⚠️ !!!TRIGGER WARNING!!! ⚠️

Read at your own risk. And you may keep tissues close as well.

AND AND AND!!!!! The awesome VayaVaitsis is writing a mafia trilogy of her own which is amazing already. Her first book is called "Believing In Fate". I've gotten an early exclusive look at a couple of chapters that are yet to come, and trust me, it's so good! You all will enjoy it so check it out if you like strong female leads cuz I already adore Ms. Asimina. And she updates weekly unlike my dumbass lmao

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(Verona's POV)

My fingers traced the flowers engraved into the wooden jewelry box that rested on my lap. It was the same box I had brought back from my mamma's house. My heart raced thinking about what all this was for, but I knew I was ready to do it. My mind had been made up a long time ago, and now the time had finally arrived.

I handed the medium-sized box over to Vince who bowed. "Regina mia."

The bowing felt very unusual to me, and it had only been a few hours since I was crowned la regina (the queen). I had refused to dream and imagine myself in that position as Leo's wife, and to receive such gestures felt... strano (strange). I had been targeted and verbally abused by many of the people that were kissing my feet and lowering her heads before me today. Not that Vince was ever one of them. He always treated me with respect as his boss' wife.

"I need this mailed properly to this address." I handed him a small paper with an address. I just hoped it reached its destination safely and soon, and Vince was someone I trusted with this task. His loyalty to Leo assured me of that.

"Of course! Is there anything else I can assist you with?"

"No, thank you! Just don't open the box. It's old and tricky to close."

"As you please."

He bowed and walked away with the package, allowing me to sigh as the usual fear rumbled in my withered heart. The night wasn't over. I had things to do and the box was yet to reach its location. If it didn't, all this would've been for nothing.

"Hello, my moon."

My heart skipped a sudden beat and my breath died in my throat at the sound of his chilling voice. I hadn't heard it in a long time, but I could never forget it. "You're not real," I mumbled under my breath, not wanting the guards following me to think of me as another ragazza pazza (crazy girl) which I knew they already thought of me as. I kept my head low and walked in the direction of my room.

"Don't be scared, my moon. You know I can't hurt you now. I never wanted to. Take a gander, won't ya?"

Without letting my feet stop, I clenched my palms to keep myself under control and finally looked up to see the same dirty smirk that sat on his mouth. The scar that stretched from under his left eye to his stern jawline was still very prominent and it didn't fail to make me gasp for air.

"Are you alright, ma'am?" one of the guards behind me asked.

"Yes!" I blurted quickly and turned around to face the people that were actually real. Among them, two were women and two were men, but they weren't the person I needed at the moment. "Could you please have Zee come to my room?"

"Right away, ma'am," one of the women replied as I opened the door to my room.

"Grazie (Thank you)!"

I immediately closed the door behind myself and headed for my bedside table.

"Slowly, my moon. There is no hurry," he spoke once again to get my attention, but I refused to do so and rummaged for the medication I needed. "It's been so long."

          With trembling hands and ragged breathing, I threw the pills into my mouth and swallowed it all down with some water.

          "Your eyes." Astor appeared before my vision once again and attempted to touch me. Startled by his sudden move landed me on the bed backward which gave him something to laugh about like a maniaco (maniac) as he seated himself on the floor against the balcony doors to gaze at me. "As bright and as beautiful as ever."

          I shook my head quietly, digging my fingernails into the mattress.

          "Do you really think they won't know what you're doin'?" He exhaled. "They will find out and you know what they will do. Your status won't matter."

          "I'm the queen now," I whispered.

          "Sure, but you're not the queen of Leo's heart anymore. Everyone knows that," he taunted me as he usually did before my medication and therapy started working. "That cunty prick never deserved ya."

"Stop," I mumbled, closing my eyes tight to avoid looking at his haunting face.

"You know I never lied to you." His voice was much closer to my ear and inexplicably louder. "His heart lies with that American I told you about. You know he was thinking about her during your crowning. He's always thinking about her. You mean nothing to him. You've been his wife for years and he only crowned you now. What does that say about his marriage to you?" The same cunning tone of his petrified my soul, dragging me further into a lonely abyss that left me cold and in utter pain. His presence strangled my throat viciously like a python, rendering me of any sound or movement. "A beautiful woman like you is only made to satisfy our cocks. Leo loved your body, not you. He married you for your sweet, sweet cunt. You know that, don't you, my moon?" No matter how hard I tried to push him out of my head, he managed to squeeze my heart just as easily. "You were my one and only. We could've been happier. Marrying that wanker only brought you pain, and he will get you killed today."

