Episode 45 & 46 : The Betrayal
Rina opened the door, but a servant quickly stepped forward and locked it back.
“Are you mad?” she yelled, her face twisted in anger.
“I’m sorry, ma’am, but the young master hates it when someone comes in without his permission. You might get yourself killed,” the servant explained, and a flash of fear crossed Rina’s eyes.
She cleared her throat, trying to regain her composure. “So what do I do?” she asked.
The servant knocked gently on the door. Finnian and Seraphina, lost in the intensity of their moment, didn’t hear the first knock. It wasn’t until the third knock that Seraphina pushed Finnian slightly away.
“Acacius,” she whispered, breathing heavily.
“Yes, love?” Finnian replied, his breath ragged.
“I think someone is at the door,” she said, and Finnian growled in frustration as he put on a pair of boxers and walked to the door, opening it to find Rina and his servant.
The sight of Rina immediately irritated him. “Young mas—” the servant began, but Rina pushed him aside, smiling at Finnian.
“Alexander, you’re late for dinner,” she said, blushing.
Finnian ignored her and addressed the servant. “I’ll be down there in a minute.”
“Yes, young master,” the servant said. With that, Finnian shut the door before Rina could say anything more.
Seraphina, still in bed, slowly sat up. “What’s it?” she asked.
“I have dinner with my father, Rina, and Marco,” Finnian said, and the smile on Seraphina’s face faded.
Finnian, noticing her change in expression, immediately rushed to her side. “Little lamb, you are the only one I love and no one else. We’ll figure things out, okay?” Finnian said, his eyes full of sincerity.
Seraphina nodded, a small smile returning to her lips. “Just rest, okay? I’ll be back,” Finnian assured her.
“I’ll be waiting,” Seraphina said softly.
Finnian hurried to the bathroom, taking a quick but thorough shower. He dressed in a sharp, tailored black suit that accentuated his broad shoulders and lean physique, a crisp white shirt underneath, and a dark tie that completed the look. He took a moment to adjust his cufflinks, his mind still on Seraphina.
He walked back to the bed and placed a tender kiss on her lips. “I love you,” he said, his voice full of emotion.
“I love you too,” Seraphina whispered back.
Finnian then brought out a hoodie and a pair of shorts for her, wanting to ensure she stayed warm. He laid her back in bed, carefully tucking the duvet around her.
“I’ll be back,” Finnian whispered, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead before leaving the room.
As he made his way to the dining room, his mind was still on Seraphina. Each step felt heavy, knowing that the dinner ahead would be filled with tension and pretense. But he was determined to get through it, for Seraphina’s sake and for their future together.
Finnian walked into the dining room with a composed demeanor, hiding the turmoil inside. Alessandro, his father, sat at the head of the table with a stern expression, Marco and Rina on either side of him. The table was set with an extravagant feast, yet the atmosphere was thick with tension.
Rina’s eyes lit up as Finnian approached. “Finally, you decided to join us,” she said, trying to sound playful, but there was a hint of reproach in her voice.
Finnian ignored her, pulling out a chair and sitting down. “Apologies for being late,” he said coolly.
Alessandro glared at him. “Apologies are not enough, Finnian. Your behavior has been unacceptable.”
Finnian clenched his jaw but said nothing. He glanced at Marco, who was watching him with a smug expression.
Rina tried to break the tension by starting a conversation. “The food looks wonderful. Doesn’t it, Alexander?”
Finnian nodded curtly, not in the mood for small talk. He began to eat, forcing himself to focus on the meal rather than the disdain radiating from his father.
As the dinner progressed, Marco cleared his throat. “I think it’s time we discussed the future, Alessandro. The alliance between our families is crucial.”
“Indeed,” Alessandro agreed, his eyes boring into Finnian. “And this alliance hinges on your commitment to Rina.”
Finnian felt a surge of anger but kept his face neutral. “I understand the importance, Father.”
Rina reached over and placed her hand on Finnian’s. He stiffened but didn’t pull away, not wanting to create a scene.
