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| 104 | Divorce
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2024-08-10 07:12:18Related chapters
Mafia Heir's Contract Wife [Mafia Games V] | 105 | Restart
[ S E R A P H I N E ] This hotel room needs a break. From us, specifically. An hour-long deep clean at the very least. Makeup kits and hair ties lie scattered on the nightstands and the dresser. Socks and towels on the covers. Half-packed suitcases. Heels and sneakers by the closet. Wrinkled clothes on the covers... They're just like my thoughts and the emotions fighting for my focus. Messy. Close to unmanageable. The steady patter of rain against the windows does little to reverse the somber vibes. “Nap if you don't feel like cleaning up. I'll finish this up.” Bunching up her long blonde hair into a bun, Alina steps around the bed. She resumes folding clothes into her suitcase with a steady focus that I kinda envy. Her movements are precise, more often than not efficient, as if packing up her life is just something she does without a second thought. I, on the other hand, still struggle to let go of every item I touch. Each one reminds me of the life I'm leaving behind.
Last Updated : 2024-08-15Mafia Heir's Contract Wife [Mafia Games V] | 106 | Love Is Not Always Patient
[ D O M I N I C O ] “I heard Rosalind’s about to be charged.” “With what?” I reply to the last person I want to deal with today. I'm sitting across from him with my glass of wine still untouched beside my plate. Suited up and clean-shaven, Pierre D'Ambrosi looks every bit the polished attorney his yuppie parents boast about, but there's a wariness in his eyes as he looks at me across the table. Unlike the last time we were in a dining establishment, I don't feel like bashing his face in with my bare fists tonight. But I didn't waste time on pleasantries, either. And I'm almost relieved that he's already dropping the small talk we’ve barely begun. I don't have the patience or the time. I can't waste another hour doing jack shit. Waste the rest of my night out here. And with this guy, of all people. Pierre lifts his wine glass. “Same charges as your father's—money laundering, racketeering. Heard anything about that?” “Just speculations.” “Ah.” He takes a sip of his dr
Last Updated : 2024-08-26Mafia Heir's Contract Wife [Mafia Games V] | 107 | The New Heir
[ S E R A P H I N E ] It must be the new job. Moving into another apartment. The big adjustments I'm being forced to make. And constantly stressing over my growing list of deadlines. Or the fact that my brain's not letting me sleep much lately because of my lying, duplicitous, manipulative ex number two who's not even making an effort. Or it's all of the above. Probably. “Serves you right.” I sigh and keep my eyes closed, burying my face in my pale, clammy hands. I lean against the door to the backseat as the sun heats the top of my head. My neck feels strained more than usual. My vision's kind of foggy. Crap. I need a bed. Pronto. Or a stretcher, at some point. My legs and arms feel like they're tired of having bones. “Shoot. Crap.” Pierre's cellphone is now lying between my boots. I didn't mean to drop it. Ugh. I hope I didn't crack anything. I pick up his phone and slide it into my pocket. Calling Dominico is my last resort, but I might have to try. Just thinking of
Last Updated : 2024-08-26Mafia Heir's Contract Wife [Mafia Games V] | 108 | Breakups And Screwups
[ S E R A P H I N E ] “How much?” “About half.” I squint at Pierre as I sit across from him, trying to look normal, keeping my hands steady as I pick at the food on my plate. It's not a lot. This pesky nausea has been messing with my appetite since Friday. “Just a little above four hundred. ” “Good. Half's paid off and it's not goin' up.” Pierre sighs briefly, sounding genuinely relieved by my answer. “Dad sorted out the principal with his inheritance. I mean, what's left of it.” Thanks to my grandparents, rest their generous souls, my parents are no longer that worried about the bank loans. I still think most of the Tomassinis are too greedy to be offering business loans to small-to-medium enterprises. But it's not like I can turn back time and undo all of my parents' poor financial decisions. “And Dominico told you Ignazio no longer co-owns the bank. Correct?” “His nephew owns most of his shares now.” Pierre leans back and stares at me while staining his fork with th
Last Updated : 2024-08-29Mafia Heir's Contract Wife [Mafia Games V] | 109 | Stop Hiding From Me
