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67."Emma's Trail"
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2023-11-03 17:49:48Related chapters
My Dear Don: The Contract Marriage. 68."Dealing with the Consequences"
EmmaDerick had left the hotel, and I returned to my lonely room.I was really confident that he wouldn't tell Andrew anything.I lay down on the bed, my thoughts were recurring about Andrew, and Derick's attempt at a kiss. I would never have thought of the possibility of kissing another person, unfortunately, I already knew that my heart belonged to him. Don. And as much as I didn't wish it, we couldn't control our feelings. If there's something in this world that is impossible to control, it's feelings.I didn't consider what we had a passion or love. It was far from that, in fact, he didn't love me, maybe because he wasn't taught to love, or maybe just because he didn't love me at all.And that was okay. It was just a contractual relationship.I needed to get out, sort out my life. I would have a check-up to see how the baby was doing, and buy a new phone. I needed to talk to my father, whether I wanted to or not, I had put my father's life at risk. I knew that keeping him alive was
Last Updated : 2023-11-04My Dear Don: The Contract Marriage. 69."Reunion in New Jersey"
EmmaI took a taxi and went to the clinic where I had scheduled my appointment, my anxiety was through the roof. I entered the clinic, which was charming and modern, and approached the reception. The friendly receptionist greeted me."Hello, ma'am, how can I assist you?""Emma Campbell, I have an appointment," I said.She took some notes, and I didn't pay much attention. She asked me to have a seat, and I thanked her before sitting down.I touched my necklace, missing my mother at every moment. What would it be like to have a mother to accompany you to appointments, pregnancy, and other things? I also missed Ize, and I wished she could be by my side, but it wasn't possible.The minutes in the waiting room passed slowly, and finally, a nurse came to call me for the appointment. I got up with a heavy heart, nervous about what the doctor might say.The doctor was kind, asking routine questions about my health and medical history, and I answered as best I could. He wanted to know about al
Last Updated : 2023-11-04My Dear Don: The Contract Marriage. 70.Reckoning at the Hotel
AndrewOn the way to New Jersey, my heart was torn between fury and concern. Anger pulsed within me because Emma had run away, hadn't told me about her pregnancy, and because of all the confusion we were in. But at the same time, worry and fear for her and our child's health grew with every mile I advanced toward the hotel.I was simultaneously angry and sad. As the driver navigated the road, my mind wandered through thoughts I'd rather not confront. I thought about my real father, the dark history surrounding his past, his unknown identity. Everything I had ever known about my lineage was a big question mark, and the revelation that Emma was my half-sister only further complicated this web of secrets and lies.Emma... her face, her smile, her stubbornness. The woman who challenged me from the beginning and now carried my child in her womb. I wasn't sure what to feel about her. I had used our marriage for my own purposes, but I hadn't planned that, I hadn't planned to fall in love wit
Last Updated : 2023-11-04My Dear Don: The Contract Marriage. 70."The Critical Moment"
Andrew DeLucaI rang Emma's bedroom doorbell and waited for a few seconds, both anxious and concerned. When the door opened, I saw her face, which was far from okay. Her eyes revealed fatigue, but also a look of defiance."Andrew," she murmured my name, and the tension in the air was palpable.I entered the room with determination, but also with anger. I couldn't shake the feeling that she was doing this on purpose, driving me crazy with her escape."Emma," I replied, my voice stern. "We need to talk."She sighed and retreated into the room, making space for me to enter. I stood at the entrance for a moment, looking around, trying to understand what had driven her to escape like this."Why did you run away?" I asked, irritation evident in my voice. "We have a contract, I didn't forgive your father's debt out of benevolence, and you know that." I held onto her arm.Emma stared at me, a mix of emotions in her gaze. She was holding back, but I could tell she was about to explode. She see
Last Updated : 2023-11-04My Dear Don: The Contract Marriage. 71 "Facing the Truth"
Andrew DeLuca Emma was unconscious; I carried her in my arms and descended the stairs quickly. There was no time to wait for the elevator, and it was my fault she had passed out. Guilt was a feeling I despised.When I reached the first floor, the nosy receptionist approached us, asking what had happened. I simply stared at her and walked away. The driver was already waiting in the car; I placed Emma in the back seat, and we rushed to the hospital. I had various important contacts, including trusted doctors who received money to take care of the health of my "associates" and me without asking questions.But this time, I would go to the best, the best obstetrician in New York, Dr. Ravier. He was Italian and a close friend of the family. He would care for Emma, and I didn't care how much it would cost. Money was not the issue; I just wanted her to be okay."Drive, move quickly," I told the driver."Don't ask me to be calm; she's unconscious, and worse, it's my fault."Lorenzo, my consig
Last Updated : 2023-11-04My Dear Don: The Contract Marriage. 72 "Divided Heart"
EmmaI woke up in that hospital room, confused and disoriented. My memory was foggy, and all I could recall was the moment I had fainted. Andrew was there, looking at me with an expression I wasn't quite sure how to interpret. It was as if he was surprised by my presence, as if I were a revelation.He said he loved me, and my words came out harsh and impulsive. "You can only love yourself."Everything felt confusing, and my head throbbed from the dizziness I still felt. Going back to him wasn't what I wanted, but at that moment, it seemed like the only option. If I continued to get sick, with complications in my pregnancy, working as a waitress, and having to hide from Andrew, the chances of my child surviving were minimal. The choice was forced, but I needed to think about the well-being of the baby.The doctor entered the room, and his friendly expression reassured me somewhat. He asked how I was feeling, and I responded honestly."A little better," I said, trying to smile. "The diz
Last Updated : 2023-11-05My Dear Don: The Contract Marriage. 73 "The Angel and the Enigma"
EmmaI had been discharged. I was apprehensive about returning to the mansion; I knew that there were still so many things to happen. I could no longer run away after a year of the contract; this contract would haunt me for the rest of my life. Now, I have a result of it, living in my belly. Andrew was the father of the baby, and he wouldn't disappear from my life.Never again.It was a fact I had to accept, but I just couldn't process all of this.He was by my side, sleeping like an angel in the companion's chair. I watched him sleep, thinking, how could he be so beautiful with an angelic face and yet so dark at the same time? It was an enigma.I look at the phone. I consider calling my father, but I imagine him sad and crying again. I can't put him in this mess; I know he brought me into this, but he never forced me to sleep with a mobster.And I don't know... As much as my father was wrong, if it weren't for this, I would never know the truth about myself. About my siblings, whom I
Last Updated : 2023-11-06My Dear Don: The Contract Marriage. 74" Caught in the Crossfire"
Emma.I decided to heed Derick's insane request and go to the meeting. It wasn't what I wanted, but the idea that he might invent lies about me to Andrew kept me in a constant state of alert. I needed to protect my baby, and unfortunately, that meant facing Derick.I waited until Andrew was busy with his own affairs in the mansion. I watched his movements, waiting for the right moment to leave without raising suspicions. It was challenging to act in the shadows in a house filled with security, but I had learned a few tricks over time.Finally, I found an opportunity when he was busy discussing business with some of his men. Silently, I grabbed my coat and phone, and slipped out through the back door. I knew I couldn't take too long, so I started heading quickly to the meeting point.The Roof at Viceroy Central Park was a chic and luxurious place, not far from the DeLuca mansion. I was nervous, feeling the baby moving in my belly, as if he too was aware of the danger of that moment.As
Last Updated : 2023-11-06
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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