"Verona!" I was shaken out of my hell with Zee's sudden voice and hand on my shoulder. "Are you alright?"

I nodded, wiping the sweat from my forehead and tears from my cheeks. "Sì (Yes)."

Sitting down beside me, Zee interlaced her hand with mine then brushed away another tear from my face. "Tell me."

"I..." My misty eyes looked around and found no trace of Astor. He was gone just like that into thin air. "I saw him."

A deep frown formed on her eyebrows when I faced her once again. "After all this time? Have you not been taking your medicines?"

"I have. It's just the..." I sighed, resting my head on her shoulder. "I don't know why I'm seeing him again after all this time."

"With everything going on, it's understandable. You're just too stressed, V." In a soft stroke, her hand caressed my cheek. "I'm here. Dr. Tan is here to help you too, and the king won't let anything happen to you. There's no need to worry."

"I know." Leo would never let anything happen to me again, but with what I was going to do, no one could pull me back from that. My fate was written down in stone a long time ago and now I had to follow through with it.

"You're the queen now," she beamed. "You will do great!"

A laugh slipped past my lips after her ridicolo (ridiculous) comment. "I'm beyond repair, Zee," I spoke in a quiet tone. "My mind is too crippled to do anything. There's someone else that can do this position justice."

"Maybe." She lifted my head and gave me a warm smile. "But you will always be my queen. The rest don't know you the way I do. In my eyes, you're the strongest one here. No one could survive the way you did."

Whenever down, Zee always knew how to lift me up in Leo's absence, and with the medication in my system, my nerves, worry, and emotions were dying down. "Have you heard from your sister?"

"Yes!" She sat up straight. "Zaya said that Ms. Noelle isn't doing very well. She has started drinking and almost got herself killed twice on the road while driving, so Zaya started driving for her. She also said that Ms. Noelle doesn't eat properly. She's just invested in her job and locks herself in her room after."

I could only sigh in response. "She's a mother who lost her son." She should've been here. Everything would've gone smoothly, but I could understand her situation. The pain and suffering of losing someone you nurtured in your own body and having that beautiful little child be taken so soon could break any mother to her core.

Leo may have not spent as much time as Arie with the child, but I could see him hurting just as much. Not many were inclined to notice the emotions in that man due to the cold and heartless reputation he held up, but being married to him made me see the chaos he buried inside. Even the guilt of my suffering was killing him and I couldn't bear to see him like that.

"Speaking of son, shall we go see yours?"

          "Sì."

She escorted me outside and into the hall with the other guards. The severe paranoia and anxiety in me were stifled by the medication. Without it, I would've been placed in a manicomio (mental hospital) a long time ago. My mind had been bruised ruthlessly to the point that only these tiny drug infused pills kept me sane and calm with limited access to my own emotions. It was good in a way. I could escape my demons then.

As I walked down the majestic halls of the palace, guards dropped their gaze and bowed as an obligation. I knew no one wanted to kneel before a puttana (whore) like me who married their king. They all spat on my name behind my back and would walk over me without a second thought. I wasn't surprised nor was I unaware of the filth they spilled on my name. I had heard the worst for all my adult life, but it never failed to make me feel utterly pathetic inside.

Zee instructed the guards to stay back as I braced myself and knocked on Lucian's door. The smile I always put on for Leo and others to mask my internal turmoil found its way to my lips. A child certainly didn't have to sense what hell we lived in.

          The door was opened by Arie's friend, Harleen, who had accompanied the children here. "Oh, hi!" She seemed surprised and quite flustered as Mike's daughter, who stood beside her, stared at me in awe. "Queen... Sorry, your highness." They both bowed.

          "That is not necessary," I chuckled and bent over to look at the little girl. "Cuore mio! Sei bellissima (My heart! You're beautiful). A principessa like you never bows before anyone. Remember that, okay?"

          The girl nodded with the sweetest grin. "I'm a pincess."

          "The most beautiful one!" I gave her a kiss on the forehead and stood straight once again. "I was wondering if I could speak to Lucian. Only if that's alright with you."

          "Of course!" Harleen grabbed Mariana's hand and stepped aside. "I was about to take Ana for a walk to tire her out so she could sleep. She's a hyper kid. You can talk to Luci till then."

          "It's Lucian!" I heard him yell.

          "Okay, just be nice while I'm gone." Harleen took the girl for a walk and left me alone with my son.

