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EPILOGUE
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2025-03-25 22:43:02
PenumbraAUTHORโS NOTE To everyone who made it to the endโthank youuuuuuuu. Thank you for every coin spent, every page turned, and every moment you gave to this story. Your support, your patience, and your belief in this journey mean more than words can express. You didnโt give up on me, and Iโll never take that for granted. Writing this story has been a rollercoaster, and knowing you were right there with me made every twist and turn worth it. This may be goodbye for now, but itโs not forever. Thereโs more to come, and I canโt wait to have you with me in my next book. So, if you havenโt already, make sure to followโI promise, the best is yet to come. Until next time, With all my love and gratitude, Penumbra.
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The Mafia's Bride ย ย ย Chapter 1
Chapter 1AnnalisaI could barely recognize the blue-eyed brunette staring back at me in the mirror. It was me, I knew. But at that moment, I felt like a prisoner preparing to be judged. Tomorrow, I would marry Giovanni Rossi, the man who controlled my father's business and soon, me. I couldn't complain because I had been raised for this; Marrying him wasn't about love, it had never been. This was simply a business deal where I would be the sacrificial lamb. A knock on the door to my hotel room interrupted me from overthinking like every other time. โAnna? It's me,โ the voice of my elder sister, Bianca came through the door. โCan I come in?โ She asked.I had no idea how, but Bianca always managed to escape from my father's dark decisions. It was always me, all the time, sometimes I even began to question if I was truly his child.โCome in.โ I forced out as smile as I stood up from the chair, waiting for her to come in. Bianca entered in the usual way she had always been, her brown h
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2024-10-09The Mafia's Bride ย ย ย Chapter 2
Chapter 2AmeliaโIt hurts!โ Yes, it was my first time. And apart from the roles that involved kisses when I acted on a movie set, this would be my first erotic kiss too. I was on the bed now, and he was in-between my parted legs. As he penetrated into me, the sharp sting made me sober and my vision became clear at that instance. I couldn't stop myself from crying out. He must've noticed my discomfort as he paused for a moment, allowing me to adjust to his size. Did he realize I was a virgin? I think so, because he took my lips into his in a soft, reassuring kiss. His hands tightened on my hips, and instead of withdrawing, he resumed his movement but this time, they were slower deliberately.The initial pain I had felt slowly got replaced with pleasure as I found myself responding to his every touch. He wasn't whispering those erotic and beautiful sentences I would have wanted, but his low groans and hitching breaths whenever he pushed deeper into me turned me on even better. His
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2024-10-09The Mafia's Bride ย ย ย Chapter 3
Chapter 3Annalisa I was kneeling in tears before my father who had his back against me. This man was meant to be enjoying his mid-fifties by resting, but all he always had on his mind was money and power. And my mum? She was standing at a corner in the study room, her presence almost non-existing as her opinions never really mattered when it comes to taking decisions.โAnnalisa,โ he finally turned to face me and I saw a look of disgust in his eyes. โYou have disgraced this family.โ His voice was unusually calm, but I knew one slight mistake would make him lose control.I opened my mouth to defend myself, but my father cut me off before I could utter a single word. That was it, he snapped. โYou foolish decisions has ruined my chance of getting an investment from Giovanni!โ Of course, that was all he cared about. โYou leave me no choice, Annalisa. We will be holding a press conference to formally disown you.โ โLorenzoโโ my mother was taken aback the same way I was surprised.โHush, wo
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2024-10-09The Mafia's Bride ย ย ย Chapter 4
Chapter 4Annalisa Surely, they must've noticed my presence but their lips remained locked in a passionate kiss for like forever as if I didn't even exist. My heart clenched in my chest painfully, and for a brief moment, I couldn't move. But then the anger in me bubbled over, forcing me forward.โBianca!โ I yelled when I couldn't endure the sickening sound of their kiss anymore. They ignored my confrontation, Giovanniโs hands on her waist tightened instead as if claiming her right in front of me. โBianca!โ I yelled again, feeling so furious as I lunged forward and tried to separate them. But my hands barely made an impact against their entangled body.Finally, Bianca peeled herself away from Giovanni with a smirk at a corner of her lips. โOh, Annalisa,โ her voice had this fake sweetness that infuriated me even more. All I wanted to do was hit her at that moment, but I controlled myself.โWhat are you doing here?โ She asked.โYou set me up with someone in that room, didnโt you?โ My vo
