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Chapter 5

Author: Lilia
That voice cut through the store, and the air froze.

I turned slowly. Giovanni stood in the doorway. He wore a dark, custom-tailored suit, simple and unadorned, yet it radiated an authority that demanded silence. Two bodyguards flanked him, but they remained outside as he alone stepped into the shop.

His gaze swept over the room, cold and assessing, before it landed on me, holding an intensity I couldn't begin to fathom.

The crowd parted for him like the sea, a path clearing as he strode toward me. He stopped at my side, his gaze falling on the emerald necklace on the counter. "You like this one?"

It was the first time I had ever been this close to him. The rumors painted him as a cold and ruthless man, but standing before me now, I felt an unshakable, profound calm emanating from him. My cheeks warmed slightly as I answered softly, "I was planning to purchase it for you, Giovanni."

The barest hint of a smile touched his lips, and the cold severity of his face softened for an instant.
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  • He Chose Another, Now He Calls Me Madre   Chapter 8

    After being publicly scolded, Chiara became the laughingstock of high society.On a rare visit to an exclusive club in the city center, I happened to run into her. She was dressed in a lavish Chanel suit, her hair dripping with jewels. The wild, untamed woman from a few months ago was gone, replaced by someone trying desperately to project an air of nobility.She smiled smugly. "You see, Alessia? I won in the end. Lorenzo still married me. I am his wife.""You always looked down on me, didn't you? Because I wasn't a 'proper' debutante. Well, who in this city would dare say I'm not worthy of Lorenzo now?""I know you all whisper behind my back, calling me shameless for having a shotgun wedding. So what? I'm the one on top. You are all beneath me."I stared at her pathetic display, her need for validation a sickness. "Chiara," I said softly, "do you really think this is winning?"My words seemed to strike a nerve. She shrieked, "What do you mean, 'winning'? I am the heir's wife! One day,

  • He Chose Another, Now He Calls Me Madre   Chapter 7

    She staggered back, her voice filled with despair. "But the whole city is saying Lorenzo wants to marry you! He went to his father and knelt all night, just to cancel his engagement to me!""So what does that make me? I hired an etiquette coach. I'm learning your ridiculous rules. But he still calls me crude. I'm a joke to all those society women. They say I'm not fit to be the heir's wife.""He was the one who said he liked my wild personality, that he loved how I wasn't like you stiff, boring debutantes. Now he says I have no manners and I'm an embarrassment. How is that fair?"She grew more agitated, her eyes suddenly glaring at me with raw hatred. "It's you! This is all your fault! What a vicious plan, marrying an old man just to get Lorenzo's attention. He only despises me because of you. If you were dead, he would love me! He wouldn't cancel our wedding!"Her hand darted for her boot, but before she could draw what was hidden there, a dark shape moved. Giovanni kicked her sharply

  • He Chose Another, Now He Calls Me Madre   Chapter 6

    Giovanni drove me around the city for a while, and by the time we returned to the Rossi estate, dusk had fallen. "Get some rest," he said softly. "I'll have the lawyers send the official marriage contract tomorrow."I watched his Rolls-Royce disappear into the night before turning to go inside. Just as I reached the porch, a hand shot out from the shadows and seized my arm."Alessia, you can't marry him."It was Lorenzo.I wrenched my arm free. "Lorenzo, our engagement is over. It's not appropriate for you to touch me."He took a step closer, cornering me against the stone balustrade. "Giovanni was shot years ago. The doctors said his body won't hold out for more than a few years. Are you marrying him just to be a widow?"Slap! The sound of my hand striking his face echoed in the quiet evening. I was seething. "How dare you. Even as the heir, you have no right to say such things! Giovanni is my fiancé. Once that contract is signed tomorrow, I will be the Don's wife. Whether he lives or

  • He Chose Another, Now He Calls Me Madre   Chapter 5

    That voice cut through the store, and the air froze.I turned slowly. Giovanni stood in the doorway. He wore a dark, custom-tailored suit, simple and unadorned, yet it radiated an authority that demanded silence. Two bodyguards flanked him, but they remained outside as he alone stepped into the shop.His gaze swept over the room, cold and assessing, before it landed on me, holding an intensity I couldn't begin to fathom.The crowd parted for him like the sea, a path clearing as he strode toward me. He stopped at my side, his gaze falling on the emerald necklace on the counter. "You like this one?"It was the first time I had ever been this close to him. The rumors painted him as a cold and ruthless man, but standing before me now, I felt an unshakable, profound calm emanating from him. My cheeks warmed slightly as I answered softly, "I was planning to purchase it for you, Giovanni."The barest hint of a smile touched his lips, and the cold severity of his face softened for an instant.

  • He Chose Another, Now He Calls Me Madre   Chapter 4

    The arms dealer began boasting everywhere, bragging that his daughter would soon be the family's matriarch and holding court at every gala. These businessmen only understood money; they had no grasp of true power dynamics. They made a lot of noise, believing they had already won.At one private party, the arms dealer had laughed and said, "What are these old families worth? Can they compare to my arms business? My network spans all of Europe. Even the Don has to consider my importance. Lorenzo marrying my daughter is a great honor for them."Word of this quickly reached the ears of Lorenzo's father. I heard he smashed several antique vases in his study. In the end, it was Isabella who restored order, telling the family with a frigid expression, "Forget it. Lorenzo was never my blood. If he wishes to destroy his own future, I cannot stop him."I had no time to concern myself with outside gossip. I was busy preparing my trousseau for my marriage to the Don.I took Maria to Bellacorte, th

  • He Chose Another, Now He Calls Me Madre   Chapter 3

    Isabella waved a dismissive hand. "I understand. I will speak to your father. Now, both of you, leave."Beaming, Lorenzo pulled Chiara from the room. Isabella turned her gaze to me. "Alessia, you will receive official word at your family home in a few days. Prepare yourself."My mother and I walked out of the estate. Just as we reached our car, Lorenzo stepped into our path.He confronted me, his face flushed with anger. "What did you say to my mother? I'm telling you, Chiara and I have already exchanged engagement rings. Don't even think about breaking us up!""I'll send someone to collect the ring I gave you. I know that losing the position of heir's wife is a blow, so I'll have some jewelry sent over as compensation. But you are forbidden from bothering me or my mother again."I wrenched my arm from his grasp. "Lorenzo, do you really believe that I, Alessia Rossi, am that desperate for you? That I need to scheme my way into your family? Rest assured, I am not that kind of woman, and

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