[ S E R A P H I N E ] While Pierre is alone at the bar taking care of the bill and finishing his drink, I unlock his convertible and get in the passenger seat. I toss my phone on top of the dashboard. Then I pull a few napkins from the glove compartment. I blow my nose, the back of my head on the headrest, my eyes closed. Sheesh. I'm done. I have no more tears left in me. I'm just spent. Exhausted. Oddly, some part of me feels at peace. Ugh. Great... Now I'm just an emotional dumpster fire. Darn this. I don't know what to tell Dominico. The heck do I even say? “Hi. I hope you're okay?” or “I'm still miserable. How's everything?” Crap. This is gonna be the most awkward phone call ever. I don't even know if he's gonna pick up after he realizes it's me calling. Do I miss him? A lot. Do I want to hear his voice again? Of course. Do I need him and his sympathy? Yes and yes. But do I trust my feelings right now? Not exactly. I can't put this off another day. Or anoth
Last Updated : 2024-09-01Mafia Heir's Contract Wife [Mafia Games V] | 110 | No More Hide And Seek
[ S E R A P H I N E ] I can't believe he's here already. Here in my new workplace, especially. Who told him exactly where I am and where I work? Pierre? Or Dominico hired a private investigator to find me? Not farfetched at all, knowing his connections. “Three months and two days.” Dominico closes the door behind him, his brows and forehead creasing. “I'm done.” Shoot. No escaping this now. I toss my phone on my messy desk and sigh, my throat and chest growing tighter by the second. Just the look on his face... Darn. It hurts. The guilt's eating at me again, practically clawing under my skin. Although he looks like he hasn't slept for days, he still looks well-groomed. A bit too dressed up for an impromptu "dinner date". Still manly everywhere despite his longer hair. Given his bigger list of responsibilities, I understand why he hasn't found the time to get a haircut. I like it, though. It reminds me of the very first time I bumped into him at the country club. A year
Last Updated : 2024-09-02Mafia Heir's Contract Wife [Mafia Games V] | 111 | Ties That Bind
[ S E R A P H I N E ] “Really sorry, guys. Forgot to cut the meeting short.” I kiss my father on the cheek while he gives me a hug. “It's fine, Dad. We just got here, like, twenty minutes ago.” Daddy Raffy scratches the side of his head, ruffling the gray hairs above his ears. Wearing an old polo shirt and khaki pants, he smiles at us as Dom shakes his hand. I put on a big smile for him and my mom who's now putting rice on Daddy's plate. “Told Dom not to drive too fast.” “You left Boniventura around nine?” “Opo, Tito.” [Yes, Uncle.] Dom steps away from Dad. “Sephie said you called for a staff meeting.” “Yes. Took longer than I expected. Our new accountants are fastidious, to say the least.” Daddy Raffy chuckles and takes the empty seat beside my mom. “Good that you didn't get stuck in the rush hour traffic.” “Not really.” I give Dominico a small smile when our gazes meet. I'm still nervous and not too excited about this late dinner with my parents, but I'm relieved that th
Last Updated : 2024-09-04Mafia Heir's Contract Wife [Mafia Games V] | 112 | Words Hurt
[ D O M I N I C O ] The night is dead quiet as the car glides through the narrow roads. I'm getting cold, even though the windows remain shut. There's some tension between us again. I'm sure it's not just me feeling tense. We're still in the backseat, but I'm not comfortable with my bodyguards sitting in the front, probably eavesdropping. I press a button on my armrest. The tinted partition slides up and hides us almost immediately. I sit back and glance at her. Seraphine is half-slumped against the door, her face pale, eyes distant. Obviously maintaining eye contact is difficult for her at the moment. I get it, though. The question I asked her earlier is probably one she didn't expect to hear today. I'm itching to hear a real answer from her, but it's obvious that I'll need to pry it out of her myself in a more private setting. The memory and noises of her retching outside my car just minutes ago lingers, and it's turning into a gnawing feeling that keeps telling me somethi
Last Updated : 2024-09-06
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Mafia Heir's Contract Wife [Mafia Games V] | Epilogue | Birds Of A Feather
