The Mafia's Substitute Bride

I once recalled a time when breakfast, lunch and Dinner, used to be my favorite time of the day. A time when we’d all gather around the lavish dancing table, chatting, laughing and discussing all about our day as we feasted on the delicious meal prepared by my mother.But now, as I sat in the dining room of my family’s mansion, several varieties of food spread out before me, I couldn’t help but think of such times as distant memories.Memories that I realized were slowly fading, being replaced with the harsher things of life, as I sat absentmindedly, playing with the food I had long lost my appetite for.Across from me, Alecia was in her usual form—vivacious, vibrant, and utterly captivating. She was the kind of person who could command a room without saying a word, her presence was so out there and captivating that at most times, it was impossible to look away. I often wondered how it was possible that we shared the same face, the same features, yet were so fundamentally different.P

Confusion, hurt and anger; those were the three emotions I felt in a matter of seconds as I stared at Marco’s text.What the hell was he saying? I thought as I tried calling his number again. It rang and the call was instantly rejected.I felt my heart clench, painfully. This wasn’t possible. Macro couldn’t be breaking up with me. We’d spent too many years together for this joke to seem real.I needed to see him, talk to him and make sure this joke was that alone, a joke!Heading towards my closet, I changed out of my night dress and grabbed stormed out of my room, determined to reach his place in seconds and get the answers I deserved.My father saw me on my way out, but didn’t make any effort to stop me. It was like he knew I wouldn’t do what Alecia did. I knew I wouldn’t do what Alecia did.Getting into my car, I sped towards his penthouse and thanks to it being the early hours of the day, there was no traffic, meaning I arrived there in under an hour.In little to no time, I was i

The car finally pulled into the parking lot of the restaurant, an open space lined with luxury cars that gleamed under the soft evening light. My heart thudded in my chest as I glanced at the restaurant. It was an outdoor Michelin-starred place, every inch of it oozing exclusivity. The restaurant itself was a combination of sleek modern architecture and elegant, soft lighting that made the space seem more intimate, despite its grandeur. Tables were arranged with precision, each one set with sparkling glassware and expensive table settings. Even from the parking lot, I could see how meticulous it all was—every detail perfected, like the guests who frequented it.The engine came to a stop, and the driver promptly got out, circling to my side. He opened the door with a silent bow, and I took a deep breath before stepping out. The moment my feet touched the ground, I had to hold myself not to panic and hail a cab out of here.I reached into my bag and pulled out the black invitation card—

He finally ended the call, and only then did he break eye contact. He glanced down, slipping the earpods out with practiced ease, placing them carefully into their case. The spell of silence was broken, and I took the moment to clear my throat again, though this time it wasn’t to get his attention—it was to get a grip on myself.I took a deep breath, forcing my feet to move as I stepped closer to him. He looked back at me then, his eyes locking onto mine again, this time with a sharper focus, like he was seeing me for the first time now that his call was over. I stretched out my hand, trying to keep my movements steady despite the anxiety running wild in my chest.“Valentina De Luca,” I said, my voice more controlled than I felt. “I assume you’re the Luca Caruso I’m supposed to meet?”For a moment, he just stared at my hand, then at me, his expression unreadable. There was a flicker of something in his eyes, but I couldn’t tell what it was. Curiosity? Disappointment? Something else? I

I took a deep breath, steadying myself. “It didn’t go as planned,” I said, my voice quieter than I wanted. His eyes flicked up to meet mine, but he didn’t say anything, just waited for me to continue. I tried to keep my tone even as I explained what happened at the restaurant. I left out the part where Luca Caruso wasn’t the man I thought he’d be, because , well....it didn't matter. How he wasn’t even surprised by the situation—just uninterested, like it was all a waste of his time. I also left out the part about how uncomfortable I felt under his gaze, how his words, the way he dismissed me, had hit harder than I’d expected.“And when I explained I was standing in for Alecia,” I added, “he told me to leave.”My father didn’t react immediately. He simply leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the armrest. The silence stretched between us.“And that’s all?” he asked after a long moment. “Caruso didn’t say anything else?”I shook my head. “No, that’s it. He said