“Alexander, you must understand that this marriage is not just about you,” Alessandro continued. “It’s about our family, our power, our legacy.”
Finnian’s gaze hardened. “I understand perfectly, Father. But love and loyalty are also part of our legacy.”
Rina squeezed his hand, misunderstanding his words as a sign of affection. “I’m so glad we’re on the same page, Alexander.”
Finnian felt suffocated by the facade he had to maintain. Every time he looked at Rina, all he could see was Seraphina, and it tore him apart inside.
The dinner dragged on, filled with hollow conversations and forced smiles. Alessandro and Marco discussed business, while Rina kept trying to engage Finnian, who responded with curt, monosyllabic answers.
Finally, Alessandro stood up, raising his glass. “A toast,” he announced. “To the union of our families and the bright future ahead.”
Finnian raised his glass reluctantly. As he did, he caught Seraphina’s reflection in the glass, his heart aching for her.
Rina took advantage of the moment, leaning in to kiss Finnian. His reflexes kicked in, and he pushed her away forcefully, making her stumble. The room fell silent, and all eyes were on Finnian.
“Enough,” Finnian said, his voice cold. “I won’t be part of this charade.”
Alessandro’s face turned red with rage. “Alexander, this is unacceptable!”
Finnian stood up, his chair scraping against the floor. “I won’t pretend to be something I’m not. If you want this alliance, you’ll have to find another way.”
He turned and walked out of the dining room, not looking back. His chest felt tight, his heart aching for Seraphina. As he reached the hallway, he paused, taking a deep breath. He needed to find Seraphina, to hold her, to reassure her that they would face whatever came next together.
But as he walked away, he couldn’t shake the feeling of impending doom. The battle with his father was far from over, and the road ahead was uncertain. Yet, for Seraphina, he was willing to fight.
Immediately Finnian entered the room, he slammed the door, waking Seraphina up.
“Acacius,” she whispered, and Finnian rushed to her.
“I’m sorry, baby, I didn’t mean to wake you up,” he said before lying close to her and pulling her closer.
“Acacius,” she said again, her voice gentle but insistent.
“Yes, little lamb?”
“Tell me about your past,” Seraphina said, and Finnian went silent. He stared at her before sighing deeply.
“My mother, Sofia, which means wisdom, was truly a woman of wisdom. She was Greek, which is why she named me Acacius. I loved her so much, and she loved me too,” Finnian began, his voice heavy with emotion. Seraphina listened intently, her eyes never leaving his face.
“She was the best mom ever until I was five years old when everything changed. Due to my father’s treatment, she endured great suffering for me. She loved my father, but he saw her as a tool. She developed an illness, a brain disorder, and she started treating me badly. She began hitting me, calling me a monster,” Finnian said, his voice breaking. Seraphina hugged him tightly.
“You aren’t a monster,” she whispered, and Finnian could only stare at her, tears glistening in his eyes.
“I didn’t mind, but then I developed dissociative identity disorder. It’s a condition where a person’s identity is fragmented into two or more distinct personality states.
I couldn’t handle my father’s ill treatment and my mother’s abuse, so I developed that disorder. That’s where Damon was born, my other self. Damon took the whole pain and protected me. Jasper, Stellan, and Rafferty tried to help too, but my father….”
Seraphina was already crying, feeling his pain deeply.
“But then everything changed. My father was hitting my mother, she was bleeding. Damon took control, and in the process of trying to protect my mother, I killed her,” Finnian confessed, and a gasp escaped Seraphina’s mouth.
Finnian waited for her to run away, but she didn’t. Instead, she hugged him tighter.
“Noticing that she was dead, that day rained blood. I killed everyone in the mansion until I fainted. When I woke up, remembering I killed my own mother, I left Italy with my brothers. I’m a monster, little lamb,” Finnian said, tears streaming down his face.
“I killed her,” he said, and Seraphina pulled him into a hug, crying with him.
“You are not a monster, Acacius. You were a child, trying to protect your mother. You didn’t mean for any of it to happen. It was a tragic accident, not your fault. You’ve carried this pain and guilt for so long, but it’s time to forgive yourself.
