Secret and Lies: A Mafia Love Gone Wrong

Chelsea’s POV

“You’re out of that hospital fast, Chelsea.”

I didn’t miss the flicker of tension in Tristan’s jaw as he glanced at the bruise darkening my cheek. He was Nicolo’s right-hand man, the underboss. I figured he was here because Nicolo had sent him to fetch me, thinking I’d been gone too long.

“And where’s Nicolo?” I shot back, ignoring the silent sympathy in Tristan’s eyes. “Too busy to pick up his own wife?”

“He had a meeting. Said he’d catch up later.”

A “meeting.” Nicolo’s favorite excuse. It was always some power play, something that made him untouchable, out of reach. But this time, I was done with excuses.

“Don’t bother with my things,” I said, brushing past him and sliding into the back seat. The door shut with finality. Tristan knew better than to make small talk, driving in tense silence as the neon lights of the city pulsed outside, flashing against the quiet fury building inside me.

When we reached the mansion, Nicolo was there, surrounded by his goons.

“Look who decided to come home,” Nicolo said, his voice dripping with sarcasm as I stepped through the door.

I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the atmosphere shift. In the living room, he lounged on the couch, casually sitting with Britney on his lap, a smirk on her lips. The sight made my stomach churn.

“Shouldn’t you be at the hospital?” Britney chimed in, her tone sickly sweet yet laced with malice. “Oh, wait, you’re just fine now, aren’t you?”

I shot them both a look, trying to mask my anger. “I didn’t come here for a welcome party,” I snapped, my voice steady despite the fire burning inside me.

Nicolo leaned forward, his hands on the woman’s waist. “I thought you were going to run away, being gone for about a month. You know I don’t like losing my toys.”

“Is that all I am to you?” I shot back, stepping closer. “Just a toy for you to play with?”

He laughed, a cold, harsh sound that echoed through the room. “You should know by now. I married you because it suited my image. You’re just part of my empire, not the queen you think you are.”

Britney watched, a glint of satisfaction in her eyes. “You can’t blame him, Chelsea. You’re just another piece on his chessboard.”

Fury coursed through me, and I took a step forward, refusing to back down. “You think this is a game? I was pregnant, and I lost our baby! I won’t let you treat me like this anymore.”

Nicolo’s expression hardened, the amusement fading. “Don’t fucking talk back to me like that.”

“Then what do you want from me?” I demanded, feeling the walls closing in around me.

“I want you to remember your place,” he replied, his voice low and dangerous. “You’re here because I allow it. You think I care about you?”

“Maybe I don’t want to be a pawn anymore,” I said, my voice trembling with both fear and defiance.

“Oh, really? You’ll leave?” Nicolo challenged, rising to his full height and pushing Britney aside. “You think I’ll let you go that easily?” He gestured, and suddenly his men aimed their guns at me.