          My heart rate was slightly above normal and I could feel the pulse palpating throughout my body. I hadn't spoken to him since he was presented before me at the hospital. I was too scared to approach him under Marsilia's watch, but with her out of the way, I could finally see and speak to him.

          Lucian pulled the blanket over his head and hid his face from me as I approached which made me smile. After sitting on the edge of his bed, I cleared my throat. "Hello. My name is Verona. May I speak with you?"

"No, I'm sleepy," he dismissed me quickly and pretended to snore. I could handle the hate from everyone in the world, and God was a witness to that, but to receive the coldness from my own son pained my soul itself. In his defense, I was only a stranger to him and I was certain he missed his mother.

"I just need a few minutes of your precious time."

"Goodnight." He pulled the blanket further over his head.

I chuckled to mask my pain. "Well, would you like to see your mamma?"

The blanket immediately slipped down his face as he looked at me with hopeful eyes. "Yes!"

His eyes uncannily resembled his father's with the same shade of blue that was stunning. It was the first thing that got me utterly infatuated with Leo.

"How much do you love her?"

Sitting up, he spread his little arms around. "This much."

My entire body warmed with his unending smile. "I'm sure she misses you very much too, and I will promise you this, you will see her very soon."

"Really?" he squealed. His smile that resembled Leo's only made me wonder how similar they'd look when Lucian grew into a man.

"Yes!"

"You're the best!" His words struck me like kisses from a thousand cuccioli (puppies)—warm and loving. Once his excitement calmed down, he gazed at me with curiosity. "Some people here said that you're my mamma."

Cracking a smile, I lifted his chin slowly. "Those people do not know of what they speak. They're confused because we have the same nose." I tapped the tip of his nose and forced him to chuckle. "You're the most precious thing they've ever seen. You have a pure heart and I'm sure you will always maintain it because I trust your mamma to build you into the best man, even better than your father."

          "Yes!" He grinned and grabbed my hand. "Ana calls my mamma Arie mom. Can I call you Verona mom?"

          My heart melted in my chest and my eyes burned with tears at once. Without any strain to hold them back, I let them free and drop down my cheeks. "I would be honored to be your Verona mom, angioletto mio (my little angel)."

          I wrapped my arms around him and closed my eyes to savor every moment with him. This boy that I held was my offspring whom I hadn't gotten to hold since birth. My entire body ached with pain to know what happened to him just because he had a puttana (whore) as his mother. And to have the king's blood running through him, I feared what was yet to come his way. However, I was certain that Leo would do well on his promise to me. Hell, even Arie would slay anyone who would look at him the wrong way. I was happy to know he had her as his mother, but my soul was being crushed under the burden of what the night had in store for me.

          Lucian remained quiet as I silently cried my heart out for a couple of minutes before pulling away. I didn't want to let go, but I had to stop suffocating him. As I wiped my tears, I seized the opportunity to make a note of his features before I left. My fingers moved aside the hair from his forehead and brushed over the scar he attained as a child because of me. More tears emerged to the surface of my eyes, but I forcibly blinked them away.

          "I want you to know that I love you and so does your father. He may never say it because he's scared, but you're a fearless boy, so you say it to him whenever you can, sì (yes)?"

          He nodded vigorously. "I'm not scared of anything!"

          "Good!" With the torment in my heart, I slowly made a move and kissed him on his scar. "My mamma used to always tell me this; walk with your brain first before riding on your heart. Remember that for me. When you grow up, you'll know what it means." I cupped his face with an endearing smile. "I realized it too late, but I don't regret it."

***

          Athena stopped me outside of my room after I met with my son. She proceeded to clap slowly with her usual amused smirk. "I never thought you'd do it, but here we are." Elevating my head with a finger, she allowed her smirk to be formed into a sweet smile. "I'm very proud of you, V."

Her pride in me validated my little victory against Marsilia. "I didn't know what got into me, but it happened. I don't think I would've ever done it if I hadn't seen you there."

"Don't do that," she chided, motioning the guards to step away and out of earshot. "You need to start believing in yourself. You're the queen now which means a lot of power and responsibility. I wouldn't mind being your royal advisor," she chuckled, "but I'm leaving. I have my own empire to run."

          "Leaving?"

          "V, you will not be hearing from me anytime soon. It may be months or even years from now. I don't know how long it'll last, but I'm parting ways with the family. Mikey and Leo have both voiced their concern regarding my decision to keep quiet about Arie's secrets, so I'm making another decision to walk away and they agree. I think it's best because I'm not one to beg for forgiveness when I never regret my decisions and that is what they want. We're all too proud around here."