Your mother wouldn’t want you to suffer like this. She would want you to live, to love, and to find happiness. You are not defined by your past, but by the love and strength you show now. And I love you, Finnian, all of you, even the parts you think are unlovable. Together, we can face anything,” Seraphina said, her voice full of compassion and determination.
After a while, Finnian finally fell asleep in her arms, exhausted from the emotional turmoil. Seraphina stared at him, her heart full of love and resolve.
No matter what, she would always love him. She knew that they would face many challenges, but she was ready to stand by his side through it all. As she watched him sleep, she gently stroked his hair, feeling a deep sense of peace and purpose.
Before she drifted off to sleep, she whispered softly, “We’ll face it all together, my love. I’m never letting you go.”
Seraphina woke up to find Finnian not in bed. Her eyes spotted a letter on the nightstand. She opened it and began to read:
My Dearest Little Lamb.
I’m sorry I couldn’t be there when you woke up. There are matters I must attend to, but know that my thoughts and heart are with you always. Last night, you gave me strength I never knew I had. You are my light in the darkest of times, my anchor in the storm. I promise to come back to you as soon as I can. Please stay safe.
With all my love,
Acacius
Seraphina smiled softly, clutching the letter to her chest. As she stood up, still wearing Finnian’s hoodie and shirt, the door opened. She turned, expecting to see Finnian, but instead found Rina staring at her with wide eyes.
Rina stormed towards her, grabbing Seraphina by the hair.
“Who the fuck are you, and what are you doing in my husband’s room with his clothes on?” she yelled.
Seraphina pushed her away, her initial instinct to lie quickly replaced by a fierce determination. She straightened up and looked Rina directly in the eye.
“I’m Seraphina, Alexander’s girlfriend and the only one he loves,” she said proudly, watching as Rina stood there in shock.
Episode 47 & 48 : A Love Worth Fighting For
EARLIER THIS MORNING
Finnian woke up early, his eyes slowly adjusting to the dim light filtering through the curtains. He turned to his side and gazed at Seraphina, who was still peacefully asleep. A soft smile tugged at his lips as he leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on her lips.
Careful not to wake her, he slipped out of bed and quickly freshened up. After dressing, he grabbed the keys to one of his cars and drove to La Pergola, one of the most expensive restaurants in Italy.
Upon arriving, he spotted Marco and made his way over. The two men stared at each other, their cold eyes locked in a silent battle of wills.
“Alexander, do you love my daughter?” Marco asked, breaking the silence.
Finnian’s response was immediate and firm. “No.”
Marco’s eyes narrowed, but he couldn’t read what was going on in Finnian’s mind. “I already have someone I love,” Finnian continued.
“I knew that, but you have no choice but to marry my daughter,” Marco stated flatly.
Finnian leaned back in his chair, maintaining eye contact with Marco. “I can’t do that. That’s the reason I called you out here early this morning, Marco.”
“I’m listening.”
“I’m in love with someone else, and her name is Seraphina. I have no intention of marrying your daughter Rina. That’s why I’m proposing a deal to you.” Finnian smirked before grabbing his phone and dialing Jasper’s number. “You guys can come in now,” he said, ending the call.
Moments later, Jasper, Stellan, Rafferty, and Blue entered the restaurant, taking seats around the table. Marco remained motionless, his gaze unwavering.
“I know that as soon as I marry Rina, you’ll kill my father to take over the Italian Mafia. You know I have no desire for that. For the sake of your daughter’s happiness, you’ll keep me alive,” Finnian stated.
Marco’s eyes widened in shock. “What?” he exclaimed.
“But I’m here to help you take over the Italian Mafia and make you the head if you help me,” Finnian proposed, causing Marco to stare at him in disbelief.
Then, Marco burst out laughing. “I guess I was wrong about you, Alexander Leonardo,” he said with a smirk.
“What do you want from me?” Marco asked, his tone shifting to one of business.
