Semua Bab The Don's Forbidden Muse: Bab 101 - Bab 107

I just stare at her as she walks toward me, too frozen to move even if I wanted to. Motherhood has done Maria good, no doubt. It’s a thought I can’t shake as she gets closer. She’s radiant, more stunning than I remember. Time has softened her, and, contrary to what anyone would expect, motherhood has only made her more beautiful. Her features are sharper but still delicate. Her skin glows, her hair falls in soft waves around her face, and even her casual outfit—a simple blouse and jeans—looks like it was made for her. I hate that I can notice even the tiniest details that make her this beautiful. How much more beauty can one person have?“Renée?” she says again, her brows furrowed in surprise, her lips curving into a half-smile. “I thought I saw someone who looked like you. What are you doing here?”I clear my throat, shrugging. “Nothing,” I reply, my voice clipped.She tilts her head, studying me. “Are you in therapy too?”I remain silent. It’s obvious. This building kind of hosts th

I should have gotten in the car and driven away, but I didn’t. There’s a part of me that feels if I leave without getting the answers I came for from Jamie, it would feel like Alessandro has won. This isn’t about him—it’s about Luca. And if I have to sit in this car and cry my heart out while I wait for Jamie to show up, then so be it.I didn’t bother looking back to see where Alessandro went, but when I got in the car, I couldn’t see him where I had left him. I take a deep breath, trying to push away the storm of emotions he’s stirred up. My hands are still shaking as I fumble inside my bag for my handkerchief. My mind is a jumbled mess of anger, grief, and exhaustion. I don’t know why he thought saying all that to me was okay.I hear a tap on my window and sniffle as I quickly wipe my tears with the back of my hand, looking up.It’s him.I’m tempted to roll my eyes. I don’t have the energy to deal with him again.“What do you want, Alessandro?” I ask in a flat voice.He taps the win

When Alessandro said the place we were going to would be unsafe, I didn’t exactly picture a ghetto. It reeks of smoke and desperation, and we couldn’t find anywhere safe to park, so Alessandro had to leave the car somewhere a little safer. We left most of our belongings there because, sure, Alessandro obviously carries a gun and can offer some level of protection, but that isn’t a guarantee. I can see the way people are eyeing us, and I bet most of their stares are directed at him. In a world like this, he’s probably like a god to them.Jamie leads the way confidently, Miles close behind her. Alessandro and I follow, my stomach twisting in knots. I try to jump over a ditch filled with filthy water I’d rather not think about, but I miss a step. Alessandro is quick to steady me. His hand on mine feels electric, and I quickly pull away, swallowing hard.“You shouldn’t have worn those fancy shoes,” he says, glancing at my heeled ankle boots.“I didn’t have time to get a new pair,” I reply

I am standing outside the house, gripping the car keys tightly in my hand. This whole place is filled with memories. My entire drive here was flooded with flashbacks—beautiful and ugly alike.I don’t want to be here.But I have to be.It’s been years since I last stepped foot inside this house—our house. The place where Luca and I built a life together. The place where I would have become his wife. The place where we would have started a family. The place where I became a widow.I exhale slowly, watching my breath in the evening chill. My mother-in-law had insisted she would be here waiting for me, and even though she said it was fine if I didn’t come, I knew she wanted me to.But that isn’t the only reason I’m here.I need clothes. Most of my things are still inside, untouched, locked away in closets and drawers that haven’t been opened in years. I know my mother-in-law and Luca’s sister