Dangerous Secrets: My Mafia Stepbrother

Isabella looked like boneless in that moment, leaning into Clark’s embrace, their intimacy resembling that of a couple.NôvelDrama.Org: text © owner.

Emanuele’s eyes were fiery, his bloodshot eyes filled with rage. His hands trembled on the steering wheel as he struggled to control the impulse to rush out and separate them.

He bit down on his frustration, muscles tensing, watching Isabella and Clark as they disappeared into the apartment.

Emanuele didn’t leave in haste; instead, he lit one cigarette after another.

Smoke filled the enclosed car as Isabella and Clark’s image replayed relentlessly in his mind. The mere thought of their closeness, of Isabella leaning into Clark’s embrace, and now with Clark residing in her apartment, made him uneasy. With them being alone, about to get married, it wouldn’t be surprising if things escalated.

Sex…

Whenever Emanuele thought of it, his mind inevitably wandered to the image of Isabella lying bare beneath Clark. Her ample bosom, shapely derrière, slender waist-all would now twist and turn only for Clark.

He remembered that night and the intoxication in her eyes, her passion for his body, her skin turning pink, and her cheeks blushing. Her gaze held a clear affection that would now be exclusively Clark’s.

Thinking of this, Emanuele felt a heavy weight in his chest, his heart racing, overwhelmed by anger that clouded his judgment. He wanted to rush into the apartment and take Isabella away.

However, his rational side prevailed. He couldn’t act like this. There were more pressing matters at hand, like finding Frederick and wiping out every last one of those Sicilian men. Isabella’s presence would divert his attention.

Despite his efforts to focus on the search for his enemies, thoughts of Isabella kept creeping into his mind during his rare moments of respite. He couldn’t help but think about her and her impending wedding.

Damn it, Emanuele, you’ve never been one to let emotions get the better of you. You don’t need much when it comes to feelings. So why let your attention drift to a woman like this?

As the leader of the Mafia, there were countless women he could have, and Isabella was just an ordinary woman. However, the defiance and determination in her eyes still captivated him.

The thought of her getting married tore at his heart like a knife, causing unrelenting pain. Emanuele pounded his steering wheel, then drove away.

Forget it. Don’t think about it. Don’t dwell on it. The wedding will be over soon.

Back at the apartment, Isabella and Clark returned home. Clark insisted Isabella go to her room to rest.

“Your body hasn’t fully recovered. It was my mistake to take you out today, Isabella. Get some rest; in a few days, it will be our wedding, and I hope to see a radiant you then.”

Clark went to find Lilly, inquiring about the medications Isabella had been taking recently, asking her to get some for Isabella.

Lilly was shocked when she saw Isabella’s pale, fragile state. “My God, if I had known, I shouldn’t have let you go out. Why did you go out for a short while and come back in such a bad state?”

She quickly poured a glass of water, fetched the medicine, and entered Isabella’s room to help her take it.

“I’m fine; I just feel a bit tired. Resting will help,” Isabella said to Lilly.

In reality, her condition had been gradually improving. The sudden shift was due to the surprise kiss from Clark, which had startled her. Her current state was a result of wanting to avoid further intimacy with him. Even though she understood she might become Clark’s wife, she couldn’t accept the idea of such closeness, despite his gentle demeanor.

“Alright, Isabella, take your time to rest. We’ll head out for a bit,” Clark said, his tone remaining gentle. However, Isabella felt no flutter in her heart.

It was strange. Emanuele had been rude, overbearing, and had constantly threatened her, keeping her in a state of fear. But her heart couldn’t help but be drawn to him. Except for him, no one else mattered.

Every time Isabella thought about Clark kissing her today, she desperately wiped her cheek, as if trying to cleanse the spot where his lips had touched.

Although she had mentally prepared herself for possible intimacy with Clark, when the moment finally arrived, she felt a twisting in her stomach. Goosebumps ran down her body, and she felt overwhelmed.

Isabella closed her eyes, hoping this would be over soon.

Over the next two days, Isabella stayed at home, with Clark keeping her company. They watched TV shows together and shared laughs about the guests’ antics onscreen.

The day before the wedding, the wedding dress arrived by air. Isabella gazed at the luxurious gown covered in scattered diamonds, shimmering under the lights. She couldn’t imagine how beautiful she would look wearing it.

But, no matter how beautiful, it brought her pain. Lilly, elated, said, “Isabella, let’s try the wedding dress on first. It’s custom-made to your measurements, but I’m not sure how it’ll look on you.”

Isabella hesitated; she didn’t want to try it on because it caused her anguish. But she had to try it.

The wedding dress was quite large, and it took Lilly and several others to help Isabella put it on.

“Oh, dear, you look absolutely stunning!” Lilly admired her, her freckles seeming to dance on her joyous face. “This dress fits you like a second skin, accentuating your curvy chest and slender waist. The flowing layers of fabric at the bottom, studded with diamonds, make it look like you’ve fallen from the heavens. You look even fairer against the gown’s white.”

Isabella already had fair skin, and the gown’s color made her look even more radiant. Her hair, like strands of seaweed, lay casually on her shoulders. It was both natural and beautiful, as if she were a princess who had just escaped from a kingdom.

Isabella couldn’t look away from the full-length mirror. She had never been dressed so extravagantly. Was this what many women eagerly anticipated?

Seeing Clark, who stood beside her, gazing at her intently, Isabella’s emotions were complicated. Guilt tormented her when she considered how beautiful she looked in this dress, yet she didn’t want to enter into the marriage.

“Clark, what do you think? Isabella looks beautiful in this dress, right?” Lilly noticed Clark’s gaze and couldn’t resist asking for his approval.

“I can’t take my eyes off her,” Clark said appreciatively. “Is this my bride? I’m truly honored to have her as my wife!”

They all interacted in a relaxed and joyful atmosphere, but Isabella felt uneasy. Just the thought of the following day filled her with dread, making her body tremble.