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Chapter 7
Last Updated:
2025-03-14 16:48:37
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Substitute Bride for the Mafia Don Chapter 8
Riccardo The late afternoon sun streamed through the blinds, creating long shadows that danced across the marble floor of my study. I was seated at my desk, fingers gliding over the smooth wood, my mind tangled up with the contract that would tie me to Ava Parker in just six months. The thought of the upcoming marriage and its implications weighed heavily on me. But I wasn’t one to get lost in feelings or uncertainties. This was just another transaction, another strategic move in a game I had long since mastered. The door creaked open, and I didn’t need to glance up to know who it was. Only two fools would waltz into my study without knocking. "Rici." Steph's voice, light and teasing, sliced through the quiet. I stayed silent at first, keeping my eyes on the papers in front of me, letting her make her usual grand entrance. I caught a whiff of her perfume—citrusy and sweet—before she even said a word. She approached, her heels clicking softly on the marble as she reached my des
Last Updated : 2025-03-14Substitute Bride for the Mafia Don Chapter 9
Ava The light filtering through the thick curtains felt almost like a warning, as if it wasn’t really welcome in the chilly, lavish room. I slowly propped myself up, the heavy sheets sliding off me. My bare feet hit the cold marble floor, sending a shiver up my spine. The mansion was eerily quiet, broken only by the faint sounds of footsteps outside and the occasional clatter of dishes or hushed voices from the servants’ quarters. It was an odd kind of stillness, a weighty silence that made me feel like I was being watched. The sight of the perfectly made bed, the frigid marble floors, and the immaculate room made me uneasy. I had never spent the night in a place so meticulously arranged, so devoid of the usual chaos and noise of family life. The house was grand and stunning, but it felt hollow. I made my way to the window and pulled back the curtains to gaze out at the grounds. Vast, manicured lawns stretched out before me, with trees lining the distant edges. I noticed guards pa
Last Updated : 2025-03-14Substitute Bride for the Mafia Don Chapter 10
Ava A few days had gone by, but the house felt more stifling than ever today. The silence was almost unbearable, and I had hardly seen Riccardo. This solitude made me feel trapped—like I was constantly being watched and never quite fitting in. I hadn’t heard a peep from my parents either. I couldn’t help but smile bitterly; they were probably thrilled to be rid of me. I had roamed the house before, searching for a hint of freedom, but it felt like I was just going in circles. Then I stumbled upon a hallway that led to a part of the house I didn’t recognize—a vast garden surrounded by ivy-covered stone walls. The gentle rustle of leaves in the wind was the only sound I could hear, and for a brief moment, I let myself think I had found a little escape from the weight of the mansion. I didn’t realize how far I had wandered until I heard footsteps behind me. I turned around quickly, my heart racing, only to see Riccardo stepping out of the shadows like a predator stalking its pre
Last Updated : 2025-03-14Substitute Bride for the Mafia Don Chapter 11
Ava I slammed my bedroom door shut, leaning against it as I tried to catch my breath. The cool wood felt solid against my back, but my heart was racing—not just from the anger, but from the whole situation. Riccardo. He was cold, heartless, and unbearable. I swallowed hard and walked over to the window, staring out at the vast grounds. The guards, the suited men— the overwhelming feeling of being trapped. A knock broke my spiraling thoughts. "Ava?" It was Steph. "Come in," I replied, my voice strained. The door creaked open, and Steph peeked in. She had a smile on her face, but it faded the moment she saw me. "Okay, what happened?" she asked, stepping inside and shutting the door behind her. I plopped down on the edge of my bed, gripping the mattress like it was my lifeline. "Your brother happened," I said bitterly. Steph raised her eyebrows and crossed her arms. "Ah, Riccardo." She leaned against the doorframe. "What did he do this time?" I hesitated, his icy stare still fr
Last Updated : 2025-03-14Substitute Bride for the Mafia Don Chapter 12
AvaI hadn't laid eyes on Riccardo since that night. He had been keeping to himself, slipping into the background as if he was trying to avoid me or maybe just giving me space to sort through everything. I was left wondering what it all meant. Was he feeling guilty? Regretful? Or was it just another way to keep me on edge, letting me simmer in my own anxiety? Regardless, I was relieved not to have to deal with him.Today, the house felt unnaturally quiet, with the silence amplifying every step I took. My heels clicked sharply against the marble floor, the sound echoing through the empty hallway. I had spent the afternoon with Steh, but the mansion's walls felt suffocating, and I found myself wandering aimlessly. I craved exploration, something to distract me from the heavy expectations and the ever-present shadow of my fiancé.As I turned into another hallway, I spotted someone standing by the window, gazing out at the garden. The soft light streaming through the glass framed his figu
