All Chapters of Substitute Bride for the Mafia Don: Chapter 91 - Chapter 100

AvaThree weeks.It's been three weeks since I packed up and left that house and life behind. Three weeks of silence and solitude, trying to piece myself back together while the pain Riccardo caused me throbbed daily. I found an apartment that was comfortable enough without the overwhelming luxury of the De Lucca estate. It doesn't feel like home, but at least it's mine for now. Two months ago, Riccardo brought us back to Italy, pleading with me to stay so he could see his kids every day. I was naive to agree, but I thought he deserved to be in their lives, and maybe we could make it work for their sake. I met his three other brothers, and I learned that Luigi had three sons with his mistress, whom he killed after his wife passed away. Luigi was a real piece of work, having abused both his wife and mistress, along with their three boys. Riccardo found out about his half-brothers when they followed their father's men to a small village where their mother lived. They were just kids—th

Steph I've visited this apartment building more times than I can remember, but today, as I stand in front of Ava's door, everything feels different. The burden of my brother's sadness and regrets weighs heavily on me, like a tight grip on my chest. I can't keep watching him suffer like this. I'm not sure if she's ready for what I need to say, but I'm going to speak up anyway. For Riccardo. For their family. For myself and Bento. I knock, and the door creaks open, revealing Ava in a comfy sweater. Her face is cautious, but her eyes hint at something—maybe sadness? Or just the weariness of living without our family's chaos. She seems better, not as shattered as I expected, but I can still see the signs. "Steph," she says quietly, as if my visit is a surprise. "Hey there," I say with a tight smile as I walk in without waiting for an invitation. "How's it going?" Ava shrugs, her eyes cautious yet gentle. "I'm alright. Just keeping myself busy." I nod, sensing that she's not really ok

RiccardoI woke up with a pounding headache that no drink could ease—there was no way to escape it. Rubbing my eyes, I forced myself to sit up on the edge of the bed. My body felt strange without the usual buzz I relied on. I could no longer pretend or avoid the truth. I had spent too long trying to forget and numb the pain of losing Ava, but now it was time to confront it. To confront myself.I had messed up, and no amount of booze could change that. I stumbled into the kitchen, the silence of the house closing in on me, a sharp contrast to the chaos I had caused. A glass of whiskey sat on the counter, an old temptation, but I resisted. I wasn’t that guy anymore. I couldn’t be. It had been almost a month since Ava took the kids and I hadn’t heard from her. Not that I blamed her. What could I say? I had pushed her away when all she wanted was for me to be there, to be real. Instead, I drowned in my bitterness and pride. I slept with her and then pushed her away the next morning. It fe

AvaThe next day, I find myself in a quaint café, seated at a corner table while awaiting his arrival. My mind is racing as I prepare for what lies ahead. I am uncertain if I am ready for this encounter, yet the thought of not speaking with him feels like an opportunity lost—a chance to understand our current positions. When he enters, I hardly recognize him. He exudes greater confidence, his jaw is clean-shaven, and there is a newfound serenity in his gaze. He appears healthier, less weighed down by his past experiences. Clad in a black suit, he resembles the man I once knew, though there is an undeniable difference in him. The transformation is remarkable. As he approaches, I rise to greet him, and for a brief moment, an awkward tension envelops us. It has been a long time since we occupied the same space without the underlying strain. He offers a faint smile, though it does not fully reach his eyes. "Hello," he says softly. "You look... beautiful." I manage a faint smile, uncert

Riccardo I wake up to the soft sounds of the morning, momentarily forgetting where I am. The bed feels different. Last night was all about slowly rebuilding and those quiet family moments we shared. I turn my head gently, trying not to disturb her. Ava is next to me, her face calm in sleep, and for the first time in what feels like ages, the heaviness in my chest lightens a bit. She's here. Her red hair sprawls across the pillow, and her lips are slightly parted, her breathing calm. I feel an overwhelming urge to reach out and touch her, but I hold back, wanting to savor this moment. She's with me, after everything we've faced together. I still can't believe my luck. How is she willing to give us another shot? Deep down, I know I don't deserve it, yet here she is, right next to me, and the peace I feel after months of turmoil makes me want to cling to this moment forever. Her hand is just inches from mine, and I let my fingers hover near it, torn between wanting to move closer and n