All Chapters of The Marriage Lie : Chapter 1 - Chapter 9

I clutched our marriage certificate in my hand as the clerk tapped a few keys on the computer. She looked up at me, sympathy in her eyes."Ms. Mancini, our records show that you're unmarried. But Mr. Dante Vitale is married, and Isabella Medici is listed as his spouse. Do you know her?"I froze.Three years ago, Dante Vitale, the Don of the Sicilian Mafia, had slipped the ring symbolizing a Donna onto my finger in front of the entire Mafia.He'd taken my hand and stood before my late father's portrait, swearing, "Marie, your father gave his life to save mine. From this day forward, the Vitale family is yours, and so am I."But it turned out that, legally, I was unmarried. Isabella was the real Mrs. Vitale.Isabella had joined the family five years ago as one of Dante's newly recruited subordinates. She was strikingly beautiful and quickly caught the family's attention.Dante noticed her, too. He promoted her to his side, making her the person he trusted most."She's just my ass

Dante's cold voice rang out. "Who's out there?"By the time he chased after whoever had been outside, the hallway was empty.When Dante returned with Isabella, I was still sitting in my original seat, quietly listening to the performance.He led Isabella over and sat her beside me, offering a casual explanation. "The rain's coming down hard outside, and she happens to like the concert, so I let her stay."I hummed in response, making no attempt to expose his lie.After the concert ended, Dante had a collection of musical instruments brought out. Every single one was extremely expensive."You once told me you liked these instruments, so I paid whatever it took to buy them." He smiled at me. "Do you like them?"Isabella stood nearby, a flicker of jealousy in her eyes.Suddenly, she reached out and tugged on a decorative cord beside her."Don't pull that!" a staff member shouted, their face draining of color, but it was already too late.A rumbling sounded overhead. The next sec

Isabella followed Dante, glancing back at me with the faintest curve of her lips.I stood where I was, watching them walk away.The people around me were still laughing and talking about how much Mr. Vitale spoiled me.But they hadn't seen him accompanying another woman to put on the gown that was supposed to be mine.A few minutes later, Isabella emerged. She was wearing the gown, its waist fitting her perfectly. It had originally been tailored to my measurements, yet it fit her just as well.Dante stood beside her, adjusting the shoulder straps with an intimacy that made my stomach turn.Isabella approached me, lifting the hem of her skirt with an innocent smile. "Marie, does it look good? Dante says it suits me."I looked at Dante.A flicker of discomfort crossed his face, but he still spoke up, "Baby, Isabella is only wearing it temporarily. I've already contacted the designer to have an even better one made for you. Okay?"I smiled faintly. "There's no need."Dante froze

Marie's clothes and personal belongings were all gone.Dante's breathing grew ragged. He rushed into the study, then the kitchen, calling her name over and over."Marie!"Marie, where are you?"Baby, don't scare me..."He searched every inch of the villa, but Marie was nowhere to be found.He stood in the living room, panic taking hold of him.Then he spotted the safe. Marie used it to store important things. He'd once asked her what she kept inside, and she'd smiled and said, "A woman's secrets."He hadn't thought much of it at the time. He believed everything about Marie belonged to him, including her secrets.But now, with the safe sitting right in front of him, Dante rushed toward it and turned the combination lock with trembling fingers.He tried Marie's birthday. Wrong.His own birthday. Wrong.Their wedding anniversary. Still wrong.Sweat poured down his face as panic consumed him. Finally, he closed his eyes, and a memory flashed through his mind.Years ago, when

I said coldly, "I don't want to see any of you. Stop bothering me.""Marie!""Dante, listen carefully." I looked at him and spoke each word distinctly. "I said I don't love you anymore."He remained on his knees, looking completely dazed.Sophie came over and stepped in front of me. "Mr. Vitale, please leave. This is a private residence. If you don't go, I'll call the police."Dante didn't move. He just looked at me, his eyes filled with despair. "Marie, can we start over? I'll give you anything. I'll give you everything I have...""I don't want anything.""Then what do you want? Tell me! Whatever you want, I'll give it to you!"I looked at him and spoke softly. "I want you never to have appeared in my life in the first place. And now, I want you to leave for good and never show your face in front of me again."Dante's breath caught for a moment.Then he lowered his head, his shoulders trembling uncontrollably. He remained kneeling there for a long time without moving.Event