The story begins with Alessandro Volta, a powerful man, respected and feared throughout the criminal world. Head of a mafia empire, he rules over the city's darkest neighborhoods. His heart is as cold as stone, and he has never believed in love. In his eyes, emotions are a weakness. Loyalty is bought with fear, and he's never let a single person get close to him. He's a master of manipulation, control and revenge. Anyone who crosses his path knows one thing: he never forgives. Revenge is his fuel, and love a concept he rejects. One day, during a visit to a neighborhood he's not accustomed to, Alessandro meets Livia, a poor young woman indifferent to his aura of power. She lives in squalor, but is fiercely independent, proud, and refuses to submit to anyone, even a man as powerful as he. Livia isn't afraid of him, doesn't flinch under his piercing gaze, and, on the contrary, seems almost to defy him with her detached attitude and toughness. That day, Livia humiliates Alessandro in public. Perhaps she's refusing one of his proposals, or unexpectedly criticizing him for the injustice he embodies. She throws words at him that he's never heard from someone so insignificant in everyone's eyes. This arouses in him an uncontrollable rage, but also a fascination. How dare such an insignificant woman act like that in front of him? Furious and offended by the humiliation, Alessandro decides to take revenge, but he doesn't stop there. He wants her to become his wife. Not out of love, but to subdue her, to prove that he can have her any way he wants, and to make her the center of his power. He kidnaps her, forces her to marry him under threat, and places her in a world where she has no way out. Livia finds herself trapped in a gilded cage, and her heart is filled with hatred, but also fear and confusion. Will Livia be able to endure and submit to Alessandro for long? Or will Alessandro end up killing her with his own hands, because she'll always be unbearable to him? Find out all the answers in my story, which I hope you'll enjoy. Enjoy your reading
Chapter 1 Livia
The first rays of sunshine were slowly seeping into the little house. Livia was fast asleep, but the touch of the sun on her face woke her up. She stretched for a long time, yawning, before jumping to her feet. Glancing at her phone, she realized it was already 6am. No time to lose. There were chores waiting for her. She didn't have the luxury of staying in bed; every day was a struggle for survival.
She went to the small window in her room and looked, as she did every morning, at the gigantic house that stood across the street. Through the glass, she saw figures inside, sitting at the dining room table, quietly eating their breakfast. Her heart sank. She saw herself in their place, savoring a morning without worry, without having to worry about what was going to happen next.
- Eat while you can, but don't forget that one day I'll be back to take back what's mine, she thought, clenching her fists. The memory of her parents and the house they'd lost still haunted her. But one day, she would get back what was rightfully hers. She was certain of it.
She lost herself in thought, until a vibration interrupted her calm. Her telephone. She picked it up without looking to see who was calling.
- Paulo, I'll be with you in a moment. I've just woken up, leave me alone for a while.
- Looks like Queen Livia doesn't remember what day it is today. But hey, hello to you too and... happy birthday!" he replied, mockingly.
Livia rolled her eyes.
- Nonsense. I told you I never celebrated my birthday. I didn't even know it was today.
- In that case, you should thank me, because I think I'm the first one to wish you that," he insisted, still cheerful.
- Thanks anyway, even if I didn't ask you to do it," she replied, a slight smile grazing her lips in spite of herself.
- I'll do it as long as you're here with me. Listen, you can't hold a grudge against life. It's your birthday, we've got to celebrate! he said enthusiastically.
Livia closed her eyes for a moment. She'd never been one for celebrating birthdays. Not when she felt that everything had been taken away from her, that life had robbed her of what she thought she was entitled to.
- I'll never celebrate my birthday while my opponents enjoy my father's money, while I have to work like a slave to support myself," she said in a cold voice, her words full of resentment.
Paulo remained silent for a moment. Then, in a calmer voice, he replied:
- You and I both know there's no way your uncle will let this go. He'll never give you your inheritance. So forget it.
- Can you imagine?" she replied bitterly. I understand that you're very poor, that you're not used to these sacrifices, but you don't know what it's like. It's easy to talk when you've got nothing to lose.
- I know you're suffering, Livia. But you can't go on like this. Life isn't fair, but you can't control everything. You've got to move on. For yourself. For your future. I'll be there for you, whatever happens, you know that," he said, his tone full of sincerity.
She dropped onto her bed, a heavy silence settling between them. She didn't want to hear this, but part of her knew he was right. Life wouldn't stop, and she had to move on.
- Thank you, Paulo," she finally murmured, calmer. I'll give it a try. But I can't promise anything.
- Okay, okay, miss, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend you. Today's your birthday, so you'd better get here as soon as possible, because I've got a present for you," says Paolo, his tone lighter but with a hint of teasing.
- Okay, Paolo, I'll come, but I'm not going to hear you sing "Happy Birthday", you'll get a kick in the belly, Livia replied, smiling in spite of herself.
- Understood, I wouldn't want you to punch me in the stomach, so I won't sing, I'll just give you your present silently.
- Good boy, then let me get ready, I'll join you in a few minutes," she said, amused.
She hung up, then stared at the phone on the small table for a moment, her eyes turning to the big house across the street. The house, the very house that belonged to her, the inheritance her father had left her before he died. But her uncle, greedy and cruel, had taken possession of everything, driving her out of the family home from the age of five. Since then, Livia had lived in poverty, alone, struggling every day to survive.
She remembered the days when she wandered from house to house, begging for a little bread or water. Her father's house, full of riches and treasures, had become a symbol of pain and injustice. She had often watched the others, through the windows of her little hut, seeing them eating hearty meals, living normal lives, while she contented herself with dreaming of a better life.
She'd never been to school, never known the warmth of a real family. When she fell ill, it was to her uncle that she turned, but he left no room for pity. He forced her to work even harder, to do household chores in exchange for a little money for her care. It was the only way she could survive.
But deep down, Livia knew it would all end one day. She was growing up, and with age came understanding. She swore to herself that one day, she would do everything in her power to recover her father's legacy and restore his name.
After these thoughts, she stood up, determined. She headed for the small kitchen, quickly prepared something to eat, then headed for the bathroom. A cold bath to wake up, refresh and prepare for what lay ahead. Once she was ready, she put on her jacket and left her cabin. cab and climbed aboard, her gaze fixed on the future.
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