Julz Library

⚔️𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑫𝒐𝒏’𝒔 𝑩𝒓𝒊𝒅𝒆
𝓓𝓸𝓾𝓫𝓵𝓮 𝓘𝓭𝓮𝓷𝓽𝓲𝓽𝔂🎭
{I own you, you are mine}
Written by Julz 📝
Do not copy❌
LIKE BEFORE READING✅
NO GHOST READING❌

CHAPTER 30 : {Amendment}
…………………………………………………………………
*****
Like before reading

Enzo held her arm firmly, steadying her as he helped her to her feet. His touch was gentle despite the tension rolling off him in waves.

“Let’s go home,” he said softly.

For once, Eloise didn’t argue. She followed him silently, her steps unsteady as they walked toward the car.

The drive back to the estate was painfully quiet. The only sound inside the vehicle was Eloise’s uneven breathing and the occasional hum of the engine as it sped through the dim streets of Mexico. Neon lights flashed past the tinted windows in blurred streaks of red and gold, but Eloise barely noticed them. Her gaze stayed fixed ahead, distant and hollow.

Enzo sat beside her, watching carefully.

“She isn’t as weak as I thought,” he muttered under his breath, his eyes narrowing slightly as he studied her expressionless face.

Eloise didn’t respond. She simply leaned her head against the window, watching the city disappear behind them as dawn slowly crept into the sky.

By the time they arrived at the estate, the first rays of sunlight were already spilling across the massive iron gates.

The guards immediately pushed them open as the black car approached. The vehicle slowed slightly as it rolled past the entrance.

“Good morning, Don,” one of the guards greeted with a respectful bow.

Enzo didn’t reply.

His expression remained unreadable as he kept driving, one hand resting lazily on the steering wheel while the car moved silently through the long driveway leading to the mansion.

Beside him, Eloise sat motionless, staring blankly out the window as the estate blurred past her tired eyes.

The moment the car stopped in front of the mansion, Eloise pushed the door open before Enzo could even step out.

She walked quickly toward the entrance, her heels clicking sharply against the stone driveway. The maids standing by the doors lowered their heads respectfully, but Eloise ignored them completely. Her face was pale, her breathing uneven, and her hands trembled slightly at her sides.

Without sparing a glance at anyone, she stormed into the mansion and headed straight upstairs.

Enzo watched her disappear down the hallway before calmly stepping out of the car himself. His dark eyes lingered on the staircase for a moment before he followed behind at a much slower pace.

Inside the bedroom, Eloise slammed the door shut behind her and rushed into the bathroom.

Her fingers shook violently as she yanked at the zipper of her dress. The fabric clung stubbornly to her skin, but she tore it off impatiently, throwing it onto the floor alongside the rest of her clothes as though they disgusted her.

As though they burned her.

She turned on the shower, twisting the handle until steaming hot water poured down from above.

Without hesitation, she stepped beneath it.

The scorching water hit her skin instantly, turning it pink within seconds, but Eloise didn’t care. She grabbed a sponge and scrubbed harshly at her arms, then her neck, shoulders, and chest, breathing shakily as though trying to erase something invisible from her body.

Her skin reddened quickly under the brutal pressure.

Still, she scrubbed harder.

A soft sob escaped her lips.

Then another.

Her chest tightened painfully as tears mixed with the water running down her face.

Suddenly, the water stopped.

Eloise froze.

Slowly, she lifted her head, strands of wet hair sticking to her face, only to find Enzo standing just outside the shower with his arms folded across his chest.

His expression was unreadable.

“Turn my water back on,” she said hoarsely, her red eyes glaring at him through tears.

“No.”

The single word was calm, cold, and final.

Eloise’s lips trembled in frustration.

“Turn it back on!” she cried, stepping toward him and hitting his chest weakly with both hands. “Turn it back on!”

Enzo caught her wrists easily before she could hit him again.

His grip wasn’t painful, but it was firm enough to stop her.

Without a word, he pulled her gently out of the shower and wrapped a towel around her body before grabbing another one to dry her skin.

“Why did you take me there?” she shouted, still struggling against him. “Why would you do that to me?”

“I thought you were smarter than this,” Enzo replied quietly as he began drying her hair with slow, careful movements.

Eloise stared at him in confusion.

“What does that even mean?”

“I thought you knew better,” he continued, his jaw tightening slightly. “Especially with how stubborn you are.”

“What are you talking about?” Eloise snapped, jerking away from him. “You’re not making any sense!”

Enzo sighed softly, clearly losing patience.

“Get dressed before you catch a cold.”

He turned and walked toward the bathroom door.

Eloise immediately followed after him, uncaring that her wet hair dripped onto the floor or that the towel around her body barely stayed in place.

“I’m not getting dressed until you explain what you meant,” she said stubbornly.

Enzo stopped walking.

For a few seconds, silence filled the room.

Then he slowly turned around to face her.

“Why didn’t you kill him?” he asked.

The question caught Eloise off guard.

“What?”

“Why didn’t you kill him?” Enzo repeated calmly.

Eloise frowned deeply.

“Because he didn’t do anything to me,” she answered immediately. “I can’t just kill someone innocent. I’m not a murderer.”

A dark chuckle escaped Enzo’s lips.

“You keep forgetting who you married, Eloise.” His eyes locked onto hers. “You married a mafia Don. Killing is what we do best.”

“Well, it’s not what I do,” she shot back angrily. “I made the mistake, not him. Why should he die for it? If anyone deserves punishment, it should be me.”

Enzo stared at her for a long moment before shaking his head slowly.

“You really don’t understand what you’ve done.”

His voice remained calm, but something dangerous flickered beneath it.

“I gave you my word that I wouldn’t harm him, and I won’t,” he continued. “But trust me when I say this, you’ll regret letting him live.”

