Book One
Aria Rossi grows up is in a family war between her family and the Violante's. This story follows her journey as a young sheltered child through the challenges that arise ahead.
Lies, loyalty, deceit, ambition, pain, trust, love, and fami...
I skip around during the time frame in this part. During Aria's time with Xander, these are just some scenes I imagined. TW's in this chapter!
ARIA POV
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It had been two days since Sierra was born. Zayn was needed back at work so he flew out earlier today, having texted that he had landed safely. I sat in the chair quietly, watching the night staff come on and there were only four because it was a Saturday. I hum softly, watching Sierra. She was finally sleeping after a hard day with the constant tests and tubes around her.
The door slides open and a new male nurse comes in, walking over to Sierra. "Are you running more tests?" I ask, frowning a little. It was late, almost 11 pm and I was told that she was finished for the day. He ignores me, reaching for her oxygen tube, pinching it between his fingers. Panic surges in me and I stand up, pushing him away from my daughter with all my might. He growls and grabs me hard, shoving me back. I fall hard, rolling. "Leave her alone!" I shriek. "Please!"
"Aria Rossi," Xander says. I whip my head around and stare at my abuser. Immediately, my body responds. My breath was coming quicker, my heart rate picked up, and I felt sweat appear all over my body. "I thought I'd find you here, Aria. Who is this little thing?" He walks over to Sierra's crib, looking down at her.
"No no no no no no no!" My heart raced as he approached her, "Get away from her!" I cry, standing up as quickly as my healing body would allow. I was not supposed to move quickly but I did not want him near my daughter. I took a few steps but the male nurse grabbed me hard.
He laughs deeply and comes back, towering over me. "You know better than that, Aria!" He growls, smiling but it did not reach his eyes. "Leave us, Lawrence. If you disobey me one more time tonight, he will return and hurt little Sierra."
I inadvertently let a small noise in the back of my throat out. "W-what are you doing here, Xander?" I demand.
The smile drops from his face and with the speed of a bullet, he grabs the back of my hair, yanking my head back. I hit him but he grabs my wrist tightly in a bruising grip. "Don't speak to me like that!" He snarls. "Address me correctly!" I cried out and his grip tightened, pulling a few hairs from the root. "Now!"
"Sir!" I scream, my voice cracking.
He grunts and lets me go. I tremble, grabbing onto the crib for support. Behind him, I searched for other nurses on staff but there was no one. I was alone here with him. "Good," He murmurs softly. "You left me, Aria. I was in prison for a few weeks but even with your testimony, they could not keep me any longer." He walks behind me and I feel my hands shaking. "When I got out, I tried to find you but you were gone. Totally gone. I don't like chasing down what is rightfully mine!" His hands fall onto my shoulders and he pushes me down. My knees hit the ground hard and I throw my hands out to catch myself. Xander walks around, crouching in front of me. "Here's what is going to happen, Aria. You're going to do what I say for the next hour and I won't hurt that little child. If you're bad, well... I'm sure you can figure out what will happen."
