Chapter 268 An Illusion 8 Pearls

She glanced up at him through her lashes, her chest rising and falling with anticipation. "Am I a bad girl, Mr. Valentino?" she whispered, her voice carrying a playful challenge.

Alessandro's smirk was dark, his hand tightening around her waist as he leaned closer. "Baby, if you keep playing this game for another minute, I'll carry you in front of everyone, take you straight to our home, and fuck you so hard that you will scream my name all night long until you can't walk."

Ari's eyes widened at his threatening words, her breath catching in her throat.

"Mr. Valentino!?" she gasped, her voice trembling with a mix of shock and arousal.

"What Mr. Valentino?!" Alessandro breathed out, his own breath labored. "You asked for this," he said with a low, teasing tone before he stopped dancing. Grasping her hand, he led her to the dinner table.

Everyone clapped as the dance ended and Aria glanced around, confused. Matteo and Emily had also joined for dinner, and soon, the entire family gathered at the large table.

"I thought you were taking me home," Aria teased her mafia husband, her gaze flickering downward to the growing bulge in his pants. She giggled softly when she caught the scowl on his face as he noticed her looking at his crotch.

"Hmm, amore mio," he replied with a smile, his voice still carrying a hint of amusement as he made a plate for her. He carefully selected the most nutritious foods, mindful of both her and their baby. "But first, my baby mama and our little one are hungry. So let's take care of that first."

Aria nodded, feeling both tired and hungry. Though she had been aroused earlier, all she wanted now was to rest. She felt a wave of gratitude for her husband, knowing how much he cared about her well-being. He always put her health first, and that reassured her more than anything.

As they sat at the dinner table, Aria learned that both couples were going on their honeymoons tomorrow, To her relief, they were heading to different destinations. Matteo and Emily, indeed, needed some time alone together.

Aria glanced at the newlywed couple, who were so lost in their own world of romance. She felt a deep sense of happiness, knowing that both she and Emily had finally found true love, with men who were perfect for them. It warmed her heart to see that both she and her friend had been able to create their own happily ever after.

"I love you, amore mio," Alessandro whispered when he noticed Aria watching Matteo and Emily's lovey-dovey conversation. She turned to look at him, and then her gaze shifted to Gia and Maximo, who were sitting next to her.

"I love you, husband," she replied, her heart swelling with affection as she gently caressed her pregnant belly.Property belongs to Nôvel(D)r/ama.Org.

"What do you have to say about it, Claire?" Adam asked again when Claire remained silent after his threatening words.

The terms of the contract and its consequences made Claire's heart pound with horror. She didn't know how to explain it to her contract husband, who was a heartless asshole.

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Chapter 268 An Illusion

+8 Pearls

Claire closed her eyes, taking a deep breath to steady herself. She couldn't reveal the truth-that Daniel knew about the marriage contract and was blackmailing her. Adam was a fiercely professional person, and betrayal wasn't something he took lightly. If he found out she'd broken the contract by confiding in Daniel, his anger would be unstoppable.

What had she been thinking, trusting Daniel with the biggest secret of her life? But it hadn't felt like a mistake at the time. She'd loved him, trusted him completely... and now, that trust had turned into her greatest vulnerability.

"I...I didn't call him here, he came on his own," Claire replied, her voice shaky as she tried to avoid his piercing gaze. He was too intimidating when he was this furious. "I took him to a quiet place to tell him to leave," she added, her words hurried.

But Adam wasn't convinced.

"Don't give me that bullshit, okay?!" he yelled, his voice sharp and commanding. Claire flinched, instinctively shrinking back. His anger was like a storm, overwhelming and intense. "I told you clearly to be faithful during this marriage, and yet here you are, sneaking around with your boyfriend behind my back?!" His accusation dripped with disdain.

"I didn't do anything wrong, Adam..." Claire tried to explain, but her words were lost in the heat of his fury. He wasn't listening. He was too angry to hear her.

Suddenly, Claire's phone pinged with a message from Daniel. She glanced at the screen, her stomach turning as she read his words:

'You bitch! You're screwing Adam Whitmore under the guise of this contract marriage, and I can't have a little fun? Such double standards. Give me my money, and I'll forgive you and take you back. After all, once this contract is over, Adam will throw you out, and you'll come crawling back to me on your knees.'

Claire felt a wave of disgust wash over her. She couldn't believe she had once loved this vile man so deeply, only to be repaid with betrayal and manipulation. Daniel had used her, and his true colors now shone through in every demeaning word.

She now deeply regretted saving herself for him, dreaming of their wedding and a happy future together. It had all been an illusion-one that shattered so brutally, leaving her feeling broken and hollow.