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Chapter 26
Last Updated:
2025-03-21 16:00:40
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Substitute Bride for the Mafia Don Chapter 27
AvaI respond with a polite smile, but a wave of discomfort washes over me. It’s not the compliment that unsettles me; it’s the way he looks at me, taking an extra moment to appreciate every detail of my appearance. His gaze feels too intense, making me feel vulnerable, and the fact that he mentioned her.Before I can say anything, I sense it—a change in the atmosphere. Riccardo's body stiffens next to me, and I can almost hear the growl building in his chest. He inches closer, his presence consuming the space between us, his grip on my waist tightening.His voice drops to a low tone, colder than I've ever heard. "Be careful," Riccardo warns sharply, his words slicing through the polite vibe of the gathering. "Don't waste your time and never mention anything about Madeline again."The man blinks, clearly taken aback by Riccardo's sudden hostility. His politeness wavers, and he lets out a nervous laugh, quickly stepping back. "Of course, Mr. De Lucca. My apologies." He bows his head, c
Last Updated : 2025-03-21Substitute Bride for the Mafia Don Chapter 28
AvaThe door clicks shut behind us, and just like that, we’re on our own. I wanted to be alone but Riccardo followed me as soon as I left his side. The buzz of the wedding—the laughter, the guests—vanishes the moment the room goes quiet. It’s just the two of us now.I glance at him, standing there, tall and imposing. The man I’m now bound to. But it doesn’t feel real; it feels more like a bad dream.I fold my arms, not even trying to hide the resentment bubbling inside me. This feeling has been with me since the start of all this. I didn’t choose this path, and he’s not going to make me follow his lead."Well?" I say, my voice cutting through the silence a bit too loudly. "What’s next, Riccardo? Are you still going to play your little games now that I have your last name? Can you just leave me alone?"His eyes narrow, but he doesn’t respond right away. Instead, he steps closer, and I stand my ground. There’s a chilling intensity in his gaze, but it pales in comparison to the fire buil
Last Updated : 2025-03-21Substitute Bride for the Mafia Don Chapter 29
RiccardoThe encounter with Ava keeps replaying in my head—her boldness, the way she stood her ground against me. I always thought she was timid, but I clearly misread her. I’ve noticed a change in her vibe for days, but tonight felt different. It was like she was deliberately distancing herself, making it clear that we’re not on the same page and that she won’t conform to my expectations.I run my hand over my face, attempting to ease the tension in my shoulders. Even though she’s retreated to her room, I can still sense her gaze on me. It’s odd how much her presence impacts me. Right now, the only thing that feels right is the solace of the cold, dark room waiting for me, filled only with my thoughts.I shut the door behind me and head toward the bed, feeling the weight of the day settle in. The wedding, the speeches, the dancing—everything. It was meant to be just a formality—a straightforward, strategic alliance, like all the others in our world. A deal, a means of revenge. Nothin
Last Updated : 2025-04-01Substitute Bride for the Mafia Don Chapter 30
AvaThe dinner table looked flawless, but the atmosphere was charged with a different kind of tension. It felt like a noose tightening around my throat with every second that passed. The men present—my father, Luigi, and Riccardo—sat there like immovable statues, radiating authority as if we were just having a regular family meal. But I wasn’t foolish enough to buy that. Not when they were all staring at me like I was the next piece in their chess game.My father shattered the silence with his gravelly, commanding voice, the tone he always used when he had something serious to say. "We need to discuss the next step," he stated, his eyes locked on me. "An heir. The family requires one. We can’t afford to delay any longer." I tensed up, a wave of nausea washing over me at the mere suggestion. An heir. They were already treating me like I was just a means to fulfill their thirst for power. I clenched my jaw, trying to keep my cool, but my anger was simmering just beneath the surface."An
