Matteo, Leonardo, and Alessandro, the powerful owners of De Angeli Enterprises, are in their early thirties and have built a fearsome reputation worldwide. Known for their ruthlessness and ambition, these men have amassed wealth and influence by tak...
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Yulia had lost track of time in the shower. The water, once warm and soothing, had long since cooled, but she hadn't noticed until her skin was wrinkled and her fingers pruned. She stayed there, letting the steady flow of water cascade over her, as if it could wash away the weight of the day, the overwhelming emotions that had piled up inside her. Her thoughts were tangled, and the sound of the water felt like the only thing keeping her grounded. But eventually, she had to leave the sanctuary of the shower, and reality came rushing back.
She dried herself slowly, as though moving too fast would shatter her already fragile sense of control. She wrapped the towel tightly around her, her breath shaky as she stared at herself in the foggy bathroom mirror. Her reflection seemed distant, like a version of herself she no longer recognized—vulnerable, exposed, overwhelmed. Finally, she stepped out of the bathroom, the cool air of the bedroom brushing against her damp skin. The clock on the bedside table read 10 p.m. Not that late, but to her, it felt like the day had stretched on for an eternity.
Yulia pulled on her pajamas, the soft fabric clinging to her chilled skin as she climbed into bed. She lay there, staring at the ceiling, the lights still on. She didn't want to turn them off, didn't want to be alone in the darkness with her thoughts. She bit her bottom lip, her fingers gripping the edge of the blanket, the familiar wave of nervousness washing over her.
She wanted to go to them. She missed them—desperately. The need to be near them, to feel their warmth, to lose herself in the safety of their embrace was almost unbearable. But the fear of rejection gnawed at her. She had asked for space, for time to figure things out, and she had pulled away from them. What if they didn't want her there anymore? What if she had pushed them too far?
But even with that fear, the longing was stronger. The thought of being apart from them tonight, knowing she was leaving soon and not knowing when—or if—she would get another chance like this, made her heart ache. She needed them. She needed their comfort, their presence, if only for tonight.
Taking a deep breath, she threw the covers aside and quietly slipped out of bed. The house was dark and silent, the only sound her soft footsteps as she padded down the hallway. The air felt heavier here, as if the weight of everything that had happened lingered in every corner of the unfamiliar house. She didn't know which room they were in, or if they were together. Back at the main house, she had noticed they often slept in their own rooms, but sometimes, they'd come together and share a bed. She hoped that tonight, they were all together.
She reached one of the doors, her heart pounding as she knocked softly, the sound barely audible in the stillness. When no response came, she hesitated for a moment before gently turning the doorknob and pushing the door open. The room was bathed in soft moonlight, casting long shadows across the floor. Her eyes slowly adjusted to the darkness, and there they were—lying together, tangled in each other's warmth.
Matteo was in the middle, his body relaxed but his face still holding a tension that didn't quite disappear, even in sleep. Alessandro was curled next to him, holding Matteo's hand loosely, while Leonardo spooned him from behind, his arm draped protectively over Matteo's body. The sight sent a wave of emotion crashing over Yulia—comfort, longing, and a deep ache to be part of that closeness. They looked so peaceful, so intertwined, and she felt a pang of uncertainty about whether she belonged there, too.
