Chapter 1
After my mafia husband, Don Marino, was killed in a fire set by a rival mafia family, I went to visit his grave every weekend.
Five years passed in the blink of an eye.
One day, on my way to the cemetery, I was in a serious car accident and was in a coma for three
days.
My best friend, Cynthia, kept urging me, “Orlando’s been dead for years. It’s time for you to move
on and live your own life.”
In my dreams, Orlando was begging me to let go.
I wiped away my tears, nodded, and promised that I would.
As soon as I was discharged, I accepted an overseas assignment.
On the way to the airport, an impulse hit me. I wanted to see him one last time.
I told the driver to turn around.
When I got there, the headstone was different. The name and photo belonged to someone else.
Achill ran down my spine. I stared at it, unable to believe what I was seeing.
Three days earlier, security footage showed my Don husband was alive.
He had made it out of the fire. He was walking hand in hand with a pregnant woman.
That night, Cynthia called. “Did you land yet? Why haven’t you replied?”
I raised my hand and knocked on the door.
When she opened it, her eyes widened in shock. I smiled faintly.
“Your belly’s huge. Why didn’t you tell me, your best friend?”
Cynthia’s phone slipped from her hand. I bent down to pick it up.
I smiled faintly. “Not going to invite me in?”
“You were flying to England, weren’t you? Why are you here all of a sudden? You di -I didn’t even get the chance to pick you up,” she added.
Chapter 1
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I let out a cold laugh. “Didn’t you hurt your ankle?”
She’d claimed she couldn’t visit me in the hospital because of her injury.
LIES.
At that moment, a delivery guy appeared at the penthouse elevator lobby, handing over a huge bouquet of roses.
“Mrs. Marino, these are from Mr. Marino.”
Cynthia didn’t take them. I did.
“Honey, is that a delivery?”
The familiar voice made my heart skip a beat.
In the next moment, Orlando stepped out of the kitchen wearing an apron.
He froze when he saw me, his pupils trembling.
I pulled the card from the bouquet. I recognized his handwriting immediately.
“Dear Cynthia, my Donna, happy fourth wedding anniversary. Thank you for marrying me and giving me a lifetime of happiness.”
I read it out loud, my voice dripping with sarcasm. Their faces went pale.
“How happy,” I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm.
They froze, unsure how to react.
I walked to the photo wall in the penthouse living room.
Five years ago, Orlando had perished in that fire. His body was never recovered. My worst nightmare had come true.
I was devastated. Every day, I drowned in tears, crying until my vision blurred.
Meanwhile, they had moved into a new home, excitedly planning their future together.
The day before their wedding, I almost took my own life,
A S
While I was overdosing on antidepressants and struggling to breathe, they were getting married.
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They traveled the world, went skiing, diving, living the life I thought I had lost forever.
I used to listen to Orlando’s voice messages every night just to fall asleep.
And now, he was having a child with my best friend-reading picture books to the baby in her belly.
I held the ultrasound photo. My hands wouldn’t stop shaking.
“Did you pick a name yet? How about Paola Marino?”
In his wedding vows, Orlando had said, “I fell for you the moment I saw you.”
“That first night, I already knew what I’d name our child-Paola Marino.”
Everyone had laughed, including my maid of honor, Cynthia.
Cynthia bopped Orlando with the bouquet, joking, “If you ever hurt Willow, I’ll never forgive you.”
Orlando had just smiled and said he knew.
At that time, I had been lost in exhausted happiness, oblivious to the tension brewing between
them.
I took a deep breath, grabbed a potted plant by the sofa, and hurled it at the wall.
Cynthia jumped, clutching her belly in shock. “Honey…”
Orlando rushed over to steady her, but she shook her head and pushed him gently.
“I’m fine. Go check the stove. And remember, don’t put pepper in when the dish’s done-Willow
won’t eat it.”
I let out a short, bitter laugh.
“What a best friend. Always so thoughtful.”
“Enough!” Orlando’s face darkened as he growled.
I smiled again, staring straight into his eyes as I approached him.
Then I slapped him.
He turned his head slightly, the veins on his forehead bulging.
My hands trembled. My whole body shook.
Chapter 1
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For five years, I had imagined this moment over and over.
I would open the door and find Orlando alive. I would run to him in tears. I would hold him, hit him, yell at him, and demand to know why he left me.
“Willow, I’m sorry…”
Cynthia broke down in tears.
“It’s all my fault. Hit me if you want. I was the one who fell for him.”
“I seduced him, I entangled him. I’ve been lying to you, betraying our friendship.”
She shoved Orlando away and tried to pull free.
“Go. Go home with Willow. The baby… I’ll get rid of it. She shouldn’t be here. I’m not fit to be her mother.”
Orlando held her tightly, his eyes full of pain.
“Don’t say that. I love you. I love our daughter. You two are my home. You belong to the Marino
family.”
It felt like
my
chest was tightening, and I couldn’t catch my breath.
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