Eloise folded her arms defensively.

“Men like him never stay away,” Enzo said coldly. “They always come crawling back eventually. Like cockroaches.”

A stubborn spark flashed in Eloise’s eyes despite everything.

“Then when he comes back,” she said firmly, “I’ll finally have a reason to kill him.”

For the first time since they arrived home, a faint smirk tugged at Enzo’s lips.

He admired that fire in her.

Even if it would eventually destroy her.

“I’ll be leaving town for a month,” he said suddenly. “While I’m gone, Marco will train you.”

“Train me?” Eloise repeated in disbelief.

“You’ll learn how to use weapons,” Enzo explained. “Guns, knives, basic defense techniques. But you won’t be involved in physical combat until after you deliver the baby.”

Eloise blinked.

“Why do I even need to learn all of that?”

Enzo’s expression darkened slightly again.

“Because once I return, I’ll be introducing you to the rest of the Vincezo Family.”

The weight in his voice made her stomach tighten instantly.

Eloise hesitated before asking quietly, “Should I be worried about anything?”

“Yes.”

The blunt answer sent unease crawling through her chest.

“The rites will happen that same day,” Enzo continued. “They’ll decide whether you’re strong enough to become the Donna… or not.”

Eloise’s eyes widened slightly.

“But—”

Before she could finish speaking, Enzo had already turned and disappeared back into the bathroom, leaving her standing there alone with a thousand unanswered questions.

She let out a frustrated sigh before finally getting dressed.

A few minutes later, she walked downstairs into the dining hall.

The moment she entered, the rich aroma of food filled her senses instantly.

The long dining table was already covered with different dishes, warm buttery bread, fresh fruits, roasted meat, fluffy eggs, pancakes drizzled with syrup, pastries, and steaming cups of coffee arranged neatly across the polished surface.

Eloise slowed her steps.

Her stomach growled softly.

She immediately pressed a hand against it, embarrassed even though no one seemed to notice.

Or perhaps they simply pretended not to.

The servants moved silently around the dining hall, adjusting plates and pouring coffee with practiced precision. None of them dared to look directly at her for too long.

Eloise slowly pulled out a chair and sat down at the far end of the table.

She hadn’t realized how hungry she was until now.

Her body ached from exhaustion, her eyes still burned from crying, and the baby inside her only made the emptiness in her stomach worse.

She reached for a piece of bread just as footsteps echoed through the room.

Enzo entered.

Instantly, every servant lowered their heads.

“Don.”

He ignored them as usual and walked toward the table with calm, measured steps. He looked freshly showered now, dressed in a black shirt with the sleeves rolled slightly above his wrists. His damp hair was pushed back carelessly, making him look far too composed for someone who had threatened a man’s life only hours ago.

Eloise looked away first.

Enzo took the seat directly across from her.

The silence between them stretched heavily.

One of the maids quickly stepped forward to serve him coffee, but Enzo stopped her with a slight raise of his hand.

“Leave us.”

The servants immediately disappeared from the dining hall without question.

Now it was just the two of them.

Alone.

Eloise focused on buttering her bread, avoiding his gaze completely.

Enzo watched her quietly for a moment before speaking.

“There’s something else you should know before I leave.”

Eloise’s eyes lifted cautiously.

“After the rites, the Family leaders will begin watching you closely,” he said. “Every mistake you make will be remembered.”

“Why?”

“Because you will become their Donna and because you’re carrying my heir.”

The air in the room seemed to still.

Eloise instinctively placed a hand over her stomach.

Enzo noticed the movement immediately.

A strange look crossed his face.

Possessiveness.

Protectiveness.

“The Vincezo bloodline matters more than anything,” he continued quietly. “If they think you’re weak, they’ll try to control you through the child.”

Fear crept slowly into Eloise’s chest.

“And if they can’t control me?”

Enzo’s expression turned ice cold.

“They’ll try to remove you.”

Her breath caught.

For the first time since marrying him, Eloise truly understood something terrifying.

The danger in Enzo’s world didn’t only come from enemies outside.

It lived inside the Family itself.

She stared at him silently, trying to process everything.

Then suddenly—

“You’re scared,” Enzo observed.

Eloise looked away immediately.

“I’m not.”

“Liar.”

His voice was almost amused now.

That only irritated her more.

“I’m pregnant, trapped in a mansion full of killers, and apparently your psychotic Family is waiting to judge me like I’m some sacrificial offering.” She glared at him. “Why exactly wouldn’t I be scared?”

To her surprise, Enzo smirked faintly.

“There she is.”

Eloise frowned.

“What?”

“The fire again.”

Before she could respond, Enzo’s phone rang.

The smirk disappeared instantly.

He glanced at the screen once before answering.

“Yes.”

His expression darkened almost immediately.

Eloise watched carefully as the atmosphere around him shifted.

Dangerous.

Deadly.

Whatever was being said on the other end clearly wasn’t good.

Enzo stood slowly from his chair.

“When?” he asked coldly.

A pause.

Then his jaw clenched.

“I’ll handle it.”

He ended the call without another word.

After the call he adjusted the cuffs of his sleeves.

Eloise looked up briefly.

“You’re leaving already?”

Enzo glanced at her.

“There’s work to do.”

“Of course there is,” she muttered under her breath.

A faint smirk almost appeared on his lips, but it disappeared just as quickly.

Without responding, he turned and walked out of the dining hall.

Eloise watched him go for a few seconds before looking back down at her untouched dessert.

The mansion suddenly felt too large again.

Too quiet.

With a small sigh, she pushed her plate away and stood up from the table.

The maids immediately stepped forward to clean up, but Eloise ignored them as she headed upstairs.

A few minutes later, she stepped out onto the balcony connected to their bedroom.

Cool morning air brushed against her skin instantly.

