Semua Bab His Dead Wife: No Longer the Surrogate Bride: Bab 81 - Bab 90

The iron gates opened without delay as Enzo drove the black SUV down the driveway towards the Valtieri estate, looking formidable at a far distance. The Valtieri family welcomed Dominic and Althea like returning property.Inside, the Valtieri elders waited, lining like sentinels of old power, eyes gleaming with satisfaction as they watched from the opened door Dominic, opening the car door and holding out his hand for Althea.“They’re watching.” Dominic informed quietly as he closed his hand over Althea’s. He then looked at Enzo, who waited for instructions. “Give the car to one staff and take up your usual post.”“Copy, boss.” Enzo responded as he signaled for one driver standing by and hand over the keys.Dominic then led Althea forward, his other hand firm at her back. She played her role perfectly as what he requested her to do during the drive. She remained quiet, composed, and unreadable.“It’s good to see you come back, Dominic.” One of the elders said, pleased, stepping forwar

It has been more than a month since Althea had been back inside the Valtieri orbit.Long enough for routine to return in her system, to feel ordinary for every danger and long enough for her name to be spoken without hesitation.Althea Valtieri, as an asset of the Valtieri empire.Luca wasted no time in using her talent.Case after case came, each one more impossible than the last. Heads of state are being flown in under false names, industrial magnates whose illnesses were whispered about but never acknowledged.There’s also one patient, a cartel heir shot through the spine that took Althea more than twelve hours to operate. A judge whose heart condition could destabilize an entire region if discovered.Althea operated without pause, sleeping only in fragments and will only eat when one of the Valtieri guards assigned to her would hand her a meal.She had also learned to stop flinching when Luca stood too close to her. She remembered that he would watch from behind the glass as she

It was the third gala hosted by the Valtieris.Althea knew that because her body had begun to remember the family’s pattern before her mind did. The first had been an announcement of her return. The second, a test. This third one. This is consolidation.Luca Valtieri did nothing without purpose, and three galas in as many weeks only meant one thing. He is no longer just presenting Althea to the family and public, but claiming her.The ballroom gleamed with excess. Crystal chandeliers throwing fractured light across marble floors, overflowing food and drinks, string music drifting like something expensive and deliberately calming. Guests flowed in dark suits and silk gowns, their laughter rehearsed, their glances sharp.At the center of it all stood Althea.Again.Eyes would follow everywhere she would go, in the way conversations paused or whispered when she moved, and resumed when she passed. She was dressed in deep midnight blue gown tonight.It was Luca’s choice, a color that made

THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS MATURE CONTENT. PLEASE READ WITH DISCRETION.Althea held onto Dominic as he scooped her up in his arms and placed her on the middle of the bed and immediately sandwiching her between his legs. She tilted her face up to him when he lowered his head to her.“I’m not going to hold back, Althea,” he warned lightly as he raised one hand and caressed her face. “I’m telling you right now because I’m giving you the chance to stop me. Once I start, you can’t stop me.”She placed a hand over his as she looked him straight in the eye.“I’m not asking you to.” She whispered and her eyes lowered to his mouth.Taking the first step, this time, Althea boldly pressed her lips on to his and kissed him hardly, her tongue traveling to his open mouth. She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling her closer to him as she felt his hands gripped her waist in return.She angled her head as they continued to engage in an open mouth kiss.Dominic gently pushed her to lie flat on the bed

Luca stood by the tall windows, hands folded behind his back. Seraphina sat to his right, composed as ever, her expression turning sharp and ice when she took one look at Althea’s physical state.“Althea.” Luca said, turning slowly and paused for a few seconds as he looked her up and down. A knowing smirk appeared on his face before gesturing her to a chair. “Sit.”She obeyed and thanked Dominic when he pulled out a chair for her.The chair felt too low, too exposed but Althea will quietly use it to her advantage.“I trust you are enjoying your free time?” Luca finally asked.“Yes, thank you.” She replied politely and then cocked her head. “Though I didn’t request it.”“No.” Luca agreed. “You didn’t.”A pause stretched between them.“However, before we continue,” Luca said patiently, “I would like to see my nephew or rather my grandson. Could you call him for me?”Althea’s breath stilled and she turned to Dominic, as if asking his approval.“Just a short call will do.” Luca continued