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2024-10-09The Mafia's Bride ย ย ย Chapter 5
Chapter 5AnnalisaCristiano must have prepared for this moment as he handed me a pen without hesitation. My fingers trembled slightly as his cold gray eyes on me made me feel uncomfortable. I was scared, I admit. Once I sign on the space meant for me on the document, my mind, body and soul would be his. Did I really want that?I guessed Cristiano must have sensed my doubt because he leaned back in his seat, although his eyes never left mine, they only softened a little. โYouโre about to make a big decision, Lisa. Itโs alright to think it over. But know that, if you reject my offer, Iโm never coming back for you.โHis voice was so calm, almost too calm that it scared me. I didnโt even know this man I was about to give my life control to. Yes, I knew he was feared by many and respected by all, but was this really worth it? What was the worst that could happen if I said no? I still had little money in my account that could get me an apartment, and keep me up for at least a month until I
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2024-10-19The Mafia's Bride ย ย ย Chapter 6
Chapter 6Cristiano It was supposed to be a one-night standโJust a brief moment of pleasure and nothing more. But the memories of that night with herโฆ they stayed longer with me longer than they should have. Every time I closed my eyes, I could feel her right under me, her body fitting mine just the right way. I had known something was off the moment I felt her walls tighten around me. And when I found out that my client had sent the wrong girl, that the one I had spent the night with wasn't who I had expected, I had my men investigate her.She turned out to be Annalisa, Giovanniโs fiancรฉe. She was the woman my rival had claimed as his. At that moment, I should have walked away. I should have left her to deal with her own problems. After all, it was none of my concern. But the headlines, the stories on the internet about her life after that nightโฆ it made me feel very uneasy. There was this tightening feeling in my chest that I couldn't brush off, and I knew it was very unlike me to
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2024-10-19The Mafia's Bride ย ย ย Chapter 7
Chapter 7Annalisa I could barely remember the details of what happened after Cristiano led me to this huge bedroom that was now mine. He had left to answer a call and I sat on the queen-sized bed to rest for a moment, but before I knew it, I fell into the warm embrace of sleep. Now, with a stretch of my hands, I sat up only to find myself surrounded by five women in maid uniform. My heart almost jumped out of my chest. I knew Cristiano was so rich, but who wakes up to five women waiting to dress them like some kind of royal?I almost thought I did something wrong, but before I could get out of the bed, the head maid, who looked a few years older than me, stepped forward to stop me. โWeโve picked your outfit for today, maโam,โ she said in a very calm voice. โWeโre ready to dress you.โโI can do it myself,โ I mumbled quickly, scrambling to pull the sheet closer to my chest. โAnd I donโt need to be dressed upโฆ I have nowhere to go.โIt was as though my protest had gone in one of her ea
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2024-10-19The Mafia's Bride ย ย ย Chapter 8
Chapter 8Cristiano I tried my best not to let my eyes linger on her too long as I watched Annalisa from behind my newspaper. She was adjusting to this new life, I could tell, but what she didnโt realize was that I was adjusting too. It took every bit of restraint in me not to close the distance between us and bend her over the table, claiming her right then and there. Her innocence, boldness, and her beauty were what I really liked about her. Each time I caught a glimpse of those blue eyes, something in me that I had no control over always stirred. She wasnโt supposed to have this kind of effect on me. Marrying her was strategic, nothing more. But every time I looked at her, the temptation to take things further itches me. Watching her eat alone brought this kind of odd satisfaction to me. Her presence filled the room even when we were silent. I was the kind of man who enjoyed control, but somehow, this woman made me anxious.When I told her I remembered her sizes, the flush that c
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2024-10-19
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The Mafia's Bride ย ย ย 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 wasnโt.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 didnโt hesitate. He didnโt 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 uncleโArmando, 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 couldnโt resist growing up.I wa