The city stretched endlessly beyond the estate walls, glowing beneath the bright Mexican sky. Lights flickered in the distance while faint music and traffic echoed far below.

Eloise rested her hands against the railing silently.

She tilted her head back slightly, closing her eyes for a moment as the breeze moved through her hair.

Then suddenly—

“You’re going to catch a cold standing out here.”

Eloise opened her eyes immediately.

Enzo stood near the balcony doorway with his hands tucked into the pockets of his dark trousers.

She frowned slightly. “I thought you had work.”

“I did.”

“Then why are you back?”

His gaze moved over her quietly before he answered.

“You left dinner after barely eating.”

Eloise blinked once, caught off guard by the response.

“And?”

“And pregnant women are supposed to eat properly.”

She stared at him for a moment before scoffing softly.

“So you came upstairs to lecture me about vegetables?”

“To make sure you’re not being stubborn again.”

“I’m always stubborn.”

“Yes,” he said calmly. “I’ve noticed.”

Eloise rolled her eyes and turned back toward the city.

For a few seconds, silence settled between them again.

Not uncomfortable.

Just… strange.

Enzo slowly walked toward the balcony railing beside her.

Close enough that she could feel his presence.

Not close enough to touch.

“You hate this place,” he said eventually.

It wasn’t a question.

Eloise let out a quiet laugh.

“Is it that obvious?”

“Yes.”

She rested her chin lightly against her arm.

“I don’t understand how people live like this.”

“Like what?”

“Always watching over their shoulders. Always expecting betrayal.” She glanced sideways at him. “It is exhausting.”

Enzo leaned against the railing slightly.

“It is.”

The honesty surprised her.

Eloise studied him carefully beneath the dim balcony lights.

For someone feared by almost everyone around him, Enzo always looked strangely calm.

Controlled.

But now, standing this close, she noticed it.

The exhaustion hidden beneath his eyes.

The tension in his shoulders.

The constant alertness he never fully let go of.

“You don’t sleep much, do you?” she asked quietly.

His eyes shifted toward her.

“That’s random.”

“You didn’t answer.”

A faint smirk tugged at his lips.

“You ask too many questions.”

“And you avoid too many answers.”

For a second, his gaze lingered on her face longer than necessary.

It made her suddenly aware of how close they were standing.

Again.

Eloise looked away first.

Annoyed at herself for doing it.

Enzo noticed.

Of course he did.

“You’re nervous,” he said softly.

“I’m not nervous.”

“Liar.”

The word came quieter this time.

Almost teasing.

Eloise narrowed her eyes immediately. “You’re very irritating.”

“And yet you keep talking to me.”

“That’s because unfortunately you’re my husband.”

“Hm.”

That sound alone somehow made her more flustered.

She hated it.

To distract herself, Eloise crossed her arms and looked back toward the city.

“When exactly are you leaving?”

“Right now.”

Something in her chest tightened unexpectedly.

Before she could stop herself, she asked—

“How dangerous is this trip?”

Enzo went silent beside her.

Too silent.

Eloise slowly looked at him again.

“That dangerous?”

His jaw tightened slightly before he answered.

“There’s tension at the northern border. One of the allied Families broke an agreement.”

“And you have to handle it personally?”

“Yes.”

She frowned faintly. “Can’t someone else go?”

“No.”

The response came immediately.

Firm.

Certain.

Eloise looked down at the city lights below them.

For some reason, unease slowly crept into her chest.

“You make it sound like you’re going to war.”

Enzo’s gaze stayed fixed ahead.

“In my world,” he said quietly, “there’s not much difference.”

The words settled heavily between them.

A cold breeze swept across the balcony again.

Without thinking, Eloise rubbed lightly at her arms.

Enzo noticed instantly.

He stepped closer before removing his suit jacket and draping it over her shoulders.

The warmth of it surrounded her immediately.

Eloise froze slightly.

“You don’t have to—”

“You’re cold.”

His voice remained calm.

Simple.

But the gesture itself felt far too intimate.

Eloise looked up at him slowly.

Enzo was already watching her.

And for one dangerous second, neither of them looked away.

“You’ll listen to Marco while I’m gone,” he said calmly.

“That depends.”

“On?”

“How annoying he decides to be.”

Enzo gave a quiet hum of amusement before fastening his watch around his wrist.

“He’ll train you properly.”

“I still think this whole thing is ridiculous.”

“You won’t think that forever.”

Something in his tone made her look at him again.

There was no mockery there this time.

Eloise held the edges of the jacket lightly, her eyes fixed on Enzo’s face as the silence between them stretched again.

The kind that made her heart feel strangely unsteady.

Enzo’s gaze dropped briefly to her lips before returning to her eyes.

Slowly, he exhaled.

“Once I come back from this trip,” he said quietly, “we’ll make this work.”

Eloise’s breath caught slightly.

“This marriage,” Enzo continued, his voice low and steady. “For real this time.”

The morning breeze swept between them, but neither moved.

“No more betrayal,” he said.

His eyes held hers intensely now.

“No more hatred.”

Something softened inside Eloise’s chest at the words.

So guys, I typed this with sleepy eyes, please manage it incase you find any errors, the next chapter will be lit 🔥

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To be continued 🙃

Hey lovelies
Today’s chapter will come late, it’s been a very long day

⚔️𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑫𝒐𝒏’𝒔 𝑩𝒓𝒊𝒅𝒆
𝓓𝓸𝓾𝓫𝓵𝓮 𝓘𝓭𝓮𝓷𝓽𝓲𝓽𝔂🎭
{I own you, you are mine}
Written by Julz 📝
Do not copy❌
LIKE BEFORE READING✅
NO GHOST READING❌

CHAPTER 29 : {The Test ii}
…………………………………………………………………
*****
Like before reading

Eloise sat quietly in the passenger seat, her fingers twisting nervously in her lap as she stared out the tinted window. The city lights blurred past in streaks of gold and white, but her mind was too restless to focus on them. Since the moment Enzo had ordered her into the car, not a single explanation had left his lips, and the silence between them felt heavier than chains.

