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Chapter 26
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2024-10-31 23:23:21
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The Mafia's Bride Chapter 27
Chapter 27Annalisa I took a deep breath, letting the fresh morning air fill my lungs as I stepped out of the car, following closely beside Bree and Buddy, who stayed behind us. Today was the first shoot out for the movie I was here to film.The movie was titled, Echoes of pain. For the first scene, the film setting was outdoor. On the field where the acting was to take place, people were hustling and bustling around to prepare. Props were being carried from one corner to another, while the hum of chatter and last-minute preparations floated through the air. The role I would be playing was about a woman who had been bullied by life entirely. Her family, coworkers, even her own husband. No wonder Mr. Bernardo, the CEO of the agency I now worked with, said he trusted my experience. They had truly chosen a role that suited my experience because I understood the story too well. I used to live that way, and now that I read the scripts, I felt every ounce of pain that the character felt.
Last Updated : 2024-11-01The Mafia's Bride Chapter 28
Chapter 28Annalisa “Where is your ring, babygirl?” Cristiano had taken my hands into his, this morning when I came down the stairs.He had caught me off-guard, his grip firm but warm on my hands. I had forgotten how to speak at that moment, but his steady gaze that bored into my eyes reminded me that he was waiting. “I left it in my bedroom—”“Nonsense, Annalisa,” he frowned, displeased by my indirect way of denying him. “You are my wife; wear that position with pride,” he had said, sternly.“I know, but—”“I don’t want to listen to your excuses,” he released my hands, but his tone still had that finality in it. “Lisa, slipping that ring in front of those officials was never a mistake. Don’t you take off the ring again.” Cristiano commanded, and I had no other choice but to go back into my room to wear the wedding ring. I had initially left it behind in my drawer because I didn’t want it to get lost on the set during costume changes, but now, after flashing it in front of Bianca, I
Last Updated : 2024-11-02The Mafia's Bride Chapter 29
Chapter 29CristianoAs I stepped through the door, I noticed Annalisa sprawled out on the couch, watching a show on the television. She had a stack of bound documents resting on her lap which was clearly her script for tomorrow’s shoot. She didn’t even notice me at first as she was lost in whatever scene she was watching. I moved silently behind her and leaned down, placing a kiss just beneath her ear.“Daddy is back,” I murmured, and her startled expression quickly melted into relief. She gave me a quick peck on the lips, almost too quick, as if she planned for it to be brief and get back to her script. But I wasn’t about to let her off that easily. I pressed my lips back onto hers, deepening the kiss, savoring the warmth that I had been thinking about all day. I wasn’t ready, I didn't want it to end so soon.But after a moment, she pulled back, her breath mingling with mine as she whispered, “Cristiano, I… I can’t. I’ll get too tired, and I still have my lines to practice for tomor
Last Updated : 2024-11-02The Mafia's Bride Chapter 30
Chapter 30Annalisa Cristiano has got to be kidding me!I hadn’t asked for all this attention… I just wanted him to be a little more thoughtful, maybe to surprise me with a small gesture. But as I stood on set, watching a mobile café drive in with a huge banner that read, “In honor of Don Cristiano Morano,” I could feel my cheeks flush with embarrassment. This gesture of his wasn’t subtle or romantic—it was over-the-top, and in front of everyone!Everyone’s eyes darted from me to the café, and some of the crew even started cheering. I was the center of attraction in Cristiano's way of showing how supportive could be. I wanted to appreciate it—I really wanted to, but I couldn't shake the feeling that he had done this for more of his own amusement than for me.The barista held up a megaphone, his voice booming over the crowd cheers as he spoke, “In honor of Don Cristiano Morano, we are here to treat you to coffee!”People started pushing past one another as they made their way to the c
Last Updated : 2024-11-04The Mafia's Bride Chapter 31