[ S E R A P H I N E ] “One last sheet. One last,” I sigh to myself, stretching my aching back as I recline. Looks like I'm still alone out here. I'm sitting by the pool, enjoying the gorgeous pink-orange sunset while waiting for Dominico to finish working. I stare at my laptop screen. I'm almost done with my work for the day, but my focus is split, already dwindling. Some mornings, I don't even feel like checking my emails. But I can't just quit now. I don't wanna feel like a freeloader or look for another job. Dominico can take care of me and provide our baby's needs. I know. But I don't want him to think I'm getting too comfortable. He's still upstairs, probably not done with their virtual meeting. “Emergency board meeting,” he told me an hour ago. Dom's been working from home all week. The new virus is still wreaking havoc all over the country. It's starting to scare me and Mamma, actually. Dominico agreed to stay home because he doesn't want to risk it. Our health and our b
Mafia Heir's Contract Wife [Mafia Games V] | 137 | The Animal Is Caged
[ D O M I N I C O ] “Look, Freja. It's my own money. And this isn't a loan. You don't have to pay me back. Okay?” Do I sound like an arrogant douche? I hope not. I sit back and buckle up, dying to get home. Freja’s tear-streaked face stays on the edge of the screen. The gray skies outside her window match the somber look in her eyes. She dabs at her pinkish cheeks, trying to put the waterworks on pause. It's not that she's been blindsided by her ex-husband's death. The sudden loss and grief. She knew what she was getting into the moment she agreed to be his wife. But it's not really her fault that she can't give her child a better life right now. I can't undo any of my father's actions or rewrite the past. But I could at least make sure that she and her kid won't struggle for another couple of years. “I just wired you the money.” “Thank you,” she murmurs with weak nods. I glance at the damp road. “Should cover tuition and some bills. If you need more, just call or text
Mafia Heir's Contract Wife [Mafia Games V] | 136 | Love Wins
[ S E R A P H I N E ] “We were gonna tell you. I-I just…” Just what? Forgot that I exist? That I have feelings, too? That I'm her best friend and they should've told me they're... Sheesh! I don't even wanna imagine what they've been up to. “Just what? It just slipped your mind?” Pierre glances at me, still can't look me in the eye. Like he knows how hurt I am. He should. This is like... It's betrayal. Right? I'm their best friend! I have the right to feel this way. “You just conveniently forgot?” My voice wavers. The odd numbness in my core spreads down my legs. Shucks. Breathing feels like a chore now. “Was it that hard to send me a text? Pick up the phone and just give me a call?”I probably sound hysterical. Overdramatic. I really don't care. I glare at Pierre, trying to dismiss the shock and hide the barely repressed anger. But I'm sure it looks like I'm failing miserably at it. Pierre sighs briefly, his hands on his hips. He's staring at the ground. Like he can't be bother
Mafia Heir's Contract Wife [Mafia Games V] | 135 | Her Secret Lover
[ S E R A P H I N E ] “Hey. Alfeo looks more buff. Like, he looks bigger than you now.” Must be because Alfeo isn't taller and often wears clothes that flaunt his broad shoulders. I sit up on the bed, ogling my hot baby daddy as he walks out of the bathroom. “Is he taking anything? Steroids, or...” Dom snickers, glancing at me while he dries his hair with a black towel. After locking the door, he grabs a few clothes from his closet. “Why? Couldn't ask him yourself?” I scratch the back of my head. I don't know what his best friend's been up to lately. I haven't seen Alfeo in months. But I'm glad that he's not too busy to hang out with us. Maybe he's bulking up to impress a girl. Or girls? Not that it bothers me. He's always gonna be welcome here. Dominico still trusts him with his life. And no matter what his family thinks, Alfeo is still his most loyal friend. “Is he dating someone?” Dom scoffs and scrunches up his nose. It's straight, but the tip is a little bulbous, not too f
Mafia Heir's Contract Wife [Mafia Games V] | 134 | Backdoor Parole
[ D O M I N I C O ] Are they downsizing? Or my dad's running out of payola? What even is this room? This is much smaller than the well-guarded room they let us use before. Smells like dried piss and sweat, too. Unlike the last time I was here, the prison guard stands behind the door. Just one. No weapon in sight, but I bet my left kidney he's carrying at least two. I sit down in front of the divider, surprised that the only prisoner I'm visiting agreed to see me today. I know he's still pissed that I didn't come by much sooner. That I didn't show up the last time he told me to be here. He wanted me to deliver more hush money, and of course more cash for his protection. And he's probably more pissed that I didn't help Ricchar Falco find his missing uncle. Stefano. The disgraced shipping mogul. The big-time swindler who ran off with the redhead. Daddy Dearest's former number one whore. Only because the bitch impressed him in and out of the sack. Glancing at the tall, dusty walls,
