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75: Susanna’s pov
Last Updated:
2025-01-20 21:32:29
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My Neighbour's Wife 76: Susanna’s pov
The door on my left swings open and the little pockets of air I’ve selfishly gulped down my throat vanishes as Zefiro slides in beside me.My nails prick the leather of the backseat and a white handkerchief lands in my thigh. My fingers squeeze the silken material, unsure if it is meant for the blood or my tears and I let myself glance left. There is blood on his sleeves.“You could’ve told me.” My voice cracks on the last word.His head cocks, but his gaze remains out the window. “I did.” When his brown eyes find mine, there is fire alive in them…and hurt. “You’ll never trust me, will you?”“I—I was…I d—didn’t…I just—“He shakes his head and laughs a little, dark curls caressing his high cheekbones. “You have no idea the lengths I would go, the depravities I would commit to protect you. And if I could, I would carry your pain and scars, wear them with pride so you never have to. I would give—have given—everything. I have killed for you, bled for you, gone to war with myself, my worl
Last Updated : 2025-01-20My Neighbour's Wife 77: Susanna’s pov
The next couple of days are critical and tense. There’s a guard hovering in every spot at the house. Rizzi says it might take a while yet before the Zaytsevs establish order and until then, it’d be best to keep away from the windows or open spaces.He made good on his promise, though I hadn’t believed him. The green-eyed singer from Morwenna’s cell, her name is Isha and even if she’d been kidnapped on a joy trip to Mexico and trafficked, even if she received word that her parents had looked for their the whole time, she wasn’t returning home.She had been engaged. And the society where ‘home’ was would shame her for what she had been through. Her sisters would never get married if she returned and ruined their reputation. It’d be better if she remained dead to them.Rizzi had her placed in one of the family’s exclusive restaurants under Zefiro’s orders. The guests enjoy her singing.I was beginning to think everything Rizzi had said was true. It makes me question my decisions, too.
Last Updated : 2025-01-21My Neighbour's Wife 78. Susanna’s pov
****“And the divorce proceedings with Valentina? God forbid you remain with the crazy bitch,” his grandaunt, Virginia says, her glass of red wine hovering close to her lips.My gaze flicks to Zefiro as he slices through his steak, his expression calm as ever, if a little warm. “Nearly done. It’s slower because of the case. Give it another month.” His mouth tightens. “Or two.”The dinner passed incident, though, the first few minutes had been tense. The introductions, especially. Mrs. Della Rocca had introduced me as a family friend, but upon hearing my name, every ear had perked. I quickly found that most of the females were like his grandmother—protective, sharp-eyed, and sent to constantly set me on edge.Though, they never strayed too far in their questioning, as if respecting some unspoken rule, I found myself being watched by too many. Varying shades of curiosity and interest, but nothing daunting.Zefiro has four cousins, all scattered down the family line, almost watered d
Last Updated : 2025-01-21My Neighbour's Wife 79. Susanna’s pov
The words sink heavily in my soul, so much that long after the guests depart, I remain on the ground, neck hurting from watching the clouds move and shroud the moon.My neck tingles with awareness and I look back. Zefiro leans on the door behind me, hands in his grey suit pants. “It’s cold outside.”I exhale, heart racing suddenly. “I can barely feel it.” It isn’t entirely a lie. “Happy birthday. I didn’t know what date it was. I couldn’t…get you anything. I’m sorry.”He pushes off the door. “Your presence is enough.” He lowers himself to the ground beside me and I peer at his face in mild surprise. A lot of time might have passed, but I know Zefiro always had a cleanliness problem. “Have you thought about it yet?”“What?”“Where you wish to go first?”I shrug casually, even if tears cloud my vision. “Not quite. I don’t know many places. I read about Edinburgh once. It’s a magical place, I hear. Maybe Dublin, if I’m feeling adventurous. Iceland or Greece, out of mere curiosity. Venice
Last Updated : 2025-01-21My Neighbour's Wife 80: Morwenna’s pov
