Lahat ng Kabanata ng The Mafia Ruthless Bride; A revengeful Heart: Kabanata 31 - Kabanata 40

ELENA POV I needed air. After last night, I couldn’t stay cooped up in that house with Alexander. Not when every corner reminded me of his mouth on mine, the sharp press of his jealousy, the way he carried me out of that restaurant like I was his to own. It was too much and too confusing. So when Sophia suggested a walk to clear my head, I agreed. Now we’re at the park, sitting on a bench shaded by a tall oak tree while the late morning breeze cools the back of my neck. She sips her iced coffee beside me, her sunglasses low on her nose, eyes scanning the people walking by like she’s watching a movie. But I’m not watching them. I’m watching my own thoughts swirl like smoke. Just a month ago, I didn’t even know who I was. Now I’m wearing diamond rings, living in a mansion, married to the most powerful man in the city on a contract I barely understand. Worse? I’m starting to like it. Like him. And that terrifies me. “I still don’t understand how I speak fluent French,” I s

ELENA POV The drive back from the park is quiet. Sophia doesn’t say much, and honestly, I don’t blame her. I’m still shaken from that odd encounter with the little girl and the woman who yanked her away like I was a threat. It shouldn’t sting, but it does. When we arrive back at the mansion, the soft champagne colored lights across the massive entryway give me a strange sense of comfort. It’s weird. Just a month ago, I didn’t even know who I was. Now this house… this man… it’s beginning to feel like something real. The butler opens the door, and as we walk in, I almost don’t expect to see Alexander waiting at the base of the stairs. But there he is, standing tall in black slacks and a white dress shirt, his sleeves rolled up, hands in his pockets, looking at me with a kind of unreadable expression. I pause, then glance at Sophia. She gives me a knowing look and walks toward the stairs. “I’ll leave you two to… talk,” she mutters before disappearing upstairs. Alex takes a step cl

ELENA POVI haven’t moved. I’m still sitting on the couch, lips slightly parted, fingers pressed to them as if doing so could erase the kiss he just left me with. But it’s no use. That kiss is scorched into my bones. It wasn’t just a kiss. It was a promise. Or a threat. Maybe both. I force myself to breathe. I don’t know what’s more dangerous, Daemon’s sudden entrance into my life or the way Alexander is slowly and surely crawling beneath my skin. I rise slowly and make my way to the bed, peeling off his hoodie and pulling the covers over my body. Sleep doesn’t come easily, but eventually, exhaustion wins. When I wake up the next time, the room is quiet. I push the blankets off and sit up slowly, reaching for the silk robe hanging by the bed. The hallway outside is quiet as I make my way down toward the kitchen. Sophia is already there, perched on a stool, eating a strawberry and flipping through a gossip magazine like it’s the morning paper. “Someone’s awake,” she teases, gl

ELENA POV For the first time since I stepped into this new life, the silence scares me. After Samantha’s ambush, everything feels like a blur. Marco moves fast m, securing the space, barking orders. Alex doesn’t leave my side, not even for a second. He sits beside me in the car, holding my hand so tight I almost forget my fingers are numb. His eyes stay forward, his jaw tense. Neither of us says a word the entire ride home. Not when we pull through the gates. Not even when Sophia rushes down the stairs with her eyes wide and her lips already forming questions. Alex stops her with a single look, then guides me upstairs. When we get to the room, I don’t even ask why he locks the door. I just sit on the edge of the bed and let him pull off my shoes. We don’t speak and he doesn’t leave. He just sits beside me, his hand resting lightly over mine, his breathing steady and deep like he’s trying to stay calm. And then much later, when he thinks I’m asleep, I feel his fingers brush th

ELENA POV The door slams so hard the floor under me feels like it shakes. I’m left staring at empty space, heart pounding and lungs tight. I don’t know how long I stand there, breathing too fast, hugging my arms to my chest. The photos keep flashing in my mind. Samantha, her perfect hair spilling across Alex’s chest. His relaxed face. That look. God, it hurts and I don’t know why. I sink onto the edge of the bed, pressing my palms to my eyes until colors explode behind my lids. My head is spinning, everything too loud in the quiet of the room. Marco knocks softly, then peeks in. “Elena.” I look up. “Where is he?” “He went to handle it.” Marco’s voice is calm, but there’s an edge under it. “He won’t let her get away with it.” I swallow hard. “And if it’s true? If he really…” Marco’s jaw tenses. “Boss isn’t the type to lie about something like that. Especially to you.” The words hit me harder than they should. To me. Why should that matter? Why does it matter? After all