Her chest tightened.

What was he planning?

More importantly… what did she have to do to earn his forgiveness?

She glanced sideways at him. Enzo’s expression remained unreadable, sharp features illuminated by the faint glow of the dashboard. One hand rested lazily on the steering wheel while the other tapped lightly against his thigh to the rhythm of the music playing softly through the stereo.

“Where are you taking me?” she finally asked, her voice cautious, almost afraid of the answer.

Enzo didn’t look at her.

“Relax,” he murmured calmly. “You’ll find out soon.”

The casualness in his tone unsettled her even more.

Eloise exhaled shakily and leaned back against the seat.

The drive stretched on endlessly.

Neither of them spoke again.

Only the low music from the stereo and the roar of the engine filled the suffocating silence as the car sped through the dark night.

Hours later, the car finally slowed to a stop.

Eloise looked up and instantly recognized the glowing building ahead.

The casino.

Relief flooded through her so suddenly she almost laughed.

“Oh…” she breathed. “It’s the casino.”

At least it wasn’t somewhere worse.

Before she could think further, Marco hurried toward them the moment they stepped out of the car.

“Greetings, Don,” he said respectfully, bowing his head toward Enzo before turning to her. “Greetings, Ma’am.”

Eloise gave a small nod.

“This way.”

Marco led them through the casino, past the loud music, clinking glasses, and flashing lights. But instead of entering the main gambling hall, he guided them toward a hidden hallway tucked behind a restricted door.

The deeper they walked, the quieter it became.

The warmth and noise of the casino disappeared completely, replaced by cold air and eerie silence.

Eloise frowned.

She had been here before, yet she had never seen this part of the building.

“What is this place?” she asked uneasily, glancing at Enzo.

A low chuckle escaped him, but he offered no answer.

That only made her anxiety worse.

They continued walking until they reached a massive bunker door made of thick steel.

Marco stepped forward and pushed it open.

The second the door creaked apart, a horrifying smell rushed out.

The stench of blood, sweat, and decay hit Eloise so violently that her stomach twisted.

She gagged immediately, covering her mouth as nausea crawled up her throat.

“We can go back if you want,” Enzo said casually.

Eloise forced herself to straighten despite the dizziness overwhelming her.

“No,” she whispered firmly. “I’m fine.”

She wasn’t fine.

But she needed him to forgive her.

Enzo studied her for a moment before nodding.

Together, they stepped inside.

The room was pitch black.

Eloise froze.

“I can’t see,” she said anxiously, stretching her hands into the darkness in search of Enzo.

Her fingers brushed against his arm, and instantly his hand closed around her wrist.

“Easy,” he muttered.

Marco searched around for the light.

The lights flickered on.

And Eloise’s breath caught in her throat.

A man was tied to a chair in the center of the room.

Bruised.

Bloodied.

Barely conscious.

Kelvin.

Her heartbeat stopped.

Enzo kept hold of her hand as he slowly guided her closer to him.

“Why did you bring me here?” she whispered, her voice trembling violently now.

“To prove yourself to me.”

The words were cold. Emotionless.

Enzo turned toward Marco.

“Wake him up.”

Marco grabbed a bucket nearby and poured freezing water over Kelvin.

Kelvin je**ed awake instantly, gasping for air as panic flashed across his battered face. But the moment his eyes landed on Eloise, his expression softened into something else.

“He’s a monster, Eloise!” Kelvin shouted hoarsely. “You can’t stay with him!”

Eloise’s chest tightened painfully.

Then Enzo spoke.

“Kill him,” he said calmly. “And earn my forgiveness.”

For a second, Eloise genuinely thought she had misheard him.

Slowly, she turned around as though searching for someone else behind her.

When she found no one, she pointed weakly to herself.

“You can’t be serious…”

“Oh, I am,” Enzo replied.

Her breathing became uneven.

“But he didn’t do anything!”

Enzo’s eyes darkened instantly.

“He knew who my wife was,” he growled. “And he still slept with her. Then he stood in front of me and confessed it proudly.” His jaw clenched. “So yes… he did a lot.”

He stepped closer.

“You have five minutes to kill him.”

“Please, Enzo…” Eloise grabbed his hand desperately. “I’ll do anything else.”

“Time is ticking.”

Marco silently flipped over an hourglass sitting on the table nearby.

The grains of sand began to fall.

Eloise stared at it in horror before her eyes moved toward the table beside her.

Weapons.

Knives.

Guns.

Chains.

Her entire body shook as tears spilled down her cheeks.

Slowly, she reached for a gun.

Kelvin watched her in disbelief as she approached him with trembling steps.

She raised the gun.

Pointed it directly at him.

“Don’t do this, Eloise,” Kelvin begged softly. “Please.”

Her hands trembled so violently she could barely hold the weapon steady.

Then—

BANG!

The bullet tore through Kelvin’s right shoulder.

His scream echoed brutally through the room.

Another shot followed immediately after.

BANG!

His left shoulder exploded with blood.

Kelvin cried out in agony, his body jerking against the chair.

Eloise sobbed uncontrollably.

Then suddenly, before anyone could react, she turned the gun toward herself.

The barrel pressed against her head.

“Let him go,” she choked out, tears streaming down her face, “or I swear I’ll kill myself.”

For the first time that night, Enzo looked surprised.

Only for a second.

“Why would you kill yourself for him?” he asked slowly, staring at her carefully. “Do you love him?”

“I don’t love him!” Eloise screamed. “It was attraction! A stupid mistake!”

