Chapter 34: Deals upon Deals
Bianca’s hands trembled as she held the documents close to her chest, her breath coming out in shallow gasps of wicked glee.
She had done it.
She had actually done it.
Her eyes scanned the golden-brown edges of the leather file, embossed with the Morano family crest, so authentic and untouched.
Every seal still intact.
She threw her head back and laughed, a soft, disbelieving sound laced with triumph.
"I can’t believe it," she said, her voice trembling with dark delight.
"They were just... there. Right there."
She sank onto her velvet chaise, her manicured fingers fumbling with the clasp.
The file opened with a small snap.
Her eyes was in the word, land certificates, offshore accounts, properties registered under Luca’s name...
Even Morano legacy titles.
These were not just documents.
They were Luca’s empire, signed and sealed.
And now, they were in her possession.
A slow, malicious smile curled on her lips.
She forgot about the implications of been caught as she went back to the chambers. Out of greed.
Everything sparkled with perfection, but her gaze searched hungrily, wildly, for something more.
A drawer maybe. A box. Anything that might hold another piece of power.
When she didn’t find any,
She rushed to her bedroom closet, throwing open drawers, overturning shoes, rifling through empty jewelry cases and luxury gift boxes.
But nothing. No more hidden treasures.
Still, the file in her hand felt heavier than gold.
The power in her grip was undeniable.
"At least Seraphina will hasten up with my request once she knows I have the documents," she murmured, standing tall before her mirror, her reflection exuding arrogance and beauty.
"I held up my end of the deal. Now, she’ll hand over what she promised."
Her fingers tapped the edge of the file like a woman possessed, thoughts spiraling deeper into obsession.
Once Seraphina sees this, everything changes.
Her eyes narrowed as she imagined Alessia’s face.
The pure little wife. The wife of Luca’s youth. The one Luca protected like she was made of glass. The one he kissed like she held his salvation.
The one he held at night like he’d fall apart without her.
Disgust crawled up Bianca’s throat like bile.
"I hate seeing him with that so-called woman," she spat, throwing a pillow across the room.
"What does she have that I don’t?!"
But she knew the answer.
Alessia had Luca’s heart.
And that enraged Bianca more than anything else.
But soon, that would change.
With these documents, she could break the Morano name.
She could blackmail, manipulate, twist Seraphina’s hands until even the devil bowed to her demands.
All she needed was leverage—and now she had it.
"Once Seraphina signs over the shares and gives me access to the trust fund," Bianca whispered as she paced like a queen in waiting, "I’ll get Luca back.
Whether he wants it or not. I’ll buy my way into his life. I’ll make him need me."
Her heels clicked across the marble floor as she walked back to her mirror, clutching the file like a precious heirloom.
"One more move, and Alessia will be gone. Out of the picture. Out of Luca’s arms."
Her grin widened.
"And then I’ll finally have him... all to myself."
She didn’t need love. She needed possession. Obsession.
She wanted to wear Luca like a crown and parade her victory in front of every soul that once doubted her.
This wasn’t just revenge. It was a declaration.
Bianca had tasted power and she would stop at nothing to own the man she believed was always hers.
Even if it meant burning Alessia to ash.
Even if it meant selling her soul.
****
Her heels echoed against the marble tiles as she stormed into her apartment.
A storm of betrayal and vengeance swirling in her chest.
With trembling fingers, she unlocked her phone and dialed a number she never saved with a name—only a black heart emoji.
It rang once.
Then twice.
And the person picked up, it was Seraphina.
"Finally," Bianca said, voice sharp. "One more move, Seraphina. One more click, and Luca will detest Alessia for the rest of his life."
On the other end, Seraphina chuckled. "You have my attention."
Bianca smirked darkly, pulling open the drawer of her glass console and raising a thick manila folders. "You hear that?" she shook the folder so the crisp flutter of official papers could be heard through the speaker.
"That’s it. The documents. Every title deed to the Morano properties I’ve accessed through your backdoors. And guess what? I’m holding them... Right here,,, with me.
All yours, once I see Luca’s face twist in hatred for Alessia, A hatred that will make him threw her out of his life for good. "
Seraphina let out a breathy laugh, almost childlike in her excitement. "Well, Well.. Finally... Finally". She said.
"Then I shall give you what you want, Bianca. I will give you your revenge and you will hand me my power."
"I will be waiting" bianca said and ended the call, her gaze hard as she stared out the floor-to-ceiling windows.
The skyline meant nothing to her now.
Power wasn’t in views. It was in control, in watching your enemies fall to their knees.
*******
At the St. Agatha Private Hospital, Alessia stirred, her lashes fluttering weakly against pale skin.
The beeping of machines, the sterile scent of antiseptics, and the soft shuffle of nurses drifted in the air like a cruel lullaby.
Luca sat at her bedside, his fingers stroking her hair gently.
Her skin had gone cold, her pulse too quiet.
But she was awake now. Eyes slowly opening.
"Alessia," he said. "You are scaring me."
She blinked slowly, confusion morphing into pain.
Her hand instinctively moved to her abdomen.