The Mafia's Bride ย ย ย Chapter 97
Chapter 97- GRAND FINALE CristianoโYou are staring at me again.โAnnalisaโs voice was soft, teasing, but I didnโt 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. โCan you blame me? You look like a literal goddess right now.โShe rolled her eyes, but the corners of her lips twitched, betraying her. โI look like a woman who has been eating way too many croissants.โI shook my head, shifting closer until our knees touched. โNah, you look like my wife carrying our baby. Thatโs hot as hell.โShe 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 feltโฆ whole. Like every
The Mafia's Bride ย ย ย Chapter 96
Chapter 96AnnalisaโYou know, if you keep staring at him like that, you might as well put up a neon sign that says โI have unresolved issues with this man.โโGrace snapped her head toward me, her eyes narrowing when she realized I was referring to her. โMaโam?โโDrop the formalities, please since you'll soon no longer be our housekeeper.โ I smirked, folding my arms as I leaned back in my seat. โAnd yes, you heard me right.โThe 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 wasnโt 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 ย ย ย Chapter 95
Chapter 95AnnalisaโYou do realize youโre talking to your stomach, right?โI 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.โI wasnโt talking to my stomach,โ I lied, quickly dropping my hand from my slightly rounded belly.Grace raised an eyebrow. โMhm. Sure, ma'am. You totally werenโt whispering, โAre you going to behave today, little one?โ like some possessed mother-to-be.โI huffed, crossing my arms. โFirst 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?โGrace grinned, plopping down into the seat beside me. โNot at all, ma'am. Itโs actually kinda cute. Like, disturbingly cute.โI rolled my eyes but couldnโt help the small smile tugging at my lips. The wedding was about to start, and Buddy and Breeโs guests had all settled into their seats. I smoothed out the silky blue dress draped over my growing bump, adjusting
The Mafia's Bride ย ย ย Chapter 94
Chapter 94CristianoโYou keep staring at me like you're in a dream.โ Annalisaโs 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. โMaybe I am.โShe turned, raising an eyebrow. โSo you think youโre dreaming?โI smirked. โIโm pretty sure I died back there when you walked down the aisle. This is just heaven.โShe 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.โWe went through so much as a couple,โ 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 ย ย ย Chapter 93
Chapter 93AnnalisaโBreathe, Annalisa. Just breathe.โ I whispered the words to myself, staring at my reflection in the grand mirror.The dressโmy dressโwas 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.โAnnaliisa, are you good?โ Bree peeked in, holding a glass of champagne. โBecause you kinda look like you might pass out.โI exhaled shakily. โIโm fine.โShe arched her brow, sizing me up with her eyes. โYeah, no. Try again.โโI said Iโm fine.โBree wasnโt buying it. She walked over, set the champagne down, and placed both hands on
The Mafia's Bride ย ย ย 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 backโCristianoโs 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 wasnโt just intimacyโit was a celebration. A pas
The Mafia's Bride ย ย ย Chapter 91
Chapter 91AnnalisaโYouโre wearing this. No arguments, Annalisa.โBree plopped a sleek black box onto my bed, her eyes sparkling with mischief.I blinked at her. โUhโฆ what?โShe crossed her arms. โDonโt act dumb. Open it.โWith a sigh, I lifted the lid andโwow. 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. โBreeโฆ What the hell is this?โShe grinned. โJust a little something for our girlsโ night. Duh.โA girlsโ 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 wasnโt about to get dragged into another setup.I folded my arms. โThatโs definitely not happening.โโOh, come on,โ she groaned, flopping onto my bed dramatically. โDonโt be boring, Annalisa. You need this. We both do.โI narrowed my eyes. โYouโre lying to me Briana, I can easily tell. Whatโs really going
The Mafia's Bride ย ย ย Chapter 90
Chapter 90CristianoThey say love is like a fireโwhen itโs real, it burns deep, consuming everything in its path. And damn it, I was burning for her.Annalisa wasnโt just another chapter in my life; she was the whole damn book. Every page, every word, every unfinished sentenceโI 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.โSo, Mr. Morano,โ she said, adjusting her glasses. โYou mentioned wanting something intimate but still grand in its own way?โI nodded. โYeah. Something that feelsโฆ personal. Like, if she walks in, sheโll know instantly that itโs for her. No generic bullshit.โShe smiled. โThatโs a good start. Does she have
