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Chapter 39
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2025-04-07 12:04:09
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Substitute Bride for the Mafia Donย ย ย Chapter 40
Riccardo A hush envelops the room. Bento raises an eyebrow, clearly taken aback. "Well, well. Looks like youโre more than just Riccardoโs wife. Our little princess is starting to think for herself?" I donโt reply to Bento; my gaze is fixed on Ava. She remains unfazed as his words linger in the air, simply meeting my stare, waiting for me to react. My chest tightens, anger simmering within me. Sure, Iโm secretly pleased sheโs digging into her fatherโs affairs, but she took that document without telling me. I suddenly stand, my chair scraping loudly against the floor as I slam my fist on the table. "You went through his stuff?" My voice is low, filled with a mix of anger and betrayal. "You put everything at risk by snooping in your fatherโs office?" Ava doesnโt flinch. She holds my gaze, her chest rising and falling as she takes a deep breath. "If you wonโt tell me whatโs really happening, then Iโll just have to find out myself." Steph, always the quiet one, gives me a look of app
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2025-04-08Substitute Bride for the Mafia Donย ย ย Chapter 41
Ava The atmosphere is heavy, filled with all the unspoken words hanging between us. The rest of the meeting was a whirlwindโvoices overlapping, tempers rising, and the truth about my father finally surfacing. Now, all I can focus on is the one thing I've been trying to dodge: Riccardo. His furious glare, the way his eyes seared into me when I stood up in front of everyone, and how heโs made it clear that I donโt belong in his life. And now, here we are, just the two of us in the office, the walls feeling like theyโre closing in. I can sense his anger even before he says anything, the heat radiating from him as he steps closer, fists clenched at his sides. "I donโt want you involved in this," he growls, his voice low but sharp. "This is my battle, Ava, not yours." I refuse to flinch. I wonโt. "I canโt just stand by while my fatherโ" I cut myself off, the sting of his betrayal rising in my chest, but itโs not new. Iโve come to realize that car accident was meant for me. I was suppos
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2025-04-08Substitute Bride for the Mafia Donย ย ย Chapter 42
Riccardo I'm leaning back in my chair, my eyes darting over the chaotic papers spread out before me, trying to piece together the current mess. It's lateโway past the hour when I should be winding downโbut the tension just keeps escalating. The Sterlings have been pushing into our territory way too much, and I'm fed up with it. Bento's voice breaks into my thoughts, low but laced with urgency. "I've tracked some Sterling guys to a club on the city's edge," he says, stepping into my office with a determined look. "They've been meeting there regularly, and there's a gathering tonight. If we act quickly, we can catch them off guard." I sit up straight, fully focused on him now. The tension in my chest tightens. We've been waiting for a chance to strike back, and this could be it. "Gather the men. Steph. We leave in an hour," I command, my voice steady and resolute. Bento nods sharply, his eyes glinting with a darker, eager intensity. I rise from my desk, my mind racing through the p
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2025-04-09Substitute Bride for the Mafia Donย ย ย Chapter 43
Ava I stroll through the warm breeze, inhaling the sweet fragrance of blooming flowers in the gardens, trying to push aside the chaotic thoughts swirling in my head. His kiss still lingers on my lips, but there's something else nagging at meโmaking me question if I truly know him at all. I can hear the gentle rustling of leaves and the soft hum of the day, yet all I feel is the heaviness of my thoughts. I married a man who can kiss me one moment and then act like it never happened the next. I loved how his lips touched mine. It was something I dreamed about for years and now that it finally happened, I felt afraid. Maybe it's because I am afraid he is only using me to replace Madeline? Or maybe it's because life has shown me what people can do to you. Then something caught my eyes. A quick movementโa glint of light from a camera lens peeking out from behind the hedge. I keep walking, but my heart skips a beat. Itโs one of the guards. A chill runs down my spine, and I canโt shake th
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2025-04-09Substitute Bride for the Mafia Donย ย ย Chapter 44
Ava The late afternoon sun streamed through my room's windows, casting a warm golden glow on the walls. Yet, despite the peaceful scene outside, my mind was in turmoil. I couldn't shake the images from the basementโthe blood, the screams, and the chilling intensity in Riccardo's gaze. It felt like I had uncovered a darker, more frightening side of him, and I was left wondering how someone could turn into that. He reminded me of my father. I hated what they did to people. The way they torture people is like it was some kind of sick, twisted joke. A sudden knock broke my train of thought, and before I could respond, Steph breezed in, dramatically closing the door behind her. "Ever heard of knocking?" I said with a hint of sarcasm as I turned to face her. "Not really my thing," she shot back, grinning as she flopped onto my bed and stretched out. "Besides, you've been sulking all day. I'm here to rescue you from your own thoughts." I let out a reluctant laugh, but it quickly faded.