Last Updated : 2025-04-01Substitute Bride for the Mafia Don Chapter 31
Ava "Let's go," Riccardo said softly, his hand brushing against mine. It was a simple gesture, but it meant a lot."We're finished here." Without waiting for me to reply, he guided me out of the room, the tension from the evening still lingering. But as I walked next to him, I felt certain of one thing: this was just the start. The house was now silent, the clinking of dishes and soft chatter replaced by a heavy stillness after dinner. Everyone had left, but the tension from the meal hung in the air like a thick fog. I found myself wandering through the mansion, my mind replaying the conversations—about heirs, expectations, and what they wanted from me. From us. I barely noticed Riccardo when he walked into the kitchen. It wasn't until he spoke that I jumped, surprised. He stood in the doorway, backlit by the dim hallway light, his face unreadable. "Figured you might be here," he said, his voice low, but there was an icy undertone. Maybe it was the frustration from dinner still han
Last Updated : 2025-04-02Substitute Bride for the Mafia Don Chapter 32
Ava It was midnight when I found myself in the kitchen, the soft light from the living room casting a cozy glow on the marble counters. Riccardo was out again, as he often was, but I didn’t mind at all. I was relishing the tranquility—just some time to myself. I poured a glass of red wine, the sound of it filling the silence of the mansion in a soothing rhythm. The movie playing in the background was nothing noteworthy—just some mindless drama to keep the quiet at bay. My messy bun was starting to unravel, with strands of hair escaping, and I was wearing soft, lacy blue pajamas that hugged my body. The fabric was thin, revealing more than it concealed, but I didn’t care. There was no one here to impress. The wine felt cool on my tongue, contrasting with the warmth spreading in my chest, a brief distraction from the whirlwind of thoughts in my mind. But that peace didn’t last long before the door creaked open. I heard Riccardo’s heavy footsteps first, the sound of him shifting his
Last Updated : 2025-04-03Substitute Bride for the Mafia Don Chapter 33
Ava I woke up the next morning still fuming, replaying everything that had happened the night before in my mind. Riccardo's icy, dismissive attitude and the nerve he had to even consider bringing someone into the house after the way he treated me… It felt like my dreams had finally come true, only for him to crush them into tiny pieces. I could hear another woman's voice and laughter drifting through the thick walls of the De Lucca house, but I didn’t need to know the specifics to understand what was going on. The guest room Riccardo was using for his... questionable activities... was just down the hall from mine. It made my blood boil, all because of the sheer disrespect.As I made my way downstairs, the house felt unusually quiet, the kind of silence that hung heavily in the air, reminding me of how alone I felt here. My bare feet made soft sounds against the tiled floor as I headed to the kitchen for some coffee. I heard voices and recognized one of them as Bento's. I paused at
Last Updated : 2025-04-03Substitute Bride for the Mafia Don Chapter 34
Ava It had been a few days since the fallout with Riccardo, and the distance between us had widened. I was at a loss for how to close that gap. We hadn’t exchanged a word since that morning—since the argument where I laid out my feelings, and he responded with his typical defensiveness. The silence was becoming unbearable. Part of me wanted to avoid him, but another, more vulnerable part longed for a conversation to ease the tension, even if it meant confronting the reality of what had transpired. As I walked down the hallway, my phone buzzed, snapping me out of my thoughts. I looked at the screen and saw it was my dad. I hesitated before picking up. We hadn’t talked much since the wedding, and I couldn’t help but wonder why he was reaching out now. Was it just his usual concern, or was there something more?“Hi, Dad,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady, even though I felt a knot in my stomach. “Ava,” he replied in that familiar, commanding tone. “How are you, my daughter?”
