All Chapters of Love on Loan: Chapter 1 - Chapter 9

My husband Bruno's goomah was pregnant with their second child.At the family dinner, he caressed his lover Ava's rounded belly."This one will be a boy, the future heir to the Marino family. As my wife, it is your duty to raise him."This was the second time he had openly acknowledged one of his bastards.I didn't make a scene like I had before. I just calmly lifted my head and looked Bruno straight in the eye.Raucous laughter erupted from the family members around the table."Remember last time, when she acted like a madwoman? Looks like she's finally learned her place.""The Rossi family's businesses have all been carved up. What can she do besides be an infertile trophy wife? She'll be kicked to the curb sooner or later."Bruno's face was expressionless, allowing them to hurl their insults at me.I fought back the tears burning my eyes and even managed a small smile."Bruno, let's get a divorce."Bruno looked as if he'd heard the funniest joke in the world, his lips curling into a

I ignored her. I'd lost count of how many times she'd tried to provoke me over the years.After the gala ended, I walked alone toward the lake behind the estate.The night wind was cold, and the lake's surface shimmered black under the moonlight.From a distance, I saw Ava take breadcrumbs from her purse and lead Carla toward the lake at the back of the estate."My sweet girl," she said, gently stroking her head, "Mama is going to teach you a brave girl's game."She knelt down and pointed to the swans gliding on the water. "See those white swans? Only a truly brave little girl can be friends with them."Carla clapped her hands excitedly."I want to play! I want to be a brave little girl!"She had paid her little attention since her birth, but today she was suddenly taking her out to play.A sense of foreboding washed over me.I hurried toward them. Just as I reached them and opened my mouth to call out, Ava suddenly shoved Carla from behind."Ah!"The six-year-old was completely unprep

A week later, Lorenzo checked me out of the clinic.Everyone knew the Don of the Vitale family as a cold and dangerous man, but with me, he was unfailingly gentle.I was deeply grateful.To think he would be the one to pull me from the depths not once, but twice.Just outside the clinic, Lorenzo was pulled away to handle some urgent family business.As I waited, I saw Bruno and Ava walking out of the obstetrics department.I had seen them together countless times before, always holding hands, a picture of intimacy and affection, like a real husband and wife.Every time, it had been like a knife to the heart.But today, I realized, I felt nothing at all.Ava was pregnant with their second child. It seemed Bruno truly did have feelings for her, producing one heir after another.But none of that had anything to do with me anymore.I tried to avoid them, heading straight for the parking lot, but Ava had already spotted me."Liliana, wait!" Ava's voice, dripping with false warmth, cut throu

Not long after, Lorenzo and I were married at city hall, formally cementing the alliance between the Vitale and Rossi families.I worried such a low-key affair was beneath the Don of the Vitale family, but he insisted he was the one in the wrong for not first throwing a grand wedding for all the families to attend and pay their respects.I was truly grateful for how Lorenzo loved and respected me, but my past with Bruno made it impossible for me to recover quickly.Even though Lorenzo had sincerely professed his love for me countless times, because of the hundred-million-dollar buyout, I couldn't shake the feeling our relationship was a transaction.But then he placed a pigeon's blood ruby ring on my finger. The gem glittered in the sunlight, shining with a light as red as blood."This is the symbol of the Vitale matriarch," Lorenzo said gently. "From now on, you hold the same power I do.""Half of my legitimate businesses, the ports, the casinos, the hotels, have all been transferred

I never saw Bruno again. I heard he'd lost the trust of the Marino Don and was stripped of all his power.After the incident in the parking garage, Lorenzo launched an all-out war against the Marino family.One by one, the Marino family's businesses were swallowed by the Vitale family.Casinos, ports, shipping routes, even their legitimate enterprises crumbled under Lorenzo's iron fist."We have control of the Marinos' eastern port, Boss."Lorenzo's most trusted right-hand man, Tommy, was reporting the latest developments."Good," Lorenzo nodded coldly. "Keep up the pressure. Leave them no room to breathe."After every bloody acquisition, Lorenzo would push the property deeds in front of me."For you, my queen."He always said it as if he were presenting precious jewels, not a dark empire worth billions.I would laugh and tell him he was spoiling me rotten, but he would just kiss the back of my hand earnestly."I need the entire underworld to know that you can have anything you want."