CHAPTER 9: Focus on What's Important! Adriano was still in the bathroom, cleaning himself, and the maids had thrown out his blood-drenched shirt. He had asked me to join him, but I declined. Instead, I stayed on the bed and fumbled with a locket containing a photo of my family. Adriano had seen it a couple of times, but he didn't know what was in the pendant. My phone rang, and I saw Maria's name on the screen. We didn't say much to each other after she forced me into marriage with Adriano. I understood her desperation to avenge my father and her family. But I didn't want to have to get married to do that. I was scared that I'd end up carrying the child of my father's murderer. Thank goodness for birth control pills. I put my chain with the locket around my neck and stepped out of the house into the garden. I called her back, and she picked up. I stayed silent, expecting her to break the silence, and she did as expected. "Don't be so petty, Serena," she spoke through the phon
Chapter 10: For Our Mafia "Aren't these the kind of things women look forward to? You were eager to get married, weren't you?" I pulled away from him and sat up. "I know, but I see you every day and that's enough. You have a big Mafia to look after; you have no time for such luxuries, Adriano." "Do you think I cannot make time for you?" He sat up as well, sensing that we were about to have a serious discussion. His green eyes stared intently into mine. "No, I know you can, but-" "Then let me make time for you. Let me make you happy." The moments when his beautiful green eyes softened for me were the times I got hella confused. "You already make me happy." I was determined to convince him. I didn't have time for something so frivolous. I didn't want anything to attach us or connect us after I ruined him. I didn't want to feel bad. "I'm happy here. I'm happy when I see you. It doesn't matter where we go; everywhere's the same with you." "Jeez, that was cheesy!" He playfully
Chapter 11: Affections Aside "You can call it quits if you want," I told him, wiping the sweat off my forehead. "Never. We're just getting started." His sword clashed with mine with great force, almost causing me to lose my grip. "You may choose to surrender if you want to." "To my enemy? I'd rather die honorably by the sword than give up easily like a coward." I dodged his attack. "You take things too seriously. So seriously that you've taken this fencing match as a way to have fun with me." He struck again. "You're taking this too lightly." I struck back, the blades almost touching him. "If you two stop the small talk and focus on your fencing, we'll be able to leave here faster." Pietro commented, looking absolutely apathetic. "Shut up, Pietro." Our swords collided abruptly, while our glaring gazes met Pietro's bored face. He was supposed to be watching us. "I need a drink." He waved and left. So much for a bodyguard. "You're really giving it your all, aren't you?" "You mu
Chapter 12: Date Week. I woke up to an empty bed, not that I expected him to be there anyway. I sat up, stretching my sore body from the way Adriano gripped it the previous night. Even though he lost to me, at least I got my one wish. I planned to use it wisely. I stood up, butt naked, looking for the nearest clothing to cover myself with when I heard a knock on the door. I grabbed my black robe, swiftly knotting it before saying, "Come in." And in came four maids. Two of them were carrying wrapped boxes and the others had jewelry sets. "Good morning, ma'am," they bowed before placing the boxes on the bed. "Good morning," I gave a polite smile. As they turned to leave, one of them handed me a small note. For my woman, I hope they are to your liking. Be ready by 6:30 tonight. ~ I love you. ~ Adriano♡ "Perhaps if your father was alive to pay, maybe you could have gifted these to someone who would be swooned by your gestures." I burnt the note with a lighter, making sur
Chapter 13: For Fun. "After two-timing me," he tightened his grip. "Let me go," I warned. With a menacing look, he replied, "Why should I?" "Angelo, I am with my husband. If he finds out-" "Let him find out. He'll get to know that he married a whore." The pressure he applied where he gripped began to hurt. "Ngh," I winced. "Don't you dare address me like that! I'm not a whore. For fuck's sake, we weren't even dating. You looked nice, you wanted to get laid. I needed to pass time. We both got what we wanted, and whatever happened the night before my wedding was nothing but a mistake. It was for fun. Don't take your frustration out on me." "You played with my feelings for fun?" Making sure his eyes were focused on me, I stepped on him with my heel. He let me go, but before I could escape, he pulled my hair back. I tried to kick him, but he grabbed my leg and brought me down. This is why I hate dresses. Even with a slit, the material wasn't stretchy enough for me to move li
Chapter 14: Petty. Upon entering the house, Mamma Lia and a maid welcomed us as if we were getting married again. Before leaving, Mamma Lia had mentioned that she wanted to hear all about how the night went. "How did it go, I-" Before Mamma Lia could continue, Adriano interrupted her. "Mamma Lia, could you have someone bring the first aid box to my room?" He said, leading me upstairs. "What happened? Is everything alright?" Mamma Lia expressed her concerns, but Adriano didn't say a word. Instead, he continued to lead me upstairs. His actions didn't surprise me, nor was his silence killing me. I knew he would demand an explanation, and I was more than prepared to give him one. He opened the door and sat me on the bed. I tried to remove the coat on my own, but he stopped me. "Don't. I'll help with that. Your hand is terribly wounded." "How did you-" "There was blood on the gun after I took it from you." "Oh." Was all I said. The air around us was tense, and the confidence I had
