Chapter 20: Chapter 20 Loneliness and betrayal.
In another part of the penthouse, a violent outburst was tearing through the air between Mateo and his family. The already deformed man was seething with profound rage.
"How can you defend that monster?" Mateo ranted, smashing furniture and shattering everything within his reach.
Rosalie had stepped in with Gianna, both trying to calm her broken son whose life had fallen apart after Adrian sliced off his fingers. That incident was unexpected—even Gianna, who usually sided with Adrian, couldn’t believe her stepbrother was capable of doing such a thing to someone close to him.
"I’m sure it was a mistake, brother. He couldn’t just cut off your hands... I believe in him," Gianna said blindly.
At this, Rosalie froze, astonished. Had Adrian charmed her? Because at this point, her daughter’s behavior was abnormal. How could anyone trust a beast like Adrian so blindly? To Rosalie, that man had no heart. Maybe Ricardo’s merciless training during Adrian’s childhood had shaped him into this ruthless creature, but whatever the reason, Adrian only seemed to get worse.
"Do you hear yourself? For once, can you use your brain? Can’t you see that monster is using you?" Mateo’s fury flared. With his good hand, he smashed a glass against the wall.
Gianna flinched at the violence aimed in her direction. She had always been called naïve because of her devotion to Adrian. They weren’t even blood siblings, only step-siblings, but she adored him. Her family, however, was growing irritated by her refusal to accept the truth.
"He isn’t using me! And I’m eighteen already, I can make my own decisions. Mom, talk to him. Mateo should give Adrian one last chance. He’ll come back." Gianna pleaded, trying to hold her family together. Deep down, she knew what would happen if Adrian discovered their rebellion. If he didn’t kill someone, it would be a miracle—and miracles were less than zero percent possible with him.
Mateo boiled with anger just hearing his sister’s forbidden words. Why was Gianna like this? Had she ever even been close to Adrian like she was now?
No!
Yet she chose someone unstable, time and time again. Mateo was done being used. Done being powerless.
He would destroy Adrian. He would bring down everything Adrian owned and burn that mafia headquarters to the ground—even if it killed him. Better to die fighting than return to being that homeless boy with nothing.
Clutching his bandaged, fingerless arms, Mateo collapsed to the floor, tears streaming. Nobody could understand the pain he was drowning in, and his own sister still wasn’t supporting him.
"I’m sorry, Matt. Forgive me, brother, it’s just—" Gianna began, but Mateo shoved her so hard she stumbled onto broken glass. A shard pierced her shoe, cutting deep into the soft flesh of her leg.
"Get out of my sight! Your betrayal disgusts me—I don’t ever want to see your face again!" Mateo spat, clutching his ruined arms.
Rosalie, watching both of her children in pain among the wreckage, chose to kneel by Mateo, pulling him into a tight embrace.
"Mom is sorry. I know you’re hurting, but don’t worry. Your time will come. You’ll get your revenge—it will be served hot," Rosalie whispered, patting his back and turning away from Gianna.
Gianna limped as she tried to stand, blood trickling from her wound. She hopped toward the door, her heart heavy. This wasn’t the first time her mother had chosen Mateo over her—he was a boy, the heir, while she was seen as nothing more than a weak girl destined to be married off.
That was why she had clung to Adrian. He understood her in ways her family never did. In her loneliness, Adrian had been there in his strange, unsettling way. And now, her family had grown completely distant, plotting to destroy Adrian, the one person who had never let her feel alone.
Trembling, hot tears streamed down her cheeks. Why did Adrian have to be so brutal, so complicated? Couldn’t he change—for her?
As she limped down the hallway, wiping her tears, she overheard Ricardo on the phone. His voice was hushed, and his expression grim.
"He won’t dare attack. They don’t born him well enough to do that," Ricardo said, strangely calm even as his fists clenched.
But then his voice trembled. "No... we don’t have such inventors. And if what my son says is true, then we are finished."
Gianna froze, listening.
"If there isn’t a solution... what about a marriage alliance? Their son and my daughter. Yes, this could ensure peace." Ricardo’s tone shifted, almost gleeful.
"Really? It will work? Don’t worry—my Omega daughter is the best. She can bear as many children as they wish." Ricardo smiled, completely oblivious that someone was eavesdropping.
Gianna stumbled back, her heart racing. She was going to be sold off like a breeding cow.
"No... this can’t be my life." Her tears blurred her vision. Limping faster, holding the wall for support, she cried uncontrollably. She needed Adrian—just his hug, his words, would be enough. But blood trailed behind her with each step, and dizziness clouded her.
Just as she reached for a door, her strength gave out. She collapsed.
Jake, carrying a tray of milk and honey-sprinkled cookies, froze at the sight of Gianna. His pulse spiked, and the tray slipped from his hands, shattering against the floor.
"Gia! Are you okay? What happened?" he cried, rushing to her. His trembling hands scooped her up, eyes darting to the blood pouring from her feet. He felt the shards of glass stuck there, rage and fear flooding him.
Gianna, fighting exhaustion, reached out weakly, her lips curving into a faint smile.
"I never thought... you’d worry for me, Jake. Good to know you care..." Her voice faded as she slipped into unconsciousness.
"Oh, you didn’t..." Jake’s voice cracked with pain. Grim-faced, he carried Gianna in his arms, rushing her to the family clinic—completely forgetting Adrian’s breakfast.
******
Back in Adrian’s room, the scene shifted to the glowing bathroom.
"Let’s get that fabric off your feet. We don’t want it getting too comfortable," Adrian’s husky voice rolled out, sinful as ever.
"You might get cold, so these pants will have to go." Like a man on autopilot, he began unzipping Daniel’s trousers.
Daniel’s body, cold from dread, suddenly flared with heat.
"No! I’ll undress myself. You don’t want to see what’s down there," Daniel warned, fear twisting into worry. The last thing he needed was Adrian starting something erotic again—especially with his pheromones threatening to spiral. Why did it feel like his heat wasn’t over yet? His body tingled, warning him, his forehead burning and his stomach gnawing as though something clawed inside.
"Don’t panic. What haven’t I seen before? It’s not like you don’t enjoy me licking your dick like candy."
Daniel’s whole body flushed, his cheeks burning crimson. Adrian’s cinnamon-scented pheromones overwhelmed him, intoxicating and suffocating.
No! This isn’t happening again. I won’t let it.
"You don’t like being sucked by daddy like a lollipop?" Adrian taunted.
Before Daniel could react, Adrian had already unzipped his pants completely. A swift hand slid inside without warning, gripping Daniel’s dick and massaging it with a slow, deliberate touch.