Page 42 of Married to the Mafia Monster

“Maybe for now,” she says, her tone teasing. “But I bet it lasts forever. You two are clearly meant to be together. Could tell from the way he looked at you.”

A small smile tugs at my lips. “I hope you’re right. I really do.”

Lily’s voice softens, becoming more serious. “Bella, I can hear it in your voice. You do care about him, don’t you? Why pretend otherwise?”

I bite my lip, feeling a lump form in my throat. “I do care about him. More than I thought I would. But it’s complicated. He has this dark side, Lily. I don’t know if I can ever really trust him.”

“He’s been protecting you, hasn’t he?” Lily’s voice is gentle, understanding. “Keeping you safe.”

“Yes,” I whisper. “But he’s also the reason I’m in this mess. I don’t know if I can separate the two sides of him.”

Lily sighs, and I can almost see her shaking her head. “Love isn’t always simple, Bella. Sometimes it’s messy and complicated. But if he makes you feel safe and cherished, that’s a better start than a lot of relationships I’ve had.”

I let out a shaky breath, the weight of her words sinking in. “I want to believe that, Lily. I really do. But what if it all falls apart? What if he has to leave?”

“Then you’ll cross that bridge when you come to it,” she says firmly. “For now, focus on the present. Focus on the fact that he’s here, protecting you, caring for you. That’s what matters.”

We end the call, and I feel a little lighter, a little more hopeful. I head to the bathroom and step into the shower, letting the hot water wash away my worries, at least for a moment.

The steam fills the room, and I close my eyes, wishing things were different.

I wish I could have a normal life, a family with Alex, without the constant danger hanging over our heads. I wonder if I’ll ever get out of this situation alive, if we’ll ever have the chance to build a future together.

As I step out of the shower and wrap a towel around myself, I take a deep breath. No matter what happens, I know I have to stay strong. For myself, for Alex, and for the slim hope that one day, we can have the life we both deserve.

TWENTY-SEVEN

Bella

The early afternoon sun filters through the windows, casting a warm glow over the luxurious penthouse. I’m curled up on the plush sofa, absently flipping through a magazine, but my thoughts are elsewhere.

The events of the past days swirl in my mind like a storm, leaving me restless and uneasy.

Suddenly, the shrill ring of the phone on the wall pierces the silence. I jump, my heart racing. Who could be calling? Alex? No, he would use the cell he got me. I reach for the receiver, hesitating for a moment before answering.

“Hello?”

“Bella, it’s me.” The voice on the other end is unmistakable. My father. Relief floods through me, but it’s quickly overshadowed by a hundred questions.

“Dad? How did you find me? How did you get this number?”

He sighs, a weary sound that makes my heart ache. “Tracker on your husband’s car. Is he there?”

My grip tightens on the phone. “Why does it matter, Dad? And why did you disappear?”

He ignores my questions. “Bella, the only reason Alex married you is to get to me. He doesn’t have feelings. He’s a sociopath who hides behind realistic but fake emotions. Don’t believe anything he says.”

I shake my head, even though he can’t see me. “No, Dad, that’s not true.”

His voice turns cold. “See what happens when you tell him where the thing is he’s looking for. Let’s see how deep his feelings go then.”

“What do you mean?” I ask, my heart pounding louder in my chest.

“It’s just a job to him. He’s using you to get to me. Not even for himself. He’s just a hired hand, in it for the money.”

“He gave me a million bucks, Dad.”

“Peanuts to a guy like him. I can’t believe you fell for his shit.”

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