Chapter 15: Control Freak I wriggled under his grasp, trying to wrestle my way out. I attempted to kick him with my legs, but he firmly pinned them down, taking advantage of his size and height. "Adriano Di Salvo, let me go!" I protested strongly. "Bella, you are becoming more arrogant by the day. I don't appreciate the person you are becoming. No one has dared to address me the way you just did." His expression was dark, and different. "I'm arrogant?" I scoffed. "You beat someone up, I shot him. You held me close in the car, treated my wound, and then ignored me like a child. I am simply trying to call you to order. That is my duty as your wife!" "I do not need you to call me to order!" he yelled. "I act and call the shots on my own terms." "By ignoring problems?" I sinisterly laughed. "That's cowardly," I sneered. His grip tightened on my hand, and his nails began to dig into my skin. "Let me go! You're hurting me," I hissed in pain as he dug deeper. "Do you want to know how
Chapter 16: His Bidding"Mamma Lia! Madame! Help!" Mamma Lia and I woke up to the wailing screams of a maid.I opened the door in a fuss to send her off, but her state didn't let me. She bowed with her head to the ground, refusing to look up. I could hear her heavy whimper, and no one had to tell me who was responsible for the sorrows of a young girl on a morning like this."H-help p-please Don Adri will k-kill Stefano." She cried, her voice was so shaky, it was obvious- the petrified emotions that surrounded her.A few more maids came and bowed in the same position as she was in."Help Stefano madame!" They all chorused. Mamma Lia stood beside me, and I saw the worry in her eyes as well. I should've known from the way that his cheeks were swollen yesterday that Adriano wasn't going to let him go like that.It was my fault, I put him in trouble so I would have to take responsibility. "Where are they?" I inquired."The t-torture c-chambers." The girl was still sobbing. I don't know why
Hello, I'm Tori, the author of this book. I don't know where to begin, but thank you so much for sticking with me until the end. If you're reading this, you have a big place in my heart.Initially, this book was supposed to be 30 chapters for a competition I joined last year, but it ended up lasting longer than expected, so I could not use it anymore as a short story.Amid illnesses, school issues, and writer's block, I was able to complete "Wrecking My Husband" after a year.This is my first Mafia book, and honestly, I was so scared to continue with it. Sometimes I felt exhausted because this is the first time I'm writing anything romantic, and it just had to be a dark romance. My main genre is horror, so it was challenging.I had to take breaks to focus on so many things and think long and hard about how to connect the feelings of my characters to the readers.I did not think anyone would read this, and I'm sure many must have given up due to my very slow updates. But I'm healthy no
Chapter 91: A Better Life. ADRIANO'S POV Every day I wake up feeling fulfilled. I have my beautiful wife and my pretty five-year-old daughter who has my wife's beautiful brown hair and inherited my green eyes. The same eyes I used to hate for looking just like my father's, now made me happy each time I saw them in my daughter's face. On weekends, Aria and I would take strolls around the mansion to talk about everything on our minds, as well as things or people that bother us. Then we'd come to a conclusion on how to handle those situations. Most of the time, it ended well. Sometimes we'd argue about it, then settle it. But it was our ritual that we started after a year of marriage. We wanted to be completely honest with each other, no matter what, so that we could learn to embrace each and every side of one another. "Ready?" She hugged me from behind. "We have to be fast before Rick and Rosaline get here." "I am." Every time I looked at her, I felt blessed. She did not look
Chapter 90: Forever and Ever; Where Fate has Led Us (2).I've recently fallen more in love with ponytails and decided that was how I would style my hair tonight.To me, there was something stylish and classy about having your hair up rather than letting it down, but it all depends on the outfit. I considered a few other options but went for ponytails in the end.Touching up my makeup, I let my delusional self imagine how blissful the quality time I'd be having with Adriano would be tonight. Whenever I was with him, I only wished for time to stop and never continue; more than anything, I wanted it to last forever and ever.Discussing work-related affairs could wait. I did not want us to argue one bit tonight. Spraying my perfume, I got news that Luca had arrived."With the way you're dressed one would assume that you are responsible," I teased."As they would think the same for you," he jeered playfully, making both of us chuckle."The Uncles and Mamma Lia had gone before time so we'd