Her breathing became ragged.

“But I can’t murder an innocent man because of it!” she cried. “I’ll do anything you want… anything… just let him live.”

Silence.

Heavy.

Dangerous.

Then suddenly, Enzo smiled.

A slow, unreadable smile.

“You’ve got yourself a deal,” he said quietly. “Now lower the gun.”

“No.”

Her grip tightened.

“Let him go first.”

Enzo sighed softly before glancing at Marco.

“Untie him.”

Marco immediately obeyed, cutting the ropes around Kelvin’s wrists.

Kelvin groaned painfully as he stumbled out of the chair, clutching his bleeding shoulders.

Before leaving, he looked directly at Enzo.

“You’ll regret this.”

Then his eyes shifted to Eloise.

For a moment, it seemed like he wanted to say something more.

But he swallowed the words.

And walked away.

The second the door shut behind him, Eloise collapsed onto the floor.

The gun slipped from her fingers.

She struggled to breathe as uncontrollable sobs tore through her body, tears crashing endlessly down her cheeks while the cold darkness of the room swallowed her whole.

Let me not hear too short ohh, because I take my time to write atleast 3k words every time and I can’t even get 400 likes with over 8k followers
The last chapter was 4k words, y’all know how difficult and how time consuming it’s to write such long chapters, yet you read without liking, this is how I will be writing from now on, one chapter one scene only

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To be continued 🙃

Shout out to my newest followers! Excited to have you onboard!

Amna Malik, Esther John, Ibegulem Bibiana Ugochi, Mhiz Goodluck, Gunneh Mckay, Wandeme Rimintsu Ra Lizah, Olasesi Sabaina, Emon Ahmed Shofiq, Christelle Yenyuy, Snewy Sebutsoe, Lilian Chizzy

Good morning lovelies
Hope you all slept well…
Please if you come to my dm, go straight to the point, I don’t have time to be replying to hi, hello all the time

⚔️𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑫𝒐𝒏’𝒔 𝑩𝒓𝒊𝒅𝒆
𝓓𝓸𝓾𝓫𝓵𝓮 𝓘𝓭𝓮𝓷𝓽𝓲𝓽𝔂🎭
{I own you, you are mine}
Written by Julz 📝
Do not copy❌
LIKE BEFORE READING✅
NO GHOST READING❌

CHAPTER 27 & 28 : {The Test}
…………………………………………………………………
*****
Like before reading

The next morning, pale sunlight slipped through the curtains, casting a soft golden glow across the bedroom. The room was quiet except for the faint rustling of sheets and Eloise’s uneven breathing.

Enzo pushed the bedroom door open after spending the night in another room. His dark eyes immediately found Eloise tossing weakly on the bed.

She looked terrible.

Her face was pale, strands of hair stuck to her damp forehead, and one hand clutched tightly at her stomach as soft groans escaped her lips.

The irritation on Enzo’s face vanished instantly, replaced by concern.

“Eloise?” he called, striding toward her.

But before he could reach the bed, she suddenly pushed herself up and hurried toward the bathroom. She barely made it before dropping to her knees in front of the toilet.

A painful sound ripped from her throat as she vomited violently.

Enzo was beside her within seconds.

He gathered her hair away from her face with one hand while the other rubbed slow circles against her back. His jaw clenched every time her body trembled.

When she finally stopped, she remained there weakly, breathing hard. Her hands shook as she wiped her mouth.

Enzo flushed the toilet before grabbing a towel and crouching beside her.

“You’ve been sick since yesterday and you still said nothing,” he muttered coldly, though the anger in his voice sounded more like worry.

“I’m okay,” Eloise whispered hoarsely.

“You’re clearly not.”

She tried standing up, but dizziness hit her instantly. Enzo caught her before she could fall.

“Take your bath,” he ordered. “We’re going to the hospital.”

“I don’t want to go.”

She attempted to walk away from him, but his hand closed around her shoulder firmly.

“I’m not asking, Eloise.” His voice dropped lower. “I’m telling you.”

Without another word, he turned on the faucet, letting steaming water pour into the bathtub. Warm mist filled the room, wrapping around them slowly.

Eloise stood frozen while Enzo stepped closer and began unbuttoning her nightshirt.

His fingers brushed against her skin accidentally, and she shivered.

The shirt slowly fell open, revealing soft curves beneath. Her breasts strained delicately, full and swollen.

Enzo swallowed hard.

His gaze lingered a second too long before he forced himself to look away, tension visibly tightening his body.

Damn her.

Even after all the anger between them, she still drove him insane.

Once he finished un******ng her, he helped her carefully into the warm bathwater. Eloise sighed softly as the heat embraced her aching body.

Enzo knelt beside the tub, sleeves rolled slightly upward, exposing strong veined forearms as he dipped a cloth into the water.

Then he began washing her.

Slowly.

Tenderly.

The soap slid across her skin while his fingers followed after, lingering just enough to make her heart pound. Every touch felt intimate, dangerous.

Eloise watched him quietly through half-lidded eyes.

His expression remained cold, controlled… but she could see it in the way his jaw clenched whenever his gaze drifted over her body.

He wanted her.

And he hated that he wanted her.

The realization sent ache through her chest.

Enzo carefully washed her shoulders, her arms, then lower. His touch remained restrained, but the tension radiating from him was impossible to miss.

The bathroom suddenly felt too hot.

Too small.

Too full of things left unsaid.

When he finally helped her out of the tub, water glistened against her skin like liquid gold.

Enzo grabbed a towel immediately, wrapping it tightly around her chest before his eyes could betray him again. Another towel went over her damp hair.

“Brush your teeth,” he said hoarsely before stepping away from her.

Eloise watched him leave the bathroom, her chest tightening painfully.

One minute he touched her like she was precious.
The next minute he acted like he couldn’t stand being near her.

