Chapter 65. The Anticipation

Riccardo’s own brother had turned against him, using his powerful connections to manipulate government officials against us. Suddenly, we were facing a resistance even stronger than any rival mafia faction, one that threatened to bring down everything we had built together.

As the pressure mounted and Riccardo struggled to navigate this complex web of political intrigue, I found myself forced into the shadows, kept away from the prying eyes of those who would use me as leverage against him.

For what felt like an eternity, I lived isolated, my only solace coming from stolen moments with Riccardo as he snuck into my room under cover of darkness. In those brief moments, we would hold each other desperately, silently affirming our love in the midst of all the turmoil.

It was one particularly lonely night when Riccardo came to me, his face etched with pain and desperation. Our enemies had cornered him, he explained, and they were closing in fast. With tears in his eyes,