The silence spoke before her voice could.
"I lost it, didn’t I?" Her voice cracked.
Luca’s throat tightened. "The doctor said... it was early. We didn’t even know."
Alessia’s lips trembled. "I didn’t know I was pregnant, Luca."
His jaw clenched. "Neither did I."
Her eyes turned to him now, hollow with heartbreak and bitter truth. "Of course, you wouldn’t. You’ve been too busy protecting Bianca’s lies to notice your own wife fading."
"I’m sorry..."
She interrupted, voice sharp with anguish. "Don’t. Don’t say that now. You weren’t here when I needed you.....
"I collapsed in your house alone. You made me lose my child."
Luca flinched as though struck. "I never meant to... "
"But you did". she cried.
"You pushed me away. Ever since that bitch reappeared, you’ve let her come between us."
He sat back, hands gripping his knees. "I’ve been... distracted. I won’t lie. But I never stopped loving you."
Alessia gave a bitter laugh. "You call this love? I’ve been bleeding in silence while you have been dancing with a woman from your past."
Silence stretched long and heavy.
He didn’t argue.
Didn’t defend himself.
Because... deep down, she was right.
And as the quiet engulfed them, Luca’s hand slowly reached for his phone. He dialed Donato’s number.
Once then twice and voicemail....
"Come on, Donato," he muttered. "Pick up, please."
But there was no answer. Again.
Something wasn’t right.
Luca didn’t know how or why but he felt it in his chest like a stone.
Something had happened. Something beyond their walls.
And now, he’d lost his first legitimate child with the woman he swore to ever protect.
*******
Across the city, Seraphina applied a thick coat of red lipstick in the mirror.
The color of seduction, of war.
Her hair was slicked back into a tight bun, and her black leather suit hugged her curves like armor.
She tucked the lipstick away, picked up her clutch, and turned to the two guards behind her.
"You’re coming with me, she said to them".
They moved without question.
Her stilettos clicked like gunshots against the concrete as they made their way to the garage.
The black flashy car purred to life, and within minutes, they were weaving through traffic like shadows.
The destination is: Lorenzo’s hideout.
The name tasted like forgotten venom on her tongue.
*****
It wasn’t a house, not really.
It was underground, built like a bunker, hidden beneath an abandoned wine cellar deep in the hills outside the city. No neighbors. No eyes.
Just deep secrets.
Seraphina stepped out of the car, her guards flanking her, and descended the staircase into darkness.
The air was damp and musky.
And then... she stopped.
Her breath hitched.
At the bottom of the stairs, a huge figure stood tall, still, and clad in a black hoodie, facing the wall.....
It was lorenzo.
He didn’t turn, as he stood and back them.
Her guards instinctively raised their weapons, but his voice echoed in the silence, cold and deep.
"You step into my den... and you think you’ll harm me and walk out untouched?. "
The guards froze.
Seraphina raised her hand and gestured for them to lower their weapons And step behind a little
Lorenzo finally turned to face them, removing his hoodie cap from covering his face.
His face was hard, sharper than the last time she’d seen him.
A scar ran down his left brow, and his eyes... Those dark, dangerous eyes—pierced her like daggers.
"You’ve changed," Seraphina said, tilting her head.
"So have you too," he replied.
She chuckled. "Still as dramatic as ever."
"I prefer the term alive," he said flatly. "What do you want?"
"I want an alliance," she said smoothly.
He raised a brow. "From a Morano?"
Her smile darkened. "Correction, I’m not a Morano.
I was a pawn, a mistake raised by a man who wasn’t even my father.
My mother birthed Morano — The late Mafia lord.
That makes me the forgotten daughter, because I disown the man that’s supposed to be my father, long time ago.
And now, I want my share.... In the property."
Lorenzo folded his arms. "And Luca is your obstacle.... Huh..."
"He always has been," she snapped.
"The devil wrapped in charm and arrogance.
But not anymore. I have Bianca.
I have the property links. All I need... is Alessia out of the way. That’s the price Bianca demanded. And it can be accomplished through you. So I decided to trace you here. "
Lorenzo’s expression faltered for just a moment.
"Hmmmm, impressive but what does Alessia have to do with this?"
"She’s Luca’s weakness." she said and there was silence.
Then he spoke.....
"I see," Lorenzo said softly.
"But here’s the thing," Seraphina continued, stepping closer. "You still want her, don’t you?"
He didn’t respond immediately.
"I still want everything about her ... everything. He said.
"I want you to take her away from Luca," she said, her voice venomous honey.
"Seduce her. Flirt with her in his presence".
"It will destroy what they have."
Lorenzo looked at her then, his eyes colder than ice.
"I don’t want to use Alessia," he said. "I want her back."
Seraphina smirked. "Then kill two birds with one stone."
He considered it for a while.
"You’ll give me something in return?". He said with a smile across his side of his lips.
She nodded. "Of course."
Lorenzo stepped forward, closing the distance between them.
Their faces just inches apart.
"Then let’s make a deal," he said.
Seraphina raised a brow. "Name your price, lorenzo..... "