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Chapter 4
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Open Marriage Closed Heart Chapter 10
In the three days after the summit, Damien went completely insane.He had lost his family, his fortune, and his power.Most importantly, he had lost me.Julian's network told me Damien had locked himself in a rundown safe house, drinking himself blind and talking to the walls."It's all her fault," he repeated, over and over. "It's all that bitch's fault."But he wasn't talking about me.He was talking about Sophia.On the fourth night, gunfire echoed from the docks.Julian and I were in the main house study, planning the family's restructuring, when Marco burst in."Boss, there's a problem!" he panted. "A body was found at Pier 12."Julian frowned. "Whose?""Sophia Ricci."A silent understanding passed between us."Details," Julian commanded."Three shots. Two to the chest, one to the head," Marco said, wiping sweat from his brow. "The kill was professional. But the cleanup…""But what?""They left the Castellano family's signature. A white rose and their family crest."I almost laugh
Open Marriage Closed Heart Chapter 9
Two weeks later, the Five Families Summit convened.The top floor of the city's most luxurious hotel was locked down. The five Dons sat around a massive oval table, each flanked by two bodyguards.Damien sat at the head of the table, a king presiding over the ruins of his kingdom.Without the assets I took back, the Falcone family was facing a financial crisis. Three smaller families were already reconsidering their allegiance."Gentlemen," the old Don Benedetti began, "today we discuss the matter of the Falcone family's leadership."Damien's face soured. "What matter? I am the rightful—""This isn't about your name, Damien," Benedetti cut him off. "It's about your judgment."Across the table, the other Dons were grim."Eight million dollars in losses in two weeks," said Don Russo. "Three key piers under federal surveillance, five core members arrested. Damien, you owe us an explanation.""It was Sophia Ricci's mistake—""A mistake you enabled," another Don shot back. "Her mistake is
Open Marriage Closed Heart Chapter 8
The call came at four in the morning, waking me from a dead sleep."What is it?" I answered, pretending to be groggy."Ma'am, it's a disaster!" Marco's voice was panicked. "The FBI just raided Pier 2!"I sat up, putting on a shocked voice no one could see. "What?""The Neptune was seized, all the cargo confiscated. And three of our guys were arrested.""How bad are the losses?""At least five million. Not counting legal fees and bail," Marco's voice trembled. "The Boss is losing his mind. He wants to see you.""I'm on my way."I hung up the phone. A cold smile touched my lips.The trap had been sprung.The meeting room at the main house was in chaos.The elders were gathered around the long table, every face dark as a thundercloud.Damien stood in the middle of the room, his face pale, his eyes bloodshot.Sophia was huddled in a chair in the corner, her eyes red and swollen from crying."Isabella!" Damien stormed over to me the second I walked in. "Do you know what happened?""Marco to
Open Marriage Closed Heart Chapter 7
Three days later, Damien came to my room himself.He wore a pristine navy suit and a fake, benevolent smile.Clearly, he had recovered from the shock of the meeting and was ready to proceed with his plan."Isabella, we need to talk.""There's nothing to talk about." I kept arranging books on the nightstand, not looking at him."The family needs stability," he said, pacing. "The elders need to see that we're a united front.""United?" I laughed coldly. "You mean you need me to play along with your charade?""I mean you need to help Sophia adjust to her new role."I finally looked up at him. "What new role?""Taking over your former assets," Damien said, his tone serious. "The casinos, the port operations, the legitimate investments—she needs guidance.""You want me to guide the woman trying to replace me?""I want you to guide a novice who needs to learn," Damien said, walking toward me. "Isabella, this is good for everyone. You show your grace, Sophia gets help, and the family remains
Open Marriage Closed Heart Chapter 6
After the meeting, I was "escorted" back to the manor.Two of Damien's men stood outside my door. They called it protection. I called it a cage.The room was still a wreck.Elena and Sophia's people had removed most of my things, leaving only what they deemed "unimportant."I sat on the edge of the bed. The cabinet where my mother's music box once sat was now just a hollow, empty space. After it was shattered that day, I never saw the pieces again. They were just… gone. I squeezed my eyes shut, fighting the familiar sting behind them. I refused to let a single tear fall. In my mind, I could still hear its ghostly melody. A song I thought I'd never hear again. A knock at the door shattered the quiet grief. "Come in."It wasn't a guard. It was Julian.He wore a black suit and held a small velvet box.His gaze drifted to the empty cabinet, lingering for a moment before meeting mine."How did you get in?" I asked."Your husband's men know better than to stop me," Julian said, clo
Open Marriage Closed Heart Chapter 5
The air in the hall turned to ice.Damien's eyes shot between me and the man he called his uncle."Isabella…" he choked out my name. "I'm asking you a question! Why are you with my uncle?!"He lunged for me, but his uncle moved, placing himself between us. A silent, solid wall."You," Damien spat, his rage turning on his uncle. "An exile. You dare touch my wife?""Damien," the man's voice was terrifyingly calm. "Get a grip. You were looking for her all night, weren't you? I found her.""Found her?" Damien scoffed, his eyes burning into me. "In your bed?"I finally spoke, my voice raw. "And where did you want me to be, Damien?"I stared back at him, my gaze like steel. "In the house your mistress's mother destroyed? Or on my knees, picking up the shattered pieces of my mother's memory for your 'guests'?"My questions were a slap across his face.All the color drained from his cheeks.He had no argument. So he fell back on the one thing he had left. Power."Marco!" he roared at his man.
