and glanced at me. I stepped closer, my voice trembling, "What did you use the money for, Mom? I thought you promised me you'd stop spending money so lavishly. You lied to me-borrowed that huge amount of money..."

I didn't even know if I should be shocked. This was the woman who worshipped money, who made sure her skin always glowed. My mom cares more about her beauty than anything else. Even when people started comparing our looks, she would snap at them while I was pretending not to care.

I should have noticed. The moment she started changing skin-care routine, I knew it was expensive. But I didn't dare ask where she got the money. I trusted her, I never imagined she would risk borrowing money for something so petty.

I stared at her now, waiting for her to prove me wrong-for her to tell me she borrowed the money for a noble reason. But she said nothing. And that silence sealed my doubt.

She lowered her eyes, "You're right Adeline. I did this, I know I'm the reason we're drowning now. I kept telling myself it was just a little here, a little there, a new dress, a new cream, until the bills swallowed me while. I couldn't stop, I love the way people looked at me, and I hated the way they compared me to you."

"You can't blame me, You don't know what it's like to be me," she snapped. "All my life people judged me by how I looked, I built everything with my face and my presence, I know I caused this mess, I know my spending pushed us over the edge. But I couldn't just stop. Do you understand? This is all I have. My beauty is all I know," she added.

My hand drifts to my throat, where my pulse thrums heavily.

I shook my head slowly and walked away from her. I got into my room and slammed the door. I'd accepted that my mom made mistakes; I was used to it. She was addicted to her beauty.

But how could someone, in his right state of mind, decide to arrange a marriage with a lady you'd never even met? From what Mom said he must be filthy rich, so why couldn't he just pick one of those rich girls and leave me alone? If he isn't a psycho, then the pot is definitely calling the kettle black.

I grabbed up my phone and typed his name, Alex Moretti.

The images and articles that filled the screen knocked the breath right out of me. Suddenly I understood why it's important to always be on social media. I'm not a social media person, and now I felt embarrassed for not even knowing who the hell he was.

I dropped my phone immediately, my heart hammering. I was just glad my aunt had declined him and his filthy money.

There was a knock on my door before it opened. My mom stepped inside, "Adeline we need to talk."

I sat down slowly on the edge of my bed, and my bottom lips trembled a bit.

She took a deep breath, "About the money...it's a huge amount, Adeline. If you marry him, you'll have all the riches you need. You won't lack anything, and I won't have to bother you about doing some job that could fetch us a huge amount of money."

I stared at her, my fingers digging into the blanket.

"Do you even hear yourself right now?" I whispered, my voice trembling. "You're telling me to marry a stranger like I'm some bargain you are trying to trade off. Money isn't everything, Mom. I don't care how rich he is, I'm not a price tag you can hand over."

A lump formed in my throat but I forced my words out, "You're supposed to protect me, not sell me."

She crossed her arms, glaring at me, "Stop making this hard, Adeline. I'm not selling you off. It's simple: get married and enjoy. You're not getting any younger you will eventually get married anyway, and he's rich."

I felt something snap inside me, "Rich?" I repeated, my voice snapping. "You think money makes everything okay? You want me to marry a man I don't even know, a man I don't love. What's in a marriage if there's no love, Mom? Just two strangers sharing a roof."

I stood up, my hands trembling, "Marriage isn't a business deal; it's supposed to be a choice. It's supposed to be trust, respect, companionship. You can't just trade me for money. I might not be your real daughter, but you brought me up like one."

She rolled her eyes and gave a little laugh that didn't reach her face, "Adeline, you' re just talking like a child. You've never had to fight for anything in your life. You don't understand what real hardship is, or how much this kind of money could change everything for us."

I shot to my feet, my fist clenched, "Coming from someone who doesn't even know the value of money, someone who doesn't even know the value of love!" I yelled.

Before I could take another breath, she sprang to her feet, her face reddened, and her hand came down across my cheek.

I staggered back, I instantly held my face. The sting burned, my heart pounded as I realised how far this argument had gone.

"You're so selfish, Adeline!" she spat. "After everything I've done for you, everything I've sacrificed to raise you, you can't even do this one little thing I'm asking?"

I opened my mouth to speak, but she didn't give me a chance.

"If you don't sign that contract," she hissed, stepping closer, "I swear...you'll be burying my dead body yourself I promise you!" and then she stormed out.

The words hit me like a punch to the gut, an Adrenaline burn has settled low in my stomach, something I haven't experienced in years.

I paced until my feet ached, the same scenarios running through my head over and over again.

A few minutes passed, and I was still pacing around. I told myself I needed to talk to her calmly-she would listen.

I walked out of my room and knocked on the door. No answer, and my hand trembled as I slowly pushed it open.

"Mom...I'm-" my eyes widened, and for the first time, I understood some truths are unbearable.

I couldn't move, the room felt impossibly still, my breath caught as my spine snapped straight.

Adeline Pov

I will sign it.

I couldn't move, the room felt impossibly still, my breath caught as my spine snapped straight.

I suddenly had the courage to move, my hands were trembling while I pressed them against my mouth. I felt numb—so numb that my tears refused to fall.

