All Chapters of Substitute Bride for the Mafia Don: Chapter 51 - Chapter 60

Ava That thought hit me hard. "Yeah, well... I’m not sure if that’s a good thing. He’s just so... intense. I’m not sure I can handle it." Steph reclined in her chair, her fingers rhythmically drumming against her cup. "You have to admit, there’s definitely something going on between you two. It’s not just pure hatred or rivalry. There’s something more profound, something neither of you can quite articulate." I let out a sigh, staring into my coffee. "Maybe. But honestly, it’s easier to just hate him than to sort out what I’m really feeling." "That’s fair," Steph replied with a casual shrug, taking a sip of her drink. "But you’re not fooling anyone, especially not me." I couldn’t help but chuckle at her confidence. "Is that really what you think?" "Absolutely," she said with a grin. "You’re so transparent when it comes to him, Ava. Anyone could see how you felt about him a few years back. I bet even he picked up on it; it’s kind of adorable, in a twisted way." Was I really that

Ava "You think you can just flirt with him and get away with it?" His voice was rough, almost a growl, as he slammed the door behind us. I stood frozen, my heart racing and my chest rising and falling rapidly. I wanted to yell at him, to push him away, but a part of me was curious to hear him out. I opened my mouth, but the words stuck in my throat. What could I say that would make him understand? "Answer me when I’m talking to you, Ava." He stepped closer, his presence overwhelming, like a storm about to break. I took a deep breath, trying to collect my thoughts, but instead of speaking, I felt the air between us crackle with energy. The tension was almost unbearable, like an invisible force drawing us together, and I found myself wanting to give in. He was suddenly right in my space. Without saying a word, he reached for me, gripping my arm and pulling me closer. My breath hitched as he tilted my chin up, compelling me to meet his eyes. His grip was firm, yet there was an under

Riccardo I can hear Ava's soft footsteps echoing through the house. Even without seeing her, I can feel her mood—unstable and brewing, like a storm ready to break. I know I should confront it, but I can't. Not right now. Not when I have a million other issues to deal with. I lean back in my chair, the leather creaking beneath me, and focus on the reports scattered across my desk. More information on Benjamin Parker. The guy's been careless lately, making moves that can't be overlooked. It's clear he's hiding something, but until I can figure out what it is, I need to tread carefully. My father's blunders may have stained our family name, but I refuse to let Benjamin Parker ruin what I've worked hard to rebuild. Suddenly, the door to my office bursts open, and Ava storms in without knocking. Her hair is a mess, and her green eyes are fiery. I raise an eyebrow, keeping my tone steady. "Is there a reason you felt the need to barge in like that?" She crosses her arms, glaring a

Ava As I slowly regained consciousness, the first thing that hit me was a throbbing headache, pounding like a drum. My vision was initially hazy, with dark, swirling edges. But gradually, my senses began to awaken. I blinked, attempting to focus and figure out my surroundings. The air was thick with a musty, mildew smell that felt suffocating. I realized I was sitting on a cold, hard concrete floor, but more alarmingly, I was tied to something. My hands were bound behind me with rough, thick rope that bit into my skin. My legs were similarly restrained, leaving me completely immobile. I tried to inhale, but the air felt stale and heavy. The room was dimly lit, with a flickering bulb hanging above casting weak light. Shadows clung to the corners, stretching across the walls. The walls themselves were rough and peeling, worn concrete that hadn’t seen paint in ages. Rusty metal beams crisscrossed the ceiling, and the floor was covered in old, dry blood. The place had the scent of an

Ava Footsteps echoed down the hallway, sending my heart racing, each thump resonating in my chest. For the past two days, the masked man had been in and out of the room, tormenting me with his cruel taunts and harsh treatment. My body was a mass of aches, every part sore from the beatings I had taken. The ropes binding my wrists pressed painfully into my skin, leaving me barely able to move, too weak and battered to fight back. The door creaked open again, and I steeled myself for what was coming. Another wave of brutality awaited me. Another hour trapped in this relentless nightmare. The masked man entered, his boots clicking ominously on the concrete floor. His voice was smooth yet threatening as he approached. "I have a surprise for you." This time, I didn’t flinch, even though every fiber of my being screamed for freedom. I had come to realize that escape was a fantasy; all that awaited me was pain and the instinct to survive. He stepped aside, revealing someone I never