Chapter 31 Annalisa On our drive home, my phone buzzed in my hands, interrupting me from overthinking about the drama that was about to unfold at home. I picked up my phone and saw that it was a private number calling. I hesitated for a moment, trying to think of who could be calling me with a private number. With no one I could assume it as, I almost rejected it. I was about to, really, but I swiped it the wrong way and the call ended.“Hello?” I said, my voice colder than I intended.“Hello, Annalisa. It’s me, Daniella.”Daniella? My pulse quickened, and an instinctive wave of anger surged through me. It was Cristiano’s ex. What could she possibly want from me?“I wanted to let you know that Cristiano is with me. He’s drunk, and my car isn’t in good condition. Can you come over?” Daniella’s tone was apologetic, maybe even sincere, but I couldn’t help but grit my teeth at the absurdity of it all.I felt the urge to hang up. Why was Cristiano with her? I should really end the call i
Last Updated : 2024-11-05The Mafia's Bride Chapter 32
Chapter 32Annalisa I wanted to take Cristiano into his room, use it as an opportunity to finally uncover whatever secrets he kept hidden there, but as I stood outside the elevator door, I couldn't bring myself to do it. Cristiano wouldn't like it when he finds out. The mysteries could wait. For now, he needed me, not suspicion.With Buddy’s help, we laid him on my bed. He was limp and heavy, but I managed to prop him up long enough to remove his clothes, leaving him only in his underwear. As Buddy left, I tucked Cristiano under the blanket, watching his eyes flutter shut as he sank deeper into sleep. The hard lines on his face, the ones that made him appear as if he was constantly calculating his next move, relaxed for once. He looked peaceful, almost ordinary.I found myself sitting by the edge of the bed, my fingers brushing back the dark hair that had fallen over his forehead. Cristiano shifted slightly, his lips parting as he muttered something incoherent before settling into si
Last Updated : 2024-11-05The Mafia's Bride Chapter 33
Chapter 33CristianoAnnalisa saw that side of me she shouldn't have. I might have shown that broken part of me to Daniella, but Annalisa… it was especially her that shouldn't have seen me that way. I was meant to be her protector, the strong and unbreakable Don she would always look up too. But I had failed, and she had been there to watch me that way.When I woke up to see her curled up on her couch at midnight, I knew at once that she must have fallen asleep while looking after me like I was some pitiful baby. After transferring her into her bed, I made sure to avoid any area close to her.Thinking she would still be asleep, I finally decided to see the morning light, so I stepped downstairs. But when our eyes met, I felt ashamed. I couldn't face her; every glance she had thrown at me felt like she could see through the crack holes in me that I was trying to patch.Now that I stood in the garden, trying to clear my head, Annalisa called out my name. She had followed me; Annalisa wa
Last Updated : 2024-11-07The Mafia's Bride Chapter 34
Chapter 34AnnalisaWeeks Later…After a lot of applause and handshakes, the day finally came to an end. I was standing close to the parking lot outside the theater, counting every second as I waited for him. Today had been exhilarating; it was the last day of filming, and everything had gone perfectly. But what really made my heart race throughout the day was knowing that Cristiano would be the one to take me home tonight.I kept glancing around the parking lot, barely able to contain the excitement bubbling in me until finally, I saw his car pull up close to me. My chest tightened in that familiar way when I saw him step out of the car with a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips as he caught sight of me. Once he came over, Cristiano greeted me with a quick peck on my cheek, and I couldn’t resist wrapping my arms around him to pull him close.“How was your last day of filming, superstar?” he murmured, his fingers running through my hair in a way that made me feel cherished
Last Updated : 2024-11-07
Latest chapter
The Mafia's Bride Chapter 54