Finnian glanced at Rafferty, who nodded. “The plan will be carried out on the day of the wedding. Before the vows are made, Jasper will take care of all the guards with Alessandro. Stellan will then replace them with yours, Marco, ensuring there’s no escape for Alessandro. I’ll protect Rina while Finnian handles the job of killing his father,” Rafferty explained.
They all nodded in agreement, and Marco stared at them, deep in thought.
“How do you expect me to protect the one you love when she isn’t in this country?” Marco asked.
“Seraphina is with me. She’s currently staying at the mansion, in my room,” Finnian replied.
Marco’s eyes widened further. “Did you say your room?” he asked again.
“Yes,” Finnian confirmed.
“My daughter mentioned she’d be taking a look around your room while you’re out, so by now she would be in the room and…” Marco stopped mid-sentence, realization dawning on him.
“Seraphina!” Finnian exclaimed.
Rafferty, Stellan, and Blue jumped up simultaneously, rushing to their cars. They sped towards the mansion, praying nothing had happened to Seraphina.
THE MANSION
Rina stood there, staring at the girl whose name was Seraphina. “Finnian is mine!” she yelled.
Seraphina stared at her, unfazed. “He isn’t yours. He belongs to me, Rina. Finnian has been in love with me before you came along. That’s why you’ll never get to marry him,” she said with all seriousness.
“You bitch!” Rina screamed, raising her hand to hit Seraphina. But Seraphina grabbed her wrist and pushed it away.
“Dare hit me, and I’ll show you what it means to cross a lioness,” Seraphina said, her eyes blazing with anger.
Rina stood there in shock, not believing her eyes. A thought rushed through Seraphina’s head before she smirked.
“What a great shame,” Seraphina said with a smirk. “I guess you didn’t hear me when Acacius was fucking me hard last night when you tried to disturb our beautiful moment. You should have heard when he explained how beautiful I was.”
Rina’s eyes widened in shock. “What!!” she screamed.
“You heard me right. Maybe you should try listening more next time,” Seraphina taunted.
Rina glared at her angrily. “You slut! How dare you talk to me like that?”
Seraphina shot back, “I dare because I can. You think throwing tantrums will make Finnian love you? Pathetic.”
Rina’s face turned red with anger. “You’ll regret this, Seraphina!”
“Regret? The only regret here is you wasting your time thinking you had a chance,” Seraphina retorted, her voice dripping with disdain.
Unable to take it anymore, Rina stormed out of the room and hurried downstairs, where she found Alessandro.
“What is it?” he asked, not bothering to look up.
“Get that woman out of Alexander’s room!” she yelled, her face flushed with anger.
Alessandro stared at her, confused. “What!!?”
“Her name is Seraphina,” Rina said.
Alessandro’s eyes widened in shock. Seraphina should be dead. He had ordered Jasper, Stellan, and Rafferty to kill her with Luca monitoring them. But he never heard from Luca again. “Fuck!” he yelled, realizing the gravity of the situation.
He looked deadly at one of his men. “Get that bastard here,” he ordered.
Seraphina, who had already predicted this would happen, burst into the room where Alessandro was. Finnian, driving as fast as he could, was shaking, praying that Seraphina was okay. “Please, please be okay,” Finnian whispered.
Seraphina was dragged and pushed in front of Alessandro. Rina stood beside him, smirking.
“So you didn’t die,” Alessandro said angrily, glaring at Seraphina.
Seraphina met his gaze with unwavering defiance. “Surprised? You shouldn’t be. It takes more than your pathetic minions to kill me.”
Alessandro’s face went red with rage as he glared at Seraphina. Just as he was about to speak, the door burst open. Finnian, Stellan, Jasper, Rafferty, Blue, and Marco walked in.
Rina immediately smiled and rushed towards Finnian, but he walked past her, moving to where Seraphina stood.
Instantly, Alessandro drew his gun, pointing it at Seraphina’s head. “Take a st–”
Before he could finish his statement, Blue, Rafferty, Jasper, and Finnian pointed their guns at Alessandro.