Last Updated : 2025-04-04
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Substitute Bride for the Mafia Don Chapter 61
RiccardoIt's been three agonizing days since Ava was taken. I haven't slept or eaten, and nothing else matters but getting her back. Time feels like it's dragging on, each minute more painful than the last. Every time my phone buzzes, my heart races, but nothing compares to the moment I heard her voice. I was in the dining room, looking at the map of the city on the table with my team around me, searching for any clue. Then my phone rang with an unknown number. My heart raced, but I picked it up without thinking, desperate to act. “I have your precious wife,” the voice said. Before I could reply, I heard her voice—faint and distorted, but undeniably Ava. “No!-Riccardo!” Her fear and pain hit me hard, and for a moment, I couldn't breathe. Then the line went dead. That sick bastard wanted me to hear her cries. I promised her I'd come for her, no matter what. The silence after that was unbearable, and I gripped my phone so tightly that I felt it start to crack in my hand."Track that
Substitute Bride for the Mafia Don Chapter 60
AvaFootsteps echoed down the hallway, sending my heart racing, each thump resonating in my chest. For the past two days, the masked man had been in and out of the room, tormenting me with his cruel taunts and harsh treatment. My body was a mass of aches, every part sore from the beatings I had taken. The ropes binding my wrists pressed painfully into my skin, leaving me barely able to move, too weak and battered to fight back.The door creaked open again, and I steeled myself for what was coming. Another wave of brutality awaited me. Another hour trapped in this relentless nightmare.The masked man entered, his boots clicking ominously on the concrete floor. His voice was smooth yet threatening as he approached."I have a surprise for you."This time, I didn’t flinch, even though every fiber of my being screamed for freedom. I had come to realize that escape was a fantasy; all that awaited me was pain and the instinct to survive.He stepped aside, revealing someone I never expected t
Substitute Bride for the Mafia Don chapter 59
RiccardoThe ringing of my phone shattered the quiet in my office. I looked at the screen and saw Bento's name lighting up in bold. Without a second thought, I picked it up, gripping the receiver tightly."What's going on?" I said, my voice low and tense."Riccardo," Bento's voice came through, sharp and urgent. "I found the car. It's parked on a secluded cliff just outside the city. I'm sending you the coordinates now."My heart raced, and I felt a sinking feeling in my stomach with every word he spoke. I didn’t need to hear more; something was definitely off. "Get there immediately," I ordered. "Take backup and make sure you're armed. I'm on my way."I didn’t wait for Bento to reply. I ended the call with a quick swipe of my thumb, grabbed my jacket, and headed for the door. My mind was racing, a knot tightening in my chest as I muttered curses under my breath.What the hell was happening?Ava had left. I had told her not to. She was upset and angry, but she was smart. I never thoug
Substitute Bride for the Mafia Don Chapter 58
AvaAs I slowly regained consciousness, the first thing that hit me was a throbbing headache, pounding like a drum. My vision was initially hazy, with dark, swirling edges. But gradually, my senses began to awaken. I blinked, attempting to focus and figure out my surroundings.The air was thick with a musty, mildew smell that felt suffocating. I realized I was sitting on a cold, hard concrete floor, but more alarmingly, I was tied to something. My hands were bound behind me with rough, thick rope that bit into my skin. My legs were similarly restrained, leaving me completely immobile.I tried to inhale, but the air felt stale and heavy. The room was dimly lit, with a flickering bulb hanging above casting weak light. Shadows clung to the corners, stretching across the walls. The walls themselves were rough and peeling, worn concrete that hadn’t seen paint in ages. Rusty metal beams crisscrossed the ceiling, and the floor was covered in old, dry blood. The place had the scent of an aban
Substitute Bride for the Mafia Don Chapter 57
