Semua Bab Forced to Divorce, I Wed the Man He Fears Most: Bab 1 - Bab 9

"Sign it, Nina."The divorce papers were pushed toward me.Erico Vitale, heir to the most powerful mafia family in Layshire, stood across from me. He was also my husband of more than three years."Joanna needs these papers to convince her papa," he said, his tone as flat as if he were commenting on the weather. "The Rosettis control three docks in Layshire. I need their management rights."My hands in my robe pockets trembled slightly. This was PTSD—a gift leftover from the massacre of the Livignis four years ago."So you're divorcing me… just for a few docks?" I heard myself say."For the future of the Vitale family," Erico said, circling the table.He tilted my chin with his fingers and continued, "Sign it. Once I have the docks, Joanna disappears. You'll always be my wife, Nina.""And what about these past six months?" I asked, looking into his deep blue eyes. "These past six months, you've taken her to every gala and gotten your photos splashed across newspapers, making all

On the sixth day, the Vitales hosted a charity gala, and I attended as the "divorced-but-still-friends" ex-wife.Joanna walked in, arm linked with Erico, basking in the attention of everyone. She was the star of the evening."Nina!"She walked up to me with a flute of champagne in her hand. "How's the old apartment you moved into? It's so brave of you. I hear old places like that are often haunted.""The ghosts of the Livignis would only protect their own," I said calmly.Her smile froze for a split second before growing even brighter. "Erico, listen to how funny Nina is!"Erico walked over, his hand naturally settling around Joanna's waist."Having fun?" he asked."So-so," I replied."That's good."He then leaned in close, his voice dropping low. "Senator Malfieri is over there. He has old ties with the Rosettis. I need to bring Joanna over to say hello. Entertain yourself for a bit?"I gave a soft hum in response.As they walked off, Joanna glanced back at me. Her eyes we

The plane touched down in Sorella Isle just as the afternoon sun was blazing over the Ludirean Sea.Gian's estate perched on the cliffs of Catemarina."This will be your home from now on," he said, placing the keys in my palm. "Every room is open to you."The estate was vast, and the staff were respectful but kept a polite distance.Gian was busy every day, managing the Lucenti family affairs. But he always reserved dinner time for me. We'd sit on the terrace, talking about trivial things.He never asked me about my four years with the Vitales, and I never asked about the scar between his brows.…A week later, Gian took me to City Hall. Half an hour later, we walked out holding a fresh marriage certificate. A simple platinum band adorned my ring finger, with "N.L. 11.28" engraved inside—my initials and today's date.The realization that I had just married myself off again left me a little dazed.Gian held my hand, smiling gently.…Our days were so peaceful they almost felt

"Don Lucenti." Erico finally released my wrist and turned to Gian, barely maintaining a basic level of civility. "This is a private matter between Nina and me.""She's my wife now," Gian said with a smile, though the warmth didn't reach his eyes. "Her matters are my matters."Erico's expression twisted. He looked at me, his voice dropping low. "Nina, stop messing around. Tonight is important. Papa is waiting for us. Let's go in first, and everything else can wait until after the party…""There's nothing left to talk about," I interrupted him. "Erico, I've already told you—we're over. And I've told you that I'm married, too."I raised my left hand, the wedding band sparkling under the light. "I don't understand why you're still bothering me."Erico stared at the wedding band, like it was something he couldn't comprehend. Then a short, desperate-sounding laugh escaped him. "Married? You've only been gone a month, and you're already married to someone else? Is this revenge, Nina? Jus

Gian's bodyguards stepped forward immediately, but he raised a hand to stop them.Turning to me, he asked, "Do you want to talk to him?"I gave it some thought before nodding. "Right here is fine.""What will it take for you to come back?" Erico asked, getting straight to the point. "I know I made mistakes, Nina. I really do. I'll break up with Joanna and return the docks to the Rosettis. I'll also publicly apologize to you—whatever you want, I'll do it.""I want you to let go," I said. "Erico, we're over. I'm married to Gian now, and I love him.""You love him?"He laughed bitterly. "How long have you known him? One month? We were together for four years, Nina! Four years!""No, it's not just been one month… but that has nothing to do with why we're no longer together. In the four years we were together, you treated me like an accessory, like a possession of yours, Erico. You were used to owning me, to controlling me. "Now that I've escaped your control, you're the one who's