          I shook my head. "You can't leave! Tu sei famiglia (You're family)."

          "Verona." She warmly caressed my cheek. "Listen, I'm sorry for not bringing Leo and Arie together as I promised you. It's too late now, so you must take care of yourself and your little spawn. And don't reach out to me unless someone is on the deathbed. I've already wasted a lot of time on this and I need to focus on my work to stay on top. If you want to talk to someone, you have Zee and Felix."

          After shooting a glare at the guards and forcing their gaze away, she embraced me like an older sister and kissed my forehead. "Goodbye, V."

***

          I exited the bathroom to notice Leo standing in our room, waiting for me. He ushered me to come closer with a hand.

          "How are you feeling?"

Scared as usual and in pain, but I couldn't let him know that. "Bene (Good)," I answered, busying myself with pouring water into the birdbath in our balcony as an attempt to hide my gaze from his so that he wouldn't catch my lie, but he always did.

"If that's your definition of good then I'm great myself."

I sighed and met his eyes reluctantly. His gaze was somber, his features exhausted and full of despair. Releasing a breath, he held his hand out for me and guided me toward our bed and seated us both down.

"What you did today," he shook his head, "was highly unexpected. Zietta is not happy with the decision you made, and she and Nonna bit my ears off for it."

I lowered my head, feeling a little guilty all of a sudden. Not for throwing Marsilia in the dungeon, but for having Zietta scold Leo for my actions. She was his second mother, harboring the same face as his own mamma whom he lost too young. She was also the only one in the Drago family who welcomed me with open arms into the family when everyone opposed our union in marriage. I was ashamed to disappoint her, but I hoped she'd understand soon and forgive me. I certainly didn't want her to be upset with Leo. Dio (God)!

"Tesoro." Leo raised my head with his gentle touch and slid closer to me. "I want you to know that I'm very happy with your first decision as the queen. You were scared of the title for no reason."

I narrowed my eyes at him playfully. "There are plenty of reasons. We both know that."

He chuckled. "You can handle it, I'm sure. I will be by your side every step of the way."

"I know."

"But we cannot keep Nonna down there for long. Lei è il presidente (She's the president). It will raise unnecessary questions. I hate to admit it, but she's good at running the country."

          "I know." It was given. My small move would not keep her down for long, but I only needed the night to do what was necessary. Having her down there felt exhilarating and gave me power over her for once. "I just needed a day of peace. That's all. She can be released tomorrow morning."

          "Don't worry! You and I will come up with a way to take her down permanently. She made our lives hell and she will pay." After placing a tender kiss on my forehead, he walked into the bathroom to freshen up.

          When I heard the shower turn on, I quickly pulled out my poetry book from under the mattress and wrote the final sentences on the letter I had folded up and hidden inside before I placed it under my pillow and rested my head on it. With a remote, I turned the lights red and stared at the painting Leo had drawn for me on the ceiling with the special paint.

          For some reason, it always calmed my nerves. Maybe it was because it reminded me of a time when we were madly in love and everything was going well without any pain from his family or his enemies, or maybe it was just the memories I wanted to live again without the undying fear that suffocated me every second of the day. It was also the time when I was his only love, but he found someone better now. He still loved me very much, that I knew, and took care of me and showered me in love and affection that healed me to an extent despite Astor's voice trying to poison my mind before the medicines and therapy started working and blocked him out. Leo was undeniably in love with another woman, and I couldn't blame either one of them because I was supposed to be dead.

          Tears silently ran down the side of my face, forcing me to turn the lights off completely and bask in the moonlight from the windows. Puddles formed on the pillows due to the salty rivers that leaked from my eyes. When the shower turned off, I turned to a different side of the pillow and fanned my heated face to reduce any redness it may have had. Whatever transpired deep in my head, Leo could never know. It would only make his guilt worse.

          He sauntered out of the bathroom only in a loose pair of sweatpants to sleep in. With a slight smile, he lied down on his side next to me and tucked my hair behind my ear. "Are you alright?"

          "Mhm," I hummed, scooting closer to hug him.

          We both fell silent for a long time in each other's arms, but neither of us was asleep. His chest was warm but tense. I rubbed my fingers over this abdominal region and tilted my head back to look at him.

          "I could say that I never loved you, but that would be a lie." My fingertips scraped against his prickly jawline as a genuine smile stretched my lips. "A life without you, I'd rather die."

