The Mafia King's Unknown Doctor Wife novel Chapter 291

For a moment, Massimo was simply shocked by Elena's words. He knew he had been getting closer to her as her husband, but he never expected her to say something like this! He was touched that Elena was offering to run away with him to California.

He could picture it. A house Elena chose herself, not too far from her parents' place but far enough to keep their privacy. He pictured coming home from some boring job—maybe being a real mechanic—and seeing Elena waiting for him at the door.

Her smile would be just as brilliant as it was right now. He could already hear the joy in her voice as she greeted him with a simple, "Welcome home."

But Massimo knew all of that was a simple fantasy. He couldn't have anything close to that life.

Not when he needs to keep his identity hidden from Elena. Not when Sloane and Noah already know his face—and don't particularly like him. Not when Massimo is the Don of All Dons, the Mafia King.

A life like the one Elena is offering could never belong to the Mafia King.

Massimo shakes his head, willing his voice to keep steady. "I'm flattered by the offer, Elena," Massimo said, "but I can't. I can't leave New York."

Elena's smile dropped so sharply it nearly made Massimo dizzy. He rushed to think of an explanation—a normal explanation that could explain why someone wouldn't want to run away with their gorgeous wife.

"I have a big job coming up at work," Massimo hurriedly lied, "and I can't leave without getting fired. My... my work really needs me to stay in New York. Besides, I should stay nearby for my grandfather's sake—he's practically just a bag of bones so he needs friendly people nearby to help him out for everything."

Massimo smiled, hoping Elena would appreciate the joke about Fabio. Maybe she'd even laugh and share the story of how she met his grandfather—Massimo only ever heard the story from the old man, and that geezer tends to exaggerate.

But Elena just turned her face slightly away from Massimo, making her expression impossible to read.

As it was the drive was awkward, but it was at least quick. The hotel was where Sloane and Noah were staying, but Elena waited in the hotel's lobby. She didn't feel like explaining her temporary blindness, so she decided to wait until the drugged eyedrops wore off.

Besides, Elena knew she looked like a wreck. She felt like one, down to her very soul.

How could she be so impulsive? She hadn't thought through the plan at all. What would she have said to Sloane and Noah, who thought she was married to her boss Massimo?

But Elena truly cursed her impulsiveness because she felt betrayed. Even though she knew she had no right to feel that way—Max had never vowed to run away with her, after all. But Elena couldn't shake the feeling.

He had treated her so gently mere hours ago in the car. He had been so delicate as he touched her vulnerable body.