A dark laugh escaped Alessandro’s lips. Marco stood there, staring at the unfolding drama. Rina looked shocked to see such emotion on Alexander’s face, which she had never seen before.
When Alessandro snapped his fingers, all the bodyguards gathered in the room, surrounding them, guns pointed at Finnian, Jasper, Blue, Stellan, and Rafferty.
Seraphina stared at Finnian, who was staring back at her, his heart filled with fear. Then she turned to Alessandro.
“You can’t kill me because I’m carrying your grandchild and Alexander’s child,” Seraphina declared with a smirk.
Though she tried to stay strong, fear lingered in her eyes. Everyone’s jaw dropped at Seraphina’s revelation, including Finnian’s.
But horror soon replaced shock when Alessandro smirked. “Really?” he said, and with that, he pulled the trigger.
POW!!!
POW!!!
POW!!!
Episode 49 & 50 : The Ultimate Sacrifice & A New Beginning
The sound of gunshot reverberated through the hall, freezing everyone in horror. Alessandro’s body crumpled to the floor, lifeless. Marco had shot him in the head three times, leaving the onlookers in shock.
“You know the rules,” Marco’s voice boomed around the hall. “Whoever kills the boss becomes the boss, so put your guns down.”
Immediately, all the men dropped their weapons and bowed to their new leader. Finnian, snapping out of his stupor, dashed to Seraphina. He pulled her into a tight hug.
“I was scared,” Seraphina’s voice trembled.
“I know, baby,” Finnian whispered, holding her close. “But it’s over now. We’re safe.”
Seraphina clung to him, her fear slowly dissipating in his embrace. “I thought I’d lose you,” she murmured.
“Never,” Finnian assured her. “I’ll always protect you.”
Rina, seething with rage, glared at them. Just as she was about to rush towards Finnian, Marco ordered one of his men to take Rina home and lock her in her room. Her screams echoed through the hall as she was forcibly dragged away.
In the aftermath, Jasper, Stellan, Rafferty, and Blue surrounded Seraphina, offering their support. They hugged her tightly, whispering words of comfort. Finnian turned to Marco, gratitude evident in his eyes.
“Thank you, Marco,” Finnian said earnestly. “You saved us all.”
Marco nodded. “We’re in this together. Take care of her.”
Finnian smiled and turned back to Seraphina. “By the way, are you really pregnant?” he asked, a teasing glint in his eyes.
Seraphina laughed, shaking her head. “No, I’m not. You worry too much.”
Finnian joined her laughter, the tension easing. “Well, I guess we have time to think about that later.”
ONE YEAR LATER
It had been a year since the fateful night, and today was their graduation. The sun shone brightly over the academy, casting a warm glow on the celebratory atmosphere. Seraphina, Finnian, and their friends stood together, clad in their graduation gowns, ready to embark on a new chapter of their lives.
The ceremony was grand, filled with proud parents and beaming graduates. Finnian, chosen as the valedictorian, stepped up to the podium, his heart pounding with excitement. He looked out at the crowd, taking a deep breath before beginning his speech.
“Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed faculty, and my fellow graduates,” Finnian started, his voice steady. “Today marks the end of one journey and the beginning of another. We’ve faced challenges, endured hardships, and celebrated victories. Each moment has shaped us into who we are today.”
He glanced at Seraphina, who smiled encouragingly. “We’ve learned the value of friendship, the strength of unity, and the importance of never giving up. We’ve seen how love and loyalty can triumph over fear and adversity.”
“As we step into the future, let us carry these lessons with us. Let us strive to make a difference, to be the change we wish to see in the world. Remember, we are stronger together, and together, we can achieve greatness.”
Finnian’s words resonated with the audience, who erupted into applause. He stepped down from the podium, returning to his friends. Seraphina hugged him tightly, her eyes shining with pride.
“You were amazing,” she whispered, kissing him tenderly.
Finnian smiled. “I couldn’t have done it without you.”
Their relationship had grown stronger over the past year, built on trust and unwavering support. They had faced their fears and come out stronger on the other side.
