Semua Bab The Mafia Bride's 200 Days' To Justice : Bab 11 - Bab 16

"You'll want to stay close to Nicolas tonight," the guard muttered as I entered the ballroom. "We've spotted three Council members." "Noted." I shifted, feeling the blade against my thigh beneath the burgundy silk. "And Elena?" "Grand staircase. Watching your every move." "Perfect." I scanned the room, keeping my smile fixed. "Just like the spider she is." "Mrs. Salvatore," another guard approached. "Security positions are set." "And the mirrors she's having installed?" "Positioned to reflect magical signatures. She's testing you." "Let her try." I moved forward, every step measured. "Have eyes on—" "Mama!" Twin voices pierced through my concentration. Sofia and Luna ran toward me, their matching platinum curls bouncing. They stopped short, faces scrunching in that peculiar way that meant they were seeing something they shouldn't. "Girls," I said, forcing Valentina's warm smile. "You look beautiful in your— "You're flickering," Luna whispered, reaching for my hand. "Like a ca

# Chapter 14: Double Edge The crystal wine glass slipped from my fingers. "As I was saying about the Carboni territory—" My voice died as I realized I had no memory of starting that sentence. Don Carboni's weathered face watched me expectantly. The other family heads leaned forward, waiting for words I couldn't remember speaking. My heart hammered against my ribs as I glanced down at the shattered glass, red wine spreading like blood across imported marble. "Forgive me," I murmured, my voice steady despite the tremor in my hands. "Where exactly was I?" Elena's perfectly manicured fingers drummed against the mahogany table. "You were explaining why the Carboni family should cede their dock access to us." Her hazel eyes narrowed. "Unless you've changed your mind?" Five minutes. I'd lost five minutes of a crucial negotiation. The lipstick marks on my remaining wine glass caught my eye – two slightly different shades of red, neither quite matching what I'd applied this morning. "T

My head spun as I gripped the bathroom sink. Valentina's face stared back at me in the mirror, but her eyes held my desperation."Get out of my body." Her voice came from my mouth. My fingers trembled against the cold porcelain."Your body is dead," I whispered. "I'm trying to protect your family.""They're not yours to protect." The words came harsh, bitter.The mirror cracked. Blood dripped from my knuckles. I hadn't even felt myself punch it."Isabella." Nicolas's voice carried through the door. "Everything okay in there?"My heart hammered. I pressed my bleeding hand against my chest. "Fine. Just dropped something.""Open the door."I yanked paper towels from the dispenser, wrapping them around my hand. "One minute."The door handle rattled. "Now, Isabella."The name hit me like a slap. I froze, staring at the locked door. "What did you call me?"Silence stretched between us, heavy with implications. Then his voice came again, softer. "I know who you are."My legs gave out. I slid