By the time she finished brushing her teeth and walked out of the bathroom, clean clothes had already been laid neatly on the bed.

The sound of the door opening made her look up again.

Enzo walked in carrying a tray.

The rich scent of ginger and honey filled the room instantly.

“I’m not hungry,” Eloise murmured softly.

“It’s ginger tea,” he replied, “Drink it.”

Eloise looked from the steaming cup to him.

A tear slipped down her cheek.

“I promise you… I’m sorry,” she whispered brokenly.

Enzo’s face remained unreadable, but his fingers tightened slightly around the tray.

“Don’t cry,” he said quietly. “It’s not good for you.”

Her lips trembled.

“Can you at least hug me?” she asked softly.

The vulnerability in her voice nearly broke him.

For one dangerous moment, Enzo almost gave in.

Almost pulled her against him.
Almost buried his face in her neck.
Almost kissed her until neither of them remembered why they were angry.

But then Kelvin’s name flashed through his mind like poison.

His expression hardened instantly.

Instead of answering, he pushed the tea toward her.

Eloise lowered her eyes with a quiet, shattered laugh.

“What was I expecting…”

She drank the tea silently while Enzo watched her from a distance that suddenly felt colder than before.

After taking the cup from her, he placed it on the table then turned toward the bathroom.

At the doorway, he paused.

“Get dressed,” he muttered without looking back. “I don’t want you getting cold.”

The moment the bathroom door shut behind him, a violent curse echoed inside.

“F**k!”

His fist slammed against the tiled wall.

Eloise’s tears haunted him.
The softness of her skin haunted him.
The way she melted beneath his touch haunted him.

And the thought of another man touching her drove him insane.

Enzo punched the wall again, breathing hard. Water splashed over his skin while frustration and desire burned violently inside him.

Several minutes later, he stepped out wearing a fitted black shirt and dark pants. His damp hair fell slightly over his forehead while droplets of water slid slowly down his neck and strong arms.

He looked dangerous.

Irresistible.

But when he turned toward the bed, his expression softened instantly.

Eloise had fallen asleep.

She lay curled beneath the blankets, cheeks flushed slightly from exhaustion, lips parted softly as tiny snores escaped her.

A low chuckle slipped from Enzo’s lips.

“My wife is cute,” he murmured quietly.

Carefully, he lifted her into his arms.

Even asleep, Eloise instinctively melted against his chest, her face resting against the warmth of his neck.

Enzo’s grip around her tightened unconsciously.

For a moment, he simply stood there holding her.

Then, with a quiet sigh, he carried her downstairs and gently settled her into the passenger seat of the car before fastening the seatbelt securely around her body.

His fingers brushed her cheek one last time before he shut the door and drove off toward the hospital.

The drive to the hospital was slow and unusually quiet. The city lights blurred past the windows while soft music played faintly from the car speakers. Enzo kept one hand on the steering wheel and the other resting near the gearshift, his movements careful and controlled. Every few seconds, his eyes flickered toward Eloise.

She was asleep.

Her head leaned against the window, her breathing soft and even. For once, she looked peaceful instead of exhausted. The dark circles beneath her eyes were still there, proof of the sleepless nights and constant vomiting she had endured for days.

Enzo slowed down whenever the road became rough, avoiding potholes and sharp turns. He didn’t want anything disturbing her rest.

When they finally arrived at the hospital, he turned off the engine but stayed seated. The silence inside the car stretched as he waited patiently for her to wake on her own.

A few moments later, Eloise stirred slightly before yawning softly.

Enzo immediately stepped out of the car as though he hadn’t been sitting there watching over her the entire time.

“Oh… we’re here,” she murmured sleepily as she climbed out.

Enzo simply nodded and started walking toward the entrance.

Eloise followed behind him quietly.

The hospital halls were bright and smelled strongly of antiseptic. Nurses moved around quickly while distant monitor beeps echoed through the corridor. One of the nurses approached them almost immediately.

“This way, please,” she said politely before leading them into a private examination room.

“The doctor will be here shortly.”

She left the room, shutting the door gently behind her.

Eloise sat on the edge of the bed while Enzo remained standing near the window, his expression unreadable.

Minutes later, the doctor entered with a file in his hand.

“Sorry for keeping you waiting,” he said warmly.

Enzo gave a short nod but didn’t respond.

The doctor turned his attention toward Eloise.

“How are you feeling?”

“I’m fine,” Eloise answered automatically.

“She’s not fine,” Enzo interrupted coldly. “She’s been throwing up for days.”

Eloise glanced at him in surprise.

The doctor adjusted his glasses calmly. “That’s actually common during the early stages of pregnancy. Morning sickness can be severe for some women.” He flipped through the file briefly. “I’ll prescribe medication to help her keep food down.”

Then he smiled lightly.

“But first, let me check the baby.”

Eloise nodded.

“You’ll need to lie down and lift your dress a little so I can run the scan.”

Before the doctor could finish speaking, Enzo rose sharply from his chair.

“What do you mean by lift her dress?” he asked, his voice low and dangerous.

The doctor paused but remained professional.

“So I can perform the ultrasound and check the baby,” he explained carefully.

A tense silence filled the room.

Then Enzo slowly sat back down.

“Okay.”

Eloise moved onto the bed and lifted her dress enough to expose her stomach. Immediately, Enzo grabbed a nearby blanket and spread it over her lower body, leaving only her abdomen visible.

The doctor smiled faintly at the protective gesture.

“This might feel a little cold,” he warned before squeezing gel onto her stomach.

Eloise flinched slightly at the icy sensation but nodded.

The doctor moved the scanner gently across her belly while the machine hummed softly.

A blurry black-and-white image appeared on the screen beside them.

“That’s your baby,” the doctor said.