Mor fiddled with the rosary, her fingers jittery. She cursed under her breath, despising the foul stench of piss and body odor. The women wouldn’t stop leering.Already, in the bathroom, King, as they called the top dog had tried to stick her hands down her pants while Mor was held back by a bunch of no-good whores with crack holes in their skin and rotting teeth.King had earned a black eye and torn lip from Mor.Many didn’t know, but Mor was a ruthless fighter. One couldn’t deal with devils without learning to protect themselves.But she was growing exhausted and pissy. Staying up all night, watching her back continuously, the anxiety and fear was starting to creep in. She would leave tomorrow, and she would see her son and husband at the safe house the government provided.One more night, she thought as she prayed The Lord’s Prayer. One more night and they would never get to her again. One more night and her son would be safe.They would try to kill her before then, that much she k
Last Updated : 2025-01-22My Neighbour's Wife 81: Morwenna’s pov
Mor couldn’t sleep.The dormitory had fallen silent around her, snores and silent chatter filling the air. There were no windows, and as such, she couldn’t tell what time it was. It only worsened her anxiety.The pregnant inmate beneath her cursed violently at her when she shifted again, shaking the bunk. Morwenna cursed right back, causing the woman to fall silent.Her eyes flicked to the guards manning the doors outside. They hadn’t left. Their shift ended by eleven. That was when Visconti had planned for her death to happen.Every time she closed her eyes, she saw Susanna’s eyes. The child and the woman. She hated that the words had festered and she couldn’t stop peering through the rows for movement.She had tried to plead with the guards to put her in a cell instead, but the cells were just as bad as the dormitories. Maybe even worse. At night, the cells were shut, and for that reason, there was no need for as much patrols as the dormitories received.She was safer here. The guar
Last Updated : 2025-01-22My Neighbour's Wife 82: Zefiro’s pov
Unsigned divorce papers crinkle in my grasp. The visit to the asylum, like many others had been futile. Valentina ripped each document to shreds, violent in her rejection of our divorce.Anymore and I might kill her with my bare fucking hands.She wanted to remain tethered to me, knowing that as long as she lived, whatever plans I had with Susanna would be void.“Hope to God that I never leave this place, because the first thing I’ll do is gut the bitch myself.”My nostrils flare and my fingers twitch. Patience is slowly becoming my most despised virtue.A soft knock scatters my thoughts. I slam the papers shut just as Susanna’s perfume drifts into the room. She pokes her head inside, dark hair falling over her shoulder, and something in me twinges at the small smile she gives me. “Hey. Busy?”She looks younger now. Brighter, somehow.“Never too busy for you,” I state, as a matter-of-fact.Her cheeks take on a rosy hue and she slips inside. My mouth dries instantly and my chest tighte
Last Updated : 2025-01-23My Neighbour's Wife 83: Susanna’s pov
A year later…and some.A tear runs down my cheek and my fingers rest atop my quivering lips. “It’s…beautiful.”Fabian peers over my shoulder. “I don’t get it. What is it?”“A visual representation of my mental state. Do you like it?” I ask, tracing the chaotic brush strokes with my fingertips. Erica, Fabian’s girlfriend chuckles, chipping away at my fries. “The project was on portraits, Susan. Mrs. Rideal’s gonna to make an example of you again.”I gesture towards the drawing. “But this is a portrait of me!”Fabian makes a face, snatching the fries from Erica. All he does lately is eat my food. “You’ve got paint in your hair.” He frowns when my phone pings multiple times. I snatch it off the stool before he can and go through my notifications.The world bleeds away, taking the sounds of Erica and Fabian smooching on my couch away with it. I feed my growing obsession with picture after picture. Cold brown eyes. Crisp navy blue tuxedo. A devastatingly ruthless smile. Confident. Arrogan
Last Updated : 2025-01-23
Latest chapter
My Neighbour's Wife Epilogue II
