Ayla

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The ballroom was already alive by the time we arrived.

Soft music drifted through the air, blending with quiet laughter and the clinking of glasses. Women in elegant dresses moved like they belonged here. Graceful, composed, untouchable.

I felt none of that, after so many years I still felt out of place in events like this even if we were practically the one’s hosting it.

My hand tightened slightly around the edge of my purse as Stefano led me inside, his presence commanding as always.

“Stay close,” he muttered under his breath and

I almost laughed not because it was funny but because it was ironic.

Stay close.

As if I had a choice.

As if I hadn’t always been exactly where he wanted me to be, well except that night but that was only because he didn’t care.

I showed my perfected fake smile as a few familiar faces turned in our direction. Eyes lingering a second too long. Whispers followed as usual. They were always watching.

Always judging but I have learnt over the years not to care, atleast for my sanity.

Stefano didn’t stop to greet anyone, his focus already shifting to the group of men across the room. Business. Power. Control.

That’s all that mattered to him.

Not me.

Never me, especially now that he was assigned more power by becoming the present leader of the Bratva.

“I see Rosa and Beth,” I said quietly. “May I be excused?”

He glanced at me briefly, irritation written on his face but since we were out in the public he was being very lenient, with a scowl on his face he gave a short nod.

“Don’t wander too far.”

I smiled sweetly. “Of course.”

I quickly turned before he could say anything else, walking away with practiced movement but not before noticing Viktor by the bar, his gaze dragging over me in a way that made my skin crawl.

I ignored him because he didn’t deserve my time and also because I was used to being watched.

As I approached Rosa and Beth, I noticed a small group of women gathered nearby, their voices low but not low enough or maybe it wasn’t low enough because they wanted me to hear.

“…she really has the nerve to show up like she already owns this place…”

“…men like Stefano always choose the wrong women…”

“…it’s only a matter of time…”

“……what a waste, she knows nothing about power…”

Walking past them I smiled because that’s what I did best.

“They never get tired, do they?” Beth muttered as she stepped beside me.

“Let them talk,” I replied gently. “It’s good for my image.”

Rosa gave me a look one that said she didn’t believe me for a second but she didn’t push.

“How are you holding up?” she asked instead, her hand resting gently on my shoulder.

The small gesture drew attention.

More eyes.

More whispers. Don’t they ever get tired?.

“Smile,” I murmured under my breath. “People are staring.”

Beth smirked. “I thought you liked that.” I elbowed her lightly. “Not tonight.” Her expression softened slightly.

“Any news?” I asked, lowering my voice. “We need to handle this… quickly.”

Rosa’s hand tightened around mine.

That alone told me everything.

My chest went cold.

“He’s out of business,” she said quietly. “From what I’ve heard… your husband had something to do with it.” My stomach dropped, Of course he did.

“There has to be another option,” I said, surprised at how calm I sounded.

Rosa hesitated. “I think we should leave the city.”

Beth let out a quiet scoff. “Leave? And go where? You know how this works.”

“I know exactly how it works,” Rosa shot back, her voice low but firm. “That’s why I’m saying it now.”

Something about her tone made my pulse quicken.

This wasn’t just concern.

This was fear.

Before I could respond, two men passed behind us, their conversation low but clear enough to hear.

“-heard Moretti is in the city tonight.”

“Moretti?” the other man repeated. “That’s not possible.”

“That’s what I thought,” the first replied. “But if it’s true….. this isn’t just business anymore.”

“Who is Moretti? And why do people sound bothered about his presence?” Beth asked and apparently i wasn’t the only one that had been listening to the passive conversation.

“No clue, but I know Stefano hates him, literally all the made men hate him” I responded.

I had heard Stefano on calls cursing out the person Moretti, I have never seen anyone that makes his blood boil like Moretti. To be honest it made me happy to think that there was actually someone that scared my husband.

“Ayla!?”

“Sorry, I got lost in my thoughts, what’s up?” I asked Rosa who was looking at me with a frown.

“How don’t you know Moretti? Doesn’t your husband tell you anything?”

“He doesn’t actually and I am glad, atleast he has spared me from looking frightened like those men” I pointed to the people that just passed us.

“Anyways back to what’s important, what do we do?”

“Ask around?” Rosa shrugged her shoulders and Beth shook her head.

“No, we can’t trust anybody to keep their mouth shut, I know a few women who know about these things but we can’t tell anyone”

I agree, telling people will only make things worse especially now that I had more power in my grasp, atleast that’s what people think, I’d become an even bigger target for gossip.

I never knew it was possible to have one's world come crashing down twice in a week but boy was I screwed.

"No other option?" I asked, surprised at how calm my voice sounded.

"I suggested we leave the city" Beth said and I shook my head.

"That is too much attention, we need another alternative" Rosa added.

While they argued on the best thing to do my mind drifted to another possible solution that maybe, just maybe I could get Stefano to sleep with me tonight, I didn't like the idea but it was close to my best bet, it could be like a celebratory sex.

God, I’m definitely loosing my mind.

"If I can't get rid of this, I'm pinning it on Stefano" I said and both girls went quiet, too quiet that It made me realize that I had spoken outloud and I was loud!.

Fuck me!.