My Mafia Fiancé’s Fake Bride

After seeing the intimate wedding photos of my fiancé and his adoptive sister, I ordered them a custom wedding gift and decided to end the engagement.I sent the message, then turned to leave the bridal shop.Suddenly, a heavy lighting rig from a nearby photography set came crashing down."Ah!" I flinched back. The sharp metal edge scraped my arm, and blood welled up instantly."Are you okay?" Caius’s voice. But he wasn’t running to me.He was shielding the girl who’d "accidentally" knocked it over, frantically checking her for injuries.Fiorella leaned against his chest, her eyes wide and teary as she stared at my bleeding arm."Ilaria, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to," she whispered, her voice was a fragile whisper, like it might shatter on the wind.It was obvious. She’d knocked it over while fooling around with Caius.I looked at Caius’s worried face, and my heart ached for a split second.Then I pressed down on the cut. Blood seeped through my fingers. I watched it, feeling the las

I walked towards Caius’s apartment, holster in hand.My phone buzzed. A new social media post.I tapped it open and froze.It was a selfie of Fiorella, filling the whole screen.She was smiling sweetly, a massive diamond necklace around her neck, each stone blindingly brilliant.The caption: "Thank you to the man I love most for the most precious gift in the world."I stopped walking, staring at that necklace.I’d never seen anything so extravagant, so dazzling.Even with my limited knowledge of jewelry, I knew it had to be worth a fortune.I screenshotted it and sent it to my friend Renata, who deals in high-end luxury."Any idea what this is worth?"Renata replied almost instantly. "Oh my god! Isn't that the main piece from last month's underground auction? Natural pink diamond necklace. The bidding started at ten million! It probably sold for close to thirty!"Thirty million.The strength drained from my legs.Then, Renata sent another picture."Oh, and that necklace came with a 'gi

"Ilaria, you listen to me," Caius's voice came through the phone, full of his usual dominance. "No one will ever treat you as well as I did."I let out a cold laugh. "Treat me well?""I gave you the best of everything," he said, his tone dripping with entitlement. "A top-tier education, a life of luxury, a look into real high society. Without me, you'd still be a broke art student slinging paint in some dead-end gallery.""So I should be grateful?""You should know your place," his voice turned to ice. "Ilaria, don't make me come to New York and drag you back myself."I was about to answer when Fiorella's cheerful voice cut in."Caius! You're back! I thought you'd be in New York for much longer!"His tone instantly softened. "I told you I'd come back for you soon."The same old story.I knew what would happen next. He'd whisper sweet nothings to her, hang up on me, and run to his precious little stepsister.I didn't want to hear another word.I hung up and blocked his number.Staring a

Caius and Fiorella tumbled to the ground in a heap."Drive," I told the driver."Wait!" Caius scrambled to his feet. "Ilaria!"The window rolled up, cutting off his voice.I watched their soaked figures shrink in the rearview mirror without a single flicker of emotion.Back in Chicago, my father met me at the airport."My girl," he said, pulling me into a tight hug. "Welcome home."Caesar bounded toward me, nearly knocking me over. He licked my face, his tail wagging like a propeller."Did you miss me, boy?" I said, wrapping my arms around his thick neck.He whimpered, as if telling me how long I'd been gone.The warmth of home surrounded me. This was real love—unconditional and free.The next day, Renata called."Ilaria, I am so sorry," she said, her voice full of guilt. "I didn't know it was a setup. Caius threatened to shut down my restaurant if I didn't help him.""It's not your fault," I said, sunbathing on my balcony. "You were a victim too.""Are you okay?""I'm great. Never bee

Elena arrived to find us in a standoff."Fiorella, move," her voice was steel."Mrs. Falcone, you can't let her in!" Fiorella pleaded. "She'll hurt him!""I said, move," Elena's tone grew colder.Fiorella reluctantly stepped aside.Elena pushed the door open. Caius was lying on the bed, pale as a ghost.He heard the door and slowly turned his head.When he saw me, a desperate light ignited in his eyes."Ilaria..." His voice was barely a whisper.Fiorella stormed into the room and pointed a finger at my face."You bitch!" she shrieked, her face a gargoyle mask of rage. "You did this! He's like this because you left him!""You knew he loved you, and you still abandoned him! You're a selfish whore!"I looked at her hysterical performance, and something inside me finally snapped.Seven years of buried anger erupted.My Prada bag was already in motion. It connected with her face with a satisfying WHACK.Fiorella stumbled backward."You hit me?"I didn't answer. I swung again.WHACK!Her fac