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The ride back to the DeLuca mansion was fast and blurry. Val sat in the back seat, with Olive silent at the wheel, her hands curled into fists on her lap as the streets rolled by in streaks of color. The city’s noise barely reached her—only the disturbing sound of the name munchkin still echoing in her head.By the time the mansion gates came into view, her chest was tight with something she could hardly name—fear, anger, betrayal, maybe all three wound so tight they were indistinguishable.The gates creaked open, guards standing to attention as the car swept through the long drive. Olive glanced once through the rearview mirror as if to check on her, but said nothing. He didn’t need to. She was already leaning forward, her eyes hard on the mansion doors before the car had even stopped.The moment her heels touched the ground, Rebecca was there, gliding down the steps like a queen waiting for a subject. She carried herself with a smug air, arms folded lightly across her chest, and he

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Val’s chest was still tight from the confrontation inside the mansion, the taste of bitterness clinging to her tongue. By the time she reached the front steps, she was drained. She leaned against the car for a moment, catching her breath, then slid into the backseat.“Olive,” she said quietly, her voice steady despite the storm inside. “Get me Alecia’s number.”Olive glanced back in the mirror, uncertain, but didn’t argue. Within minutes the phone was in her hand, her thumb hovering over the screen. The number stared back at her like a dare. She inhaled, pressed dial.The line rang once. Twice. Then a voice she didn’t recognize answered, light and a little careless. “I think Lecia’s enemy is calling. She saved your name as bitch. So please, don’t call this line anymore.”Val blinked. “Uh… you must be her friend.” She cleared her throat. “It’s Valentina.”For a second, the girl on the other end froze, stunned into silence. “Uh—hi, Valentina,” she stammered, her tone suddenly cautious,

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Alecia leaned on the doorframe, eyes narrowing as though Val had materialized from thin air just to ruin her morning. Her gaze swept over her older sister like she was some street peddler who had knocked on the wrong door.“Did you lose your way?” she asked flatly, one eyebrow arched.Val didn’t answer immediately, her jaw tightening as she steadied her breathing. Alecia smirked at the silence and added with a dismissive flick of her wrist, “I think your destination is the next apartment.”Val exhaled, tired already. “We need to talk.”The eye-roll Alecia gave her was so sharp it could’ve cut glass. “We have nothing to talk about.”Ignoring the jab, Val extended the fruit basket toward Liv, who hovered uncertainly at Alecia’s side. For a second Liv looked between the sisters, frozen in the middle of their silent war. Alecia’s tone was ice. “Don’t take that.”But Liv’s hands were already reaching. She gave Val an awkward, sympathetic look, took the basket, and slipped back inside. The

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Liv winced. “Sorry we didn’t offer you anything. We were trying to make something new for breakfast and Alecia burned it.”Alecia didn’t miss a beat. “She’s not here to eat. You said it was urgent, so say it and leave.”Val didn’t even look at her. She kept her eyes on Liv. “You haven’t eaten yet?”Liv shook her head. Kennedy shrugged like, obviously.“What were you trying to make?” Val asked.Liv glanced at the kitchen, embarrassed. “Aloo paratha. We watched three videos and somehow set off the alarm anyway.”Val stood, dropped her bag on the side table, and rolled up her sleeves. “I’m hungry too. Let’s fix it.”Kennedy blinked. “You actually know how to make that?”“Yes.” Val pushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “I used to volunteer at a gurdwara kitchen in Mumbai before I got married. It’s breakfast there most days. If you don’t learn it right, the aunties shame you into learning it right.”Kennedy laughed. Liv brightened. Alecia made a face and sank into the couch with a

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Alecia’s face shifted the second the name left Val’s mouth. A hot wave of anger seeping into her chest.She pushed her plate aside, the half-eaten pizza slice hanging crooked on the edge, and hissed, “I don’t want to discuss anything concerning that man. He should stay in the hospital forever.”Val leaned forward, eyebrows raised. “Hospital? Whatever took him there, he’s out now. Discharged. He showed up in front of me this morning. At first, I didn’t even recognize him. I only realized after he got a message from Dad and left.”The room dropped cold.Alecia gripped the arm of the couch like she might tear it apart. “You’re telling me he’s walking around? Here? He’s been standing in front of you?” Her voice cracked sharp, and then it dropped, lower and darker. “If he comes near me again, I’ll kill him. This time I won’t miss.”Kennedy stiffened in her seat, her knuckles white where she held the glass in her hand. Liv’s eyes darted from one sister to the other, tension crawling up her

Epilogue

The second the front door clicked shut behind Val, the apartment atmosphere seemed to change. The lingering smoke from the earlier kitchen disaster still hung faintly in the air, and the silence was suddenly too loud. Why wouldn't it be.Liv sat back down on the edge of the couch, her eyes unfocused, and her lips pressed into a thin line.Kennedy asked her something about the food but Liv didn’t respond. Her sudden silence treatment continued, until it caught alecia's attention and she cocked her head and narrowed her eyes.“What happened?” Alecia aske, half teasing, half suspicious. “That food send you mute? Or did my sister’s princess speech poison your ears?”Liv didn’t move and refused to respond.Alecia frowned as Liv finally spoke but called out toward the kitchen. “Ken! Can you come here for a sec?”Kennedy emerged, wiping her hands on a dish towel, and dropped back onto the couch beside Liv. She then folded her arms, waiting, irritation already building.Liv finally drew in a

All Chapters of The Mafia's Substitute Bride: Chapter 281 - Chapter 286

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Epilogue