As the ceremony concluded, the graduates threw their caps into the air, their laughter and cheers filling the sky. Finnian and Seraphina stood hand in hand, ready to face whatever the future held together.
Their journey was just beginning, and with their friends by their side, they knew they could conquer anything.
In the bustling hall, Jasper, Stellan, Rafferty, and Blue joined Seraphina and Finnian. They shared stories of the past year, reminiscing about their shared experiences and dreams for the future. The bonds they had formed were unbreakable, forged in the fires of their shared struggles and triumphs.
As the day came to an end, Finnian and Seraphina stole a moment alone. They walked through the quiet academy grounds, savoring the tranquility.
“Can you believe it’s been a year?” Seraphina asked, leaning her head on Finnian’s shoulder.
“It’s been a rollercoaster,” Finnian replied, his arm around her. “But I wouldn’t change a thing. We’ve grown so much.”
Seraphina nodded, her heart full. “Here’s to the future, Finnian. Whatever it brings, we’ll face it together.”
Finnian kissed her gently. “Together, always.”
And so, with their hearts full of hope and their spirits ready for the journey ahead, they stepped into the future, hand in hand, ready to embrace whatever came their way.
15 YEARS LATER
The sun was setting over a cozy suburban home, casting a warm glow over the backyard. Finnian and Seraphina sat on a blanket, watching their two beautiful children, Emma and Liam, play in the garden. Emma, with her mother’s exuberant spirit and bright smile, darted around with boundless energy, while Liam, though he had inherited his father’s calm demeanor, was a softy at heart.
“Daddy, catch me!” Emma giggled, her blonde curls bouncing as she sprinted across the lawn.
Finnian pretended to chase her, his footsteps deliberately slow. “You’re too fast for me, princess!”
Seraphina laughed, her heart swelling with love as she watched her family. Liam, holding a book in his hand, glanced up at his sister’s antics, a small smile tugging at his lips.
“Do you want to play too, Liam?” Finnian asked, kneeling beside him.
Liam shook his head, but his eyes sparkled with affection. “I’m okay, Dad. Maybe later.”
Finnian ruffled his son’s hair before returning to the chase. Seraphina leaned back on her hands, enjoying the peaceful scene. Finnian finally caught Emma, lifting her into the air and spinning her around. Her laughter was infectious, spreading a wave of joy.
“Alright, Emma, let’s give your dad a break,” Seraphina said, smiling. “Come here, both of you.”
Emma and Liam rushed to their mother, snuggling close. Finnian joined them, wrapping an arm around Seraphina. They sat in comfortable silence for a moment, the evening breeze gently rustling the leaves.
“Mommy, Daddy,” Emma suddenly asked, her curiosity evident, “how did you two meet?”
Finnian and Seraphina exchanged a knowing glance, their eyes twinkling with shared memories. Finnian’s hand found Seraphina’s, giving it a gentle squeeze.
“That’s quite a story,” Finnian began, smiling at Seraphina. “Do you want to tell it, love?”
Seraphina nodded, brushing a strand of hair from Emma’s face. “Well, it all started when I met your father at the playground, and he pointed his gun at me.”
Emma and Liam’s eyes widened in shock, and they exclaimed in unison, “What?!”
The End
Last Words
Oh what a journey it’s been! Seraphina and Finnian’s lives intertwine in ways neither could have imagined. They’ve battled their inner demons and external threats, from the toxic manipulations of family to the lsethal games of rival gangs. Through it all, their bond only grows stronger, transforming from reluctant allies to inseparable lovers.
Finnian’s icy exterior melts under Seraphina’s unwavering strength and kindness, while she discovers her own resilience and courage through him. The once feared gangster finds redemption and a sense of purpose beyond his violent world. And Seraphina? She finally stands up to her parents, breaking free from their cruel grip.
In the end, love triumphs over darkness. Seraphina and Finnian carve out a new life together, away from the shadows of their pasts. They learn that true strength lies in vulnerability and that even the most shattered hearts can find healing and hope.
So there you have it—a tale of dangerous love, redemption, and the unyielding power of the human spirit.