Last Updated : 2025-03-17Substitute Bride for the Mafia Don Chapter 13
AvaI’d rather not stay, but I couldn’t argue. I stood there, frozen, my body shaking as I watched him drag Adamo down the hallway. I quietly followed them to the basement, a place I had only heard rumors about, my heart racing.The basement door swung open, and Riccardo shoved Adamo inside, slamming it shut behind him. The sound echoed through the house. I lingered just outside the door, trying to catch my breath, my hands trembling.I had no clue what was going on, but a sick feeling of dread washed over me.Riccardo came back to me, his eyes burning with rage, and without saying a word, he grabbed my wrist and pulled me down the stairs after him. I stumbled to keep up, my body shaking as I went deeper into the cold, dimly lit space.Was he going to punish me? How would he do it? Would he kick me like my dad always did? Would he hit me in the face? I was terrified. Absolutely scared out of my mind. Riccardo swung the basement door wide open, revealing Adamo kneeling in the middle o
Last Updated : 2025-03-17Substitute Bride for the Mafia Don Chapter 14
RiccardoThe basement was colder than normal, the air thick with the metallic scent of iron and a sense of dread. I lingered there long after Ava had stormed out, her defiance echoing in my mind like a curse. No one dared to follow her—not the guards who stood frozen against the walls or my siblings. They all waited for me to give the next order, but I stayed silent.What had she done to me?Why am I feeling this way? I shouldn’t. I should hate her. She and her family is the reason the woman I love is dead. I should be exacting my revenge on her and her family.I made my way upstairs and locked myself in the study, brushing off Bento's curious looks and Steph's worried glances. I poured myself a drink, watching the amber liquid swirl in the glass as if it held the answers I desperately needed.Her face wouldn’t leave my mind—the fire in her eyes mixed with fear, the sharpness of her words. She was scared, and I wasn’t sure how to process that.Actually, that’s not true. I knew exactly
Last Updated : 2025-03-17Substitute Bride for the Mafia Don Chapter 15
AvaThe dining room felt like a fancy prison, with its elaborate furniture and sparkling chandeliers just reminding me of the life I was being pushed into. Every piece of pricey Hermes and every crystal glass felt like a weight on my chest. I had to resist the urge to squirm under the stares of my father and Riccardo's family as they sat at the long table, casually discussing wedding plans as if it were just another business deal. We had come back to America a few hours ago. I didn’t think it was about the wedding. I had prayed they would say it was all a mistake.But my hopes were shattered when I heard them talk about the wedding.Before long, I’d be stuck in a marriage I didn’t want, to a guy who had already shown he could never love me. I can’t figure out why he wants to marry me. Is this some twisted joke the universe is playing? If it is, it’s definitely not amusing.I could feel the anger bubbling up inside me. The fury I’d been holding onto since that night in the basement whe
Last Updated : 2025-03-18
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Substitute Bride for the Mafia Don Chapter 51
Ava The morning sun peeked through the curtains as I gradually opened my eyes, the gentle hum of the house being the only sound I could hear. I stretched, feeling the lingering tension from last night between Riccardo and me, even though we hadn’t said a word since. I was at a loss for how to feel. My mind was a jumble, and my heart wasn’t faring any better. I got out of bed, threw on some comfy clothes, and headed down the grand staircase. The house felt oddly quiet this morning, as if everyone was keeping their distance. As I turned the corner into the kitchen, the aroma of coffee greeted me, along with the light chatter of Bento and Steph. Lucifer bounded around my feet, barking happily as I bent down to give him a scratch, his warm fur providing a bit of comfort. "Good morning," I said softly, running my fingers through his fur as I stood back up. "Morning," Bento replied, his tone playful. He looked up from the counter with a cheeky grin. "You doing okay today?" I shot him a
Substitute Bride for the Mafia Don Chapter 50
Ava There's a light, almost playful vibe between us, and honestly, I'm not used to this kind of attention—at least not like this. "Nice to meet you, Ava." I’m about to reply when I hear a deep, unmistakable voice from behind me. "Get the hell away from my wife." The words slice through our light chat like a knife. My stomach drops, and I turn around, surprised. Riccardo is there, glaring at Vito with an intensity that makes my heart race. His jaw is tight, fists clenched at his sides, and his eyes blaze with a raw, dangerous anger. Vito, sensing the threat, quickly steps back, hands raised in a mock gesture of surrender. "My bad, Don De Lucca. I didn’t mean to intrude. Just admiring the view." He throws me one last look, a playful smile still on his face, before he walks away. Riccardo keeps his gaze locked on Vito until he’s out of sight, his eyes still simmering with rage. Then, his focus shifts to me, and I can feel the weight of his stare—heavy and possessive. The atmosphere
