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25."Marked Territory"
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2023-10-01 17:18:51Related chapters
My Dear Don: The Contract Marriage. 26."Tension in the office"
Andrew DeLuca I'm pacing back and forth in my office, I've never been this impatient before. Normally, I have a solution for everything, but she... This ragazza makes me lose all reason. When I saw her by the pool talking to Derick, and the little charm he was throwing her way, my blood boiled, and I wanted nothing more than to dunk that figlio di puttana's head into that damn pool. But I couldn't, not yet. Derick was opening doors for me with some allies he had. In the mafia, you can never mix personal matters with business. But it's important to make it clear what your territory is. I am feared in the following way: I have no mercy for anyone. "Put your men on his tail, Lorenzo," I said, referring to Derick. "Okay, boss, he's already heading to one of the hotels." "Good. I don't want that traitor in my house." "Forgive me for asking, Don, but what did he do?" "He thinks he can come here, eat my food, enter my family's house, and hit on my wife," Lorenzo stared at me. "Alleged
Last Updated : 2023-10-01My Dear Don: The Contract Marriage. 27."The Forced Awakening"
Emma I stormed up the stairs in anger after the incident that happened with Andrew in the office. He's such a jerk, a thousand times over. He thinks I'll care that I mean nothing to him, well, better that way. I don't give a damn. I couldn't sleep for a single moment; I tossed and turned in that giant bed, and sleep eluded me. My heart raced as I thought about everything that had happened downstairs. It was infuriating that he had the audacity to toy with me like this; he had no right. The agreement was no intimate contact, none of that, but the blame for everything was mine; I let myself be swayed by his beautiful eyes and appearance. Being near him felt good and weird at the same time. Living here was a drag; I couldn't confide in anyone about anything, not even Ize. Every day, I felt a stronger urge to tell her everything. At least, to have a friend who knew, but Andrew DeLuca would kill me if I did. I tossed and turned, hugging the pillow. I heard footsteps approaching, and som
Last Updated : 2023-10-02My Dear Don: The Contract Marriage. 28. "Family Business"
AndrewThe call I received had left me completely irritated. I needed to find out who was behind it, but I was almost certain it was Giovanni.Some people would give anything to be born into this mafia world. They think it's all roses and that we have the perfect life, that everything is wonderful. But in reality, if it weren't for the money, the women, and the power, none of this would be worth it. It's the only thing that saves the mafia.No one likes growing up learning to exchange gunfire instead of playing video games. My father shaped who I am; I didn't get to choose anything. I became who they wanted me to be: the cold, ruthless mafioso who loves no one. It reminds me why I never wish to have children. Putting a child through the way we live is cowardice.I remember your words telling me to "become a man." As for my mother, I didn't have much to say; I loved her, and she abandoned me. Proof that all women must be like that.And Emma shouldn't be any different from them. She's o
Last Updated : 2023-10-03My Dear Don: The Contract Marriage. 29. "Bathtub"
EmmaA shower for me was always a way of getting away from all my problems. Ever since my mother left, when I wanted to get away from everything, I would just sink into the shower and let the water wash away everything I was feeling. Now that I'm an adult, that hasn't changed.I always thought a lot, maybe that was my blessing and my curse. Here I was in the bathtub, thinking about everything I was experiencing.Sometimes, or almost every day, I thought it might be a dream. That I wasn't here, that I couldn't be married to a man whose ego was bigger than his own nose.I wanted to get away from my thoughts. From myself, if that were possible.Is that why people commit suicide or take desperate measures?Not that I wanted that, it was just a thought, one of more than a thousand I had in one shower.I looked at myself in the mirror, and it was strange, now I felt like a woman, I don't know if it was after my first time, which wasn't as I had envisioned it. It was with a handsome man, eve
Last Updated : 2023-10-04My Dear Don: The Contract Marriage. 30 "Party"
EmmaDeLuca wasn't the best person in the world; he could be annoying and horrible at times. Or almost always.But listening to the stories his godfather was telling about him at lunch, I began to see that maybe there was another man beneath that tough exterior."And that time you just locked your dad's friend in the room during your parents' wedding anniversary party?" Riccardo said while they laughed.I smiled."Yeah, I was a naughty kid.""Very naughty.""These stories are too embarrassing, godfather, don't tell them in front of my wife," Andrew said."I'm loving it," I smiled.There were few moments of fun that I had in this house. I basically spent most of the day alone, at least when Ize wasn't here."Where's your sister, Andrew?" Riccardo asked."She's traveling. I sent the security with her, but... whether she'll obey, I don't know," Andrew said, rolling his eyes."Isabella has always been headstrong, takes after her mother's temperament."After Andrew's godfather brought up t
Last Updated : 2023-10-05My Dear Don: The Contract Marriage. 31."Hidden Feelings"
Emma We went to greet some people, and they were all well-dressed, exuding a typical air of superiority. But what a mess, all of them had connections to illicit activities with their families, so they weren't any better than anyone else. Andrew went to greet some of his allies, and I forced a smile; I hated these people, to be honest. "Is this your wife, Don?" one of the men who seemed to be mobsters asked. "Yes, this is Emma Campbell, my wife," Andrew DeLuca said, and it caused a strange sensation in me. Even though I knew it was all a lie, hearing Andrew say that I was his wife triggered an inexplicable anxiety. "Pleasure to meet you, my dear," the man shook my hand, and I forced myself to be polite. "The feeling is mutual, sir." The woman accompanying him just stared at me with disdain, and I pretended she wasn't there, irritated. We leave their presence, and a waiter passed by offering a glass of champagne. I declined, but Andrew immediately grabbed one for me as well. I s
Last Updated : 2023-10-06My Dear Don: The Contract Marriage. 32."Unforeseen on the Road"
EmmaAndrew pulled the car out of the parking lot and said goodbye to some people, including the pathetic blond. I couldn't understand why I was feeling this way. It was terrible.I felt the silence in the car to be deafening. Andrew drove as if nothing else around him mattered; he didn't look at me, and I avoided his gaze as well. The atmosphere was strange, as always.I sat in the passenger seat beside him, gazing out the tinted window, and everything looked beautiful. I wished life were as simple as it seemed. But, in reality, it was entirely different.I discreetly observed him; there was something in his aura that I couldn't decipher. It seemed like there was so much pain in his heart. Andrew was a mysterious and silent person. He kept everything to himself. But still, I could imagine what he was like deep down.It was strange. He could be an extremely calculating and aggressive man, but at the same time, he made me completely excited.My head was pounding a bit, maybe because I
Last Updated : 2023-10-09My Dear Don: The Contract Marriage. 33. "In your hands."
