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Chapter 63

Penulis: Marlize Beneke
last update Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-04-26 13:46:47
Riccardo

The waiting room felt like I was in hell. I was pacing the cold, clinical floor, my thoughts racing uncontrollably. Ava was in surgery, losing blood fast. I could still hear her screams and feel the warmth of her trembling body in my arms, my hands stained with her blood. Those images haunted me—the sound of her breath catching, the quiver in her voice as she fought to stay conscious. It wasn’t supposed to be this way. I was meant to keep her safe. Maybe I was a failure. My team of expert doctors had rushed her into surgery the moment we arrived, and they were working hard to save her. But with every tick of the clock, time felt like it was dragging on forever. “She’s losing too much blood,” the lead doctor had told me earlier, his tone heavy with determination. “We’re getting her ready for surgery, but… Don, it’s a critical situation.” Those words didn’t register. Not Ava. I couldn’t accept that. I wouldn’t lose her—not like this. I tried to suppress the guilt, the anger, t
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  • Substitute Bride for the Mafia Don   Chapter 99

    Riccardo I wake up to the soft sounds of the morning, momentarily forgetting where I am. The bed feels different. Last night was all about slowly rebuilding and those quiet family moments we shared. I turn my head gently, trying not to disturb her. Ava is next to me, her face calm in sleep, and for the first time in what feels like ages, the heaviness in my chest lightens a bit. She's here. Her red hair sprawls across the pillow, and her lips are slightly parted, her breathing calm. I feel an overwhelming urge to reach out and touch her, but I hold back, wanting to savor this moment. She's with me, after everything we've faced together. I still can't believe my luck. How is she willing to give us another shot? Deep down, I know I don't deserve it, yet here she is, right next to me, and the peace I feel after months of turmoil makes me want to cling to this moment forever. Her hand is just inches from mine, and I let my fingers hover near it, torn between wanting to move closer and n

  • Substitute Bride for the Mafia Don   Chapter 98

    Ava Today was the day I finally had to face it. As I drove into the De Lucca driveway, my heart was racing unexpectedly. It wasn't exactly fear, just a whirlwind of emotions I couldn't quite sort out. I wasn't sure how this visit would turn out, but I knew I had to go through with it. The kids were thrilled to see their dad again, and I totally understood why—they had missed out on six years with him. Once I parked, I helped the kids out, and as we walked through the front door, I paused for a moment, taking in the familiar yet different surroundings. The house was quiet when we entered, but soon I heard footsteps coming our way. "Ava!" Steph's voice was the first thing I heard. I smiled as she appeared in the hallway, her eyes wide with surprise, and then a warm grin spread across her face. Without hesitation, she rushed over and hugged me tightly. "I can't believe you're here," she said softly, stepping back to take a good look at me. "I've missed you." "I've missed you too," I r

  • Substitute Bride for the Mafia Don   Chapter 97

    AvaThe next day, I find myself in a quaint café, seated at a corner table while awaiting his arrival. My mind is racing as I prepare for what lies ahead. I am uncertain if I am ready for this encounter, yet the thought of not speaking with him feels like an opportunity lost—a chance to understand our current positions. When he enters, I hardly recognize him. He exudes greater confidence, his jaw is clean-shaven, and there is a newfound serenity in his gaze. He appears healthier, less weighed down by his past experiences. Clad in a black suit, he resembles the man I once knew, though there is an undeniable difference in him. The transformation is remarkable. As he approaches, I rise to greet him, and for a brief moment, an awkward tension envelops us. It has been a long time since we occupied the same space without the underlying strain. He offers a faint smile, though it does not fully reach his eyes. "Hello," he says softly. "You look... beautiful." I manage a faint smile, uncert

  • Substitute Bride for the Mafia Don   Chapter 96

    Ava It's been a few days since I read Riccardo's message, and I've been doing a lot of thinking since then. I've reflected on everything—us, him, my past experiences, and what I still have to deal with. The news about the pregnancy has been a heavy burden for me, something I didn't see coming, but now it feels like an undeniable part of my life. The stress had clouded my judgment so much that I didn't even recognize the signs until now. The nausea and fatigue all make sense now, but I really didn't want to accept it. The thought of being pregnant again, especially in these circumstances, is something I was dreading. But now that I know, there's no going back. I can't pretend it isn't happening anymore. As I sit on the couch, looking at Riccardo's text, the reality of it all starts to hit me. The time he's given me and the patience he's shown makes me feel like I'm on the brink of something big. Something uncertain. But before I can dwell on it too much, there's a knock at the door.