Substitute Bride for the Mafia Don Chapter 49
Ava Riccardo brushed off the question, a smirk playing on his lips as he leaned against the counter next to me. He reached out, gently tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear, and I felt a shiver run down my spine. "You’re loving this, aren’t you?" he said, his voice low and playful. "Enjoying what?" I shot back, but the warmth creeping into my cheeks gave me away. "The way every guy in this room is checking you out," he replied, his lips nearly touching my ear, his breath sending goosebumps racing down my neck. "The way their eyes linger on what’s mine." I rolled my eyes, even as I found myself leaning closer to him. "I’m not anyone’s property." His hand found my jaw, tilting my face so I had no choice but to look into his eyes. "Don’t kid yourself, Ava. You’re mine, and deep down, you know it." Before I could say anything, he lowered his head, his lips grazing the curve of my neck. The warmth of his mouth sent a jolt through me, and I hated how easily he unraveled my res
Substitute Bride for the Mafia Don Chapter 48
Ava A few days have passed since I had sex with Riccardo in his office. That night I couldn't sleep. I kept replaying what happened in my mind. I still couldn't believe I slept with him and not to mention I gave him a blowjob while Jessy was sitting there. Speaking of Jessy, I swear he knows I was under the table that day. Every time he sees me he grins and winks at me but I act as if nothing had happened. Coming back to today. I was in my room getting ready since we were invited to a ball. Riccardo didn't seem happy about going, making me wonder if all the mafia bosses were going to be there. The bedroom buzzed with excitement as Steph dug through jewelry boxes, her silver dress sparkling with every move. Tonight was the masquerade ball, but my mind was stuck on what had happened between Riccardo and me a few nights ago. "I knew this would look amazing on you," she said, gesturing to the black satin dress I had just put on. I smoothed the fabric over my hips, admiring my reflec
Substitute Bride for the Mafia Don Chapterr 47
Ava I opened my mouth to say something, but the words just wouldn’t come out. I wanted to express how much I wished to erase that kiss from my mind, yet my body had other ideas. Instead, I shot him a glare, trying to maintain my defenses. "Quit pushing me around," I said, though my voice felt weak against the tension building between us. He chuckled, but it wasn’t a lighthearted laugh. It was dark and tinged with bitterness. "Is that really what you think this is? Just me pushing you around?" He stepped closer, and I could feel the heat radiating from him. My breath caught, and for a second, I thought I might break down. But I held it together. "We’re not doing this. Not again." He reached out, his fingers grazing my jaw and tilting my head up to meet his eyes. "You’re lying," he murmured. "You’re lying to yourself, to me, and to everyone else in this house." I grabbed his wrist and pulled his hand away from my face. "You think you can just touch me whenever you feel like it?" H
Substitute Bride for the Mafia Don Chapter 46
Ava I tried to brush it off. The kiss. The way he kissed me. The sensation of his lips, the way he held me as if I were his lifeline, like he was desperate and I was the only thing that could fill that void. I’ve fantasized about his lips for ages, and now that I’ve experienced them, I can’t get enough. But I’d never confess that. Not to myself. Not to him. Dinner the next day was meant to be just another evening. But with Riccardo, nothing was ever just ordinary. I found myself sitting next to him at the long dining table, pretending to pay attention to the chat between Steph and Bento. They were going on about some mundane family business topic that didn’t interest me at all—but I couldn’t focus. My thoughts kept circling back to that kiss. The intensity of it. The way his lips had taken mine, as if he’d been waiting for that moment, like he couldn’t hold back any longer. It was meaningless. So why did it feel like everything had shifted? I squirmed in my chair, trying to i
Substitute Bride for the Mafia Don Chapter 45
Riccardo The house was still, except for the occasional creak of the aging walls. After the chaos of the last few days, the quiet was a relief, but sleep still eluded me. The sharp pain in my ribs from the bullet wound was nothing compared to the frustration swirling in my mind. I wandered into the kitchen, shirtless and clutching a glass of whiskey. The cool air brushed against my skin as I leaned against the counter, watching the amber liquid swirl. I should have been concentrating on the Sterlings, the mole we had to deal with, anything but her. But Ava kept invading my thoughts. I took another sip, my jaw tightening in irritation. She drove me crazy—her stubbornness, her defiance, her reckless tendency to put herself in harm's way. And then there was that kiss. Just thinking about her lips on mine sent a rush of emotions I couldn’t quite identify. The sound of soft footsteps pulled me from my thoughts. I turned to see Ava standing in the kitchen doorway. She wore a silk nigh
Substitute 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.
Substitute 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
