♥ Special Chapter ♥

Francisca Rossi.

I really was stupid; if I had taken it easy, falsified the test and shown it, then this wouldn't have happened. But how can Alessio have a wife? We've slept together several times. I don't want to die; I was stupid to think I could fool them.

Suddenly, the door opened violently, and my heart froze as I stared at Alessio. He seemed to turn the atmosphere into something more suffocating, his imposing aura making me whimper with fear. My legs began to tremble at his frightening presence. He advanced slowly, his eyes as cold as ice, showing no mercy.

Every step he took seemed to resonate in my chest, increasing my panic. My whole body trembled, and I felt cold sweat dripping down my forehead. He was a demon incarnate, a relentless force of pure intimidation. His penetrating gaze seemed to strip away my soul, revealing every lie and every manipulation I had tried.

'' Francisca, Francisca... "His voice was low but carried a crushing weight. ''Did you really think you could fool me? Me?

I opened my mouth to speak, but my voice died in my throat. He approached, his footsteps echoing in the basement, each one seeming to mark the time I had left. The room seemed to shrink around him, the atmosphere becoming denser and more suffocating.

'' And you still had the nerve to say my name. When I told you to call me Mr. Vecchio! Did you really think I would believe you? When I have so many men watching every step you take.

He denied it with his head, but his gaze became even colder.

'' You still had the gall to call my precious a whore. '' I felt my heart speed up even more with fear at his coldness. '' What should I do with you, huh?

'' Please, Mr. Vecchio. I beg you... Don't kill me, please. '' I began to beg, feeling my tears falling.

He let out such a cruel laugh that it made me cry even more.

''Your death was already decided when you started calling me by name. But you accelerated your torture when you called my wife a whore.

'' I made a mistake! Please, my lord! I beg you... Mercy!

Alessio approached, his imposing presence making the surrounding air seem heavier and harder to breathe. He stopped a few centimeters from me, and I could feel the heat of his anger radiating from his body. His eyes, cold and calculating, appraised me as if I were nothing more than an insect under his foot.

''Mercy?'' he repeated, his voice laden with contempt. ''Do you really think you deserve mercy after what you've done?

His words cut like knives, each syllable laden with an implicit threat that made my heart pound uncontrollably. I was terrified, every fiber of my being trembling with fear.

''I... I just wanted to... '' I tried to speak, but the words died in my throat, strangled by terror.

''What did you just want, Francisca? ''He leaned in, bringing his face close to mine. ''Did you want to deceive me and all my men? Did you want to get your dirty hands on my empire?

'' No... It wasn't that, I... ''

'' Shut up! '' He roared, his patience running out. ''Your life is in my hands now, and I will decide what to do with you.

The room seemed to shrink, the space around me becoming more and more claustrophobic. I was trapped, with no way out, under Alessio's implacable gaze.

'' Mr. Vecchio, please... '' I whispered, my voice breaking. ''I beg you...''

In the blink of an eye, I felt the brutal impact of his hand against my face. The slap was so hard that I almost fell off my chair, the sound echoing through the room like thunder. A wave of pain radiated across my face, and tears welled up in my eyes.

''Your pleading is useless, Francisca,'' he said coldly. ''You will pay for what you've done. And know that your punishment will be a warning to anyone who dares cross my path.

I tried again, desperate, my voice shaking and tears streaming down my face.

'' Please, my lord, don't kill me, I...''

Another slap, even harder, hit me with devastating force. The metallic taste of blood invaded my mouth, and I could feel the hot liquid dripping down my chin. The pain was unbearable, and all I could do was cry silently, fear dominating my every thought.

He turned to the men next to him, his icy stare making it clear that the conversation was over.

''Do what you want with her. ''His order echoed through the room, his voice cold and devoid of any trace of compassion. He cast a brief glance in my direction, full of disdain and warning. ''May your agony serve as an example of never having tried to deceive me. I hope you suffer a lot, Francisca. I could torture you myself, but I have better things to do. But don't worry; my men know how to do a good job. You'll feel a lot of pain.

The chill down my spine intensified, and a wave of despair washed over me as he walked away, leaving me at the mercy of those thugs.

As the men approached, their merciless stares and wicked smiles increased my sense of helplessness. I could feel the imminence of the suffering that awaited me, each second dragging me closer to the abyss of terror.

I felt my heart sink as I was dragged away, the door closing with an ominous bang. It was as if I were being thrown into a dark abyss where there was no light, only the darkness of impending punishment.

However, even in the face of despair, a single certainty remained unscathed in my tormented mind: I should never have underestimated Mr. Vecchio's power and cruelty. It was a painful lesson; I learned it too late.