Eloise stared at the screen in disbelief.

“That tiny?”

The doctor chuckled softly. “Yes. Very tiny.”

For the first time since entering the hospital, Enzo looked genuinely focused. His eyes remained fixed on the screen, studying the small flickering image silently.

His face didn’t change, but something unreadable moved behind his gaze.

After a few minutes, the doctor finished the scan and cleaned the gel from Eloise’s stomach before pulling her dress back down properly.

“The baby looks healthy,” the doctor said. “And the mother is doing well too. But she needs rest and as little stress as possible.”

He closed the file.

“A nurse will bring the medications shortly.”

As he turned to leave—

“Doctor.”

The man stopped and looked back at Enzo.

“Let’s talk in your office.”

The doctor nodded slowly before walking ahead.

Enzo looked toward Eloise.

“Don’t go anywhere.”

She nodded quietly.

Once inside the office, the doctor gestured toward a chair.

“Please, sit.”

Enzo sat down slowly, crossing one leg over the other. The room fell silent for several uncomfortable seconds.

The doctor cleared his throat.

“What would you like to discuss?”

Enzo’s expression remained blank.

“I want a DNA test done.”

The doctor looked slightly surprised.

“The fetus is still too young for prenatal DNA testing without risks,” he explained carefully. “And considering your wife already had previous complications, it could increase the chances of miscarriage.” He paused. “It’s safer to wait until after the baby is born.”

“Okay,” Enzo replied immediately.

But he made no move to leave.

The doctor frowned slightly.

“Was there something else?”

Enzo leaned back in the chair, his jaw tightening.

“She wants sex.”

The doctor blinked once before answering professionally.

“That’s normal during pregnancy. Hormonal changes can increase desire.” He folded his hands together. “You just have to be gentle and careful not to hurt her.”

Enzo looked away briefly before speaking again.

“That’s the problem.”

The doctor waited.

“I can’t touch her without hurting her.”

The confession hung heavily in the air.

For the first time, the doctor truly studied him.

“I could arrange therapy sessions for both of you,” he suggested carefully. “Sometimes couples—”

“No.”

Enzo stood abruptly.

“No thank you.”

Without another word, he walked out of the office.

Back in the examination room, Eloise looked up the moment he entered.

“Let’s go.”

She climbed down from the bed silently and followed him out.

The ride home was even quieter than before.

Streetlights flashed across their faces as the car moved through the bright roads. Eloise occasionally glanced at Enzo, but his eyes stayed fixed ahead, his grip tightening around the steering wheel.

Neither of them spoke.

The car rolled to a slow stop in front of the massive mansion, its towering walls glowing under the soft golden lights outside. The silence inside the vehicle felt suffocating after the long drive home.

Before Enzo could say anything, Eloise pushed the door open and stepped out.

The cold air brushed against her skin as she hurried toward the entrance without looking back. Her mind was too heavy, too crowded with thoughts she didn’t know how to organize.

The way Enzo looked at the ultrasound screen with something almost soft in his eyes…

And then the way that softness disappeared the moment he looked at her.

Her chest tightened painfully.

She walked quickly through the quiet halls of the mansion until she reached the guest room at the far end of the corridor. Her fingers trembled slightly as she turned the k**b and pushed the door open.

The room was dimly lit by the bedside lamp.

Her mother was asleep.

Eloise froze at the sight of her.

For days, her mother had looked pale and lifeless, but now there was color slowly returning to her skin. The bruises had faded slightly, and her breathing looked steadier than before.

She was healing.

Relief washed over Eloise so suddenly her eyes burned.

Slowly, she walked toward the bed and sat carefully beside her mother. The mattress dipped softly beneath her weight.

She reached for her mother’s hand, holding it gently between both of hers.

It felt warmer now.

Alive.

Eloise lowered her head as her thumb softly massaged the back of her mother’s hand.

For a while, she said nothing.

The room remained quiet except for the faint bitting of the life support machine.

Then finally, her lips parted.

“He confuses me, Mom…” she whispered weakly.

Her voice cracked instantly.

“He shows me so much care sometimes…” She swallowed hard. “The way he watches over me… the way he makes sure I eat…he even bathe me…”

Tears gathered in her eyes.

“But at the same time…” her voice trembled, “he acts like I disgust him.”

A tear rolled down her cheek.

“Like touching me is the hardest thing in the world.”

Her grip tightened around her mother’s hand.

“I’m really sorry,” she whispered brokenly. “I wish I never did that… I wish I could go back and change everything.”

A soft sob escaped her lips.

“I wish I could turn back the hands of time.”

More tears spilled down her face now, falling onto the blanket covering her mother.

“I thought if I apologized enough… if I stayed quiet enough… if I tried hard enough…” Her breathing became uneven. “Maybe he would stop looking at me like I ruined his life.”

She lowered her forehead against their joined hands and cried quietly.

The exhaustion of the past few days finally crashed over her completely.

“He protects me,” she whispered through tears. “But he won’t let me close to him.”

Her shoulders shook softly.

“And the worst part is… I love him.”

The confession came out fragile and painful.

“I love him so much it hurts.”

At that moment, the door opened quietly behind her.

Eloise quickly wiped her face and turned around.

Enzo stood by the doorway.

His dark eyes landed on her immediately.

Neither of them spoke.

The tension between them filled the room instantly.

Enzo’s gaze shifted briefly toward her mother sleeping on the bed before returning to Eloise’s tear-stained face.

His jaw tightened slightly.

For a second, it looked like he wanted to say something.

But instead, he simply said—

“You should rest.”

His voice was calm. Controlled.

As though he hadn’t just walked in on her breaking apart.

Eloise looked away first, unable to bear the unreadable expression in his eyes.

And somehow, that hurt more than anger ever could.