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2025-04-10Substitute Bride for the Mafia Donย ย ย Chapter 45
Riccardo The house was still, except for the occasional creak of the aging walls. After the chaos of the last few days, the quiet was a relief, but sleep still eluded me. The sharp pain in my ribs from the bullet wound was nothing compared to the frustration swirling in my mind. I wandered into the kitchen, shirtless and clutching a glass of whiskey. The cool air brushed against my skin as I leaned against the counter, watching the amber liquid swirl. I should have been concentrating on the Sterlings, the mole we had to deal with, anything but her. But Ava kept invading my thoughts. I took another sip, my jaw tightening in irritation. She drove me crazyโher stubbornness, her defiance, her reckless tendency to put herself in harm's way. And then there was that kiss. Just thinking about her lips on mine sent a rush of emotions I couldnโt quite identify. The sound of soft footsteps pulled me from my thoughts. I turned to see Ava standing in the kitchen doorway. She wore a silk nigh
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2025-04-11Substitute Bride for the Mafia Donย ย ย Chapter 46
Ava I tried to brush it off. The kiss. The way he kissed me. The sensation of his lips, the way he held me as if I were his lifeline, like he was desperate and I was the only thing that could fill that void. Iโve fantasized about his lips for ages, and now that Iโve experienced them, I canโt get enough. But Iโd never confess that. Not to myself. Not to him. Dinner the next day was meant to be just another evening. But with Riccardo, nothing was ever just ordinary. I found myself sitting next to him at the long dining table, pretending to pay attention to the chat between Steph and Bento. They were going on about some mundane family business topic that didnโt interest me at allโbut I couldnโt focus. My thoughts kept circling back to that kiss. The intensity of it. The way his lips had taken mine, as if heโd been waiting for that moment, like he couldnโt hold back any longer. It was meaningless. So why did it feel like everything had shifted? I squirmed in my chair, trying to i
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2025-04-11Substitute Bride for the Mafia Donย ย ย Chapterr 47
Ava I opened my mouth to say something, but the words just wouldnโt come out. I wanted to express how much I wished to erase that kiss from my mind, yet my body had other ideas. Instead, I shot him a glare, trying to maintain my defenses. "Quit pushing me around," I said, though my voice felt weak against the tension building between us. He chuckled, but it wasnโt a lighthearted laugh. It was dark and tinged with bitterness. "Is that really what you think this is? Just me pushing you around?" He stepped closer, and I could feel the heat radiating from him. My breath caught, and for a second, I thought I might break down. But I held it together. "Weโre not doing this. Not again." He reached out, his fingers grazing my jaw and tilting my head up to meet his eyes. "Youโre lying," he murmured. "Youโre lying to yourself, to me, and to everyone else in this house." I grabbed his wrist and pulled his hand away from my face. "You think you can just touch me whenever you feel like it?" H
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2025-04-12
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Substitute Bride for the Mafia Donย ย ย Chapter 81
