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All Chapters of The Mafia Don's Nightmare Was My Escape: Chapter 1 - Chapter 8

8 Chapters

1

"Don Moretti, you made a promise to the Donna."What if she finds out Ms. Romano never left and you've put her up at your private estate? What if she makes a scene?"I gripped the doorknob tighter. My heart sank.Through the gap in the door, I watched Vincent gently stroke Lia's hair before replying casually to his men."She won't find out."Lia's a simple girl. She won't go making trouble in front of Eve."Besides, she's been with me ever since she left the convent. I can't abandon her."I went cold at the certainty in his voice.Vincent had rescued Lia during a shootout at the convent a year ago.He'd been cheating on me for a whole year.His men fell silent.At last, Bob Ricci, his underboss, worked up the nerve to ask, "But Don, what if that dream comes true?"Vincent took off his gloves and turned a lighter over in his hand. His cigar glowed between his fingers.Lia spotted me at the door and gave me a triumphant smile.She had just scooped up a spoonful of hazelnut cake and raise

2

After we planned the asset transfer, I stayed the night at my parents' house.That night, I had a dream much like Vincent's.In the rest of the dream, no matter what happened to Lia, Vincent insisted I was behind it and made me pay twice over.To protect Lia, Vincent had my bodyguard, Erin Hayes, thrown into the Hudson to feed the sharks.His relentless attacks brought on a stroke that left my father paralyzed.Desperate for revenge, I did everything I could to bring his lover to trial for her crimes.But his men beat me until I miscarried. The damage was permanent. I could never have another child.I woke up with my back soaked in cold sweat.Staring at my pregnancy test results, I rested a hand on my belly.I would not let that happen!Early the next morning, I set out for a prenatal checkup at the private clinic.I'd barely gotten into the car when Erin called."Donna! The Don lied to you. Lia's still here!"The memory of what had happened to her in my dream came rushing back.A chi

3

At the private clinic, Dr. Chris Morgan stood beside my bed. She sighed."I'm so sorry. You've lost the baby."I'd known what she was going to say. Hearing it still brought tears to my eyes.Then Erin came in."Ms. Alberti, the Don has seized control of your family's docks. He says he's giving them to Lia as an apology."My heart sank.The docks had been the heart of our family business for well over a decade. Losing them would bleed us half dry.Vincent knew how much they meant to us.He was willing to go that far for Lia."Erin, get me discharged.""Ms. Alberti, you're in no condition...""Now!"Erin drove me to the office. Vincent was sitting at the head of the conference table when we arrived.My father sat opposite him, his fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles had turned white. Somehow, he kept his temper in check.I'd texted him a warning on the way.In my dream, an argument with Vincent had triggered his stroke.I couldn't let it happen now.Vincent stubbed out his cigar

4

Watching him leave, I could tell his patience was running out.Getting rid of Erin and taking our family's docks would leave me with no one to turn to. That was the point.But he was wasting his time. I'd already made my own plans.I said goodbye to my father and went back to the Moretti estate so Vincent wouldn't get suspicious.The asset transfer wasn't quite finished.Vincent took a call, then came over and took my arm."There's a charity gala on Wall Street tonight. You're coming with me."I pulled away, one hand over my flat belly."I'm not going. My stomach hurts."For a moment, he looked worried. Then he scoffed."Eve, you always use a stomachache as an excuse when you don't want to go out."Not tonight. You're my wife. You have to be there."Before I could say anything else, he bundled me into the back of a stretch Lincoln.Lia turned around in the front passenger seat. "Sorry, Donna," she said softly. "Vincent said he'd show me how the other half lives. You don't mind, do you?

5

When I woke up in bed, Erin was beside me, her eyes red from crying."Donna... no, Ms. Alberti. You're finally awake.""Who brought me back?""Mr. Cullen.""Where's Vincent?"Erin hesitated before answering. "The Don... he took Lia to the hospital."I pushed myself upright, bracing a hand on the edge of the bed. The dull ache low in my belly was still there, but I felt strangely calm.I reached for my phone and made a call."Dad, have all the assets been transferred?"Good. You and Mom get ready. We're leaving tonight."Meanwhile, Vincent couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong.Lia snuggled against him in her hospital bed, seeking comfort as she told him how terrified she'd been.He didn't know why, but all he felt was irritation.Eve had never chattered on like this when she was with him.She'd sat quietly beside him with a book.Every so often, she'd look up and smile. That alone had been enough to put him at ease."You said Eve tried to burn you alive? Where is she, the

6

Three years later. Zurich.Snow fell thickly outside the window."Ms. Lane, Mr. Cullen is waiting downstairs."My secretary knocked and stepped inside to remind me.I nodded and picked up the coat hanging over my chair.My name was Eve Lane now.Our family business had a new identity too. We'd put down roots in our new country.And Ian?Over those three years, we'd gone from business partners to partners in every sense. We understood each other without a word.Bit by bit, he'd helped me overcome the nightmares of betrayal that had followed me from New York.Our wedding was in three days.At my request, he'd arranged a simple ceremony in a little lakeside church with just a few close friends and relatives.When I got back to the apartment, Erin was pressing my wedding dress.She hesitated when she saw me."Ms. Lane, someone just called from New York."He wouldn't give a name. He said... he had to speak to you."I paused, then answered evenly, "Hang up on him."I didn't need to ask who i

7

After that, I heard nothing more from Vincent.I threw myself into work and wedding preparations.Before I knew it, the wedding was a day away.Ian called as I was leaving the office. "Eve, I'm sorry. The board called an emergency meeting. I don't think I'll make it to your dress fitting.""It's fine. The dress was made to my measurements. I'll just try it on and see how it looks."After we hung up, I drove to the bridal shop.The ivory lace gown had a long train dotted with tiny pearls. Erin stood behind me, carefully smoothing the skirt.It was evening by the time we finished. As I stepped out of the shop, my phone buzzed.A text from a business partner.They were at the coffee shop on the corner and needed to go over a document with me in person. It was urgent.I pushed open the door. My smile vanished when I saw who was sitting on the couch.Vincent. Still in his blue-and-white hospital gown.He was gaunt, his eyes sunken and his skin almost translucent. Nothing remained of the pro

8

Our wedding day arrived.Morning sunlight filtered through the sheer curtains.Erin helped me into my wedding dress. The white lace trailed across the floor.The church was small, with white candles burning on a table.Ian waited in a dark gray suit. He gave me a tender smile when he saw me.My father took my arm and walked me slowly down the red-carpeted aisle.The organ filled the church with the wedding march.Just as the minister was about to lead us through our vows, the doors banged open.Vincent stood in the doorway, deathly pale, staring at me."Eve! Don't marry him!"He stumbled inside. The guards behind him moved to stop him, but I raised a hand."I was wrong, Eve. I know I was wrong."He stood at the foot of the steps, looking up at me. His voice was ragged."The docks, the businesses. I'll give you everything."Just give me one more chance. The three of us can start over..."I looked calmly at the wreck of a man in front of me."The three of us? You still don't understand,

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