Page 58 of The Mafia's Fake Wife

“I read Casey’s file today. Every message he sent you. Every lie he told. Every time he manipulated you into giving him what he wanted.”

Her shoulders tense. “That’s private.”

“Nothing about you is private to me anymore.” I turn her to face me. “He knew about your inheritance before you accepted the first date with him. Did you know that? He researched your mother’s death, and the trust she set up for you, after you tended to him in the ER.”

Elena’s face pales. “I suspected it after the events that happened, but you have proof?”

“Yes. You officially met in a class he deliberately enrolled in to meet you, where he recognized you as the physician who treated him after he was ‘mugged.’” I take the file from the side table, opening it to the section on their first meeting. “He approached three other wealthy female students before you, but none of them were interested.”

She takes the file, scanning the pages. “This is thorough.”

“Keep reading.”

She flips through pages, stopping at the photos of Casey with Tiffany. Her hand trembles slightly. “Who is she?”

“His girlfriend. They were together while he was living with you.”

Elena’s expression hardens. “When were these taken?”

“Two weeks before he emptied your accounts.”

She closes the file, handing it back to me. “Why show me this now?”

“Because you need to understand what he is.” I touch the necklace at her throat again. “And what I am.”

“I know what he is, and I want you to make him suffer…but what are you?” she challenges.

“Someone who protects what’s mine.” I step closer. “Someone who doesn’t lie about who they are or what they want.”

Her hand rises to the necklace, fingers tracing the emeralds. “This isn’t protection. It’s possession.”

“Is there a difference?” I ask.

“Yes.” She looks fierce and unafraid. “Protection is given freely. Possession is taken.”

“And which do you prefer, Elena?”

She doesn’t answer immediately. Her fingers still rest on the necklace, but she makes no move to remove it. “I prefer honesty,” she finally says. “Which you’ve given me. Casey never did.”

I nod, satisfied with her answer. “The necklace stays.”

“For now,” she concedes.

I smile slightly. “For as long as you’re mine.”

Her defiance flashes again. “And if I decide I’m not yours?”

“Then you’ll take it off and walk away.” I step back, giving her space. “But we both know you won’t.”

She turns back to the mirror, studying her reflection with the emeralds at her throat. “It is beautiful.”

“It was meant for you.” I watch her in the mirror. “Keep the file. Read it all. Know exactly who he is, and what he wanted from you.”

“And what do you want from me, Damir?” she asks, still looking at her reflection.

“Everything,” I answer honestly. “But unlike Casey, I’ll give you everything in return.”

She turns to face me, her expression unreadable. “Including the truth?”

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