Chapter 21

"Don Connor, this..."Watching Santino's manic display, the doctors exchanged fearful glances, their hands hovering over the machine's off-switch, but no one dared to press it.I stood to the side, watching his desperate act, my heart feeling as though it were being squeezed by an invisible hand."Stop! Santino! Stop it!"I lunged forward, but Santino grabbed my wrist. His palm was burning hot, slick with sweat."Don't stop it."He gasped, his voice broken. "Erin, watch me. I owe you this."The numbers on the heart-rate monitor jumped wildly: 160, 180, 200...Santino's body was shaking violently, each stride pushing him further past his physical limits."It's... not... enough..."He stared at me, his eyes filled with a dying, crazed obsession. "Luca was... in more pain... wasn't he?""As long as you're happy..."In a state of extreme oxygen deprivation, a weak smile touched his lips. "You can have my life...""Don't!" I screamed. "Santino, stop! You're going to die!"His weak smile rem

Chapter 22

The car sped through the city, finally stopping in front of the largest cathedral in Manhattan."Santino! Let go of me!"I was forcibly dragged from the car by two bodyguards, struggling with all my might, but it was useless."Don't fight it, Erin," he murmured against my hair. "You'll like it. This is where we're getting married."The cathedral was empty, save for the white roses that covered the altar.A team of stylists was already waiting. They ignored my protests and forced me into the dressing room."Get away from me! I'm not wearing it!"I grabbed the expensive, diamond-encrusted wedding gown and threw it to the floor. "Santino! This is kidnapping! This is illegal imprisonment!"The curtain was pulled back.Santino stood there in a pure white tuxedo, looking like an angel but acting like a devil.He knelt, picked up the gown I had soiled with my shoe, and gently brushed it off. "Erin, I had this gown custom-made to your measurements. I picked out every single diamond myself.""I

Chapter 23

"Erin, don't go," Santino's voice was a hoarse plea, stopping me."If I bleed for you, the way Luca bled, will you feel even a shred of pity?"There was a flash of cold light as he unhesitatingly dragged the dagger across his own wrist.His jaw twitched. The blade bit into his skin, and blood welled up, dripping onto the pristine marble floor."Just tell me. Is there truly nothing left for me in your heart?""So many people used to flock around me, flattering me, telling me they loved me. But I knew they only loved the Don, the power, the money.""Do you know why I believed Riley? Because she staged a so-called 'rescue.' I thought that in this world of fakes, I had finally found one person who was willing to die for Santino the man, not for Santino the Don.""Pathetic, isn't it? Fooled by such a clumsy lie for all those years.""But now I know. It was fake! All of it was fake!"He cut himself again, the wound deep enough to show bone."Only you were real. Those five years, that rundown

Chapter 24

Two years later, Philadelphia.A simple, warm wedding was being held on a sun-drenched lawn.Luca, dapper in a sharp little suit with a pink rose pinned to his chest, was so much taller. At seven, he already had the handsome beginnings of the man he was growing into."Mommy, Daddy, congratulations!"He ran toward us, a basket of flowers in his hand, a joyful little angel surrounded by guests.I wore a simple white wedding gown, the veil dotted with tiny diamonds that sparkled in the sunlight.Declan, in a tailored suit, looked even more mature and steady than he had two years ago, but the look he gave me was still filled with a tenderness that could bring tears to your eyes."Thank you, my son."Declan took the basket, retrieved the rings from inside, and knelt on one knee. His eyes were so full of devotion that my own began to well up."Erin, thank you for agreeing to marry me, for making me the happiest man in the world.""And thank you for giving me a family.""Papa, I'm giving you

All Chapters of My Mafia Husband Said He Was Broke: Chapter 21 - Chapter 24

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24