Filed to story: Second Chance Mafia Bride Drama Novel
But now, as she raised her eyes again, all that remained was a calm, deep chill.
No matter. If fate had given her a second chance, then neither of these two would get away this time.
“I’ll leave you to it!” Rubina exhaled in relief. She shot Damien a meaningful look, blushing with delight when he returned it with a soft, ambiguous smile, then hurried off.
Serena caught every bit of the exchange, her gaze icy.
So, they’d been sneaking around together all along? And now they didn’t even bother to hide it did they really think she was blind or a fool?
“Sere.” Damien drew nearer, launching straight into accusation. “Why haven’t you answered my calls?”
Serena curled her lip, feeling a wave of disgust. “I blocked your number. Isn’t that clear enough?”
Damien looked momentarily stunned, then clearly irritated, though he forced himself to remain calm. “Are you afraid I’ll blame you? Rubina told you, didn’t she? As long as you apologize sincerely, I might just forgive you.”
He leaned in as he spoke, his hand pressed suggestively against the pillar right beside her head.
From a distance, they looked almost intimate-close enough that someone might think they’d kiss at any moment.
“Back off. I have a husband, you know!”
“Husband? Please.” Damien’s voice dripped with disdain. “Word is, you married some old cripple. How could he ever compare to me?”
“Even if he’s got money, he’s nowhere near as wealthy as my family!”
“Serena, I’m giving you one last chance. Stop being difficult. Apologize, and I might just forgive you.”
Not far away, hidden in the shadows, Nicholas’s wheelchair sat motionless and silent.
Behind him, Logan barely dared to breathe.
Damien’s voice carried, just loud enough to be overheard from where they stood.
“So I’m just an old cripple, huh?” Nicholas finally broke the silence, his voice deep and unreadable.
“Then tell me why do you think she married me?”
Logan stiffened. There was no way he’d risk answering that.
“Are they…close?” Nicholas asked, his gaze fixed on the two figures, their intimacy undeniable.
Logan stared at the ground, his voice barely above a whisper, “A while ago, Ms. Rubina Greco visited Rosewood Manor. She mentioned that Mrs. Salerno had someone she cared about. If I’m not mistaken… she meant Mr. Damien Salerno.”
Nicholas’s grip tightened unconsciously on the armrest.
A heavy silence hung in the air.
After a long moment, he said, “Let’s go.”
Logan didn’t dare so much as glance at his employer’s face. He quickly turned the wheelchair and wheeled Nicholas away, their departure silent and unnoticed.
Serena had no idea anyone had come-or gone. She just stared at the arrogant, inexplicably confident man in front of her, wondering how she could have ever fallen for someone like him in another life.
When she didn’t answer, Damien nudged, “And your apology gift better be good. I heard you managed to get those shares back from your stepmother?”
He waited expectantly, certain Serena would hand over the “apology gift.”
He thought he knew her well-naive, sheltered, easy to manipulate. All he had to do was put on a little act, and she’d be head over heels. In the past, she’d never refused anything he asked for-except the notebook her mother left her. She guarded that, but everything else? She’d given in.
Serena picked up on what he wanted and almost laughed. “You want those shares?”
Damien puffed up his chest. “Want? They’re what you owe me as an apology-” “In broad daylight, and you’re still dreaming?” Serena cut him off sharply, sarcasm gleaming in her eyes.
As if she’d give him anything let alone as an apology gift!
Damien was stunned. He’d thought this was in the bag, but she’d blindsided him. “Serena, you-“
“Would you please just back up?” Serena wrinkled her nose and waved a hand in front of her face. “Your breath is killing me!”
Damien’s face flushed, then paled with anger. “Serena…!”
She saw he wasn’t listening, and let out a cold laugh. In one swift motion, she brought her knee up-hard.
Damien doubled over immediately, all his composure gone.
“Do I look like I’m joking with you?”
Serena folded her arms, looking down at him from above.
“You show up demanding things from me-what makes you so sure of yourself?”
“I’m generous-I could give shares away if I wanted. But that’s for my husband, not for some loser like you.”
“So stay away from me, got it? Otherwise, don’t blame me for what happens next!”
She turned to leave.
But Damien, still gasping from pain, grabbed her arm, sweat beading on his forehead as he gritted his teeth. “Serena, enough with the tantrum! Don’t think for a second I’ll come begging. You’d better-“
“There’s got to be a limit to your arrogance!” Serena shoved him away with clear distaste, looking at him as if he were a pile of trash. “Who says I’m sulking at you? Do you really think I’m still that na?ve girl, head over heels for you and blind to everything else?”
“Wake up, Damien. I’ve seen the world now. My husband is incredible. Honestly, I feel like I’m hurting my eyes just by looking at you.”
With those words, the relief in her chest was palpable. She turned on her heel and left without a backward glance.
Damien just stood there, dumbstruck, unable to believe what he’d just heard. Had those words really come from the same Serena who used to be so shy and gentle around him?
He stared, at a complete loss. What on earth had gotten into her? Was she possessed or something?
“Damien!” A voice called out-it was Debby Zade Salerno, hurrying over.
She paused when she saw her son, his face pale and beaded with cold sweat, frozen in an awkward posture. Concerned, she rushed to his side. “What’s wrong, darling?”
Damien forced himself upright, wincing. “I’m fine. Just… not feeling too well, that’s all.”
Debby fussed over him for a moment, but she was clearly preoccupied. Scanning the area and seeing no one else around, she dropped her voice. “I heard you came here to meet Serena.”
“Damien, you mustn’t be hasty. Just think-what’s that girl’s background? She isn’t nearly good enough for you.”
She sneered, her nose wrinkling in contempt. “That girl probably dreams of marrying into our family every night, but does she ever stop to think about her own worth? Honestly, she’d be lucky to marry some nouveau riche upstart.”
Then, with a smug smile, she continued, “But our family is different. Ever since your Uncle Nicholas moved to Fairhaven last year, our status has soared. Look outside-see how many people are falling over themselves to curry favor with us? Who knows, maybe someday we’ll even move up to Riverton! With a pedigree like ours, do you really think Serena measures up?”
She gave him a little shove. “I heard your Uncle Nicholas is here tonight. Go make yourself known-let him get to know his nephew better.”
“And remember, if some girl at the party tries to flirt with you, it’s fine to have a little fun, but don’t take it seriously. Your future wife will be someone from Riverton, someone whose family is worthy of ours.”
But Damien’s mind kept drifting back to Serena, to how much she’d changed. Irritated and distracted, he muttered, “I know, Mom.”
Serena strode through the side door, her steps light and unburdened, and entered the reception hall.