“Mom…” I whispered, then I collapsed on the bare ground.

“I—-I’m scared… stand up now,” I stammered.

But she didn't move. My eyes widened as I saw blood trickling from her hand, and a knife lying on the floor.

“No…no, please, mom,” I whispered, panic welled knotting in my throat. The tears finally came, streaming down my face.

“I'm sorry…I'm so selfish. I didn't think about you…all I cared about was me.” I said as I bit my lips, “Please…get up.”

I grabbed my phone with shaking hands and dialed the ambulance, I fell back, screaming, “Where is the fucking ambulance?”

My chest heaved, I kissed her hand, “Mom…don't give up. You are strong, I'll do whatever you want. Just…stay with me.”

The room was quiet except from my sobs, and my body shook uncontrollably, and my heart was pounding like it would burst.

‡

I sat down utterly still, emotionally shattered, What if…what if she didn't make it? The idea was unbearable. If she died… I would never forgive myself. Never.

I had always caused her pain. She was right—I was just another burden. A fucking burden.

I wiped my tears slowly, I knew what I had to do.

“I…I have to do this,” I muttered to myself, and walked out of the ward.

Before coming to the hospital, I had already grabbed the card that was on the table. I let out a shaky breath and dialed the number, but it didn't go through. I tried again—it kept ringing.

Just as I was about to give up, the idiot picked up.

“Uh,” he shrugged.

I rolled my eyes, I can't believe I'm doing this, “It's me…Ade….Adeline,” I muttered.

“Talk, I have a lot of things to do,” he said.

Why is he so arrogant? I muttered under my breath.

“About the contract… I will sign it.”

“Okay. I'll send someone to drop a document at your house, the rules are there. Then I'll tell you what to do.” He hung up before I could say a word.

I stared at my phone. What the fuck just happened? But there was no time to dwell. I had to get back.

I walked back into the ward, “When will you wake up, Mom? You're taking so long,” I whispered, resting my head on her hand.

Then, suddenly, her fingers twitched. My eyes snapped open.

“Mom…are you awake?” I questioned.

Her eyes fluttered open, and she looked at me in a way that I hadn't seen in a long time.

“Mom…why did you have to do this to me? You know how much I care about you! You could have died! What were you thinking?”

“Adeline….” she whimpered.

“I've always worried about you…about whether you'd be happy, whether you'd ever have someone to protect you.”

I shook my head, tears rolling down my cheeks, “Mom…you don't need to worry about anything. I will make you happy. I'm so sorry…for everything.”

I let out a shaky breath, “I've called him, and I have accepted to marry him.”

Her eyes widened, “Really? You would do this…for me?” She smiled, and it was like the sun had broken through the clouds.

I nodded, holding her hand tightly, “Yes, Mom. For you, I promise I'll be okay…I'll be happy.”

She squeezed my hand weakly, and a tear rolled down her cheek.

“You've made me so proud, Adeline,” she whispered. “I just want to see you smile…truly smile, my baby.”

“Mom, get well soon,” I uttered.

She nodded, and smiled.

Then suddenly, someone interrupted us.

“Get well soon,” he said, dropping a flower on the table.

My mom chuckled, and she almost tried to stand. I quickly placed a hand on her shoulder, “Mom, you're just getting better. Don't stress yourself.”

She smiled, “Alex Muretti came to visit me? My day can't get any better!”

Alex smirked, I rolled my eyes at him.

“Why the dead flowers?” I scoffed.

“Some reminders are more effective than words,” he said.

I grabbed his hand and dragged him out, “How did you know we're here?” I demanded.

He smirked, “I always know where you are…and where I'm needed.”

“You are not needed here. The papers—I will sign them. You don't have to keep showing up unannounced.”

He didn't say anything, he just stared at me.

“Everything is your fault,” I snapped. “If you hadn't come into my life…if you hadn't offered money to mom… she wouldn't be here. We wouldn't have argued, and none of this would have happened.”

It feels like there is a rage polluting my insides, my organs feel like they're waiting and rotting beneath it.

His eyes darkened, and his upper lips threatened to curl, “Blame me if that makes you feel better,” he said in a low voice.” “But understand this—every choice I make, it's always…about you.”

He stared at me with plexing pale blue eyes nestled beneath his dark brows.

Dread formed in the pit of my stomach, “About me? You—”

He stepped closer, close enough that I could feel the heat radiating from him, and I could see the pulse throbbing in my veins.

“Stay out of my life,” I scoffed, but my voice wavered.

He tilted his head, a smile curled in the corner of his lips, “I don't stay out of what I want,” he said. “And right now… I want you.”

A strand of sweat trickled down my back, betraying the anxiety I was trying to hide, I opened my mouth, my voice trembling, “I…hate—”

He glanced at me, and leaned in, “Be careful how you finish that sentence,” he whispered to my ear.

My leg trembled as I staggered back until my back hit the wall, and I attempted to hold my breath on the onset of nausea.

He leaned in again, “I don't choose you because it made sense…I chose you because you haunt me and I want only you.”