Ava 6 YEARS LATER I can't believe this is happening. My only friend, Judas, who I thought would be there for me during my toughest times, turned out to be the very monster I always feared. He actually put a gun in my face right in front of my kids and forced us into a van. I'm overwhelmed with so many emotions right now that I can't even pick one. I'm scared out of my mind, but I have to stay strong for my kids. I glance back at them from the front seat and see my little girl and boy terrified, clinging to each other, sometimes shutting their eyes tight when fear hits them. It makes me so angry and breaks my heart to see them like this; they shouldn't have to feel scared. Their big eyes are filled with tears, and their little cheeks are marked with tear tracks, just waiting for me to comfort them. Six years ago, I found out I was pregnant and hoped Riccardo would come back, but he never did. I waited two weeks before asking my brother to send him the divorce papers, and then I lef
Substitute Bride for the Mafia Donย ย ย Chapter 80
Ava I made my way to our shared bedroom, my steps purposeful, almost robotic. My hands shook as I opened the closet and without a second thought, I started yanking clothes off the hangers, tossing them into a suitcase. Jeans, shirts, dressesโeverything I could cram in, everything that reminded me of my life before this chaos. I didn't bother folding anything; I just stuffed it in, fueled by anger and frustration that made each action feel sharp and almost aggressive. I had no idea where I was headed, but I didn't care. I just needed to leave. I kept thinking about Riccardo. How indifferent he was. He probably wouldn't even realize I was gone until it was too late. He was too lost in his own turmoil, too wrapped up in his grief and anger. Even if he did notice, I knew he wouldn't try to stop me. He didn't want me. That realization stung more than I wanted to admit, but it was the truth. I was just another burden to him, a part of his life he couldn't be bothered to hold onto. He had
Substitute Bride for the Mafia Donย ย ย Chapter 78
AvaThe funeral felt like a haze of black and whiteโeveryone in dark suits and surrounded by white flowers, with faces that showed no emotion. People moved in and out of the church like they were part of a ritual they had to get through. The air was heavy with the smell of roses and incense, but all I could taste was a bitterness I couldn't quite place. Riccardo stood at the front, stiff and silent, like a stone statue. His jaw was so tight it looked like it might break. His dark eyes were cold and distantโcompletely detached. The man I had known just weeks before was gone. He had turned into someone else. A shadow. A ghost. Bento was next to him, staring at the coffin, his lips pressed together and his face pale. He hadnโt said a word since we got there. He was just a shell of the easygoing guy I used to know. His shoulders were slumped, and the usual spark in him was gone, buried under the heaviness of the day.Then there was Steph... she was a whole different story. She couldnโt ev
Substitute Bride for the Mafia Donย ย ย Chapter 77
Riccardo I poured myself another glass of whiskey, my hand steady even though a storm raged inside me. The burn slid down my throat, but it didnโt reach the numbness I was seeking. The bottle was nearly empty, sitting on the edge of my desk. Good. Iโd need another soon. The house was quiet now. Bento, Steph, AvaโI couldnโt be there. Not for them, not for anyone. Because if I stayed, Iโd shatter. I leaned back in my chair, staring at the ceiling. My motherโs face flashed in my mindโher gentle smile, the way sheโd squeeze my hand as a child, assuring me everything would be alright. She was the only softness in my life before I met my wife. I could still picture it vividlyโthe moment I found her. It was etched in my memory like an indelible scar.She was sprawled on the floor, her body lifeless and awkward, her skin as white as the marble in the hallway. It was baffling. I had never seen her like this before. She wasn't merely asleep, despite how I had tried to convince myself at first.
