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Chapter 42
Huling Na-update:
2024-11-22 22:26:30
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The Mafia's Bride Chapter 43
Chapter 43AnnalisaThe silence after Cristiano walked out on me was deafening; I realized that we had been the only source of noise in the entire estate. I stood in the doorway for what felt like forever, the distant roar of his car’s engine now long gone, leaving me staring blankly at nothing but darkness. The cold night air blew intensely at my skin, giving me goosebumps, but the emotions swirling inside me made me too numb to move. What exactly had just happened?I tried to piece the argument back together in my mind, analyzing every word, every glance, every raised voice. Was it my fault? Had I been too harsh? A part of me wanted to scream that it wasn’t my fault—that Cristiano had pushed too far, insisting on something I had already made clear that I wasn’t ready for. But another part of me, the quieter and more self-doubting side, whispered that maybe I could have handled it better.The faint chirping sound of crickets filled the silence, snapping me out of my daze. And then,
Huling Na-update : 2024-11-22The Mafia's Bride Chapter 44
Chapter 44AnnalisaIt was still surprising to me how the days after Cristiano’s disappearance stretched endlessly. At first, I had stayed hopeful, keeping my phone nearby, hoping for a call or even a text. But as the hours turned into days, and then the days turned nearly into a week, my hope withered away. He neither responded to my messages nor my calls. Eventually, I took the silence he gave me as a kind of answer from him.I stopped checking the driveway. Stopped looking out the window every time a car passed by, thinking it might be him. I stopped replaying our argument in my head, and finally stopped wondering what would have become of us if I had I said things differently. Instead, I did what could be only done at that moment—I threw myself into my work.When I finally got back to Bree, and informed her of my free schedule, she had been thrilled about my availability. The scripts she had been bothering me about for days suddenly became my lifeline. Sometimes, I would think it
Huling Na-update : 2024-11-23The Mafia's Bride Chapter 45
Chapter 45Annalisa“Allow me,” The moment the blonde guy handed over his card, I should’ve known better. There was something about the smoothness in his smile, the way his eyes locked on mine just a second too long, like he knew something I didn’t. But I couldn’t just leave the bar without paying, right? It wasn’t like I had asked him to cover it, but I also didn’t have my card on me. No way was I going to let this guy think I wasn’t good for the bill.“Thank you,” I said, my voice coming out a little tighter than I wanted. “But you didn’t have to do that. Can you write down your account number here?” I reached into my bag, pulling out a small notepad and pen, trying to act casual. "I'll wire the money to you as soon as possible."He laughed so hard as if he found something funny that I wasn’t getting. “Oh, I paid because I really wanted to,” he said, his tone almost dripping with something I couldn’t quite place. It wasn’t kindness, that was for sure. “You're the rising actress Anna
Huling Na-update : 2025-01-17The 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
Huling Na-update : 2025-01-17The 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
Huling Na-update : 2025-01-18The 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
Huling Na-update : 2025-01-18The 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
Huling Na-update : 2025-01-19The 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
Huling Na-update : 2025-01-19
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The Mafia's Bride EPILOGUE
EPILOGUEGiovanni's Story Before every villain, there was always a hero.Once upon a time, I was that hero.I was the man with loyalty, with honor, with a love so deep it could burn the fucking world down. Daniella was my world. She was mine. Until Cristiano Morano decided she wasn’t.He was my brother in arms, the man I trusted with my life. And yet, one drunken night was all it took for him to betray me. He didn’t hesitate. He didn’t even think about how I would feel. He just took her like she was a slut. And Daniella? She chose him.That was the day I buried my soul six feet under and became something else.Revenge became my heartbeat. My every breath. My reason for waking up each morning. It started with his uncle—Armando, the man who dared to stand in my way when I reported Cristiano to him. A bullet between the eyes took care of that. Of course, I made sure someone else took the fall. That was the easy part.Then there was Annalisa.The woman he couldn’t resist growing up.I wa
The Mafia's Bride Chapter 97
Chapter 97- GRAND FINALE Cristiano“You are staring at me again.”Annalisa’s voice was soft, teasing, but I didn’t miss the way her fingers traced small circles over the curve of her belly. Like she was just as mesmerized as I was.I smirked, leaning against the armrest of the couch, my gaze drinking her in. “Can you blame me? You look like a literal goddess right now.”She rolled her eyes, but the corners of her lips twitched, betraying her. “I look like a woman who has been eating way too many croissants.”I shook my head, shifting closer until our knees touched. “Nah, you look like my wife carrying our baby. That’s hot as hell.”She let out a short laugh, shaking her head at me, but I saw the way her eyes softened.God, she was beautiful.The soft glow of the chandelier cast a golden hue over her skin, making her look almost unreal, like something out of a dream I never thought I deserved. But she was here. She was real. And for the first time in my life, I felt… whole. Like every
The Mafia's Bride Chapter 96
Chapter 96Annalisa“You know, if you keep staring at him like that, you might as well put up a neon sign that says ‘I have unresolved issues with this man.’”Grace snapped her head toward me, her eyes narrowing when she realized I was referring to her. “Ma’am?”“Drop the formalities, please since you'll soon no longer be our housekeeper.” I smirked, folding my arms as I leaned back in my seat. “And yes, you heard me right.”The wedding was over, and the guests were slowly trickling out, leaving behind the soft hum of conversations and the scent of roses still hanging in the air. The fairy lights twinkled above us, casting a warm glow over the entire setup, but none of that was as interesting as the way Grace kept stealing glances at Ricardo.I mean, she wasn’t even trying to be subtle about it. One second, she would sip her drink, the next, her gaze would flicker toward him like a damn magnet. And the tension? Whew. You could cut it with a butter knife.Grace let out a deep sigh, slu
