The Mafia Don's Redemption

s place, Valentina. Th

d before the gates of the Nevarro Estate, the

they opened, a shiver

without a trace. The little wret

imagined, a testament to the wealth and power of the

s, and I was its

his heirs, and nothing wou

when my father had to come because of h

ng that it was unnecessary to le

who was promised to

er

ne, I had to step up

my bags. I had to drag it down the long dr

favourite paint brushes, a remna

my breath, cursing when no one from this vast estate came to help me. No

te opened with a crea

o Nev

in those photographs

uch

striking blue - the colour of stormy seas - he

voice smooth as velvet. "Or

confirmation of the new identi

d, my voice trembling despite

e in

fore turning on his heel and dis

I fol

rtunity to run a

e morning," a voice in my head whi

tepped

ion was as cold and inti

stretched beneath my feet, and the

void of an

e of hallways until we reac

ireplace, casting deep s

aid, gesturing to t

into it without

ere," he said, finally

hard, nodd

ck of ice. I knew my role in his life - produce heirs, be a

re than a pawn i

sister was a tricky little thing. She challenged me

I helped h

y, laden with anger

nger bubbled

d with her, the life of f

into this," I said, my voi

hat my words had any impact. "A wise choice. It

eak a contract withou

have re

d, the words slipping out before I could sto

spoke, betraying jus

ean it resembled. There was a flicker of amusement in them, l

you belong to me, Valentina, an

the gut, a reminder that there

sked, my voice barely above a w

ntensity that made my breath catch. "I want your obedience,

nd reeling from his words. "You love I

question. It

n his eyes-something dark and unreadable. "Love is a luxury that doe

m. "I will do whatever you ask," I said, my voice steady even as my heart pounded in

rough me. "You are already her replacement,

oom was so thick I c

ing more than a substitute, a placeholder for the woman he had lost. I w

nce. "You'll stay in the west wing of the mansion. Your qua

beneath me. "Was Isabella supposed to stay in a separate win

g to face me once more. "Isa

hit me lik

e spoke it, but hearing it out

in his life. I was nothing more than a tool to b

d it open, revealing the lush bedroom within. "This will be your room," he said, h

us shrinking. His presence was overwh

sed myself for the treachero

rmured, my voice

away without a backwards glance. I was left alone, su

back the heavy curtains to star

of colours and life that felt like a cruel

ere out there. She

rlier, leaning forward. "But don't forget, it's not just yo