🖤🖤🖤

Across town, the Vincenzo mansion was unusually quiet.

The large chandelier above the marble staircase cast soft golden light across the empty hall as Luca slowly descended the stairs shirtless, looking like a man who didn’t sleep properly last night.

His dark hair was messy from constantly dragging his fingers through it, strands falling carelessly over his forehead. Faint tension lined his face, and despite his relaxed appearance, irritation simmered beneath his expression.

At the bottom of the staircase, Grandma Adriana sat in her usual armchair beside the fireplace, elegant as always with a cup of tea resting in her hands.

Her sharp eyes followed him immediately.

“Are you going to talk to me yet?” she asked calmly.

Luca didn’t even spare her a glance as he continued walking.

“No.”

Adriana sighed softly. “And why exactly?”

This time he stopped briefly.

“Because you lied to me.”

A flicker crossed her face, but it vanished quickly.

“About what?”

Luca turned his head slightly, finally meeting her gaze.

“When I’m ready to talk about it, I will.”

Then he walked away before she could respond.

Adriana watched him disappear into the kitchen, concern slowly replacing the annoyance on her face.

Inside the kitchen, Anita was bent over near the lower cupboards, searching for something.

Her loose braid hung over one shoulder as she muttered quietly to herself while moving containers around.

Luca leaned against the doorway silently, watching her.

A slow smirk tugged at his lips.

Completely unaware of his presence, Anita finally found what she was looking for and stood up quickly—

Only to come face to face with him.

She gasped loudly in shock.

“Ah!”

Startled, she stumbled backward, nearly losing her balance completely.

But Luca reacted instantly.

His arm wrapped firmly around her waist before she could fall.

Anita froze.

The sudden closeness stole the breath from her lungs.

Luca pulled her upright slowly, his hand still resting securely against her waist while her palms instinctively pressed against his bare chest for support.

The warmth of his skin beneath her fingers made her heart skip violently.

For a second, neither of them moved.

Luca looked down at her with amusement dancing in his eyes.

Anita’s cheeks burned instantly.

“U-um… I’m sorry, sir,” she stammered nervously.

Without waiting for a response, she quickly pulled away from him and practically fled out of the kitchen.

Luca stared after her before a low chuckle escaped his lips.

“She’s so cute,” he murmured to himself.

He opened the fridge casually, grabbed a bottle of beetroot juice, and drank directly from it while still grinning.

🖤🖤🖤

Back at Enzo’s mansion, the atmosphere was much heavier.

The rest of the day passed in a haze for Eloise.

Most of her time was spent beside her mother’s bed, quietly watching her sleep or changing the damp cloth on her forehead. Seeing her mother slowly recover brought relief, but it wasn’t enough to silence the storm inside her head.

Later in the evening, Eloise tried to paint.

She sat in front of the blank canvas for nearly an hour, brush in hand, staring without truly seeing it.

Every time she tried to focus, memories of Kelvin flashed through her mind.

Her stomach twisted painfully.

She dropped the brush onto the table in frustration.

Unable to paint, unable to think clearly, unable to breathe properly.

After forcing herself to eat and take her medication, she wandered aimlessly around the massive estate, trying to clear her head.

But nothing worked.

Everything felt wrong.

Everything felt heavy.

By the time she returned to the bedroom, exhaustion clung to her entire body.

She stopped the moment she entered.

Enzo was asleep.

That alone surprised her.

Usually, he stayed out late handling business or disappeared into his office for hours. But tonight, he was lying on the bed with one arm resting above his head, his face calmer than usual under the dim bedside light.

Eloise frowned slightly.

“Is he sick?” she wondered quietly.

She glanced at the time on her phone.

10:07 PM.

Too early for Enzo to be sleeping.

Slowly, she climbed onto the bed.

Then, without hesitation, she crawled directly on top of him and rested her head against his chest, wrapping her arms around him possessively.

Enzo’s eyes snapped open instantly.

His brows furrowed.

“Eloise—”

He tried pushing her off, but she tightened her grip stubbornly.

“I’m not going anywhere,” she muttered.

The seriousness in her voice almost made him laugh despite himself.

“Get off me, Eloise.”

“No.”

She lifted her head and stared directly at him.

“If you push me away again, I’ll leave this house.”

Enzo’s expression darkened immediately.

“I’ll go outside and find someone else since you clearly don’t want me.”

That made him sit up instantly, bringing her up with him.

“You won’t dare.”

“You know I will.”

There was no hesitation in her voice now.

Tears burned behind her eyes again, but this time anger mixed with the pain.

“I’m tired, Enzo!” she snapped. “I’m tired of apologizing over and over again while you punish me every single day.”

Her chest rose unevenly.

“If you hate me that much, then send me away!”

Her voice cracked.

“But stop keeping me here just to make me suffer.”

Silence filled the room.

Enzo stared at her intensely.

Then finally—

“I’ll forgive you,” he said quietly.

Eloise blinked in shock.

“What?”

“I’ll forgive you… if you do something for me.”

Suspicion immediately crossed her face.

“What thing?”

A strange look entered Enzo’s eyes.

“You’ll see.”

Before she could ask another question, he gently moved her off him and stood up from the bed.

Eloise watched him carefully as he got dressed in silence.

Something about his behavior felt strange tonight.

Calculated.

Cold.

Dangerous.

He picked up his phone and dialed a number.

The call connected almost immediately.

“Is he ready?” Enzo asked calmly.

A voice answered from the other side.

“Yes. Everything is ready.”

The call ended.

Eloise’s confusion deepened.

“Where are we going?”

Enzo slipped his phone back into his pocket before turning toward her.

“You’ll find out soon.”

A chill ran down her spine at the look in his eyes.

Then he reached for her hand and led her downstairs toward the waiting car waiting outside in the darkness.

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To be continued 🙃