جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 9

Seven years ago, my mafia husband, Sergio Wexler, had me committed to a psychiatric ward.On the day I was released, I changed my name, cut my hair short, and vanished like a ghost.Seven years later, we meet again at the grave of my brother, Luca Lorusso.The bouquet in his hand falls with a soft thud.Sergio clenches his fists tightly, barely holding back emotions that threaten to break through his usual calm."Janella, why the short hair? I almost didn't recognize you. Where have you been all these years? After that fire at the psych ward, I pulled every string I had, but I never got any leads on you. I've been looking for you for seven years. I even thought you were… dead."When I stay silent, he rubs his red-rimmed eyes. "You're avoiding me, aren't you? Do you still hate me for having you locked up? Believe me, I had no choice."I let out a bitter laugh.Sergio killed Luca to become the Don. He slept with Luca's woman and locked me in that dark, windowless "special ward", nearly e

After Luca officially became the Don, he got busier than ever. Sometimes, I wouldn't see him for weeks.Then one night, there was a massive explosion at the harbor. Smoke and the smell of saltwater swept across the balcony.Luca had led his men to wipe out the rival faction and seize the shipment of smuggled weapons. The haul was worth a fortune, enough to multiply the Lorusso family's profits several times over.When Luca came home that day, he smiled for the first time in ages as he carried two gift boxes into the living room.One was a license granting me the rights to run his chain of bars. The other was a couture dress Elena had wanted for half a year.As we were opening the gifts, Sergio, who wasn't home, called Luca."Don Lorusso, the Capone family used the negotiations as a cover to set me up. They cornered me in an underground club, demanding the location of the weapons."Luca rushed out without even putting on his coat. "Janella, take care of Elena. I'll be back soon."

"What?" Sergio shrieked.His pupils snapped wide as he stepped forward to grab my wrist, but Zefiro calmly blocked him."Janella, you told me you've been alone all this time!" Sergio accused fiercely.Feeling the warmth of Zefiro's hand, I smiled softly as I replied, "I never said that. That was just your wishful thinking. Zefiro and I are getting married soon."Elena, eyeing our simple clothes, covered her mouth and chuckled. "Janella, you actually chose some broke guy like him? I bet you two can't even afford a house. Oh, is that why you're back in this dump?"Sergio's gaze landed on Zefiro's stiff left leg, and his voice suddenly rose to a shout."Janella, have you lost your mind? I'll never allow you to be with him. You can't marry a cripple just to spite me! Look at him! He can't even protect himself. How can he protect you? As Luca's best friend, I can't let you make such a reckless mistake!"Elena caught the note of concern in Sergio's voice, and a flash of resentment fla

I clenched my fists so hard that my nails dug into my palms. I didn't dare meet Fabio's and Zarina's eyes."I know my past is messy, but I—""Don't say that!" Zarina cut me off abruptly and stepped forward to hug me. Her warm embrace brought tears to my eyes.Her voice trembled with anger and sorrow. "Janella, we're the ones who should be sorry. If only we had come back sooner, none of this would have happened to you."It's not your fault. You never should have gone through all that. Trust me, we'll make those who have hurt you pay."As I leaned into Zefiro's embrace, I watched my new family stand up for me with such fierce indignation. My tears fell again.This time, they weren't tears of pain, but of pure happiness.Zefiro bent down and kissed my forehead before saying softly, "I promised you that you won't be alone anymore. Now you have all of us."I finally decided to sell that old house.Though it held precious memories of Luca and me, it was also a constant reminder of t

Like seeing a lifeline, Elena immediately lunged at Sergio. "Sergio, you're finally here! Janella's gone crazy! She slapped me and twisted the truth to slander me. You have to get revenge for me!"But Sergio shrugged her off without a trace of pity. There was only cold disgust in his eyes."Don't touch me, you slut! You think I filed for divorce because of Janella? I'm done with your lies and malice. You think I don't know how many people you have been seeing behind my back? Do you think I'm blind?"Elena collapsed to the floor, trembling. "Y-You knew all along?""Yeah, and that's not all that I know. I even know the baby you were pregnant with wasn't mine! You've been lying to me this whole time!"With that, as if unable to suppress the rage within him, he slapped Elena across the face.Sergio's gaze swept over Elena on the ground before finally resting on me. His tone softened as he said, "Janella, I'm sorry. I was blinded by her words back then and betrayed you and Luca. I reg