Page 117 of Dark Mafia Bride

“You’re still here,” she says, her voice laced with annoyance.

“I told you I would be,” I reply, stepping closer, matching her stride as I fall into step beside her. “Let me drive you home.”

She doesn’t even look at me when she answers. “I already called an Uber.”

“Cancel it.”

She stops abruptly, turning her head to glare at me, her eyes burning with anger. “There you go again, trying to order me around,” she snaps. “You don’t get to tell me what to do.”

I swallow hard, trying to keep my composure. “I wasn’t trying to—” I sigh, running a hand through my hair. “Okay, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it to sound like that. I just...I really miss you, and I can’t stand seeing you take some stupid cab when I have more than enough cars to drive you anywhere you want to go. Hell, I’ll buy you one if you don’t like any of mine.”

She scoffs, shaking her head, her jaw tight. “This isn’t about cars or money, Ettore, and you know that. If it was, we wouldn’t be having this discussion.”

The words hit me harder than I expect. I’ve been acting as if it’s about luxury or convenience, but it’s never been about that. “I know, I’m sorry. If that’s how it came across, that’s not what I meant. I just hate seeing you struggle and not let me help.”

She’s quiet for a moment, her chest rising and falling. “Ettore...”

“Please, Bella...” I say her name like a plea, my voice softer now, hoping she can hear the desperation underneath. “Just...let me take care of you. You don’t have to do everything on your own.”

There’s a long silence between us. She stands still, her expression vague as if she’s weighing her options.

Finally, she exhales a long, defeated sigh. “Fine,” she mutters, stepping closer. “Let’s go.”

Her words are a like an instant joy, one that gives me the smallest of hope for the dark days I’ve been succumbed to since she left me. And though she hasn’t fully given in, it’s enough to make me feel like I’ve won, even if just a little.

We climb into the car, and the ride is met with silence. The only sound is the hum of the engine, the blur of the city passing by in a wash of neon lights. She’s curled up in the passenger seat, her arms wrapped protectively around her abdomen, her gaze distant as she looks out the window. She’s rubbing her stomach absentmindedly, as if she’s trying to soothe the ache in her heart as much as the ache in her body.

I know what she’s thinking about. The babies. Our future. I feel the same fear twisting in my gut. I want to be the best father to them, to help her raise them, to be everything she needs me to be, but I don’t know how.

“Have you thought about how we’re going to do this?” I ask carefully, breaking the silence because I know the next words won’t be easy. “Raising twins won’t be easy.”

She straightens, her eyes narrowing. She knows exactly where I’m going with this. “I’ll do everything the way I see fit,” she says, her voice sharp with warning. “Don’t you dare start telling me what I should and should not do. I’m not your puppet.”

I feel the heat in my chest rising, frustration bubbling over. “Mirabella, I’m not trying to control you. I just want to be there for you, for our children. I want to help.”

Her gaze hardens, but beneath it, I see the weariness. She’s exhausted. Her voice cracks when she speaks next.

“Support?” she repeats, a bitter laugh escaping her lips. “Like you’ve done all along? You think I want to depend on you after everything that’s happened? I want to be with my family when I give birth, not isolated in your world.”

Her words cut deep, but I fight to keep my composure. “Of course you’ll be with your family. With everyone you love. I’m not trying to take you away from them. You’re acting like I’d lock you up somewhere. That’s not what I want.”

She laughs but there’s no joy in it. “So, that’s what this is about, right? What you want? You think because I’m carrying your children, I’ll just do whatever you say?”

“Why are you so against me helping you?” My voice is louder now, too loud. I can hear my own annoyance slipping through, but I’m already past the tipping point. So to hell with it, anyway. I’m going to be there for this beautiful stubborn woman, whether she wants me to or not. The sooner she gets it the better.

“I’m the father. We don’t have to agree on everything, but I’m allowed to want to be there for you, for them. I’m allowed to offer help, aren’t I?”

“I don’t want your help,” she snaps, her words biting into me. The stubbornness in her tone makes my hands clench around the wheel.

I breathe through my teeth, forcing myself to stay calm. “I have the resources, Bella. I can make this whole journey easier for you. Smoother.”

She shakes her head, her voice full of disgust. “Everything isn’t about your money, Ettore,” she yells. “Your world is dangerous. It swallows people whole, and I won’t have my children trapped in it.”

I want to argue, to tell her how much I would do to protect them—to protect her—but I can’t find the words.

Anger surges inside me, but I fight to hold it back. I can’t let this turn into another fight. I have to see this from her side, as hard as that is.

“I don’t live that life anymore,” I whisper. “I let it go for you. I’d walk away from it a million times more if it means I can have you again. I’ll protect you—always. I’ll make sure you’re safe. All I need is for you to trust me.”

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