Chapter 54AnnalisaIf there was one thing about the internet, it was that it never forgets. Like, ‘never ever’ forgets. You could sneeze in public, and ten minutes later, there would be a skit remix of it going viral with the caption, “Bless you, queen.” So yeah, my little “I’m married” moment on the livestream? That had the world laughing their asses out.There were memes, reaction videos, articles, and even some random guy claiming to be my husband for clout. Let him just fear the return of Cristiano from wherever he zoned off to. And my DMs? They were a complete circus. People alternated between congratulating me and asking where Cristiano had been lately. The cherry on top was a tweet that said, “Giovanni got married in the group project and didn’t even get picked as a partner.” Hilarious. Truly.And now, my flu-ridden self was dragging through another day on set, my nose redder than a stop sign, on the verge of losing the very last iota of my patience. Every time I sneezed, my m
The Mafia's Bride Chapter 53
Chapter 53AnnalisaYou know that thing your brain does when it reminds you that you were a trash person for forgetting something important? Yeah, that was where I was at. I swore I wanted to be worried about Cristiano’s health. Like, I even mentally bookmarked the idea of texting or calling Ricardo—Cristiano’s right hand man and tech guy with a gun—but, you know, life happened. Or rather, Giovanni happened. And when Giovanni happened, he happened hard.Take today, for example. I was on set, trying to nail a scene where I was supposed to look effortlessly glamorous while fake-sipping coffee in a ridiculously overpriced designer dress, and suddenly—boom—there he was. Giovanni, with his stupidly perfect hair, his stupidly cocky smirk, and his stupidly loud cheer team.Yup, you heard that right. An effing cheer team!They burst into the studio like they were storming the gates of hell, holding this obnoxious banner that read: GO ANNALISA! THE STAR OF MY HEART! I could feel my soul leave
The Mafia's Bride Chapter 52
Chapter 52AnnalisaThe funniest thing about forbidden places was that they scream at you to explore them. And tonight? That scream was practically deafening. Stepping out of the elevator and onto Cristiano's forbidden floor, I felt like I was breaking into Area 51, except instead of aliens, I was probably about to uncover some deep, dark mafia secrets.The lights overhead shining from the ceiling were dim, casting the massive space in this moody black-and-white vibe that was so… Cristiano. Everything was perfect, simple, and cool, like a luxury penthouse straight out of a Pinterest board titled “Rich Villain Aesthetic.” There was no clutter, no personality really—just sharp lines, sleek surfaces, and black and white of everything.At the far end of the room, a small gym area sat tucked in the corner. There was a punching bag swinging slightly like it had recently been used, a treadmill that looked more like art than workout equipment, and a rack of weights neatly arranged by size. Ne
The Mafia's Bride Chapter 51
Chapter 51AnnalisaSeriously, what in the world was my mom thinking? “Forgive your sister,” she said, not in those exact words but her eyes did. Ha! Over my dead, unrecognizable, burnt-to-ashes body. Forgive Bianca? The same sister who drugged me and practically pushed me into the bed of a random stranger like I was part of some weird human auction service? Yeah, sure, let me just grab my Nobel Peace Prize while I was at it.I sat there fuming in the back seat of my blacked-out SUV, the vents blasting AC on my face, but somehow, I was still burning up. How could my mom even think I would forgive Bianca? My blood sister—the one person who was supposed to protect me, have my back, be my only friend, and, I don’t know, not ruin my life—literally set me up like I meant nothing to her. And for what? So she could run back to Giovanni, the guy who couldn’t keep it in his pants long enough to remember her name?God, the audacity of that woman. If betrayal had a face, it would be Bianca’s smu
The Mafia's Bride Chapter 50
Chapter 50AnnalisaIf bad decisions had a scent, it would be whatever cologne Aunt Catherine was wearing when she opened her apartment door. I perceived a mixture of vanilla, desperation, and "I’m a single mother trying my best," and it hit me like a punch to the face as I stood there in my oversized hoodie, clutching a Starbucks coffee cup like it was the only thing holding me together.“You came,” she said, looking more shocked than pleased.“Yeah, don’t get too excited,” I replied, stepping inside before she could invite me. I wasn’t here for her warm hugs or her recycled wisdom. I was here for my mom.The apartment smelled like lemon-scented floor cleaner and freshly baked bread, and I hated how cozy it felt. Cozy meant safe. Cozy meant “you can trust me,” and Catherine had never been that for me. Not when I was a kid, and certainly not now.My mom sat on the couch, wearing one of her old knitted sweaters and looking so small I almost didn’t recognize her. She glanced up, her eye
