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Chapter 57: Susanna's pov
Last Updated:
2024-12-20 17:33:14
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My Neighbour's Wife Chapter 58: Susanna's pov
I stepped out of the bedroom on the tenth day, only because my monthly cycle returned. I hadn’t fed well enough in the past year and it’d become irregular, coming once in every four months.My body seems to have decided that my eating habits in the past few days has become healthy enough, sending me enough blood to create a crime scene on Zefiro’s white sheets. And the cramping in my lower belly feel like knife stabs to my gut. Trying to handle it had me dangling off the side of the bed, writhing. I’m hoping I find something in the kitchen.Just as the door shuts, a scream echoes along the halls and my head snaps up in time to see a child squealing, small feet slapping against the floors.I freeze as the boy draws closer, searching for signs in his eyes, his hair, his small face that he might belong to Zefiro. But he’s a redhead and cute freckles scatter along his face. His bright blue eyes land on mine and he squeals again, spreading his arms wider. My guard lowers as he wraps his
Last Updated : 2024-12-21My Neighbour's Wife Chapter 59: Zefiro’s pov
Murder? Too fucking messy, but fitting. Still, Grandmother wouldn’t appreciate me adding another name to my already cruel reputation. Abduction, then murder? A much better option. No one would have enough good cause to think it was me. “Morning, darling.” Repress. I glance up from my breakfast, dragging my gaze down the length of Valentina’s sundress. My hands itch. “You look stunning.” No. Poison. It’d be amusing to see how many colors her skin could turn while choking on her own blood. Valentina leans down, brushing her lips against my cheek, and the weight of the pistol tucked into my waistband presses like a temptation. Her perfume of rich floral and vanilla is overdone, as if to mask the stink of her soul. “Thank you. You don’t look bad yourself.” A pointed cough from Rizzi and I freeze, finding my fingers already inching for the hostler, my vision tinged with red. Colorful. It’d be a rather colorful breakfast with her blood splat
Last Updated : 2025-01-15My Neighbour's Wife Chapter 60: Zefiro’s pov
Susanna isn’t in the bedroom when I return by midnight, and for a moment, I’m thrown back by several months, that living fear and panic burrowing so deep, I didn’t know where it ended and where I began. I’m hurtling across, peering from door to door, Rizzi and a few others ransacking the penthouse, when a muted boom vibrates beneath us. I can barely think, breathe as I take the flight of stares to the game’s room downstairs. I should have been home sooner, but the therapy session today had dragged on for longer. Susanna wouldn’t see the doctor, so I attended the sessions in her stead, learning and sifting through the details of triggers and responses. People handled these situations differently, and while I didn’t yet know the details, I knew Susanna was different, and treating her with an approach that wasn’t at all for her would only succeed in pushing her further away. “What?” I snap at the cluster of men standing outside the gun
Last Updated : 2025-01-15My Neighbour's Wife Chapter 61: Alessandro’s pov
Green eyes filled with tears. Fingers clenched around my bicep. One word. Please. I knew death, knew it by its darkness and the seductive chill it sends before its appearance. I summoned it on some occasions, feeding more bodies to hell than I can remember. It was our way. For famiglia, no sacrifice was too small. But it wasn't I who called for it this time. I understood, more than Valentina or Papa could comprehend that there was no fleeing from it. Blood had been shed and there would be payment, only in blood. I'd seen it that night when Mauro's body fell beside me. The madness in the don's eyes. The excitement. I knew it then and I understood it when he blew off two more of my fingers for taking her to that motel. There was something about the woman that turned him into something carved from bloodlust and darkness, giving into the viciousness of the Visconti blood. Wheels turn behind Papa's eyes. He's always cherished Vale
Last Updated : 2025-01-16My Neighbour's Wife Chapter 62: Susanna’s pov
I shouldn’t be wandering outside at this time, but I couldn’t sleep. I tried, but the nightmares wouldn’t let me. I’d woken with my heart pounding in my ears and bile in my mouth, the darkness in the room resembling that of the cell. Zefiro isn’t here, and Rizzi offered to walk with me, but I waved him off. I can’t handle the way he looks at me, like he’s the one who should carry the blame for everything that’s happened. For everything I’ve lost. Still, I’m not entirely alone. The quiet presence of two guards trails behind me, just out of sight. I wouldn’t have known they were there if one of them hadn’t let out a cough. Not sure Jaxon would try to steal me quite yet, not when the one month period isn’t over, but Zefiro must think there’s some other threat, if I’m under surveillance every second of the day. I don’t complain, though. It’s not uncomfortable. There is a strange comfort in knowing that I’m safe here and have nothing to fe
Last Updated : 2025-01-16My Neighbour's Wife Chapter 63: Susanna’s pov
I propel myself, sweeping low and wild, and a shot zings past my ear a moment before I collide with his torso, the force behind the movement strong enough to knock the gun from his grasp and send us tumbling into the grass. He snarls, ripping me off him and I gasp as my back hits the ground. He’s searching for the rifle, reaching--It is pure animal instinct that drives me forward, and I leap at his exposed back, wrapping my arms around his face, nails scraping at his eyes and my legs locking around his torso. He shoves back, thrashing angrily in a bid to get me off, but I cling to him, heart pounding, chest heaving as I struggle viciously to claw out the bastard’s eyes. Heavens. If I get out of this alive, I’ll take fighting lessons.He slams us back into a tree and the hit rattles my skull, loosening my grip on him slightly as stars explode behind my eyes. His fingers claw at my hands, my fingers, and I feel a burst of blind panic when I realize I’m losing him.So I jerk forward and
Last Updated : 2025-01-16My Neighbour's Wife Chapter 64: Susanna’s pov
A deafening crack ricochets through the air. And then another. I bury my nose in his chest, shivering, sobbing softly. His heart beats fast and hard against the side of my cheek and the weight of the last few minutes crash into me.Minutes. I could have died in mere minutes. I’d never… My hands run down the length of his broad back, a broken sob shaking my lips as I breathe in his scent--the clean crispiness of freshly made notes, spicy masculinity and that cologne I’ve never smelled on anyone else. I’d never get to smell him again, or touch his skin, soft and smooth over rock-hard muscles, kiss him, feel his breath hot against my skin, hear his rare breathy laughter, his amused chuckle, and watch him stare at me like a man ruined and undone.Zefiro’s hand slides down my neck and he pulls us apart. “Are you hurt anywhere?”I shake my head, face wet with tears as I meet his gaze.His eyes are wide and crazed as he scans my face, noting the blood on my lips.“It’s not mine,” I say, voic
Last Updated : 2025-01-16My Neighbour's Wife Chapter 65: Zefiro’s pov
Violence never really was a last resort for me. It is a language I speak most fluently. There is art in destruction, a discord that often strikes me as beautiful. Like the splatter of blood against walls and floors. Like a broken body, mangled beyond recognition. It was amusing, usually. But tonight, I only feel rage. No one knows, but I think most clearly when I’m in the rage. I see colours more brightly and can almost taste the fear of prey. Viciousness and inhumanity blur lines on those days. It is why I rarely let my emotions get the best of me. But someone crossed the line tonight. I wasn’t lying when I told Susanna I had work tonight. No. I have scores to settle. Blood already runs down the length of the knife in my grasp. It belonged to the guards outside. They died too quickly, too quietly, nothing at all like Susanna’s scream for help earlier. Can’t stop hearing it. Can’t stop seeing the fear in her eyes as she races for me. Can’t stop hearing her ragged sob
Last Updated : 2025-01-17
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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
