The Mob's Bride

I was Ava Hudson, the future daughter-in-law of a prominent councilman in the city of Windhaven.

My fiancé, Leo Kennedy, was a celebrated rising star in politics, admired by all.

But deep in his heart, he harbored a love for a woman named Isabella Fuller, his untouchable ideal.

Now, the notorious crime lord Alessandro Marcello had declared his intent to marry Isabella.

I overheard Leo's chilling voice from outside the study. "Send Ava to him. No matter how ruthless he is, would he dare touch the councilman's future daughter-in-law?"

I followed his plan and married into the Marcello family.

Later, it was Leo who lost his mind.

...

In Windhaven, everyone knew Alessandro, the head of the Marcello family, was a maniac.

He was cold, brutal, and took pleasure in pressing a scalding cigar onto the back of his opponents' hands during negotiations.

Yet this man had recently demanded Leo's beloved Isabella for himself.

My fiancé, the councilman's son, locked himself in his study for two days and two nights after hearing the news.

I stood outside the carved wooden door, holding a plate of sliced fruit.

Through the crack, I caught the hushed voices of Leo and his assistant. "But Alessandro's deadline is three days after your wedding to Ava. We're out of time!"

"Then use the wedding to our advantage. On the day, with guests swarming and security at its tightest yet most chaotic, it's the perfect moment to slip Isabella away." Leo's voice carried a coldness I had never heard before.

"What about Ava? What happens to the wedding?"

"The wedding goes on as planned, but on the way to the chapel, put Ava in Alessandro's car. Tell her it's part of the plan, that she's to stall him for a few days. He wants Isabella. As long as we hide her well, he won't find her and will let Ava go."

My hand trembled, and the crystal fruit plate crashed onto the carpet.

"I can't let Isabella fall into that monster's hands. He'll destroy her."

The assistant's voice brimmed with worry. "But Ava is your fiancée. If Alessandro realizes we switched them, he'll kill her."

Leo let out a cold laugh. "What's there to fear? No matter how unhinged he is, would he dare touch the councilman's future daughter-in-law? Once this blows over, I'll find a way to bring Ava back. I'll make it up to her."

My blood turned to ice, the chill spreading from my fingertips to my heart.

My grand wedding was nothing but a perfect cover for him to save his true love.

He planned to hand his bride over to another monster's cage in front of the world.

I was merely a disposable stand-in, a pawn to buy time.

His talk of making it up to me sounded like a cruel joke.

The door opened.

Leo saw me and the mess on the floor, his expression shifting briefly.

He crouched down, reaching for my hand. "Ava, you heard everything?"

I pulled away, bending to pick up the shattered pieces myself.

The sharp crystal sliced my fingertip, and a bead of blood welled up.

Leo grabbed my wrist, drawing my finger into his mouth.

The warmth of his touch made my stomach churn.

He always did this, striking a blow then offering a sweet gesture.

"Ava, you're the only one who can help me," he said, his eyes filled with the familiar pity I knew so well.

But I knew it wasn't for me.

"For Isabella?" I asked softly.

His gaze flickered, then hardened with resolve. "For us too. As long as Isabella is safe, Alessandro's wrath won't touch us. Ava, my father's position, our future, it all hinges on this. Marry him for now. I swear I'll bring you back soon."

He pulled me into his arms, his chin resting on my head. "Don't be afraid. I'll protect you."

The words rang hollow, dripping with irony.

In his embrace, I caught the faint scent of perfume that wasn't mine.

It was Isabella's favorite, a blend of lily and chamomile.

I closed my eyes and whispered, "Okay."

Leo froze, clearly unprepared for my swift agreement.

He cupped my face, his eyes a mix of wild joy and guilt. "Ava, I knew you'd understand, that you love me the most."

He leaned to kiss me, but I turned my head, and his lips grazed my forehead.

It was cold.

Leo's movement stilled, then he pulled me into a tighter embrace. "Wait for me. I'll bring you back in style, and we'll have the grandest wedding."

I didn't respond.

Something inside me had died the moment I heard his words.

Over the next few days, Leo treated me better than ever.

He canceled all his engagements, came home on time, ate dinner with me, watched movies, like the most devoted couple.

He bought me jewelry I'd glanced at once, purchased a painting I liked, even cooked my favorite truffle pasta himself.

He fumbled in the kitchen, sauce staining his white shirt.

I leaned against the door, watching him, my mind drifting back to when we first met.

Back then, he'd done the same, secretly learning to cook for my birthday surprise, only to make a mess of himself.

The pasta he served was so salty it was bitter.

I ate every bite.

Because he said, "Ava, I want to cook for you forever."

The memory surged, a sharp thorn piercing my heart.

Leo brought the pasta over, presenting it like a prize. "Try it. My skills have improved a lot."

I picked up the fork, twirling a small bite.

The familiar taste held none of the sweetness from back then.

"Is it good?" he asked, watching me eagerly.

"Leo," I set the fork down, "does Isabella like truffles too?"

