Episode 002
923 Words
Sera pov
I'm pushing the cart through the grocery store's aisles, seeing my little girl laugh and clap her hands excitedly. Livia is two years old now, and she has inherited her father's stubbornness. She doesn't resemble me much except for her light eyes and the shape of her lips. Her blonde hair hangs beautifully, and her nose shape is excellent, and that temper? She gets that from him.
Certainly, Livia, we need to complete our shopping first. Then we'll go to the park. She kicks her legs and claps again, her face full of joy. I smiled, bending down to kiss her head. She's the sole world.
I left home more than three years ago. I left everything I knew three years ago. The man who sired my child wounded me in ways that I can never forget. I never had the opportunity to tell him he would be a dad. Another woman, who was already in a relationship with him, informed him before I had the chance to do so. I could not let my parents know either. That would have triggered a war between our families.
My father runs the Carvallo empire, and my mother heads the Ventresi cartel. I am their only daughter, the princess of a united empire. My twin brother, Tavio, was to succeed Carvallo, and I was to succeed Ventresi. My younger brother, Rafe, would be on the cartel side. All of this came to an abrupt end when I departed. I was twenty-one, pregnant, rejected, and alone. I was too afraid to ask for help, too ashamed to be a burden.
I had to manage everything by myself. It wasn't straightforward to begin again in a new town, living for me and the little life within me. I blew my savings on a small apartment, purchased what we needed, and put the rest into a dilapidated bar.
I changed my name, and I never looked back. The bar is doing well. Eclipse is the name of the place where I found peace. The town is a tourist attraction at the lake; it is busy in the summer and snowy in the winter. People may come and go, but my presence is permanent.
Although the house is not as grand as the Carvallo mansion, it feels like home to me. It has a white fence and a blue door. Although it may not appear fancy from the outside, the interior is witty and modern. Upstairs, there are three bedrooms. Livia has a room of her own next to mine. Life is quiet and safe.
She wants for nothing. I brought the groceries in and put Livia down with her toys. At that very moment, Vito bursts in, tail wagging. Livia laughs, running to him. I got Vito when I was pregnant. They grew up together. Big and gentle, even if he drools everywhere and thinks he's when I say no.
My phone rings. I took it out of my pocket, and Fiore is calling. I groan. Fiore has asked me to work tonight, but I'm unsure if she wants me to take on her shift once more. That man of hers, Bruno, is always getting into trouble.
I sat on the couch and watched Livia and Vito play.
"Hey," Iore, what's what I say?"
"Hey," Era, sorry to interrupt you, but Bruno left me, and I cannot find a babysitter. I rolled my eyes. I would be rich if I had a dollar for each time that happened.
"Alright," I'll die at night, but we must discuss this. You can't do this."
"I" size, I'll fit. Thanks, Sera."
After the call, I sighed, looking at Livia—time to take her to the park before work. I pick up Vito, and he runs off to get it. I pick up Livia, and we prepare.
Are we prepared for the park? "I am."
Like a board, she giggles when I strap her into the stroller. She consistently brings me joy.
I call Mrs. Signora, who loves Livia as her own. She offers to help with the babysitting.
A few hours later, Livia is exhausted. Livia has been fed and bathed and is now ready for bed. Mrs. Signora comes just in time, and I go to work.
Tonight, the bar is bustling with patrons. The shift will pass quickly. I smile and greet some locals, and then I go behind the counter.
The night proceeds smoothly until it begins to calm down. I tell Dario I'm going to the office if he needs me.
I head to the office to complete some paperwork, only to find myself lost in the process. Suddenly, a voice calls me back.
"Sera," we need you at the bar."
I resist the request, but I sense that something is wrong. The music is louder, and the laughter is rougher. My stomach twists as I leave.
Then I see them.
The Princes of Darkness MC. Their attire consists of black leather jackets with white stitching. The Harley features a red devil patch adorned with wings. This is the same club with which my family is affiliated.
What are they doing here?
And then I see him.
His blue eyes, as cold as ice, stared directly at me. He is the man who broke my heart, the man who betrayed me in front of my eyes, the man I fled from—the father of my daughter.
Enzo "Viper" Roma.
My breath stops, and my heart beats. This isn't a surprise. It's a king.
- Writer
