Page 114 of Mafia King's Forbidden Vows

My fingers tighten around the edges of the card as emotions clash inside me: excitement, confusion, anticipation, and fear.

Could this be our second chance? Or is it something else entirely?

I shake my head, pressing my fingers to my temple. I shouldn’t overthink this. It’s just an invitation to a party. Perhaps Elio just wants to see how his baby is doing.

And yet, my heart is racing.

“We’ll just go with an open mind,” I say to myself, rubbing my slightly bulging stomach, “No expectations or foolish hope.”

But as I glance back at the dress… at the way the silk gleams under the soft glow of my bulb, I know I’m lying to myself. I grab a leather jacket and place it beside the dress; since it’s alate event, it’s bound to get chilly. The last thing I want is to be shivering before Elio Donatelli when we come face to face.

I want to see him and know his real intentions for sending this.

Grabbing the package from the coffee table and dumping it on my bed, I head over to take a shower.

The shower does little to calm the nerves rolling through me. I step out, steam curling around my skin as I wipe a hand over the fogged mirror. My reflection stares back, wide-eyed and restless.

Slowly, I let my gaze drift down to my stomach, where my bump is now visible beneath the towel. I press a hand to it, exhaling softly.

“It’s just a couple of hours, darling. We’ll be home soon.”

Another knock resounds on the door, causing me to drag the dress over my body, hurrying over to get the door. Mia’s cheerful face pops through, but her huge smile is suddenly overwhelmed by a frown.

“Uh…what’s going on?”

A sheepish grin takes over my face as she walks into my apartment. “Does it suit me?”

She jerks her brows in question but manages to give a nod before barraging me with questions. “Where are you going girl? Are you seeing someone?”

I chuckle as her expression becomes more confused by the minute.

“Will you tell me what’s going on Aria Abruzzi, or do you prefer I choke it out of you?”

“Alright, easy now. Elio invited me to…”

“Elio Donatelli?” Disbelief cloaks her face as she lowers herself into my armchair.

“Yes, Elio Donatelli.”

“Girl, are you okay? Have you forgotten who that guy is? What he did to you? How he left you even when he’s aware that you’re carrying his child?”

My eyes roll in their sockets. “Mia, please. I know you don’t like him but hear me out this once. Okay?”

She purses her lips but, thankfully, keeps silent.

“Mia, since I moved here, I’ve been thinking all this time… Elio is a good man.”

She scoffs, but I motion for her to be silent with my eyes. “He has his demons, but he’s someone who truly cares for me. He saved my life, and my dad’s. He makes sure we lack nothing…” A hand reaches to caress my bulging stomach. “Whether I want him or not, he’s going to be in our lives forever. There’s no changing that. And with his gesture today, I think he, too, wants us to havea second chance. Maybe he’ll even be ready to give up part of his old life to gain a new one.”

Mia breathes heavily, eyes locking with mine. “I want you to be happy, Aria. You’ve been through a lot, the last thing I want is to see you heartbroken again.”

“I know, Mia, but these past few months made me realize that, without Elio, I’m not happy. I don’t think I can be.”

She places her warm palms on my cheeks. “Then what’re you waiting for? Go find your happy place, but if he ever makes you cry, he’ll have it coming for him, and I mean big time!”

My arms wrap around Mia, my heart leaping with joy. “That means a lot to me, Mia! Thank you.”

Her arms find their way around my waist. “You’re welcome, Mama.”

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