My Mafia Husband

CHAPTER 17

Her words hit me like a punch to the gut, the truth of her statement impossible to ignore. I know she's right, that I can't continue living in this constant state of fear and submission. But the thought of escaping Matteo's grasp feels like an impossible task, a mountain too high to climb.

"I know," I whisper, my voice tinged with despair. "But what can I do? He controls everything, every aspect of my life." The weight of my helplessness presses down on me, threatening to suffocate me.

Anna's expression turns sad, her eyes filled with compassion. "I understand it feels hopeless," she says gently. "And I won't lie and pretend there's an easy solution. But you cannot give up, Tina. You have to find a way to survive, even if it's only one day at a time."

Her words fill me with a flicker of hope, a reminder that even in my darkest moments, I must hold onto the belief that things can change, that there is a way out of this nightmare. I nod, taking a deep breath as I try to steady my racing thoughts.

"Thank you," I whisper, my voice choked with emotion. "For just being here, for listening to me. It means more than you know." Anna gives me a small, sad smile, her eyes filled with understanding. "I'm here for you," she assures me. "Always."

With Anna's words, a sense of comfort washes over me, knowing that I have at least one ally in this cold, terrifying place. For the first time in a long time, I feel a glimmer of hope that someday, somehow, I will escape Matteo's grasp and reclaim my freedom.

We stand in silence for a few moments, the weight of my situation hanging heavy in the air. Then Anna breaks the silence, her voice soft. "You should get some rest," she says gently. "You need all the strength you can get."

I nod, knowing she's right. Exhaustion is starting to pull at me, and I know I need to try to rest despite the fear and turmoil churning inside me. I bid Anna goodnight, my chest tight with emotion. With a final nod, she slips out of the room, leaving me alone with my thoughts once again.

As I stumble back to my bedroom, each step feels heavy and reluctant. The thought of Matteo lying in wait for me fills me with dread, but I know I can't delay returning to the room. As I push open the door to our bedroom, I brace myself for whatever awaits me on the other side.

I find Matteo lying on the bed I watch closely and I noticed that he was sleeping.

Relief washes over me as I see that Matteo is asleep, his breathing slow and steady. For a moment, I simply stand there, taking in the sight of him vulnerable and unaware of the storm of emotions raging inside me.

A million thoughts swirl through my mind, and I consider leaving the room and finding refuge elsewhere in the house. But the fear of waking him up and facing his anger keeps me rooted in place. I take a deep breath, and quietly creep towards the bed, my body tense and on edge.

I carefully slide under the covers, my movements slow and careful as I try not to disturb Matteo's sleep. The sheets feel cold and unwelcoming, and I shiver involuntarily as I settle onto the mattress. I try to keep as much distance as possible from Matteo, but the bed is small, and soon his body heat leeches into my side.

I lay there, rigid and tense, listening to the sound of his breathing and feeling the warmth of his body so close to mine. I stare up at the ceiling, my mind racing as I try to will myself to sleep. But the fear of what may happen if Matteo wakes up and finds me lying awake next to him keeps me wide awake.

I lay there for what feels like hours, every muscle taut with anxiety. I glance over at Matteo from time to time, my heart racing every time I expect that he has woken up, but he remains asleep, blissfully unaware of my turmoil.

As the night drags on, I feel the exhaustion finally starting to pull at me, my eyelids growing heavy despite my best efforts to stay awake. Slowly, almost against my will, I feel myself slipping into a state of semi-consciousness, my mind caught between the realms of sleep and wakefulness.

And then, without realizing it, I slip into a deep sleep, my body finally succumbing to the physical and emotional exhaustion.

(The next morning)

I wake up with a start, the sound of my own heart thudding in my ears. Bright sunlight streams through the window, and I realize with a sinking feeling that it's morning. I glance over at Matteo's side of the bed, my breath catching in my throat as I see that he's gone. A sense of dread fills me as I wonder where he is and what he could be doing.

I get up and make my way out of the bedroom, my mind racing with anxiety. As I approach the kitchen, I hear Matteo's voice from inside, his tone loud and commanding. I pause for a moment outside the door, my body tensing in anticipation.

I take a deep breath and step into the kitchen, my eyes widening as I see Matteo standing over the kitchen counter, his phone pressed to his ear. His expression is cold and distant, and he doesn't look up as I enter the room.

I take a deep breath and step into the kitchen, my eyes widening as I see Matteo standing over the kitchen counter, his phone pressed to his ear. His expression is cold and distant, and he doesn't look up as I enter the room.

As I stand there, frozen in place, I catch fragments of his conversation, his words harsh and biting. He's talking about business, his voice authoritative and filled with menace. I can feel the tension in the air, palpable and oppressive.

I stand quietly by the doorway, unsure of what to do next. Part of me wants to run, to escape the suffocating atmosphere of the room. But a sick sense of curiosity keeps me rooted in place, my ears straining to catch every word of Matteo's conversation.