In "Mob Ties," delve into the clandestine world of organized crime where loyalty is everything, debts are paid in blood, and love blossoms amidst the chaos.
At just 24 years old, Aaliyah finds herself thrust into a world she never imagined - one whe...
Maria Gotti clutched the steering wheel of her BMW truck, her mind racing with the whirlwind of emotions she had kept bottled up for years. She had rehearsed this moment countless times, yet now that she was here, every practiced word seemed to vanish. Her heart pounded as she watched Alex exit the building, his tall frame and confident stride a stark reminder of the man she once loved.
As Alex approached his car, Maria took a deep breath and stepped out, moving towards him with a mixture of hope and trepidation. "Hello, excuse me, are you Alex?"
He turned to face her, and Maria saw the flash of recognition in his dark eyes-the same eyes she saw every time she looked in the mirror. "Yes, how may I help you?" His voice was calm but guarded.
Maria's throat tightened. "I'm so sorry to bother you, but I'm Maria Gotti, and I just really need to speak with you if you don't mind."
Alex's expression hardened. "I know who you are. Why do you want to speak now?" His words were like a knife, sharp and cutting.
Maria struggled to find her voice, tears welling up in her eyes. "I can explain everything. I'm so sorry. I was young, I didn't know what I was doing," she said, her voice trembling.
Alex moved to open his car door, but Maria reached out, her hand stopping him. "Please, I know you may not want to speak to me, but your father-your birth father-is a dangerous man, and your sister is married to his other son. I know it's a lot and it's confusing, but please..."
Alex's face twisted in confusion. "Wait, my sister is married to my biological father's other son?" He looked at Maria as if she were speaking in riddles.
Maria nodded, her desperation mounting. "Yes, I can explain everything if you-"
"No, thank you," Alex cut her off, his tone final. "I'm happy with my real parents, and I don't want anything to do with you." He got into his car and sped off, leaving Maria standing alone in the parking lot, her heart breaking all over again.
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Lia and Mariah sat at a sun-dappled patio table in one of the city's trendiest cafes, their plates of half-eaten food and empty glasses a testament to their deep, winding conversation. Lia sipped her matcha drink, trying to find some solace in its earthy flavor. Mariah, however, was visibly distressed, her anger simmering just beneath the surface.
"Are you going to forgive him? At least he didn't sleep with her," Lia said gently, watching Mariah's expression darken further.
Mariah huffed, her frustration palpable. "I am, but I'm just so frustrated. Arranging marriages, forcing us to have babies. You knew of East for what, like four months before you got married and now you're pregnant. You didn't ask for this, neither did I!"
Lia nodded, feeling the weight of Mariah's words. "Don't be stupid, just stay ten steps ahead of this shit. This life...it's not easy."
Lia was still new to this world, but she was learning quickly. East had become her first everything-her first love, her first husband, and now, the father of her unborn child. The whirlwind of her life over the past few months often left her breathless, and not always in a good way.