Alessandro There’s a woman by the bar. A friend of Susanna’s, I suppose. Nice tits in that golden silk dress, jade green eyes that seem haunted, yet alive in a strange way, a trim waist and a dip in her hip. Usually, I hated those. But she’d turned slightly and I had been graced with a fucking boner when I caught sight of her ass.Round and fat. Fuck.And then, she’d opened her mouth and sang for Susanna. While everyone around me had been held captive by a voice that didn’t quite belong in this world.My mood had gone from zero to a thousand. A steady bitterness coated my tongue at the sight of Visconti’s tongue down Susanna’s throat, while my sister rotted in the hell of his choosing, the guilt and hatred eating me alive. I wanted to have even a taste of the sweetness Zefiro had in his life. Wanted to have his wife and his son. Wanted to have his power and his lack of fear. Wanted to be the mother fucker.And a little dainty thing had walked past my line of sight and distracted
My Neighbour's Wife Epilogue I
Zefiro Eighteen months laterThe spoon smacks back. Soup hits me square in the cheek, thick and warm, sliding down my white shirt.Silence.Golden-hazel eyes blink up at me, wide and innocent. Then, a delighted squeal. “Fa-fa!”Nonna laughs, reaching down to pluck Dominic from his high chair. I wipe my face with the back of my hand, scowling, while she presses a kiss to his chubby cheek, murmuring, “Stellino mio.” My little star.I wonder what that makes me. Everyone has forsaken me for the little shit.Even Susanna calls our boy her greatest love, giving him most of her time, kisses and affection. It’s been nine months since she delivered, and due to the difficulty of her delivery and the severe degree of tears and trauma, the doctor advised strongly against…penetration.I understand this. I refuse to let her cajole me into ripping more of her stitches, but it doesn’t mean I don’t get jealous when Dominic has his lips latched around her nipples, blinking up at me with eyes too
My Neighbour's Wife 94. Susanna’s pov
He says nothing as he carries me inside. I spot Fabian and Erica pressed against one of the stone gargoyles, kissing like they’re about to rip each other apart.I look away quickly, swallowing the longing in my gut. “You have been avoiding me.”His eyes flick to mine briefly and his throat works slightly. “I’ve been occupied.”“You’ve been sneaking out of your bedroom before I wake,” I counter as he walks us through the crowded hallways of his mansion. His lips press together. His ears go slightly red. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”I sigh, looping my arms around his neck as he ascends the stairs. “I know you’re still mad at me, but you can’t ignore me forever.”He doesn’t answer.“What do I have to do to get you to forgive me?”His gorgeous eyes slant at me suspiciously, but he stays silent. When we reach his bedroom, he sets me down gently on the bed. “You should rest. The party will go on past midnight, and I have business to attend—”“It’s our wedding night.”His eyes
My Neighbour's Wife 93. Susanna’s pov
My feet ache from being passed from one dance partner to another, and I lean against the table, swirling the orange juice in my glass. No alcohol for me—not tonight. Not for the baby, though. No, someone’s just terrified I’ll get wasted and take advantage of him again on our wedding night.Erica, on the other hand, is drinking like she’s trying to drown in it. Has everything to do with the fact that she just found out her boyfriend is… well, in the Mafia.“Lying, unfortunate dick,” she mutters, glaring at him as a cluster of women simper and paw at his expensive suit and pretty face. “Said his dad was Italian, his mom was French. That he’d only ever stepped foot in Italy last year to visit his father, since they had a terrible relationship. And I believed him. How the hell am I supposed to believe anything else that comes out of that beautiful mouth?”I bite my cheek to keep from laughing. “So, his mouth is still beautiful?”Her cherry lips twist into a sneer. “No.” A pause. A glance
My Neighbour's Wife 92. Susanna’s pov
I don’t have my mother or father to walk me down the aisle, but I don’t do it alone. I clutch Rizzi’s arm like a lifeline, nails digging into the expensive black fabric of his suit as we step past the arched hallway and into the garden. My pulse is a runaway train, my stomach in knots that have knots, and my heels suddenly feel two inches taller.“Is it the nerves or the dress?”My nails dig into his black suit and I try to force down more floral coated air. The yard stretches out before us, decorated in wild flowers, vines and lush greenery, the shaded walk way covered in rose petals path draped unraveling under my feet. My train catches, sweeping across the floors and soft ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ fill the air as we close in on last row of white Chiavari seats.“Both?”“If it makes you feel any better, I was too.”An ugly snort slips past my lips before I can stop it, loud enough to make even the pianist flinch. Christ. "They must think I’m a mess."Rizzi taps the back of my hand, a smirk t
