All Chapters of My Obsessed Mafia Ex Wants Me Back: Chapter 21 - Chapter 28

Ariana"Are you sure Damien didn't fire you?""No."I answered without looking up, flipping the pancake over just before it could burn. The buttery smell filled the kitchen. Tessa leaned against the kitchen island with a mug of coffee in her hands, watching me with narrowed eyes."You're absolutely sure?""Yes.""Did you and him had a fight?""No.""No slap."I shook my head with a sighed. "No, Tessa."She took a sip of her coffee."Then why are you home?"I slid the pancake onto a plate before pouring another scoop of batter into the pan.Because I couldn't face him. Because every time I closed my eyes, I could still hear his stepmother's voice."The same shameless little slut.""I got rid of you once. Don't think I can't do it again."The words had followed me home. They'd followed me into bed.I'd cried myself to sleep like I hadn't done in years.Not because of the insults.I'd been called worse. But because, for one stupid, pathetic moment...I'd started believing thing would be

ArianaShopping with Damien Valmont was an experience. Not because he asked for my opinion or because he patiently waited while I browsed through clothes.The man treated shopping the same way he treated business meetings.Fast. Efficient. And completely devoid of emotion.The moment we stepped into the boutique, three sales associates greeted him as though he owned the place. Within minutes, dresses, blouses, tailored trousers, coats, shoes, handbags, and even toiletries had appeared from every direction.Every time I picked something modestly priced, he'd simply shake his head before instructing one of the attendants to bring another option.Something more expensive. Something I wouldn't have dreamed of buying with my own money.At some point, I'd simply stopped arguing.It was like arguing with a brick wall. An incredibly rich brick wall.By the time we left, I was convinced I'd somehow become the owner of an entirely new wardrobe.The shopping bags filled nearly half the trunk of

DamienI stole another glance at Ariana. She thought she was eating. She wasn't.She'd been moving the same piece of grilled chicken around her plate for the past five minutes, cutting it into smaller pieces without actually taking more than two bites.Something was wrong. I noticed it back at the second meeting. She'd been quieter than usual.Not that Ariana was particularly talkative around me to begin with. We spoke when necessary, exchanged the occasional sarcastic remark, argued more often than either of us cared to admit...But this was different.Every few minutes, her brows pinched together almost imperceptibly before smoothing out again. She'd shift slightly in her seat, then pretend nothing had happened.Most people wouldn't have noticed. I did."You've barely eaten."She looked up from her plate, clearly not expecting me to speak."I'm eating.""No."I gestured toward her plate."You're relocating food."Her lips parted slightly before she glanced back down."I guess I'm no

ArianaThe first thing I noticed when I woke up the next morning was that I wasn't in agony.The familiar ache was still there. But compared to yesterday?It was bearable. I let out a quiet breath of relief. Maybe the medication had finally started working.Or maybe Damien's ridiculously strong ginger tea had actually done something.The thought made me smile before I could stop myself. Who would've guessed?I slowly sat up, waiting for another sharp cramp to hit. It didn't. Not immediately, anyway.Progress.I stretched carefully before swinging my legs over the side of the bed. My body still felt a little heavy, but no longer like it was actively plotting against me.After brushing my teeth and taking a warm shower, I changed into a comfortable cream-colored knit top and loose linen trousers. My stomach growl reminding me it needed rescue. I quietly opened the bedroom door and made my way downstairs.The penthouse was unusually silent. No sound of Damien on the phone."Damien?"No