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Penulis: Western.R
last update Terakhir Diperbarui: 2026-01-10 18:08:00

Valentina barely stirred when the car rolled to a stop in front of the villa. Her head remained against Lucas' shoulder, her breathing soft and even, lost in a dreamless sleep. The ride had been quiet, peaceful. She hadn’t even noticed when the gates opened or when the headlights swept over the stone path.

Lucas glanced down at her, his arm still wrapped loosely around her. For a moment, he simply looked at her—not with the edge that usually colored his gaze, not with suspicion or guarded wall. He smiled when he remembered what happened in the auction hall, woman who had endured too much, trusted too little, and still fell asleep beside him without fear. His phone suddenly vibrated and that made her stir. He kissed her head. "Go back to sleep, it's nothing." He pulled out his phone and declined the call, and waited few minutes until he was sure she'd gone back to

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  • The Mafia's Substitute Bride   153

    "Gimme a sec" She collected and brought the takeout bags in and shut the door with her elbow. The warm scent hit her instantly—grilled salmon, something garlicky, a faint trail of fresh ginger and lemon. She padded barefoot across the living room to the dining table and began unpacking each container, laying them out one by one.Grilled salmon on a bed of quinoa and roasted vegetables. Sushi rolls, neat and glossy. Seafood paella with brown rice. Even dessert. It looked too fancy for a casual night in, but then again, she wasn't expecting Lucas to eat 'unhealthy' food because it was called takeouts. She tilted her head slightly, checking the receipt tucked under the last box—pay on delivery.She turned back toward the stairs and jogged up halfway before calling out, “Lucas?&rdq

  • The Mafia's Substitute Bride   152

    Valentina barely stirred when the car rolled to a stop in front of the villa. Her head remained against Lucas' shoulder, her breathing soft and even, lost in a dreamless sleep. The ride had been quiet, peaceful. She hadn’t even noticed when the gates opened or when the headlights swept over the stone path.Lucas glanced down at her, his arm still wrapped loosely around her. For a moment, he simply looked at her—not with the edge that usually colored his gaze, not with suspicion or guarded wall. He smiled when he remembered what happened in the auction hall, woman who had endured too much, trusted too little, and still fell asleep beside him without fear. His phone suddenly vibrated and that made her stir. He kissed her head. "Go back to sleep, it's nothing." He pulled out his phone and declined the call, and waited few minutes until he was sure she'd gone back to

  • The Mafia's Substitute Bride   151

    Lucas found her leaning against the marble balustrade on the upper balcony, half her body turned toward the city skyline in the distance. The lights below looked like they'd been poured from a bucket and scattered across the hills, gold and restless.She turned at the sound of his footsteps, her mouth lifting in a faint smile."There you are," she said, brushing a few strands of hair behind her ear. "How did it go?.""Had to take a call," he replied, sliding his hands into his pockets. "Ready to go?"Valentina nodded and pushed herself upright, straightening the strap of her purse. As they started walking down the hallway together, her

  • The Mafia's Substitute Bride   150

    CAMILLA'S RESIDENCE.She closed the door behind him without a word and walked back toward the kitchen, bare feet brushing lightly over the tiled floor. The only sound was the soft bubbling of the pot on the stove and the digital hum of the game still running on her phone, screen paused mid-conversation with a pixelated prince who’d been trying to confess his love before the doorbell interrupted everything.Ethan stood near the door, glancing around the apartment like it was the most sacred place he’d been in all year. Not because it was fancy—it wasn’t. But with the way his eyes lit up when he saw one of her dresses lying around, you'd know what exactly brought him happiness.She was pulling the pot off the burner when she finally spoke.“You still haven’t said how you got my address,” she said without looking at him.He stayed by the entryway, a little too aware of how out of place he w

  • The Mafia's Substitute Bride   149

    VESCARI FOUNDATION AUCTION CHARITY EVENTThe private room at the top of the Vescari Foundation was grand in the way old money always was. The walls were lined with velvet and dark walnut, art framed in gold catching the soft chandelier light. A butler quietly poured a drink at the far end, and the aging chairman sat in the large leather armchair by the window, a blanket across his legs.Bianca walked beside Lucas, her heels tapping softly on the marble as they entered. She smiled slightly when the chairman looked up with a smile."Ah, there they are," he said, his voice warm but faint, he sounded like someone waking from a long nap. "You two always arrive like a painting. Beautiful pair."Bianca's eyes flicked sideways, catching the subtle crease in Lucas' brow. She smiled nonetheless. "Chairman Vescari, it’s a pleasure."He waved a hand gently. "Come, sit. You, my dear—" he pointed to her, then to Lucas, "and your husband, you’ve been missed.".Bianca let out a quiet breath that coul

  • The Mafia's Substitute Bride   148

    Ethan didn’t even wait for the music in the ballroom to fade behind him. The second Valentina gave him the address, he was already heading for the exit, holding her by the wrist just long enough to make her repeat her warning one last time.“If she says no—if she doesn’t want you—” Val spoke firmly, looking him straight in the eye, “you’ll leave Naples. No stalking. No ‘waiting around just in case.’ I only gave you this because I trust you to do the right thing.”“I will,” he said quickly. “If she tells me to go, I’ll disappear.”She didn’t reply right away. But after a second’s pause, she let go of his wrist.“Go.”Ethan didn’t waste another second.The cold air outside hit him like a reset button. His footsteps pounded against the villa steps as he rushed toward the parking area, jacket flaring behind him. His car was tucked into the far end of the lot, and by the time he reached it, his heart was hammering harder than it had in months.He drove fast, one hand on the wheel, the othe

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