          Before he could respond, I kissed his lips softly then deepened it to make the most out of the moment. He was still the most amazing man I had ever put my lips on. So warm and gentle.

          As I pulled away, I put a finger against his mouth and indicated him not to speak. "I want you to read my diary." I pulled out the book from under my pillow and set it in his palm.

"Was that one of your little poems too?" he asked with the most heartwarming smile and sat up to open the diary, but I snatched it and held it shut.

"Everything I've written in here has been for you, but do not open it right now. I'm going to see our son, and when I leave to do so, you can start reading. There's a letter folded up in there that I want you to start with and then you will know what to do."

"Okay, but Lucian is asleep."

"I know. I just want to see him." I lifted my shoulders leisurely and handed him the diary once again before holding his face in my trembling hands. "I want you to know that you couldn't have loved me better than you have. I didn't think I could find that unconditional love because of the profession I chose, but you looked past it and truly saw me and showered me in everything this world could offer. The hurt I suffered wasn't your fault, so I desperately need you to stop blaming yourself for it because you've been holding yourself back for years. You can't live like this."

"Tesoro," he sighed the word somberly and rested his head against my chest. "Your suffering was a result of being with me. You lost everything and nothing I do could ever make it better."

"Which is why I need you to stop being sad over it because it makes me feel worse to see you like this." I forced his mournful eyes to me once again. "It is in the past and you need to move on from it. I know it's hard with all the losses you've endured your entire life, but stop punishing yourself. Accept what happened and set it aside to live a happy life where you have everything your heart desires."

A sudden knock on the door called our attention. "Boss, we got a little situation."

Leo groaned. "Give me a second." He kept his gaze intact on me and remained still. "If that is what you want, I will try my best to do so. It's a promise."

I smiled through my tears. "That's all I want. No matter what happens, do not break your promise."

"You have my word."

We both rose from the bed together and headed for the doors. While he handled the supposed situation, I could play out what I had in mind, but before we could part ways, I stopped Leo from reaching for the door handle to give him one final kiss and a warm hug that I cherished deeply.

As I pulled away, he looked at me suspiciously. "Tesoro, is everything alright?"

"I think it's the queen thing," I shrugged with a lazy smile. "Don't keep them waiting now."

He opened the door to two men who worked for the empire. They bowed before us and engaged Leo in a deep conversation. As expected, minions had arrived at our door. They'd somehow lure Leo away and look through the letter in the diary to make sure I didn't reveal anything that wasn't supposed to be said. The diary of my poems was safe. I knew they snooped through that several times before like topolini (little mice).

Instead of going to Lucian's room, I made my way down to the dungeons and walked to the door that was heavily guarded. It resembled a modern-day prison than a fifteenth-century dark and wet space. I dismissed the guards and ordered them to stand at the end of the hall until I was done. They were hesitant but listened.

I entered the room and noticed Marsilia sitting on a nice bed, wearing her nightgown and reading a book peacefully. She was receiving luxury treatment down here which wasn't surprising, but it made my efforts look pointless.

Removing the pair of glasses sitting on her nose, she offered me a quick glance and scoffed. "I considered you nothing more than a filthy puttana (whore) until today." Setting the book aside, she got off the bed and walked toward me. "You're a tiger now, is it? E che l'era del  ha terminato, sì (And that the era of the kitten has ended, yes)?"

My entire body trembled in her presence, but I maintained my composure. "I would've never done what you asked of me. Mai (Never)!"

She snarled like a lion and grabbed me by my throat. "All you had to do renounce the title and your marriage to Leo, and everything would've stopped, but you don't want a peaceful life, do you?"

She always rendered me broken before her power than I already was and in a position to do nothing but listen. The tears I shed in this marriage started with her disapproval. The fear she instilled in me killed me to this very day, but this was my only chance and moment to retaliate.

With the limited strength I had, I pushed her hold away and slapped her across her egotistical face. The action left her vengeful. "Stronza!" Her hand rose to strike me, but I caught it and pulled out a small knife from the pocket of my nightgown and stabbed it into her stomach. Her scrunched face described her pain, but mostly, it was full of surprise before I forced a cry out of her with another jab.

"Just because I chose not to be violent doesn't mean I can't be."

I threw her to the ground along with the knife and walked out without another word. Mamma would be so disappointed in me, but Marsilia deserved everything she got.

          "She's hurt," I declared, informing the guards who swarmed me immediately. "Make sure she doesn't die so soon." She deserved a brutal death and someone would soon make sure of it.

