The following morning, Isabella and Emanuele sat in the dining room, enjoying a meal prepared by Lilly. The table was filled with an array of delicious dishes, and Isabella couldn't have been happier.
When she had seen Lilly earlier that morning, Isabella had excitedly embraced her. "My darling, congratulations on getting what you wished for," Lilly said, patting Isabella on the shoulder.
During those difficult times, seeing Isabella's distress had been equally painful for Lilly. In the time they had spent together, she had come to regard Isabella as her own daughter. Witnessing Isabella's heartache, Lilly's own heart had shattered. Fortunately, Isabella had married the man she had desired, allowing Lilly to remain by her side.
As Isabella and Emanuele enjoyed the delicious spread, he provided her with instructions. "If you ever need to leave the house, you will be escorted by twelve guards. Four of them will drive in SUVs identical to yours, four will follow you in front, and four will protect you from behind."
Upon hearing that her security detail had increased from four guards to twelve, Isabella widened her eyes in surprise. "So, I have to take them with me wherever I go?"
Isabella was starting to feel like she was drifting further away from her previous life, with these numerous guards appearing wherever she went.
Emanuele replied, "Yes, you must take them with you. You have become my enemies' primary target now."
Previously, Isabella had faced threats and intimidation because she was his stepsister, and the security around her was not as strong. Now, as the new Mafia Queen, she could expect even more threats. His enemies would see her as a way to weaken him.
After Emanuele finished his breakfast, he changed his clothes and prepared to leave. Isabella instinctively walked over to help him adjust his attire.
She never wanted to be this kind of wife, taking care of his tie, preparing his meals, or handling household chores. However, as she helped him with his tie, and looked up into his handsome face, she felt her heart racing uncontrollably, experiencing an unexpected sense of happiness.
This wasn't supposed to happen, Isabella. You wanted to despise this man who had played with you. But at this moment, you're helping him with his tie and feeling happy. It left Isabella in a painful and contradictory dilemma.
Isabella forced herself to shift her focus and asked, "Who are your enemies?"
"Many people. Aside from Cleric, we have a peace agreement with his group; if we encounter difficulties, we can seek their assistance in resolving matters, but it comes at the cost of revenge. Other than them, any Black Hand faction besides ours could become our enemies at any time. There are no permanent friends, only permanent interests," Emanuele replied with a slight smirk, observing the man in the mirror as Isabella looked up at him with admiration.
Emanuele reached out and pulled Isabella into his embrace. His lips pressed against her neck, inhaling the sweet floral scent that clung to her.
Since she had arrived, his apartment had been filled with her sweet scent, a stark contrast to his previously cold and impersonal space. In this moment, Emanuele started to feel a sense of happiness he had never experienced before.
At thirty-two, in the prime of his life, he never thought he'd marry this soon. However, meeting Isabella had changed everything. Initially, he found her intriguing, but over time, his intentions had grown into a desire to make her his own. Now, he had achieved that goal.
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