All Chapters of Acknowledged By A Mafia Leader: Chapter 81 - Chapter 90

A wave of anxiety surged through Stephanie. Her heart wobbled and for a moment, it felt as though the air had been sucked from the room. Her chest tightened, her pulse raced, panic creeping in like a shadow.But she quickly straightened her shoulders, forcing herself to stay composed. After all, she had survived worse.Letting out a discreet sigh, she turned toward the door. As she stepped out of the cabin, she cast one last glare over her shoulder, right at Ava.Then she was gone.The moment Stephanie stepped into the vast conference room, the air seemed to shift, growing thick and oppressive. A weight pressed against her chest, making it hard to breathe. She hesitated just inside the tall, polished doors, her head lowered, her feet frozen in place.“Come have your seat, Miss Martin,” the chairman’s deep voice echoed across the room.She bit down on her lower lip, gathered herself, and moved toward the empty seat beside the manager. With as much grace as she could manage, she sat dow

The next morning, Ava’s fingers hovered endlessly over her phone screen, caught in a storm of hesitation. She wanted to call Zac desperately but her pride stood stubbornly in the way.How could she be the one to call first, especially after he had ended the call on her so abruptly last night? Did he even realize how hard it had been for her to sleep alone, thinking about him?With a weary sigh, she leaned back into her seat, frustration brewing beneath her composed exterior. Everyone admired Zac for his strength and maturity, but they didn’t know the full story. When it came to relationships, he could be frustratingly childish.Another sigh slipped from her lips as she dropped the phone onto her desk. Her heart and mind were at war, and peace felt nowhere in sight.Her ears and body ached with the desperate need to hear Zac’s voice. Every part of her longed for him, but if she gave in now, what would happen to her pride?Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!The shrill vibration of her phone yanked her f

The sky was already darkening by the time Ava arrived at the address Freya had texted her.From the moment she saw the location, she had suspected it wasn’t a lounge or any typical venue. It looked more like a private villa.And she had been right. Ava parked her car outside the bungalow and stepped out, pulling out her phone to dial Freya’s number.As the phone rang in her ear, she took a moment to study the house. It was a wooden bungalow. A sleek, modern structure that probably stayed cool during the summer months.The courtyard was shaded by tall, lush camphor trees with thick leaves, dense enough to block out sunlight during the day.“I’m outside,” Ava said into the phone as soon as the call connected, then hung up right away.Moments later, she spotted Freya rushing out of the villa, arms spread wide to welcome her. Smiling, Ava opened her own arms in return, ready to also embrace her.“My love,” Freya whispered in her ear as she threw herself into the hug. “I missed you so much

Freya hummed quietly, nodding her head as she stared into the air, deep in thought.Caleb raised a brow. “Are you saying men stop appreciating their women once they’re married?”Hazel’s expression turned even more serious. “Ninety percent of men out there begin to lose affection for their wives once they start living together, especially after a long time of being together.”“Their love wouldn’t feel as fresh as it did in the beginning, and the wife would start to wonder where she went wrong. But really, men are just greedy,” Hazel continued, her tone sharp but composed.“That same woman who once made his heart skip will start to seem dull or even irritating in his eyes, simply because they’ve lived every day together without space.”She paused before adding, “This is why a lot of women prefer their husbands to be away often for work or business. Weeks, even months. When they meet again after time apart, it’s like falling in love all over again. They feel new and attractive to each ot

Moments later, Ava set the table with the dishes she’d brought him for lunch. As she moved around him, reality crossed Zac’s heart,sharp and sobering while she sat beside him.“Why aren’t you in the office today?” Zac asked, confusion lacing his voice.“Took the day off to be with my man,” Ava replied casually, stealing a glance at his face.Zac studied her in silence. He knew it was irrational to feel the way he did, but he couldn’t help it. She was here with him. His addiction.Ava finished plating the meal, then pushed it gently in front of him along with a set of cutlery.Zac looked down at the food; a Philly cheesesteak packed with sliced beef, chip steak, and onions; exactly the way he liked it. On the side, a few summer rolls with peanut sauce and a protein salad rounded out the meal.“I believe this is just to pay me off, isn’t it?” he sneered, picking up the fork, ready to dig in.He wasn’t the type who cared much for food, but he couldn’t deny the quiet satisfaction he alwa