Alex Pov

Alliances and Favor

The mansion didn't simply stand; it commanded. Its doors were shoulders squared, and carved with swirling vines. An enormous leather sofa sagged in the centre, while a crystal chandelier hung above.

My father sat down on the couch, fingers steepled, his gaze fixed directly on me. Most people called him Sebastian Moretti, but to me he'd always been Dad-a title that felt smaller than the man wearing it.

"I can't marry Vivian, Dad. I just can't."

"Listen, Alex," he said. "She's your childhood friend. You two are close, What's so bad about marrying her now? I know you're not seeing anyone, so marrying Vivian isn't a problem. You're getting married to her. That's final."

"Dad, who told you I have no one?" I snapped back. "I have a girlfriend. Since you're pushing me to get married so soon, I'll bring her to you."

My father raised his brow, "A girlfriend? I know you, Alex. What game are you playing?"

He was right. In the past I'd played games, had one-night stands with girls whose names I barely remembered. But thinking about Adeline was different. I'd never fantasized about a girl this way, never actually loved anyone. Sex had been easy, and she wasn't.

"It's not a game, Dad," I said. "I have a girlfriend."

He sighed, leaning back, "If that's what you want, fine by me. Bring her tomorrow." Then he stood and walked away.

My father was the kind of man who never forced me to do what I didn't want to do. Or at least I used to believe that. Right now it felt as if there was something between him and Vivian's family I didn't understand. Even when he'd wanted me to take over Moretti's Empire we'd argued, and in the end he'd let it go. I'd refused because I didn't want to live off my father's wealth.

My phone blinked.

"I'm at your gate, I think there is something wrong with your guard."

I scoffed, and headed for the door, "Hey, let him in," I told the guard. Then I went back to the sofa.

Xavier walked in, "Alex Moretti," he said, glancing at me.

I scoffed, "Xavier Falcone."

He was fond of calling me by my full name; I'd learned to throw it back at him when I was too tired to respond any other way.

Xavier's expression turned stern, "Let's talk about business."

I raised an eyebrow, "Is it about the new resorts we are handling?"

Xavier shook his head, "The restaurant owner in Queens. Owes my father's men fifty thousand dollars. He's about to disappear. My father, what's to know if your trucks can move his kitchen equipment and some gadget before the cops show up."

I rubbed my temples, "Xavier, I told you. I don't mix my company with your father's loan business."

He grinned, "Relax, it's just storage space. You have warehouses, we both make money."

I glanced at him, "And when someone gets shot over that? Whose name is on the trucks?"

"Yours," he said. "You're Moretti, you can get past it."

"I'm not interested," I shrugged.

"You think I like this? I'm not part of my father's world. I've never touched his loan business. But he's threatening me, Alex. If I don't do this one job, he will drag me through his mess, I'm stuck."

I let out a breath, "You should've told me sooner."

"I didn't want to drag you into it," he said. "But I can't handle this alone."

I studied him, he wasn't the type of man trying to pull me into the mud; this was my close friend.

"You're not your father," I said. "You've kept clean all these years. I know that."

He gave a shaky laugh, "Try telling him that."

I walked around the desk and clasped his shoulder, "Alright, I'll help you. But we do it my way. I'm not letting him use you like this.

He smiled, "Thank you Alex."

I scoffed, "Whatever."

Xavier leaned back in his chair, "So, about the resort. We can't just slap a name on it and expect people to come. We need the experience to be as exclusive as our clients."

I nodded, tapping my fingers on the desk, "Agreed. I've been thinking about villas. Private pools, it shouldn't be that flashy, but luxurious in a subtle way. I think people pay for privacy, not gold-plated chandeliers. What do you think?"

He grinned, "Exactly."

"Come to think of it, Alex."

"Your dad texted me," he said. "Who's that girl?"

I arched my brow, "Girl?"

"Don't play dumb. You claimed to have a girlfriend."

"I lied, there's no girl," I said, standing up. I already knew my father wouldn't believe me and would run a background check. I'd prepared fake scenarios just in case.

Xavier followed me down the stairs. He was on my back and there was no shaking him today. I halted and faced him.

"That girl..." he said, arcing a brow. "The same girl you kept denying you were obsessed with?"

I shrugged and opened my room door.

"Tell me," he purred. "Why aren't you talking?"

I ignored him.

He grinned cheekily, "I knew it. It's been over two years, hasn't it? You came to meet my father and did what you've never done in your life. I knew something was wrong but you just kept denying it."

He would taunt me with this now that he'd pieced it together. My father has ruined it for me.

The first time I saw her photo with Giovanni Falcone. Xavier's father, the man who owned half the city's debts, I thought she was the one who borrowed money, then I had a plan...but I had a change of plan after finding out that it was her mother.

My muscles tightened, I couldn't stop thinking about her, it wasn't love, not the way people write songs about it. I wanted to know everything about her; where she lives, who she talked to, what she liked.

I've never been the kind of man who cared about anything that wasn't my business. I only cared about my company but Adeline....I went further, paid people, pulled strings.

I hate admitting it, even in my own head, but for a year and a half that's what I became. Whether her mother accepted my money or not, I knew a hundred ways to make Adeline mine.