บททั้งหมดของ The Don's babygirl. : บทที่ 21 - บทที่ 30

Julia stared at her phone, reading Massimo's latest text for the third time. Dinner at 7. Wear the blue dress. I've made reservations. Not "Would you like to have dinner?" Not "What do you feel like wearing?" Just commands, as always. She was expected to obey, and she would, because that's what she always did. She set the phone down with trembling hands, feeling the familiar tightness in her chest that had become her constant companion. When had breathing become so difficult? When had her life stopped being hers? The penthouse felt like a beautiful cage. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city, designer furniture, closets full of clothes Massimo had chosen. Everything perfect. Everything his. Including her. Julia walked to the closet and found the blue dress—of course she knew exactly which one he meant. She'd learned to anticipate his preferences, to mold herself to his expectations. It was easier than arguing, safer than disappointing him. But lately, easier and safer felt like

The air in Dimitri Smirnov's office was thick with the scent of expensive cigars and unspoken threats. Mikal stood stiffly, his hands clasped behind his back, trying to appear as unfazed as his father, the notorious Pakhan of the Bratva's Northern Division. Dimitri, a mountain of a man with eyes like chips of flint, paced behind his mahogany desk, the polished surface reflecting the harsh fluorescent lights of the room. "The Ivanovs are getting bold," Dimitri growled, his voice a low rumble that vibrated in Mikal's chest. "They're moving into our territory, skimming off our profits. They think they can get away with it." Mikal remained silent, waiting for his father to elaborate. He knew the game. Dimitri never simply stated a problem; he presented a challenge, an opportunity for Mikal to prove his worth. At 25, Mikal was his father's most trusted lieutenant, groomed from childhood to take over the reins of the Bratva. He was ruthless, efficient, and fiercely loyal. Or so he believed

Six weeks before the wedding, Julia stood in the most exclusive bridal boutique in Manhattan, surrounded by mirrors that showed her from every angle. The dress she wore was breathtaking—layers of ivory silk and lace that made her look like a princess from a fairytale. It was also becoming uncomfortably tight around her waist. "We can let it out," the seamstress said, kneeling at Julia's feet with pins in her mouth. "You still have time before the wedding. A little weight gain is normal with all the stress of planning." Julia met Vittoria's eyes in the mirror. Massimo's mother knew the truth, of course. The "weight gain" was a twelve-week baby bump that was just starting to show. "Let it out," Vittoria agreed smoothly. "We want her comfortable on her big day." After the fitting, Vittoria took Julia to lunch at a restaurant where the maître d' greeted them by name and showed them to a private table in the back. "You're not eating," Vittoria observed as Julia pushed her salad around

The villa in Sicily was like something out of a dream. Perched on a cliff overlooking the Mediterranean, all white stone and terracotta tiles, surrounded by olive groves and lemon trees. The air smelled of salt and flowers, and the sound of waves crashing against the rocks was a constant lullaby. "Welcome home," Massimo said as he carried Julia over the threshold. "This is where you grew up?" Julia asked, looking around at the beautiful, sun-drenched rooms. "Part of the time. My father would bring us here every summer." Massimo set her down, but kept his arms around her waist. "This is where I learned to swim, to fish, to—" He stopped, his expression darkening. "To what?" Julia prompted. "To survive," he finished. "My father believed in tough lessons. But we can talk about that later. Tonight is about us." He led her upstairs to the master bedroom, where French doors opened onto a balcony with a view of the sea. The bed was enormous, covered in white linens, and there were ros

Months Later…. Vittoria insisted on throwing Julia a baby shower. Despite Julia's protests that it was too much, after she arrived at the Valentino estate to find the grand ballroom transformed into a pink wonderland. "Vittoria," Julia breathed, taking in the decorations. "This is incredible." "Only the best for my granddaughter," Vittoria said, kissing both her cheeks. "Come, everyone is waiting to meet you." The "everyone" turned out to be at least fifty women—family members, wives of Massimo's business associates, and a few of the other mothers from the prenatal class Julia had been attending. Even Kate was there, standing awkwardly in the corner. "Kate!" Julia made her way over as quickly as her ungainly body would allow. "I didn't know you were coming." "Your mother-in-law invited me," Kate said, hugging her carefully. "Said you'd want me here, even though we haven't talked much lately." The distance between them had grown since the wedding. Julia had been so wrapped up in