The Mafia's Bride Chapter 95
Chapter 95Annalisa“You do realize you’re talking to your stomach, right?”I blinked and turned my head to see Grace smirking at me, her arms crossed as she leaned against the back of the white wedding chair.“I wasn’t talking to my stomach,” I lied, quickly dropping my hand from my slightly rounded belly.Grace raised an eyebrow. “Mhm. Sure, ma'am. You totally weren’t whispering, ‘Are you going to behave today, little one?’ like some possessed mother-to-be.”I huffed, crossing my arms. “First of all, I was only exhibiting good behavior. And second, I am a mother-to-be. So, yeah, I talk to my baby. Got a problem with that?”Grace grinned, plopping down into the seat beside me. “Not at all, ma'am. It’s actually kinda cute. Like, disturbingly cute.”I rolled my eyes but couldn’t help the small smile tugging at my lips. The wedding was about to start, and Buddy and Bree’s guests had all settled into their seats. I smoothed out the silky blue dress draped over my growing bump, adjusting
The Mafia's Bride Chapter 94
Chapter 94Cristiano“You keep staring at me like you're in a dream.” Annalisa’s voice was soft, teasing me, but I could hear the nervous emotions beneath it. She stood in front of the window, wrapped in nothing but the white silk robe that matched the sheets on our honeymoon bed. The street lights outside cast a soft glow against her skin, and for a second, I really did wonder if this was real.I leaned back against the pillows, my shirt unbuttoned, my tie long gone. “Maybe I am.”She turned, raising an eyebrow. “So you think you’re dreaming?”I smirked. “I’m pretty sure I died back there when you walked down the aisle. This is just heaven.”She rolled her eyes, but I caught the way her lips twitched, fighting back a smile. She stepped closer, sitting on the edge of the bed. Her fingers played with the fabric of my sleeve, tracing slow patterns.“We went through so much as a couple,” she whispered.The tone in her voice hit me like a punch to the gut. Because she was right. Every da
The Mafia's Bride Chapter 93
Chapter 93Annalisa“Breathe, Annalisa. Just breathe.” I whispered the words to myself, staring at my reflection in the grand mirror.The dress—my dress—was a masterpiece. Snow-white satin hugged my body perfectly, the delicate lace trailing down like poetry. My veil cascaded over my shoulders, soft and weightless, and my makeup was flawless. I looked like a bride. I was a bride.So why did my heart feel like it was trying to punch its way out of my chest?My hands trembled as I gripped the dressing table, trying to steady myself. This was happening. This was real. In a few minutes, I would walk down that aisle, and Cristiano would be there, waiting for me.“Annaliisa, are you good?” Bree peeked in, holding a glass of champagne. “Because you kinda look like you might pass out.”I exhaled shakily. “I’m fine.”She arched her brow, sizing me up with her eyes. “Yeah, no. Try again.”“I said I’m fine.”Bree wasn’t buying it. She walked over, set the champagne down, and placed both hands on
The Mafia's Bride Chapter 92
Chapter 92AnnalisaThey said the quietest moments were the loudest. When the world is still, when nothing is happening, that is when your mind decides to scream the loudest.That was exactly how I felt when I woke up that morning.My eyes opened to the soft golden glow of morning sunlight streaming through the sheer curtains, the warmth kissing my bare skin. For a moment, I just stared at the ceiling, my mind blank. I then shifted slightly, feeling the warmth of another body beside me, and that was when it hit me. I was naked.Naked and tangled up in soft sheets that smelled like him.Oh. My. God.Memories of last night came rushing back—Cristiano’s lips on mine, his hands roaming my body, the way he whispered my name like it was the only word that mattered. The way he had touched me like I was something precious, held me like I was something he never wanted to lose. The way he made love to me like we had all the time in the world. It wasn’t just intimacy—it was a celebration. A pas
The Mafia's Bride Chapter 91
Chapter 91Annalisa“You’re wearing this. No arguments, Annalisa.”Bree plopped a sleek black box onto my bed, her eyes sparkling with mischief.I blinked at her. “Uh… what?”She crossed her arms. “Don’t act dumb. Open it.”With a sigh, I lifted the lid and—wow. Inside was a stunning red dress, the fabric smooth and luxurious beneath my fingers. A pair of matching heels sat beside it, looking way too expensive for a casual night out.I frowned. “Bree… What the hell is this?”She grinned. “Just a little something for our girls’ night. Duh.”A girls’ night? Yeah, right. The last time Bree pulled something like this, I ended up at a five-star bar and she ended up getting drunk first. I wasn’t about to get dragged into another setup.I folded my arms. “That’s definitely not happening.”“Oh, come on,” she groaned, flopping onto my bed dramatically. “Don’t be boring, Annalisa. You need this. We both do.”I narrowed my eyes. “You’re lying to me Briana, I can easily tell. What’s really going
The Mafia's Bride Chapter 90
Chapter 90CristianoThey say love is like a fire—when it’s real, it burns deep, consuming everything in its path. And damn it, I was burning for her.Annalisa wasn’t just another chapter in my life; she was the whole damn book. Every page, every word, every unfinished sentence—I wanted it all to be about her. That was why I had to get this right.I could afford to make any mistakes, nor could I second-guess the whole plan.The wedding planner sat across from me, flipping through a sleek leather notebook. She was in her late thirties, professional, and looked like the kind of woman who had planned a hundred fairytale proposals. Which was great, because I needed this to be perfect.“So, Mr. Morano,” she said, adjusting her glasses. “You mentioned wanting something intimate but still grand in its own way?”I nodded. “Yeah. Something that feels… personal. Like, if she walks in, she’ll know instantly that it’s for her. No generic bullshit.”She smiled. “That’s a good start. Does she have
