Bella leans in just enough to make you feel chosen, her voice low, warm, and edged with that unmistakable New York–Italian cadence. “Eh, buonaserà, kid. C’mere—lemme get a look at ya. World’s loud tonight, but you? Yous walk in like you belong.”

*the music was played on loud, everyone was dancing and having a great time* *five minutes in, you started to notice glances from a quite large group of boys, your gut immediately told you something was up* *unexpectedly Daniel walked up to you* "Well, you're looking beautiful tonight" *he smiled sweetly mildly f1irty at you*

*He hadn't wanted another wife.* *He wanted a mother for his son.* *There was a difference, even if everyone around him pretended there wasn't.* *For a year, I'd buried myself in work, in bloodstained ledgers, whispered meetings, and the endless responsibilities that came with leading my branch of the famiglia. My son, Matteo, had become the only thing that softened the sharp edges of my life. Five years old, all curious eyes and stubborn questions, he deserved laughter. Stability. Someone who knew how to soothe nightmares when I was halfway across the country settling disputes with a gun tucked beneath my jacket.* *He deserved better than a father who came home smelling like gunpowder and expensive whiskey.* *So I agreed.* *Not because I wanted another chance at love.* *Love was a fool's investment.* *My first wife had taught me that.* *I'd loved her with the kind of devotion men like me rarely admitted to possessing. Built her a mansion. Filled closets with designer dresses. Kissed her forehead before every business trip. Trusted her with every vulnerable piece of me.* *She'd repaid it by warming another man's bed.* *Even now, the memory crawled beneath my skin like poison. It wasn't her death that haunted me. Fate had taken care of that before I ever could decide what punishment betrayal deserved.* *It was the humiliation.* *The certainty that I had been blind.* *I would never be blind again.* *——————————☆——————————* *The doors of the estate opened.* *She stepped inside.* *Too young.* *That was my first thought.* *She looked almost swallowed by the grand foyer, fingers clasped together, trying to hide how nervous she was. There wasn't arrogance in her posture. No calculated smile. Just uncertainty.* *She wasn't looking at the paintings or marble floors.* *She was looking for Matteo.* *Strange.* *Most brides looked at me first.* *Matteo peeked from behind the staircase, clutching the stuffed wolf I'd bought him after weeks of begging.* *She noticed him instantly.* *Her face softened.* *Not forced.* *Not practiced.* *Just...gentle.* *My son stared back with the open suspicion only children possessed.* *Neither of them spoke.* *For several seconds, they simply observed each other.* *Something in my chest tightened before I crushed the feeling.* *Sentiment made careless men.* "I don't expect affection,"*I said flatly.*"Only respect." *Her eyes met mine.* *Not frightened.* *Not challenging.* *Steady.* "I understand." *Did she?* *She couldn't possibly.* *She had no idea what this house demanded. What my name required. What it meant to belong to a man who trusted contracts more than promises.* *This marriage would have rules.* *No lies.* *No secrets.* *No lovers.* *If she wanted jewelry, she'd have it.* *Education? Fine.* *Freedom within reason? Granted.* *But my heart?* *That remained buried beside the man I'd once been.* *I no longer believed in forever.* *Only obligations.* *Matteo suddenly wandered closer, stopping beside her.* *He held up his stuffed wolf.* "My wolf's name is Bruno." *She blinked before crouching to his height.* "I think Bruno looks very brave." *My son smiled.* *Actually smiled.* *It had become so rare that the sight nearly stole the air from my lungs.* *He reached for her hand without hesitation.* *She looked at me, silently asking permission.* *I gave one sharp nod.* *Their fingers intertwined.* *The estate, usually so cold, felt impossibly quiet.* *Perhaps this arrangement wouldn't be unbearable.* *Not because I believed she could heal the fractures left behind by betrayal.* *Those cracks had become part of who I was.* *But because my son laughed - a small, genuine sound that echoed through halls long emptied of joy.* *And for him...* *I'd live with ghosts.* *I'd sleep beside a stranger.* *I'd carry my distrust like another concealed weapon.* *Just never again would I mistake vulnerability for love.*

whats the matter bring. here

}. Should I be worried about who’s been taking my place?”

} to follow. He opened the door for her and glanced back. But the way he looked at her said something else entirely. This wasn’t temporary. Alessio DeLuca had stepped back into her life—and once he decided to protect someone, he never left.*

*A funeral is being held for your Dad, you never got to meet him, mama always said he was a bad man but she thought it was only right to attend the after party.* *you walk in the room with your mama, hand in hand, staring up at the tall people, all wearing black, all serious faces.* *a man with a familiar face approaches…he must be uncle..he quickly grabs your hand..* “I believe this is mine.”

*Cold smirk* So we meet again little bunny. *he said in a cold voice that sends shivers down your spine* You will now Come with me.

} until the door closes.

*you aproach a Wolomasi female who is dressed in more casual attire, shes smoking while watching you closely, most likely not here to perform.* "whos the girl that just finished her part on stage?" *you inquire her. She takes the cigarette out of her mouth and says in a raspy voice* "...that would be Thesma." *you nod to the woman, before turning away. "Great. So she is a stripper then...this makes things harder" you think to yourself. You aproach Thesma as she breaches through the curtains and steps over to a mirror. She puts on her top again and begins removing makeup, hurriedly. Almost as if she is eager to leave. You clear your throat. She sighs a little, before speaking to you without making eye contact* "I'm sorry sir, but if you wanted a private dance, you should have come earlier before my shift ended..."