My Mafia Husband

CHAPTER 13

He strides out of the room, leaving me to deal with the aftermath of his callousness on my own. I collapse onto the bed, sobbing uncontrollably, my heart shattered into a million pieces. Matteo is right, I think to myself as tears stream down my cheeks. I am nothing more than a tool, a pawn in his grand game of manipulation and control. And any hope I had for something more was just a foolish delusion.

As the weight of Matteo's words and the pain of my broken heart sink in, I can't help but feel a wave of despair wash over me. The illusion of love and kindness is shattered, leaving only cold, hard reality in its wake. But even in the depths of my heartbreak, a spark of defiance burns within me, refusing to submit completely to Matteo's control. And while he may see me as nothing more than a tool to be wielded at his will, I know that deep down, I am so much more.

Matteo's coldness may have left me broken and bruised, but it has also ignited a fire within me. I am not just a puppet to be manipulated by his whims, and I refuse to let him see me as nothing more than a pawn in his twisted game. I am more than that, I am strong and resilient, and I will not be defined by his heartless words or actions. As I lie there on the bed, tears streaming down my face, I make a silent vow to myself that I will stand strong and push back against Matteo's manipulations, no matter what it takes.

With a newfound determination coursing through my veins, I force myself up from the bed and begin to freshen up, wiping away the tears and fixing my appearance as best as I can. Matteo may have won this round, but I refuse to let him see the true extent of the damage he has inflicted upon me. I will put on a brave face and play the role of the obedient wife, but deep down, I know that I will never truly submit to him.

Once I'm done fixing myself, I take a moment to steady my breathing and compose myself. Matteo may think he has me completely under his control, but I am stronger than he realizes. I will play his game for now, but I will not give up hope of finding a way out of this toxic relationship. I take a deep breath and walk out of the room, ready to face whatever challenges Matteo may throw my way.

Matteo glances up as I re-enter the living room, his eyes flickering over my face as if assessing whether or not I have truly composed myself. "Ah, there you are," he says, his voice a cold and detached as ever. "I trust you're feeling more composed now?"

I nod stiffly, my spine straight and my expression betraying none of the turmoil churning inside of me. I refuse to let him see me as weak, as broken. I will stand tall and face him head-on. Matteo's eyes narrow slightly, clearly sensing the hint of defiance in my demeanor.

Matteo's eyes bore into me, but I refuse to look away, holding his gaze steady. He moves closer, the air between us thick with tension. "You seem to have recovered quite well," he comments, his voice a low, dangerous purr. "Are you sure you're not still upset about our little conversation earlier?"

I keep my expression neutral, refusing to show any hint of emotion. "I'm fine," I say, my tone calm and even. Matteo studies me for a few moments, his gaze calculating. "You're a resilient one," he finally says, a hint of reluctant admiration in his voice. He steps back, his demeanor shifting back into his usual aloof arrogance. "Just remember, my dear, that resistance is futile."

I nod, keeping my expression neutral. I know that Matteo is testing me, trying to see how far he can push me before I break. But I won't give him the satisfaction of seeing me fall apart. I will keep my true feelings hidden, my determination stronger than ever. Matteo turns away, seemingly satisfied for now. "Dinner will be served in an hour," he says, returning to his usual cold and businesslike demeanor.

I nod automatically, forcing myself to play the role of the dutiful wife. But in my mind, my thoughts are racing, planning and scheming. Matteo may have won this battle, but I will fight back in any way I can. I will not be broken, and I will not give up hope of escaping this suffocating marriage. I will endure the dinner, the public façade, and any other challenges Matteo throws my way, all while holding onto the secret determination burning deep within me.

The tension between us hangs in the air as we sit down for dinner. Matteo's cold and detached presence fills the room, leaving me feeling utterly alone. I pick at my food, my appetite non-existent. Matteo looks up from his plate, his eyes narrowing as he notices my lack of appetite. "A bit off your food?" he asks, his voice dripping with disdain. "Is something bothering you, mia cara?"

I force a smile, determined not to let him see my weakness. "No, I'm fine," I reply, my tone light and casual. "Just not that hungry, I suppose." Matteo studies my face for a moment, clearly not believing my lie, but he says nothing. The rest of the meal passes in strained silence, each of us lost in our own thoughts.

As we finish our meal, Matteo stands up abruptly, pushing his chair back with a loud screech. "I have business to attend to," he announces, his tone clipped and distant. "I have no need for you tonight. Stay in your room, and don't cause any trouble." He strides out of the room without a backwards glance, leaving me alone once more.

I take a deep breath, feeling a mixture of relief and fear at Matteo's departure. On one hand, I'm relieved to be free from his icy presence, even if only for a while. But on the other hand, I can't help but feel a sense of unease at being left alone in this cold, impersonal mansion. I stand up and make my way back to my room, feeling the weight of my solitude bear down on me.

Once in my room, I close the door behind me, sinking down onto the bed. The silence of the room closes in around me, and I feel a sudden overwhelming sense of loneliness. Matteo's harsh words from earlier echo in my mind, leaving me feeling empty and vulnerable. I curl up on the bed, tears streaming down my face.