All Chapters of One Year with the Mafia Boss: Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

Isayanna The day was finally bleeding into night. It looked like the first real war I had ever fought with my grandmother was ending. The air between us had been jagged for weeks, but as I stood there, I felt the sharp edges begin to soften. It should have been a relief, but instead, it tasted like salt. We never fought. She was my anchor, the woman who had taught me that patience was a superpower. I had spent my whole life leaning on her kindness, and then I had gone and shattered it with a lie. Seeing her now, with that small, tired grin on her face, didn't make me feel better. It made me feel humiliated. I felt smaller than I did the day she found out Jaydon and I were a fraud. "Let's get you inside," I murmured. I helped her up the steps, her weight light and fragile against my side. Jaydon followed us like a shadow. He didn't say a word, but I could feel the weight of his presence. He was the reason for all of this, the architect of the mess we were currently walking through.

IsayannaI wake up with a jolt, my heart pounding as I realize my hands are resting on Jaydon’s chest. My eyes widen in disbelief, and I yank my arms away like they have been burned. Scrambling out of bed, I clutch my chest, trying to calm the frantic thumping of my heart. The room feels too small, too quiet, and my mind races as I try to make sense of what just happened.What the hell? I stare at him in shock, frozen in place. When did I put my hands on him? Did I even do it intentionally? I glance around the room, as if the answer might be written on the walls or hidden in the corners. The soft glow of the bedside lamp casts long shadows, and I feel exposed, like the light is revealing something I do not want to see.Why did he not turn off the light before falling asleep? Feeling like a complete mess, I shuffle over to the sofa, covering my face with my hands. My brain is still trying to process what just happened when I drop onto the sectional. But I do not just hit the sofa. My

IsayannaI stepped out of the room, the soft fabric of the sleek velvet gown brushing against my skin like a whisper. The long sleeves clung to my arms, and the hem of the short gown swayed slightly as I moved. My ankle-strap shoes clicked softly against the polished floor, each step deliberate and measured. Jaydon had made it clear earlier—tonight, I was not just me. I was the wife of a billionaire, and I needed to dress the part. The weight of that expectation pressed down on my shoulders, heavier than the luxurious fabric of the gown.I paused for a moment, glancing at myself in the hallway mirror. My hair was gathered into a loose, low bun, neat but not overly formal. A touch of nude gloss coated my lips, and my makeup was minimal—just enough to look polished without seeming like I was trying too hard. Tonight was important. Jaydon’s best friend, Christian, and his wife, Sabrina, were coming over for dinner. I had met Christian before—he was a regular at Jaydon’s office—but Sabrin

Isayanna I stare at myself in the mirror, the reflection blurring as my mind drifts back to what Sabrina said earlier. Her words replay in my head like a broken record, each one digging deeper into my thoughts. She told me how she failed to get Jaydon to sign that marriage contract with her friend. I wish I could see what this woman looks like, just to compare myself to her. But to do that, I’d have to somehow get closer to Sabrina, and that seems impossible. I can’t stand people who talk too much, and Sabrina? She’s definitely one of those. She’s always acting strangely, just like her husband. There’s something about her that feels... off, like she’s playing a game I don’t understand. I can’t help but wonder what kind of girls Jaydon likes to date. The other day, I reminded myself that the girls from his circle are always well-known. The women he’s with are either rich or from billionaire families—ladies who can help invest in his businesses. Not people like me—broke and still try

Isayanna I still couldn’t believe it—Alejandro and I had talked through the entire dinner, and beyond, and I honestly found myself enjoying his company more than I expected.It was strange, but his presence had really lifted my mood. After everything with Jaydon, I needed that. Funny thing, though, I didn’t even know why I had been so upset with Jaydon. I should have seen what happened tonight coming. In fact, I’d probably been setting myself up for disappointment. But the blow still stung, and I couldn’t shake that sense of betrayal.Normally, I’m pretty uncomfortable around strangers, but Alejandro was different. It was like he had this effortless way of making me feel at ease. There I was, telling him things I wouldn’t usually share with anyone. And it wasn’t just because we had been talking all evening. There was something about him—his vibe, I guess—that made me want to open up, even from the very beginning.Maybe it was his free-spirited energy that made me feel free, too. I di