EmmaI made a pillow barrier between me and him; there was no way I was going to sleep cuddled up with Andrew. That would be giving the enemy too many chances.He's sitting in the chair, his dress shirt almost completely open, revealing his muscular chest and defined abdomen, which unfortunately I couldn't help but notice. His messy, post-party hair."What's this for?" he says, referring to the pillow barrier."I just don't want to sleep close to you," I shrugged."And who told you I want to?" He rolled his eyes. "We've slept together without doing anything several times; today isn't the day I'll give in to your charm." He smirked ironically."I would never flirt with you. Why didn't we leave today?" I quickly changed the subject."I already explained, it's the middle of the night, and I don't know if this was all a setup. The car was fine, Emma. And suddenly, the tire is flat. That's why I thought it was better for us to stay here, which isn't a safe place, but at least we can spend
Last Updated : 2023-10-10
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My Dear Don: The Contract Marriage. Epilogue
EmmaIt never even crossed my mind that my life would be the way it is now. Everything seemed so lost, so far away, until a certain mobster brought me to an unknown mansion. Andrew had changed from being that closed man who was cold and calculating. He was different now, more open, more affectionate.Five years flew by as if they were just a breath of time. Life has unfolded into countless possibilities since we ventured into a new chapter. The frenetic routine of a hospital became my world, where every day was a constant learning experience, every patient a story to be cared for. Today was my graduation, a day I never imagined I would be witnessing.It wasn't easy, I studied so much that my hands hurt.“Honey, have you seen my underpants? I can't find them,” Andrew says.“If you look in the closet instead of the sock drawer, I bet you'll find them,” I laughed. “Funny.”Liam comes running into the room, he's a beautiful boy, his golden hair like mine, and a bit like Andrew's, his e
My Dear Don: The Contract Marriage. 112. A special day
POV Emma“Put the Christmas tree more in the center of the room, love,” I said to Andrew.We were decorating the mansion for Christmas, I really loved this time of year, but we'd never had a full house on this date. It was just me and my dad, but now we were going to have a full family.Today was Christmas Eve, and I was proud of the beautiful work I was doing at my father-in-law Matteo's NGO. We distributed food, clothes and toys, and I knew that every single one of those things would make the children happy. I felt fulfilled.I looked at Andrew who was struggling to put the star on the top of the tree, I loved him! And every day I became more sure of that. Liam was growing at lightning speed, this child already wanted to run around the house.“Son,” I went after him nimbly.“He really can't sit still,” Andrew said, “Come with daddy son, let's go and see the Christmas tree.” He carried Liam on his lap, and then gave me a kiss.”Everyone was coming over tonight, we were having a spe
My Dear Don: The Contract Marriage. 111. Friday
Emma's POVToday was Friday, one of my favorite days of the week, and the day I received news that would completely change my life.Do you know that moment when your heart seems to want to jump out of your mouth? I felt that way today, when I finally held up the letter that represented everything I had longed for. College has always been a challenge, and today, there, in my hand, was the proof that it was all worth it.The sunlight seemed to shine in a different way, as if it were congratulating me too. Every step to the college was a mixture of anticipation and nervousness. It seemed that everyone around me knew what I was about to discover.When I entered the building, everything seemed to take on a new meaning. The corridors were like trails to a new beginning, and every room a learning opportunity. And there it was, the letter, the gateway to a new phase of my life.As I read those words, a whirlwind of emotions flooded over me. It was as if the world was welcoming me to a new cha
My Dear Don: The Contract Marriage. 110.Honeymoon
POV AndrewThe wedding was perfect, but I can't deny that I was looking forward to our honeymoon a thousand times more. "Wow, how beautiful every place is," she said, looking at the scenery."We were in the private jet, and Emma hated it. She said we were going to die and that she was scared, but after a few minutes by my side she forgot all about it. "Italy is enchanting," I said with a twinkle in my eye. I had chosen this as my city. My biological father, Matteo, had left me some property here and I was going to enjoy it too.Speaking of him, we were getting better and better as father and son. We were close, he and I talked about everything, and he showed me that it's possible to have a healthy relationship with your father. I forgave him, I understood that we can make mistakes. And holding a grudge wasn't going to make me a better person. I knew that.We were going to Milan. The best part of Italy for me. I was happy to bring my Principessa along."I've never traveled to place