AvaMy grip on the steering wheel was so tight that my knuckles turned pale. The car felt cramped and stifling as my thoughts spiraled out of control. Riccardo's cold demeanor, my father's involvement, and the weight of it all felt like a heavy burden pressing down on me... I was struggling to breathe.I craved fresh air. I needed space. Just a moment away from everything. I had no clear destination in mind, but somehow, I found myself at the cliff I had discovered when I first moved here. Below me, the city sprawled out, a sea of lights that felt miles away from where I was.I parked the car, quickly turned off the engine, and stepped outside, allowing the cool evening breeze to envelop me. It was almost eerily quiet up here, the stillness amplifying my racing thoughts. I tried to push everything aside, but it felt like my mind was darting in every direction.I walked to the cliff's edge, gazing out at the sea. The night felt oppressive, yet the silence was strangely soothing. The ge
Substitute Bride for the Mafia Don Chapter 56
RiccardoI can hear Ava's soft footsteps echoing through the house. Even without seeing her, I can feel her mood—unstable and brewing, like a storm ready to break. I know I should confront it, but I can't. Not right now.Not when I have a million other issues to deal with.I lean back in my chair, the leather creaking beneath me, and focus on the reports scattered across my desk. More information on Benjamin Parker. The guy's been careless lately, making moves that can't be overlooked. It's clear he's hiding something, but until I can figure out what it is, I need to tread carefully.My father's blunders may have stained our family name, but I refuse to let Benjamin Parker ruin what I've worked hard to rebuild. Suddenly, the door to my office bursts open, and Ava storms in without knocking. Her hair is a mess, and her green eyes are fiery.I raise an eyebrow, keeping my tone steady. "Is there a reason you felt the need to barge in like that?"She crosses her arms, glaring at me. "What
Substitute Bride for the Mafia Don Chapter 55
Ava I wake up to find the bed empty. The sheets next to me are chilly, and I can still catch a hint of Riccardo's scent on the pillow where he lay just hours ago. My body aches, a reminder of how close we were last night and how completely I was wrapped up in him. But now, lying here alone, all I feel is the heaviness of his absence. Was this only a one-night stand to him? Did he realize the mistake he had made by sleeping with me after he saw me naked? I felt dirty just like the first time I had sex. I wanted to vomit at the thought that Riccardo was only using me to scratch his itch. I throw off the covers with a sigh and get out of bed. A quick look at the clock reveals it’s late morning, much later than my usual wake-up time. I try not to think about the fact that he didn’t spend the night with me. After slipping into some casual clothes, I head downstairs. The house feels eerily quiet, and the silence only heightens the confusion churning in my chest. In the kitchen, Ben
Substitute Bride for the Mafia Don Chapter 54
Ava "You think you can just flirt with him and get away with it?" His voice was rough, almost a growl, as he slammed the door behind us. I stood frozen, my heart racing and my chest rising and falling rapidly. I wanted to yell at him, to push him away, but a part of me was curious to hear him out. I opened my mouth, but the words stuck in my throat. What could I say that would make him understand? "Answer me when I’m talking to you, Ava." He stepped closer, his presence overwhelming, like a storm about to break. I took a deep breath, trying to collect my thoughts, but instead of speaking, I felt the air between us crackle with energy. The tension was almost unbearable, like an invisible force drawing us together, and I found myself wanting to give in. He was suddenly right in my space. Without saying a word, he reached for me, gripping my arm and pulling me closer. My breath hitched as he tilted my chin up, compelling me to meet his eyes. His grip was firm, yet there was an under
Substitute Bride for the Mafia Don Chapter 53
Ava It was Steph's birthday, and the house buzzed with excitement. I groggily got out of bed, trying to shake off the remnants of a restless night. My thoughts were still tangled up with Riccardo, but today was all about celebrating Steph and her special day. As I made my way downstairs, I found Steph already at the kitchen table, surrounded by vibrant balloons and a pile of gifts. Her enthusiasm was contagious as she unwrapped each present, letting out loud gasps and over-the-top expressions of delight. "Another designer handbag?" She laughed, tossing her red hair back as she revealed the gift. "Is everyone trying to turn me into a shopaholic or what?" "You're already halfway there," I joked, taking a sip of my coffee while leaning against the counter. Steph shot me a playful grin. When she opened the last gift, she squealed in excitement upon discovering a small box from me. "Oh my god, you didn't!" she exclaimed, pulling out a revolver. "Happy birthday, Steph," I smiled. Step