Substitute Bride for the Mafia Donย ย ย Chapter 76
AvaThe morning was pretty chill; I was in the kitchen with Virginia, chopping veggies and kneading dough while she kept an eye on me. She was humming softly, moving with such precision. โSignora Ava, you're improving,โ she said with a warm smile as I fumbled to shape the dough into a ball. I chuckled a bit. โIf by improving you mean 'not a total disaster,โ then sure, I'll take it.โ Virginia laughed and shook her head. โYou're doing great.โ Meanwhile Lucifer was wandering around the kitchen, occasionally bumping my leg with his nose. The whole scene felt almost too perfect, but I couldn't shake off the nagging feeling that had been hanging over me since the family dinner a few days back. Just as I was putting a pot on the stove, I heard Riccardo's footsteps. He walked in, phone in hand, looking serious. I was about to say hi, but he just walked past me, totally focused on the call he was making. โWhat is it?โ he snapped as soon as the other person picked up. His tone made me freeze,
Substitute Bride for the Mafia Donย ย ย Chapter 75
Ava The De Lucca estate was buzzing the next evening as the staff got ready for the family dinner. The grand dining room, usually so formal, felt cozy tonight, like everyone had decided to let their guards down for a bit. It had been weeks since we had a full family dinner, and tonight felt like a step back towards normalcy. We aimed for a peaceful evening, trying to bring the family together, even with the unspoken tension lingering in the air. The fine china was set for a meal that was supposed to be filled with chatter, laughter, and a sense of normal life. But there was a noticeable heaviness tonight, something we all felt but couldnโt quite put into words. I was the only one who seemed to notice it, a thick, suffocating presence. Everyone else was chatting and laughing, but my eyes kept drifting back to Riccardo. He sat at the head of the table, hardly touching his food, lost in thought. Yet his gaze was locked on me, tracking my every move, like a predator watching its prey.
Substitute Bride for the Mafia Donย ย ย Chapter 74
RiccardoI reached out and grabbed her wrist, pulling her closer. โTake it off,โ I commanded, my tone firm and non-negotiable. She paused, narrowing her eyes as if weighing her optionsโwhether to comply or resist. But I could see the flicker of something deeper in her gaze. It was a game, a challenge. Fear was gone; she was... thrilled. With a slow, teasing motion, she reached for the zipper on her dress. Her hands shook just a bit as she pulled the fabric down, revealing her smooth skin bit by bit. I couldn't take my eyes off her, feeling a primal urge rise within me. Her hesitation only fueled my desire. This wasnโt about submission for her. No, this was her taking control. She was undressing for me, but on her own terms, stretching out the moment, turning it into a tease rather than a surrender. When her dress pooled at her feet, leaving her in just lace, I let out a slow, appreciative breath. She was stunning, every curve an invitation, every inch a weapon. Standing tall, her ey
Substitute Bride for the Mafia Donย ย ย Chapter 73
RiccardoThe ride home was filled with an uncomfortable silence. The tension between us was so thick you could almost slice it. I could sense her next to me, her body rigid, her gaze fixed straight ahead, avoiding my eyes like she always did when she was upset. She was still mad about dinner and the argument we had. It didnโt matter that she had the guts to confront me in front of everyone; that just made me angrier, but I had to keep it togetherโnot just yet. I thought she might break the silence, try to get under my skin again. But Ava was keeping it cool, almost like she knew how much this quiet was eating away at me. It was her way of getting to me without saying a word. When we finally stopped outside the mansion, I didnโt even glance at her. I just slammed the door and walked ahead, fully aware she was right behind me. I didnโt want her to say anythingโnot yet. There were things I needed to sort outโthings she had to grasp. I led her through the dim hallway, skipping any small
Substitute Bride for the Mafia Donย ย ย Chapter 73
AvaRiccardo's eyes darkened as he let go of my wrist, shoving his hands into his pockets. His jaw was clenched so tight I thought it might snap. "You think you can just do whatever you want, don't you?" he spat, his voice a mixture of frustration and anger. "Teasing me with Vitoโflirting with him like thatโ in front of everyone."I felt a rush of heat that wasn't just from the wine. I tilted my head, my voice dripping with teasing sweetness. "What exactly did you expect? You didn't think I'd have a little fun?"His eyes narrowed, dark and furious, but I could see the tension in his shoulders, the way his lips pressed together, like he was trying to hold back something. "You're fucking testing me, Ava." I stepped closer, a small laugh escaping me. I lowered my voice, knowing how it would affect him. "Don't think for a secondI didn't notice. Annaโshe seemed pretty comfortable with you."His eyes flashed, and I could almost feel the heat radiating from him. "What the fuck are you talki