My Dear Don: The Contract Marriage. 109.Your wife
POV EmmaOne hour, ten minutes, and twenty seconds.That's exactly how long it was until I walked down the aisle, and my heart was racing faster than ever. The make-up artist finished making the final adjustments to my make-up and hair. Then the seamstress makes the final adjustments to the wedding dress.When everything is ready, I turn around and look at myself in the mirror, I look beautiful, holding back the tears from falling from my eyes.My make-up was basic, but it completely highlighted my beauty. My hair was tied up in an elegant updo.“Here you are, the most beautiful bride I've ever seen in my life,” my father said as he entered the room.His eyes were watery, and although he hadn't agreed one hundred percent with my marriage to Andrew, he was thrilled. My father still felt guilty about everything he had put me through.“Dad,” I smiled, “I can't believe you're here.It was going to be one of the happiest days of my life. I would truly be united with Andrew, the vows would
My Dear Don: The Contract Marriage. 108.Glimpsing Tomorrow
POV Andrew When we arrived at the place where Lexie was supposed to be with my son, Emma got out of the car and I asked her to get back in.I didn't feel at all good about the situation, and I felt guilty about the whole thing. Lexie had always loved me, and I hadn't wanted to reciprocate. I always made it clear that it was just sex, nothing more, and that I would never take on any woman. When she saw me with Emma, she went berserk. I'd put a stop to it, I asked them to put her up against the wall, but it was no use. Lorenzo strategically positioned himself outside the car, watching for any movement.“I'm going in first,” I said to everyone in the car, and Emma looked at me."“I'm going in too, it's my son."“Emma. We don't know what this crazy woman wants, I'll go in first and try to talk to her, please wait in the car. That's an order,” I said.“Okay, sir,” she looked at me with fire in her eyes.She swallowed and sat back down in the back seat. My heart squeezed, I knew she was
My Dear Don: The Contract Marriage. 107.Preparations
POV EmmaThe wedding preparations were driving me crazy. There were so many things to sort out, the venue, the dress and a thousand other things that I couldn't even measure. On top of that, I was the mother of a baby, and now I had the responsibility for the NGO. But I didn't complain, I liked being busy. It occupied my mind. Liam, now four months old, continued to bring me joy every minute. Everything was amazing to me again. His eyes identical to his father's, his huge smile, he was a baby who brought so much light into our lives. I was completely happy with this new phase. I was trying on the dress, I was going to buy it in the same place I bought my first one. We weren't going to call many people, just family members and some of Andrew's mafia friends. “This dress is perfect on you!” Ize smiled, looking at the dress.I looked at myself in the mirror. My emotions were running high, I was finally going to get married, the first marriage couldn't count as real, because it wasn
My Dear Don: The Contract Marriage. 106.Baptism
Andrew's POV“Gentlemen, it's always a pleasure to be with you,” I say to the guests attending Liam's christening.Our little boy was three months old, three months of happiness and love. I never thought I'd be a father, in fact, I never even considered the idea, it was far from my plans, they only included partying, women and business. But she arrived and changed my whole perception of everything.Liam is on Emma's lap and has just been baptized. We Italians, and especially Mafiosi, consider baptism to be very important. The Catholic tradition was present in Sicilian culture.I look around at all the people who were significant to us. Ize's belly is taking shape, and I can't believe I'm going to be an uncle. Well... A year ago I couldn't have imagined getting married and becoming a father."In a little while it will be the baptism of your child," I whispered to Lorenzo and we toasted with a glass of wine. "I'm anxious, and tired. Your sister has every strange desire, and I'll be da
My Dear Don: The Contract Marriage. 105. Future
Emma POVFour months later.“You don't have to run, we're at the mall, not the Formula 1 race,” I say to Ize, who's standing in front of me.“I was trying to find the pharmacy,” she rolls her eyes.After we've walked around the mall a bit more, she finds the pharmacy. My giant belly is almost unbearable to bear. After Ize's wedding, she decided that she would stay with us in the mansion, at least until our son was born, she wanted to be part of the birth of her nephew or niece. As the mansion was huge, I was very happy. I loved her presence. My mother wasn't going to stay there, but she always visited us. She got along with my father, and they're living together in our house, Andrew paid off the mortgage as a present for me. I was immensely happy. It was one of the things I thought would never be possible.We were at the mall looking at clothes for the baby, most of the outfits were unisex since we didn't know the sex yet. And of course, the wardrobe was always behind us.“What do