My Neighbour's Wife 91. Susanna’s pov
I’m shown to a bedroom beside Mrs. Della Rocca’s, and I barely have a moment’s peace before I’m assaulted by an army of designers.Dress fittings. Jewelry selections. Shoes. Flowers. Colors. Styles. Over and over again, until it finally dawns on me.I’m getting married. Again.The first had been nothing at all like this. There hadn’t been any arrangements made prior and I didn’t have a choice in a single thing. Now, I am consulted about every detail. The colors for the wedding and reception dresses, as well as the designs. The jewelry—Grandmother suggested I wear something of the family heirloom when I found everything I was shown to be more than exaggerated. Shoes. The type of flowers to be used for the decoration of the yard and halls, since we’d decided on a classic romantic garden theme.Not we. His grandmother did with such glee, I couldn’t say no.I often found myself wondering if Zefiro wanted a romantic wedding. If he even had a care in the world left for me at all. Then I’d b
My Neighbour's Wife 90. Susanna’s pov
Zefiro doesn’t take the envelope. Doesn’t even look at it. And for a second—maybe longer—I panic.“I’m twelve weeks.” My voice is hoarse, shaky. “I—I didn’t know. Not at first. Thought it was just the stress from exams, my shitty diet, my lack of sleep. But when I couldn’t keep food down, Fabian dragged me to the doctor, thinking I had the flu, and…”My words taper off into nothing as Zefiro takes a slow step back, then another, before sinking into his chair. He drags both hands over his face, through his hair, down again. Lets out a shuddering breath.“There’s a deal with the Chicago Outfit.” His voice is quiet, almost to himself. “This changes everything.”And then, he’s peering at me with a well -guarded, well-controlled expression. His eyes flick down once to my belly, and his nostrils flare. “Do you want it?”It is phrased like a casual question, but I see it for what it is. Another choice. The last choice I’ll ever likely make when it comes to whatever is left of us. And because
My Neighbour's Wife 89. Susanna's pov
I went through day after day like a wraith. And before I could tell, a month had passed since the encounter. By the end of October, I have succeeded in not only failing every class woefully, but getting enough concern to get enrolled for counseling.November is the longest month. I can’t bring myself to do anything but breathe, bathe, eat, sleep and cry. By the month’s end, my clothes begin hanging off my frame awkwardly and my appetite is as dead as I feel inside.I stop calling him and leaving messages. I wouldn’t forgive me either had I been in his shoes.The loud banging on my front door rouses me from tired sleep, but I have no strength in my limbs to answer it. I draw the covers over my face and nestle back into the pillows.My room door slamming open startles me and I turn slowly at Erica’s remark. “It’s a pig’s sty in here.”The covers are thrown off my body and I voice my protest as larger arms yank me off the bed. “Put me down,” I whimper as Fabian takes me to the bathroom a
My Neighbour's Wife 88. Susanna's pov
The memories return to me in bits over the next few weeks, fueling my need to see him. To explain. To apologize. To plead. But he never returned to London, and it took an embarrassing amount of time to realize why.As the owner, it was only normal that he attended the opening ceremony. The woman who had been perched on his shoulder that night is Diana Moreau, and she will be managing Oblio Nero. He has no reason to be here, when he has other engagements elsewhere.I wasn’t enough reason for him to stay. Not anymore. Because I’ve gone and ruined everything. Again.“I can’t have children!” The words rip from my throat like something jagged and raw, something torn straight from the center of my being. I hadn’t known for a long time. Not until a couple of years into my marriage with Jaxon. He’d returned home one night, drunk and angry. I was ill and didn’t feel like being subjected to his rage. I refused and the beating had been so bad, I’d broken a rib.He’d taken me to the hospital in b