  • Substitute Bride for the Mafia Don   Chapter 95

    RiccardoI woke up with a pounding headache that no drink could ease—there was no way to escape it. Rubbing my eyes, I forced myself to sit up on the edge of the bed. My body felt strange without the usual buzz I relied on. I could no longer pretend or avoid the truth. I had spent too long trying to forget and numb the pain of losing Ava, but now it was time to confront it. To confront myself.I had messed up, and no amount of booze could change that. I stumbled into the kitchen, the silence of the house closing in on me, a sharp contrast to the chaos I had caused. A glass of whiskey sat on the counter, an old temptation, but I resisted. I wasn’t that guy anymore. I couldn’t be. It had been almost a month since Ava took the kids and I hadn’t heard from her. Not that I blamed her. What could I say? I had pushed her away when all she wanted was for me to be there, to be real. Instead, I drowned in my bitterness and pride. I slept with her and then pushed her away the next morning. It fe

  • Substitute Bride for the Mafia Don   Chapter 94

    Ava It's been a week since I last saw anyone, ever since Steph mentioned Riccardo. I'm completely wiped out—like, can't even get out of bed tired. And the nausea? It's been really bad at times. I figured it was just stress, everything crashing down on me. I thought my body was just reacting to the chaos of the past few weeks, leaving everything behind. This morning, when I finally dragged myself out of bed, the dizziness hit me harder than usual. My stomach cramps feel dull and achy, almost... off. I haven't felt like myself for a while, but I can't quite figure out why. I look in the bathroom mirror and see my reflection—my face is paler than normal, and my eyes are still heavy from sleepless nights. But it's more than just being tired. I take a deep breath and place my hand on my stomach, hoping for some clarity. No way, I can't be pregnant. But that thought lingers, a little voice I can't ignore. My hands shake a bit as I reach for the test sitting on the counter, one that's b

  • Substitute Bride for the Mafia Don   Chapter 93

    Steph I've visited this apartment building more times than I can remember, but today, as I stand in front of Ava's door, everything feels different. The burden of my brother's sadness and regrets weighs heavily on me, like a tight grip on my chest. I can't keep watching him suffer like this. I'm not sure if she's ready for what I need to say, but I'm going to speak up anyway. For Riccardo. For their family. For myself and Bento. I knock, and the door creaks open, revealing Ava in a comfy sweater. Her face is cautious, but her eyes hint at something—maybe sadness? Or just the weariness of living without our family's chaos. She seems better, not as shattered as I expected, but I can still see the signs. "Steph," she says quietly, as if my visit is a surprise. "Hey there," I say with a tight smile as I walk in without waiting for an invitation. "How's it going?" Ava shrugs, her eyes cautious yet gentle. "I'm alright. Just keeping myself busy." I nod, sensing that she's not really ok

  • Substitute Bride for the Mafia Don   Chapter 92

    Riccardo I was sitting in my office, gazing at the whiskey decanter on my desk. The amber liquid sparkled in the low light, almost mocking me. I despised it just as much as I craved it. The sting and the bitterness reflected the emptiness in my heart. It had been three weeks since she left. I reclined in my chair, shutting my eyes. I could still picture her that night, standing before me with a fierce look in her eyes. She was stunning, even then. "I can't keep doing this, Riccardo. It feels like six years ago. I thought we could work things out but I can't do this anymore. Why should I when you won't even try? I thought you wanted this. I thought you had changed, but I was foolish to think you'd ever want more..." I should have stopped her, should have said something—anything—to make her stay. But I didn’t. I let her walk away, taking my kids with her, crushed by my own pride and anger. And now? Now I was all alone, surrounded by the wreckage I created. I let out a bitter laugh,

  • Substitute Bride for the Mafia Don   Chapter 91

    AvaThree weeks.It's been three weeks since I packed up and left that house and life behind. Three weeks of silence and solitude, trying to piece myself back together while the pain Riccardo caused me throbbed daily. I found an apartment that was comfortable enough without the overwhelming luxury of the De Lucca estate. It doesn't feel like home, but at least it's mine for now. Two months ago, Riccardo brought us back to Italy, pleading with me to stay so he could see his kids every day. I was naive to agree, but I thought he deserved to be in their lives, and maybe we could make it work for their sake. I met his three other brothers, and I learned that Luigi had three sons with his mistress, whom he killed after his wife passed away. Luigi was a real piece of work, having abused both his wife and mistress, along with their three boys. Riccardo found out about his half-brothers when they followed their father's men to a small village where their mother lived. They were just kids—th

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