Mafia Heir's Contract Wife [Mafia Games V] | 133 | Prayers Help
[ S E R A P H I N E ]What if Leandro found out about everything we did, all the sleuthing I tried, and the heap of evidence we contributed to the investigation, and then he got furious enough that he...Any way you look at it, my theory isn't farfetched. The guy's got motive. I don't wanna be the one to dwell on these negative thoughts. But we should consider the possibility. My privacy, my career, and my family's safety might be compromised.I'm pretty sure he's not here in Florence. Yet the feeling that he's somewhere near won't leave my head. Even now. Here in Dominico's house, a well-guarded private property in a gated neighborhood. I feel exposed. A little vulnerable. Even though I'm so much safer here with Dominico and Mamma keeping an eye on me. Plus the security staff guarding the property 24/7."Okay. I'll talk to Enzo again," Dom mumbles before reaching for my hand, giving it a light squeeze before he lets out a breath. Regrets and some frustration replace the pent-up anger
Mafia Heir's Contract Wife [Mafia Games V] | 132 | You're Not Going Anywhere
[ S E R A P H I N E ] I step out of the bathroom, my skin still warm from the shower. I took a quick one just to help me relax. To help me fall back to sleep. I'm not sure if it will. The rain outside taps lightly against his windows, an almost soothing rhythm that contrasts the weight of my thoughts. Although I'm wearing a robe, I feel the chill in the air as I walk towards his bed, my footsteps quiet. Dom's still wide awake like I guessed. He's sitting on the wrinkled covers, his attention fixed on his phone. As I approach him, he sets his phone down, and his heavy-lidded gaze shifts to my face. I sit close to him and try to ignore the tension in the air. It's not the same awkwardness I felt right after I tried to kiss him for the first time. It's something else. Can't quite put my finger on it. But it's nothing we can't address. I'm sure. “Hey.” “Feel better?” “A little.” I put on a smile. I hold onto his forearm when he goes back to reading some emails. ”Babe, that ema
Mafia Heir's Contract Wife [Mafia Games V] | 131 | Dissociate
[ D O M I N I C O ] Shit. I almost tore the label off. Cracked and nearly broke the cap into pieces, too. It's not clumsiness, though. I'm too distracted. Tired. Impatient. Frustrated. With caution, I press down a strip of tape over the torn label, running my thumb across it to smooth out the small creases. I can't just look up the right dosage on the internet. This label is practically the only thing helping me keep track of the proper dosage. I reach for the roll of tape again. I tear about an inch off the roll. Right after I put the bottle away, soft shuffling noises behind me interrupt me before I can get rid of the clutter on the counter. I look up and stare at my reflection in the mirror. Seraphine is standing at the bathroom door, just a couple of steps away, her eyes wide and unfocused. She's wearing the blue shirt I gave her before she went to sleep. There's some tension in her posture. Why is she out of bed? I turn to face her and put down the roll of tape near
Mafia Heir's Contract Wife [Mafia Games V] | 130 | Unfortunate Circumstances
[ D O M I N I C O ] “Cara, dico solo che...” [Dear, I’m just saying...] “Sì?” [Yes?] I tilt my wine glass, sitting back and interrupting my stepmother again. I don't have to keep my mouth shut. I already know how uncomfortable Seraphine feels. Trying to sit still beside me, she takes a small bite of bread and stares at Mamma, who's seated across from us and not really minding the food on her plate. Rain still patters on the windows. But it shouldn't turn into something worse. This should be a calm, quick, easy dinner. Unless Mamma brings up what happened last night. If that happens, Seraphine will probably... “Sephie, è più prudente se tu rimani qui ora.” [It's safer if you stay here for now.] My stepmother is talking a bit slower now, dragging her vowels. She drops her delicate smile, then sets down her fork with a soft clink. “Non preoccuparti, Mamma. Porto sempre una mascherina extra nel caso mi dimenticassi di indossarne una,” Seraphine replies with a polite smile, her vo
