All Chapters of Cruel Attraction: Chapter 81 - Chapter 86

"Mommy, why are you sad?" Rover asked, gazing up at me through his long lashes as we walked near the playground of his boarding school. The war between Giovanni’s past and our present might have quieted down, but the battle inside me hadn’t ceased. Despite everything, the idea of pulling Rover out of this school never crossed my mind. It was his sanctuary as much as it was my place to find fleeting peace.I forced a smile, crouching down to meet his eye level. "I'm just thinking about some grown-up stuff, buddy. Don't worry about it." The innocence in his eyes made me wish I could shield him from the complexities of adult burdens forever.He seemed to consider my words, his small hand reaching out to touch my cheek, a gesture filled with more empathy than one would expect from a seven-year-old. "Is it about Daddy?" he whispered, his voice barely a breeze but heavy with intuition.The question took me aback, but I masked my surprise with a nod. "A little bit, yes. But everything's goin

“Talk,” she demanded, her voice sharp enough to cut through the silence. “But don’t you dare insult me with a lie, Giovanni. Not tonight.”I swallowed hard, trying to find the words, but everything sounded like a pathetic excuse. “It’s not what it looks like, Gabriella,” I began, but she didn’t let me finish.Her laugh was hollow, bitter. “Not what it looks like? Really? You think I’m stupid?” Her voice rose, simmering with fury. “I walk in here, and that thing is sitting on your lap, dressed like she’s auditioning for some sleazy strip club, and you want to tell me it’s nothing?”I flinched at her words. “Gabriella, I swear, it wasn’t like that.”She shook her head, pacing in front of me like a caged animal, fists clenched at her sides. “I should’ve known. I should’ve seen this coming. You’ve been distant for weeks, Giovanni. I thought it was the business. I thought maybe the pressure was getting to you.” She paused, her gaze darkening. “But no. It’s always about something—or someone—

I feel calm, more collected than I have in weeks. Killing Mia was the right choice, and I didn’t lose a second of sleep over it. That bitch thought she could crawl into my life, mess with my husband, and get away with it? Not in my world.I hear Giovanni’s heavy footsteps behind me before I see him, the sound echoing through the room like a storm about to break. I don’t turn around. He’ll be pissed, but that’s his problem.“You think you’re untouchable, don’t you?” His voice is sharp, dripping with anger. I can feel the heat radiating from him, even though he’s not close enough to touch me yet.I glance at him in the mirror, my eyes cold, unbothered. “She was a problem, and I handled it.”“You killed her, Gabriella. Just like that. No discussion. No fucking respect.” His voice rises, and I watch his fists clench by his sides. “I told you I’d deal with it.”I roll my eyes, turning around to face him fully, leaning casually against the vanity. He looks furious, but it only fuels that sm