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Chapter 36
Last Updated:
2025-04-05 17:02:43
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Substitute Bride for the Mafia Don Chapter 37
Ava It had been several days since I got back from visiting my family, and things between Riccardo and me had only deteriorated. To be honest, I was doing my best to steer clear of him. I just wasn’t in the mood to deal with him—especially not after everything that had happened. So, there I was, lounging in the living room, mindlessly flipping through a book while Lucifer rested beside me, his head comfortably in my lap. I stroked his fur, hoping to find some tranquility in the quiet. It was one of those rare moments where I could momentarily forget the chaos around us, where everything felt peaceful and normal. But that calm didn’t last long. “Ava,” I heard Riccardo call from upstairs. His voice was flat yet commanding, sending a shiver down my spine. “My office. Now.” My chest tightened at his words. It wasn’t a request; it was an order. I gave Lucifer a soft pat and reluctantly got up, trudging toward the stairs with a heavy heart. I knew this talk was unavoidable. When I ent
Last Updated : 2025-04-05Substitute Bride for the Mafia Don Chapter 38
Riccardo She’s furious. Her gaze is sharp, like daggers, and I know I deserve every ounce of that anger. But there’s something else in her eyes—a shift, a tension that suggests she’s not as sure as she pretends to be. There is sadness in her eyes. That uncertainty is gnawing at me, and I’m the one who caused it, yet I have no idea how to mend it. I lean back in my chair, my thoughts a jumbled mess. She’s silent, just observing me, and it drives me crazy. The quiet feels stifling, tightening around my chest with every breath. I can sense my grip on the situation slipping away, and I’m at a loss for how to regain it. My movements are stiff and tense—nothing like my usual confident demeanor. I rub my jaw, trying to ease the frustration building inside me, but it’s futile. I can feel her gaze weighing down on me, compelling me to face everything I’ve been avoiding. It was a really dumb mistake. The intensity in my voice surprised me. I stop moving and turn to face her, my body tense a
Last Updated : 2025-04-07Substitute Bride for the Mafia Don Chapter 39
Riccardo I can feel the anger rising as I look at the images in front of me. Another damn black dahlia. This time, it’s pictures of Ava. Just seeing them makes my stomach churn, a tight knot of fury forming in my chest. Someone is toying with me, and it just won’t stop. I need answers. Right now. The clock ticks slowly as I get ready for the meeting. My mind is racing, weighing the possible threats and what could happen next. I understand the implications—this is more than just a warning. They’re stepping it up. I don’t hesitate to gather the family. This isn’t solely my call. I need Bento, Steph, and my most trusted men here. We can’t leave anything to chance. I don’t care how exhausted they are or what they have going on. They’ll be here, and they’ll be here immediately. I swing open my office door, hearing the faint shuffle of feet in the hallway, signaling that everyone has arrived. I settle into my chair behind the desk, my sharp gaze scanning each face as they enter the roo
Last Updated : 2025-04-07Substitute Bride for the Mafia Don Chapter 40
Riccardo A hush envelops the room. Bento raises an eyebrow, clearly taken aback. "Well, well. Looks like you’re more than just Riccardo’s wife. Our little princess is starting to think for herself?" I don’t reply to Bento; my gaze is fixed on Ava. She remains unfazed as his words linger in the air, simply meeting my stare, waiting for me to react. My chest tightens, anger simmering within me. Sure, I’m secretly pleased she’s digging into her father’s affairs, but she took that document without telling me. I suddenly stand, my chair scraping loudly against the floor as I slam my fist on the table. "You went through his stuff?" My voice is low, filled with a mix of anger and betrayal. "You put everything at risk by snooping in your father’s office?" Ava doesn’t flinch. She holds my gaze, her chest rising and falling as she takes a deep breath. "If you won’t tell me what’s really happening, then I’ll just have to find out myself." Steph, always the quiet one, gives me a look of app
Last Updated : 2025-04-08Substitute Bride for the Mafia Don Chapter 41
Ava The atmosphere is heavy, filled with all the unspoken words hanging between us. The rest of the meeting was a whirlwind—voices overlapping, tempers rising, and the truth about my father finally surfacing. Now, all I can focus on is the one thing I've been trying to dodge: Riccardo. His furious glare, the way his eyes seared into me when I stood up in front of everyone, and how he’s made it clear that I don’t belong in his life. And now, here we are, just the two of us in the office, the walls feeling like they’re closing in. I can sense his anger even before he says anything, the heat radiating from him as he steps closer, fists clenched at his sides. "I don’t want you involved in this," he growls, his voice low but sharp. "This is my battle, Ava, not yours." I refuse to flinch. I won’t. "I can’t just stand by while my father—" I cut myself off, the sting of his betrayal rising in my chest, but it’s not new. I’ve come to realize that car accident was meant for me. I was suppos
Last Updated : 2025-04-08Substitute Bride for the Mafia Don Chapter 42
Riccardo I'm leaning back in my chair, my eyes darting over the chaotic papers spread out before me, trying to piece together the current mess. It's late—way past the hour when I should be winding down—but the tension just keeps escalating. The Sterlings have been pushing into our territory way too much, and I'm fed up with it. Bento's voice breaks into my thoughts, low but laced with urgency. "I've tracked some Sterling guys to a club on the city's edge," he says, stepping into my office with a determined look. "They've been meeting there regularly, and there's a gathering tonight. If we act quickly, we can catch them off guard." I sit up straight, fully focused on him now. The tension in my chest tightens. We've been waiting for a chance to strike back, and this could be it. "Gather the men. Steph. We leave in an hour," I command, my voice steady and resolute. Bento nods sharply, his eyes glinting with a darker, eager intensity. I rise from my desk, my mind racing through the p
Last Updated : 2025-04-09Substitute Bride for the Mafia Don Chapter 43
Ava I stroll through the warm breeze, inhaling the sweet fragrance of blooming flowers in the gardens, trying to push aside the chaotic thoughts swirling in my head. His kiss still lingers on my lips, but there's something else nagging at me—making me question if I truly know him at all. I can hear the gentle rustling of leaves and the soft hum of the day, yet all I feel is the heaviness of my thoughts. I married a man who can kiss me one moment and then act like it never happened the next. I loved how his lips touched mine. It was something I dreamed about for years and now that it finally happened, I felt afraid. Maybe it's because I am afraid he is only using me to replace Madeline? Or maybe it's because life has shown me what people can do to you. Then something caught my eyes. A quick movement—a glint of light from a camera lens peeking out from behind the hedge. I keep walking, but my heart skips a beat. It’s one of the guards. A chill runs down my spine, and I can’t shake th
Last Updated : 2025-04-09Substitute Bride for the Mafia Don Chapter 44
Ava The late afternoon sun streamed through my room's windows, casting a warm golden glow on the walls. Yet, despite the peaceful scene outside, my mind was in turmoil. I couldn't shake the images from the basement—the blood, the screams, and the chilling intensity in Riccardo's gaze. It felt like I had uncovered a darker, more frightening side of him, and I was left wondering how someone could turn into that. He reminded me of my father. I hated what they did to people. The way they torture people is like it was some kind of sick, twisted joke. A sudden knock broke my train of thought, and before I could respond, Steph breezed in, dramatically closing the door behind her. "Ever heard of knocking?" I said with a hint of sarcasm as I turned to face her. "Not really my thing," she shot back, grinning as she flopped onto my bed and stretched out. "Besides, you've been sulking all day. I'm here to rescue you from your own thoughts." I let out a reluctant laugh, but it quickly faded.
Last Updated : 2025-04-10
Latest chapter
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
