Semua Bab The Mafia's Arranged Bride : Bab 111 - Bab 120

GiannaIt had been a month since Nico walked out of my life, and the days since had blurred into a shapeless stretch of hours I couldn’t separate anymore. The curtains stayed shut, sealing the room in a suffocating darkness I didn’t dare disturb. I hadn’t turned on a lamp in days. Not because I couldn’t, but because I wouldn’t. Light meant seeing, and seeing meant remembering. And remembering meant feeling, and I was already drowning in too much of that.I was living in Leo and Amara’s house now. He’d dragged me out that very day, his jaw tight, not giving me room to argue. We’d just thrown my clothes into a suitcase. I barely noticed what made it in and what didn’t. But I had grabbed Nico’s hoodie. My hands had closed around it in the last moment before we left, and I hadn’t let go since.It still smelled like him, but the scent was fading now, more with each passing day

My breath caught. I turned to her, but Amara was already kneeling, brushing her fingers gently over the engraving. Her face softened and she smiled. “This is where I come,” she said quietly. “Whenever life becomes too much. This is my place.” Her gaze softened, carrying both grief and love. “I talk to him here…my first child, my little dot. I lost him years ago, when enemies tried to destroy Leonardo and me…the same way the Barbaro is trying to destroy Nico and you.”I didn’t know what to say. My mouth opened, but no words came. The ache in her voice was its own story, heavier than anything I could imagine. I remembered something like this happened but then the twins were born and it all faded into the background. Amara sat back on her heels, her gaze distant. “I felt empty, Gianna. Truly empty. Like someone had stolen the very soul from me. I didn’t want to eat, or sleep, or breathe. Leo tried so hard to pull me back, but I was gone. Lost in a darkness I didn’t even know existed ev

Gianna“I’m really not interested,” I said dismissively. “I don’t care about his money.”Rossi’s expression didn’t falter. “I understand, but I must ensure these matters are handled properly. That’s all I’m here to do.”“Plea…”I opened my mouth to protest, but Leo placed a hand on my shoulder and shook his head.“Just listen to him, Gi. It won’t take long,” he said. I sighed and nodded, setting my fork aside.“Fine,” I grimaced.“We will let you guys be,” Amara muttered, glancing at Leo, who nodded.Once Leo and Amara left the dining room, we settled into the living room. Caelian remained standing silently, watching, while Rossi took a seat across from me and placed a neat stack of papers on the coffee table.“I’ll need Signor Caelian to stay as well,” Rossi added just as Caelian was starting to walk out.“Me?” he frowned, and Rossi nodded. Caelian gave me a look before moving to sit beside me.Rossi opened his briefcase and pulled out a thick stack of papers, the crisp rustle of the

MaximusI watched as Gianna gave me a strained smile before walking out. Seeing her after almost six weeks was both a relief and a shock. For the past month, I have been trying to reach out to her, but it has been fruitless. She was gone.I couldn’t reach her by phone, or anyway. I visited her home, but it was left abandoned. She was not there. I had tried to talk to Leonardo, but he had simply dismissed me. That guy had an ego the size of a mountain, and it annoyed my guts, but I held back. Because he was Gianna’s brother and she loved him.But I knew Nico was gone. I made sure of it when I threatened to hurt Gianna.And from all the info I have received so far, he has been gone a long time now and was nowhere to be found. Even my men couldn’t find him, which was worrisome because my idea was to eliminate him once separating him from Gianna. I knew Nico well enough to be sure he wouldn’t leave by telling her the truth.He’d never want her to worry. Fool that he was, he’d rather make

GiannaMaximus looked like he had seen a ghost. He blinked at me, opened and shut his mouth multiple times, and ran his fingers through his hair.“Uh…You’re pregnant?” he mumbled.“Yes. Why is that so surprising? I was and still am married to Nico…he’s my husband…” I said, sounding way bitter than I intended to.“No…No, I meant…” he shook his head and took a deep breath before settling back with his confident, determined self. “I just…I am not sure why I reacted that way. But Gianna…I am so sorry…I really am. You shouldn’t have to go through all this.”“Well, now you know,” I hissed. “My life is going to shit, and I really don’t have it in me to deliver what you expect me to deliver to keep up with Bellavanti’s standards. I am no longer who you met three months ago, Maximus.”Maximus gave me a look before taking my hand and dragging me to the couch in the corner.“Wh…what are you doing?” I demanded. “Maximus, let me go!”“Just sit down…that’s all,” he said, his voice gentle enough fo