Chapter 89: Where Fate Has Led Us Adriano's POV Aria went through the formal procedures to get the job, and she scaled through every scrutinizing stage. Six months had gone by, and I could not be happier. We weren't ready to rush things. I knew Serena, but I could not say much about Aria. I wanted to know her completely just as she wanted to know me as well. And I love her all the same; no, I do not think I can love her any less. She, without knowing, has me completely wrapped around her fingers, and that is where I'd like to remain. Although the construction company boomed over time, it was a facade for the real deal: my Mafia. She gave me her support in both aspects, bagging contracts back and forth. She was a force, an unstoppable force. Even when I could obviously handle the matter, I left it to my woman so I could flaunt her intelligence to everyone. People would often tell me that I fell for a shrewd businesswoman, and it was an undeniable fact. I got worried from tim
Chapter 88: The Right Direction (2)I hated that I felt so cowardly. It shouldn't be that hard to say."These are just words, Aria! Just say it," I mentally scolded myself.I swallowed. He was waiting patiently for me to say whatever I had to. I also noticed how his forehead slowly creased with worry.I didn't think he had found someone else, not with how he had been acting since we met today. He was his usual self with me."What if he's just trying to be friendly?" My intrusive thoughts nagged me.I can't do this. I need some tequila, I thought. More so, I had already broken my self-made promise to stay away from alcohol only after a year."Give me a minute," I excused myself and got a bottle of tequila from my fridge.I know I said I'd never drink again, but this was the scariest thing I had done in a while.I was just about to take the second shot when he approached me at the mini liquor cabinet. "What are you doing?" He snatched the bottle from me, his anxiousness displayed by the
Chapter 87: The Right DirectionSERENA/ARIA'S POV"Where were we?" I chuckled lightly."Yes.""Adriano, put me down; people are watching.""Let them," he smiled."No, this is different," I pleaded. "People are everywhere.""You didn't seem to have any trouble with the Blondie carrying you in his arms. Yet, you have a problem with me," he feigned annoyance. "Would you rather go back to him?""No," I instantly admitted. "I want to stay with you," I quietly added."Good. I don't want you walking in heels that high; your feet will hurt."It was hard to deny what he said. Though I could easily move in the strapped heels, my ankles were beginning to hurt.We got to where his ride was, and I gasped."Is this a new ride?" The sun shining upon the black vehicle reflected its beauty even more."It got in three days ago, and I thought you should be the first person who gets to sit in it.""Ridiculous," I laughed."It's not ridiculous," he frowned. "This is the Aston Martin DB12, coupe.""Not the
Chapter 86: AFTER.The last four years have been a lot. Tough? Definitely. Peaceful? Not when I had to study for insane tests. Eventful? Yes. I missed everyone. I missed home. I was grateful for the opportunity to keep in touch with them all through video calls, especially with Adriano. There was not a day when he did not make time for me, even when he was covered in blood, bruised, disheveled, he'd call me.I did not think it would be easy all alone in a foreign country for my studies, but he kept me going even after our divorce was finalized. He never left me. My graduation day was the day I was going to let him know that I could not find someone else. I don't think I ever could. I was all his."Ow!" I yelped as the hair straightener burned my ear."What's wrong?" Adriano asked, sounding worried. I could tell how tense he was through the phone."Nothing, I wasn't careful with the straightener.""Please be more gentle. It's a big day," he told me."I will. You're on your way, right?"
Chapter 85: The Next Four Years. SERENA'S POV I woke up feeling trapped, my limbs entangled with something warm and firm. As my hands roamed firm and toned skin, panic set in. Why can't I remember anything? Argh! I shouldn't have followed him? Was I that desperate? I must've looked like a jealous fool! I mentally scolded myself uttering all sorts of profanities. It was when I shifted the soft grey duvet off my upper body that I noticed I was topless. I tried to recollect more from when I ended up in his room, but my effort was fruitless. I'll never drink again. I promised myself. That was the last straw. The one who died when I got drunk was me. There was no blaming Adriano; I brought it upon myself by trying to spy on him like an idiot. Judging from the fact that he was fully clothed and that my pants were on, we did not do much or go all the way. I struggled so much to get my legs out of his. He captured them like I would escape or something. With patience I never knew
Chapter 84: Never Not Wanted You (2).ADRIANO'S POV.In order to revive the Mafia, I needed to establish connections with influential people. One such person was Liliana, who had been interested in Luca for years. She agreed to help only if I could arrange a date between her and Luca.During the game, my phone rang, and Aria handed it to me. It was likely that was Liliana calling to discuss the plans. I couldn't help but notice the little gasp Aria made, which I found cute. I waited until I excused myself to release the chuckle I had been holding in.Was she jealous? I had no intention of making her feel that way. She had asked for a divorce, but now she was jealous?Probably just shocked, I thought.She must have believed that my love for her was so insignificant that I would move on quickly. It hurt. I went into my room to take the call from Liliana. She was spoiled, demanding, and cocky, but I needed her to strike a deal with her father.I nearly had a heart attack when a shadow lo