His smile froze.

The air turned heavy.

After a long pause, he spoke, his voice strained. "Ava, don't do this."

"Do what?" I met his gaze, calm. "I'm just curious if your true love shares my taste."

His face darkened. "She's not like you."

Of course not.

Isabella was the moon in the sky, radiant and untouchable, his unreachable dream.

I was just mud on the ground, easily trampled, easily discarded.

That night, he didn't stay.

In the middle of the night, my phone rang with an unknown number.

It was Isabella.

Her voice carried a false tremor, as if mimicking the pity of a victor. "Ava, are you asleep? Sorry for calling so late."

She paused, savoring my silence. "Leo told me everything. He had to sacrifice you to protect me. He's hurting too, so please don't resent him."

Her tone brimmed with barely concealed triumph.

I let out a cold laugh and hung up.

Then I blocked the number for good.

A man I no longer wanted, she treated like a treasure.

My wedding to Leo was set just two days before Alessandro and Isabella's.

How ironic.

Leo's plan was to send me to Alessandro's car on our wedding day.

Meanwhile, he would whisk Isabella away, escaping the storm.

When Alessandro realized the bride was switched, he'd hold back out of respect for the councilman's name.

And Leo would swoop in, a hero rescuing me from "danger."

A perfect plan, saving his love and keeping me in his grasp.

On the wedding day, the sky was clear blue.

I sat before the mirror in my white gown.

Leo entered, dismissing everyone else.

He hugged me from behind, fastening a diamond necklace around my neck.

"Ava, you're beautiful," he said, kissing my cheek. "I'm sorry for this. Remember, no matter what happens, don't be afraid. Tell them you're Leo Kennedy's fiancée."

I looked at myself in the mirror, and the handsome man behind me.

A perfect match, a picture of harmony.

To outsiders, we were the ideal couple.

But only I knew the filthy scheming beneath this polished facade.

"Leo," I said, my voice steady, "have you ever loved me?"

His body stiffened.

After a long moment, he sighed. "Of course. Ava, I love you."

But that love crumbled before Isabella.

I said nothing more.

The assistant knocked. "Sir, it's almost time."

Leo gave me one last look, his eyes unreadable. "Wait for me."

He turned and left without a trace of hesitation.

I knew he was going to his true bride.

And I was headed to my execution.

Outside the chapel, the sunlight glared harshly.

Leo's security team opened the car door for me with deference.

It wasn't Leo's wedding car.

A menacing black iris flower was emblazoned on the vehicle's side.

The Marcello family's emblem.

I lifted my gown and stepped inside.

Through the window, I caught a fleeting glimpse of Leo.

He was helping Isabella into another car.

He opened the door for her, adjusted her dress, his eyes brimming with tenderness.

Even from a distance, I could feel his devotion.

My heart sank to its lowest depths in that moment.

The car started moving slowly.

I took one last look at the chapel I had once dreamed of, then pulled the curtain shut with resolve.

Goodbye, Leo.

Goodbye, my pitiful, laughable love.

The convoy stopped before a heavily guarded estate.

This was Alessandro's domain.

The door opened, and a man in a black suit offered his hand. "Madam, Mr. Marcello is waiting for you."

I placed my hand in his.

His grip was steady, his palm calloused from years of handling a gun.

He led me into a lavish hall.

The ceiling bore Renaissance-style frescoes.

The floor gleamed with polished marble.

The air carried the scent of cigars, laced with a faint trace of blood.

A man sat on a sofa in the center of the hall, his back to me.

He wore a perfectly tailored black suit, his tall frame imposing.

Even from behind, his presence was overwhelming.

"Mr. Marcello, she's here."

The man didn't turn.

He toyed with a gold lighter, its clicks sharp and deliberate.

Each sound struck my heart.

"Lift your head." His voice was low and gravelly, like the deepest string of a cello.

I raised my head as he commanded.

He turned slowly.

A face so strikingly handsome it bordered on sinister met my gaze.

Deep blue eyes held the intensity of a stormy sea.

Beneath a sharp nose, his lips were full and alluring.

This was Alessandro.

The infamous madman who killed without blinking.

He approached me, his eyes roaming my face.

His gaze felt like a scalpel, slicing through me layer by layer.

I forced myself to meet his stare, showing no fear.

He suddenly smiled. "Leo's little fiancée? You've got some nerve."

My heart plummeted.

He knew.

He had known from the start that I wasn't Isabella.

Leo's so-called "protection" was nothing but a cruel farce.

"It seems the future daughter-in-law of Councilman Kennedy isn't worth much to him." Alessandro's fingertip grazed the diamond necklace around my neck. "Trading you for his true love's freedom. How does that feel, Ava?"

I clenched my fists, nails digging into my palms. "Mr. Marcello, since you know everything, why..."

"Why play along with his charade?" he finished for me.

He leaned closer, his warm breath brushing my ear.

"Because, compared to that ordinary Isabella," he paused, his voice tinged with amusement, "I'm far more interested in you."