          They hurried to aid their former queen while I walked out of there, wiping the blood on my gown. It was time for the final step which landed me on the large terrace of the castello (castle). In efforts to ease the cold striking my body, I hugged myself and looked at the moon to remember the moments I spent with my mamma and fratello (brother) learning the costellazioni (constellations). Those were the days I wish I could have back when I wasn't desperate to feed the family and sell my services as a puttana.

          "There you are," I finally heard the deep, male voice I had been waiting up here for. "Saw you causing a lot of trouble today."

          "You were watching as usual."

          "With you, I have to." His footsteps and a couple of others thumped against the cemented floor and got louder until I could feel their presence behind me. "You knew not to tell Leo anything. Brava ragazza (Good girl)."

          "I presume you also looked into the box I sent with Vince?"

          "Of course! Got a hold of that box before it got on the plane. I have to cover all the grounds now. One slip up and... well, I don't have to tell you what will happen."

          "Non azzardarti (Don't you dare)..." I turned around in anger to look at the man right in his eyes. "You cannot lay a hand on my son anymore. He's the heir now. He will be protected at all times."

          "That is why you suddenly agreed to be la tegina (the queen)? So that the title of the crown prince would protect him?" His conceited smirk was a stab right through my soul as he caressed my cheek with a finger. "And here I thought it was Marsilia who forcefully convinced you for her own plans."

          I pushed his touch away and let a tear slip down my cheek. "I lied to Leo because of you. I should've told him that our son was alive when I was rescued. I should've told him about you."

          "If you would've opened your mouth even a little, your son would be getting a lot more than a small scar on his head this time. You know that."

          With my quivering lips, I stepped away from the man and his minions that knocked my bedroom door earlier to distract Leo. "Leo will know who you are and he will rip you apart."

He snorted. "He has no way of knowing. You're the only link who can talk and after what you've done today..." He shook his head whilst clicking his tongue. "Grab her!"

"No!" I stopped his goons from coming any further. "I'd rather die than go back into captivity."

"Is that so?" He halted the steps of his minions at once and waited for my response curiously.

"I've gotten everything I needed and now I can finally go."

          "You wish to kill yourself?"

          "I wish to end my suffering." The tears that pooled down my face were more of relief than sadness. "To live is painful. I hoped your attacks on me during the wedding festivities were successful, but they unfortunately weren't. Death is my only salvation. I will finally be with my mamma and Piero."

          With their eyes intently watching me, I delved into my pocket for a small vial. I braced myself and gulped the clear liquid down at once without wasting another second. It only tasted odd at first before it started working on my system and buckled my knees.

          "Riposa in pace, ragazzina (Rest in peace, little girl)."

          The men left me on my own to deal with the excruciating pain my insides were in due to the poison. I laid on the cold floor and saw my entire life flash before my eyes. The good and bad both raced past my vision. I could finally go knowing that Leo met our son. He would be left in pain because of me once again, but I knew he'd get past it easily the second time. He had to. I held onto life for years, but I couldn't do it anymore. For me, this was my perfect ending where I knew I was leaving my son and my love in good hands.

As blackness slowly began to creep into my vision, I saw a blurry figure in the distance that quickly became clear the closer it got.

Leo...

"Verona!" he yelped in a panic. "No, no, no, no, no. Hey, just stay with me." Holding me close to his chest, he looked into my eyes with fear. "Why?"

I couldn't help but smile for the last time. "Sono libera (I'm free)."

When I attempted to lift my hand one last time to touch him, life finally lost the battle against death and ended my misery once and for all.

It was finally over...

———————————————————

And there you have it. RIP Verona Bivertiti/Bonferroni.

How do you guys feel now?

Did your views change about Verona?

Majority hated her guts from the very first moment and wanted her to be evil and well... that wasn't the case. But you got what you wanted, she's dead now.

Who was the man she was talking to at the end?

What do you think will happen now that Verona is gone?

How is Leo gonna handle this?

Who did Verona send the box to?

Do you think Athena will ever return?

I'm sure some of you have questions so list them here.

I don't have many questions to ask myself.

Also, the fiction awards 2019 are still open for nominations. If you enjoyed any of my books, I would appreciate your vote there.

Thoughts on Verona?

Leo?

Or Arie?

Further comments and questions are always welcome ❤️

HIT ME WITH THE THEORIES!

INSTAGRAM: reetilicious

Much love ❤️
~Reet