All Chapters of A Lie That Ruined Me : Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

❈─────≪ °❀° ≫─────❈ Natalie ❈─────≪ °❀° ≫─────❈ Tears slipped out of my eyes; not from pain neither humiliation but from relief and joy. A breath I hadn't realized I might've been holding for days rushed out of me in a broken laugh as I sprang off the bed, the sudden movement made me dizzy. My heart thundered in my chest as I stared at my phone's screen again rereading the email for the fourth time just to make sure it wasn't some cruel joke. They reinstated me. A choked sound escaped my mouth and I dropped to my knees, palming my face laughing mixed with quiet sobs. I must have looked ridiculous kneeling in his room, laughing and crying at once, but I didn't care. I was back in school, at least my future wasn't ruined. A deliberate sound sliced through my moment and reality returned as I slowly lowered my hands. He was still there, still running through the files scattered before him as if my emotional breakdown was nothing more than a background noise. The calm in the

┈◆┈┈◇┈┈•⊰⊱•┈◆┈◇┈┈ Leonardo ┈◆┈┈◇┈┈•⊰⊱•┈◆┈◇┈┈ I had instructed Andrei not to place the usual courtesy call to Fabrizio, so when the plane landed we headed straight without his notice. Today wasn't about politeness, today was about finishing business. The car rolled past the towering gates of Fabrizio's estate, gravel crunching softly beneath the tires. The property looked exactly like they had always been; excessive, expensive and deliberately intimidating. Armed guards stood at intervals along the path. Typical Fabrizio. He loved reminding people whose territory they had entered. The car came to a halt and Andrei stepped out, circling around to open my door as one of Fabrizio's guards approached immediately and gave a short bow before gesturing for us to follow. We were led through the mansion and into a wide garden behind it, and that was where they were. Fabrizio and… Alexandre. Oh for fuck's sake. My brother stood beside him, trimming a row of flowers as if he

❈─────≪ °❀° ≫─────❈ Natalie ❈─────≪ °❀° ≫─────❈ The sharp scent of antiseptic filled my nose, a rhythmic beeping echoes somewhere nearby. My head felt heavy as I slowly turned to the side, my eyes fluttering open. At first, everything was blurry; white lights, pale walls, then gradually my sight cleared. I was lying in a hospital bed, the realization hit slow. A thin tube was attached to my arm, connected to an IV drip that was almost empty. Several areas of my body were wrapped in bandages or plasters and dull aches pulsed through my body each time I tried to move. What happened…? A faint scent of diesel suddenly hit last my nose, then the memory returned like a violent wave; the crowd, the diesel, sticks, the shouting. My breathing quickened as I looked around, it was a hospital ward and I was alone. A small hospital patient phone rested on the bedside table, I reached for it carefully wincing as pain shot through my ribs. My fingers trembled as I lifted the receiver

┈◆┈┈◇┈┈•⊰⊱•┈◆┈◇┈┈ Leonardo ┈◆┈┈◇┈┈•⊰⊱•┈◆┈◇┈┈ “It's Sebastian Romano,” Alexandre's voice said through the phone, tight with restrained fury. Of course it was. Who else would be reckless enough to provoke us? Who else would be arrogant enough to steal from us and expect to survive the consequences? I lifted my head slowly just as one of the estate guards approached, the uniform alone told me he wasn't one of mine. “Get back home now," I told Alexandre and ended the call. The guard stopped a few feet away and now, "Sir, Padrino asked to see you in his gazebo.” I exhaled slowly as he turned and left without any other word. This was about to become unpleasant. The elevator carried me down to the entrance of my apartment and when the doors open, I stepped out, headed straight toward the main house. A car rolled through the gates just as I reached the courtyard and Alexandre stepped out, his expression tight with restrained anger as he walked in my direction. Neither of us spok

❈─────≪ °❀° ≫─────❈ Natalie ❈─────≪ °❀° ≫─────❈ The sun cast its warm golden light across my face, slipping through the curtains like it had every other morning. I turned, dragging the duvet over my face with a groan and a knock came at my door. “Miss Natalie.” I sighed as I heard the guard say from the corridor. “Mr Moretti asked to see you later today when you're free.” "Where?” I asked, my voice thick with sleep as I pushed myself up, rubbing my face. "The master's suite,” the guard replied. I was free now, I'm always free. What would he possibly want to discuss? Had he found a solution yet?. I swung my legs off the bed, staggering toward the bathroom. I splashed cold water from the faucet on my face, then turned the shower on, letting the warm water run over me until the last traces of sleep faded. By the time I stepped out my mind was already racing; I hoped he had found a solution. I dressed quickly, settling for a simple sundress. I yawned widely before stepping ou