ALESSANDRO’S POV
The only sound in the room was the slow, thythmic ticking of the clock, My ever stayed on the tumbler half filled with whiskey as I swirled it, the ire plusking softly against the glass, Between my fingers, a cigar smoldered, its scent curling through the air,
*You seniorly refused to divorce that son of a traiter and my someone of the opposite sex?“
exhaled, setting my glass down before tuning to face my father. His expression was tight with dissport, his for locked. Anger radiated off him, stiffening his posture. He rolled his shoulders, as if trying to shake it oll
*I don’t know why you keep bringing this up,” I retorted. “You supported my marriage to him.”
es twin sister, Sabrina, that I supported, not that gay,” he hissed.
“It was his
My fingers played with the cigar before I took a slow d for another time.” I tried to change the topic,
drag, letting the nicotine burn through
h the irritation building in my chest. “Let’s save this conversation
He chuckled darkly, shaking his head. “There’s that fundraising event coming up. Are you really going to take that pay wife of yours?”
A bitter smirk bagged at my lips. “I don’t take orders from you anymore,
Pops.”
His face darkened. “Get rid of him.”
The muscles in my jaw tightened. My response was firm, unwavering “Can’t do.”
His nostrils flared, his fingers curling into
“You will do as I say, Alessandro.
Heaned back in my chair, feigning indifference even as my pulse ticked with train. “And if I don’t?”
Silence stretched between us, thick and heavy. Then, his voice dropped to a warning tone. “Then you’ll regret it.”
I took another drag of my cigar, exhaling slowly. “I’m not scared”, I retorted,
ו
He slammed a hand over his desk, “You have to marry a wife again for heaven sake, Alessandro. You need a heir and you don’t just parade your gay public even if you’re the most powerful man in the mafias. In my thirty years of marriage, I have never slept with any man, never touched another woman. Do you think I had a choice? My marriage to your mother was arranged by your grandfather. I fulfilled my duty as his son, as the head of the mafu tamil.”
h me are different from yours,” I stated evenly, tapping the ash from my cigar into the tray.
“Nikolai’s marriage issues with me are di
My father scoffed. “Different? How so? It’s still a matter of duty, of legacy. You’re the head of this family, Alessandro. That position demands sacrifiers.”
I let out a sharp breath, swirling the whiskey in my glass before taking a sip. The bum trailed down my throat, but it did nothing to dull the growing tention in the room. “I’ve made sacrifices.” I muttered. “More than you’ll ever understand.”
“Then prove it.” he pressed. “Annal the marriage. Find a proper wife. Secure an heir
I clenched my jaw, “Nikolai Is my husband. That is not going to change.”
My father’s face twisted in disgust. “A husband,” he sneered. “Do you even hear yourself? You disgrace everything this family stands for.”
I chuckled bitterly. “And yet, I’m still the one in charge. Funny how that works, isn’t it?”
His eyes darkened. “You’re pushing your luck, Alessandio.*
I leaned forward, resting my elbows on my knem. “No, you’re the one pushing me. I’ve played your games, listened to your lectures, and madured your judgment. But the? This is my life. My marriage. And if you think I’ll bow to you like some obedient son, you’re sorely mistaken *
