I Married My Sworn Enemy After Being Betrayed
The first time Rafael betrayed me, he threw the woman from his club at my feet. His eyes were bloodshot as he told me to take my pick.
My love for him was a sickness, so I forgave the transgression.
For the second betrayal, I had the dancer sent out of New York, warning her never to set foot on the East Coast again.
On the night of our engagement party, sealing the union of our two families, Rafael pinned me against the walnut desk in the study. His eyes burned with rage as he demanded:
"Where is Nina? She's carrying a Mancini heir."
"It was a mistake. You can take your anger out on me. Nina is naive; she doesn't deserve this. I'm begging you, just let the child be born safely. I swear I'll never see her again."
"You're afraid of childbirth. This gives you an heir without the risk."
"Listen, Alessia. You are the future Donna of the Mancini family. When that child is born, it will know only you as its mother. I swear on my life."
He forced me backward until shards from the vase I'd knocked over cut into my skin, staining my silk dress with blood.
I looked at him and smiled, then gave him the address of a safe house in Brooklyn.
He slammed the heavy oak door behind him. Shaking, I pulled out my encrypted phone.
"You were right about him. Is your offer still on the table?"