His Mafia Queen, My Substitute Heart

ella

table, a ghost of a future that had been a lie. The physical ache in my womb was a dull, constant throb, but it was n

played the part perfectly. I let him see me pale and withdrawn. I let him bring me soup and stroke my hair, his touch like spiders on my

'd given me, piece by piece, converting diamonds into untraceable cash. I opened a new bank account under my mother's maiden name. I researched small town

another lie I didn't bother to question. He walk

you up," he said, his voice l

necklace, cold and he

flat. I let him clasp it around my

I bit my lip to keep from wincing. He didn't notice. He was too busy

tstand. The screen lit up with a

ent

It was a mix of things-anger, disgu

the screen. A flicker of something-hunger, longing-crossed his

warmer, more alive. He turned his back to me, walking toward th

mate sound he had never used with me. "I'll clear my

s posture, the way his shoulders relaxed, the genuine smile that touched his lips.

the mask of the doting husband s

ng a small family dinner at the Hamptons estate tonight. For the gallery open

entire marriage w

hield, and he was too arrogant to

ansion of stone and glass overlooking the unforgiving Atlantic. Th

fully wrapped gift into my hands. It wa

ina from us," he sai

t. It was her favorite, a fact she'd mentioned months ago at a family brunch.

shimmered like oil on water. She was beautiful, poised, and exud

e said, kissing th

uring to the gift in my hands as I o

shared, secret smile passing between them. It was a look that spoke of a history I was not a pa

ce next month," she announced to

elief went through me. It w

voice quiet but clear. "I hope you find what you're looking for the

sed her face. For a second, I t

vely to her, their conversation a rapid-fire exchange of inside jokes and shared memories. He knew her favorite wine, remembe

for a few days. Dante, who supposedly cherished my health for the sake of our child, didn

began to harden, crystallizing into someth