The Mafia's Bride Chapter 49
Chapter 49AnnalisaIt started with a shot. Not a vaccine—I wish. A vodka shot, courtesy of Bree, who shoved the glass into my hand with the energy of a woman who thought alcohol could solve all the world’s problems."Down it!" she cheered, her perfectly manicured nails waving me on like a race starter. The crowd around us cheered their approval, some holding their phones up to record what I was sure would end up on Instagram by morning.I hesitated, staring at the clear liquid like it might come alive and bite me. “I don’t know if I’m drunk enough to get drunk yet.”Bree rolled her eyes, her grin widening. “That’s the point, dummy. Now drink!”So, I did. It burned going down—so hot and sharp, like swallowing a tiny sun. My throat felt like they were on fire, but before I could even finish wincing, Bree was thrusting another glass into my hand."To Annalisa," she declared, raising her own glass high. "The star, the legend, the only person I know who can look this hot after dodging Gio
The Mafia's Bride Chapter 48
Chapter 48AnnalisaMac and cheese for dinner? Classy, I know. But don’t judge me—comfort food fixes everything, or so they say. But, spoiler: it doesn’t. It’s just cheese and carbs pretending to be therapy.After scraping the last cheesy bits from my plate, I ditched the dishes for later. I mean, who actually has the energy to become an adult after the day I’d had? Not me. Instead, I dragged myself to the bathroom, craving the only thing that might save me from losing it all—a hot shower.Stepping under the stream of water, I let it wash away the day, the drama, the existential crisis that seemed to be my new normal. The steam blurred the edges of everything, and for a moment, I felt... lighter. Safer. Until my thoughts betrayed me.‘Cristiano.’His name hit me like a wave, knocking the air from my lungs. It started as a flicker, a memory of his smile—sharp enough to disarm but soft enough to melt you. Then it was his voice, the way he used to scold me for not eating enough food, his
The Mafia's Bride Chapter 47
Chapter 47AnnalisaThe next day arrived so quickly, almost like an unexpected slap in the face. Because I wasn’t ready. My mood was trash, my patience felt like they didn't exist, and my energy? Let’s just say it took everything I had not to throw my alarm clock across the room. But life doesn’t wait for meltdowns, and apparently, neither do contracts. So there I was, dragging my tired self to the building where my next big acting role awaited me. Yay, career moves. Boo, life falling apart.I kept my shades on and my face blank as Bree and Buddy, my “support system,” flanked me like bodyguards. Except, I wasn’t feeling supported. I was feeling... off. The Giovanni situation from last night still clung to me like a bad smell on a fabric, and the fact that Cristiano was still MIA? Yeah, that wasn’t helping.“Wait for me at the car,” I told them after we had wrapped up the paperwork. My voice sounded flat, even to my own ears. Bree raised a brow but didn’t argue. Buddy gave me a little
The Mafia's Bride Chapter 46
Chapter 46 Annalisa I pushed Giovanni away. I pushed him slightly harder than I meant to, but I couldn’t help it. The confusion was messing with my head and the anger that boiled up in me was so hot that all I could think was ‘this can’t happen’. I stepped back, wiping away the remnants of my tears, trying to gather whatever little bit of control I had left.“We can’t be friends, Giovanni,” I said, my voice a little shakier than I wanted it to be. “We can’t.”His face dropped, and for a second, I almost felt bad for him. But no. I couldn’t go back to my past. Not after everything. He called after me as I turned away, but I didn’t give him the satisfaction of turning back. The door slammed shut behind me, and I heard him say something from the other side.“You think I’m going to give up on us? You think this is over? Annalisa, I’m going to prove to you that I’m ready. I’m ready for us again. I swear.”“There's no ‘us’, Giovanni…” I whispered to myself in a shaky breath.His words h
