Dangerous Secrets: My Mafia Stepbrother

After dinner, Emanuele asked Isabella what she wanted to do. Feeling too exhausted to move, Isabella looked at the night view outside the window and suggested, “Why don’t we go to the window to see the night view?”

“Alright,” Emanuele agreed, and he carried Isabella to the window, where they admired the beautiful cityscape illuminated by the night.

Sitting quietly by the window, they looked at each other with love in their eyes, clinking glasses as they shared a bottle of wine.

In that moment, they could both feel the depth of their affection in each other’s gaze.

Suddenly, Isabella felt guilty for not trusting Emanuele. “Emanuele, I’m truly sorry.”

“Enough, Isabella. I don’t blame you at all for what happened before. Don’t blame yourself anymore. Now that we’ve talked things out, let’s leave the past behind. Isabella, don’t be sad anymore.”

Looking at Emanuele’s sincere expression, Isabella thought maybe she should let go of the past grievances.

If she kept on worrying about things that Emanuele didn’t mind at all, he would think she was irrational.

She decided to stop dwelling on the matter and not seek trouble where there was none.

The next day, Evelyn immediately asked Isabella out for a chat.

“Isabella, what’s going on between you and Emanuele? Have you made up?” Evelyn observed Isabella’s joyful expression and assumed she must have reconciled with Emanuele.

Perhaps they had passionately made up the previous night.

Seeing Isabella so happy, Evelyn felt relieved about her friend.

“Isabella, I’m back together with Emanuele. I was so foolish to think of leaving him before. Now I realize that as long as we love each other every day, we should be happy together and not worry about the future. If we’re truly unhappy in the future, we can deal with it then.”

Hearing Isabella’s liberating words, Evelyn was pleased to see her friend had found peace of mind.

It seemed like the best outcome for Isabella and Emanuele.

As for Evelyn, she thought along the same lines. Though she knew being with James posed risks, she was willing to take on those dangers. As long as it wasn’t like with William, causing her extreme distress.

“Congratulations, Isabella. Enjoy your time with Emanuele. I don’t think having children is that important. Emanuele probably feels the same way. If it doesn’t work out, I’ll give you one of my children as a son,” Evelyn joked.

Isabella couldn’t help but playfully punch Evelyn. “Always joking! When are you marrying James then?”

Upon mentioning marriage, Evelyn’s mood darkened. “I feel like my parents haven’t fully accepted James yet.”

Although she had told her parents about her relationship with James, they strongly advised her to break up. Luckily, James had made a good impression on them during their meetings, so they didn’t push for a breakup but suggested she think things through.

She didn’t dare to tell her parents she wanted to marry James. Evelyn feared their reaction would be extreme.

“What will you do? You can’t keep going like this forever.”

“I’ll convince my parents. They’re actually very open-minded. They’re just worried about their daughter dating a mobster member for her safety,” Evelyn chuckled.

Indeed, no parents would readily accept their daughter dating a mobster member unless, like Evelyn, her own mother fell in love with one and blessed her. But Evelyn’s family had more traditional views, having faced life-threatening situations before, they didn’t want her involved with such individuals.

“Yeah, if you’re scared, I can help talk to them. Your parents seem to like me. I think they’ll take my advice,” Isabella suggested.

“Let’s talk about that later. Focus on your situation for now. Isabella, have you moved back into Emanuele’s apartment?” Evelyn inquired.

Isabella nodded.

“That’s great, Isabella. Honestly, I envy you. You and Emanuele genuinely love each other, and nothing can stand in your way,” Evelyn remarked.

She felt they were on different paths. The obstacles hindering her relationship with James were many – work, parents, and social circles all made her question her decision to be with James. But it was James’s warmth that pulled her out of William’s shadow and now she couldn’t imagine being with anyone else.

For Isabella, her resolve to be with James was stronger than ever before.

She had to overcome much more than Isabella with Emanuele.

“Isabella, I believe you feel the same way,” Isabella squeezed Evelyn’s hand.

“It’s still early. How about we go shopping?” Evelyn suggested.

Isabella agreed, and they spent the day at the mall, buying clothes and jewelry. Isabella appreciated Evelyn’s care during this time, so whatever caught Evelyn’s eye, Isabella purchased for her without letting Evelyn pay.

“You’re too kind, Isabella.”

“It’s nothing. Remember how you helped me find the perfect restaurant when I was living at your apartment?”

“Isabella, let me be honest with you. The restaurants we ordered from when we lived together were all chosen by Emanuele and prepared by Ariel,” Evelyn confessed.

Isabella was stunned. That’s why the restaurant’s taste seemed so familiar and served the food she loved.ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

She had been puzzled and suspicious at that time, but Evelyn’s sincerity dispelled her doubts.

Now that Evelyn revealed the truth, Isabella realized. “So you’ve been supporting me while colluding with Emanuele all this time?”

In doubt, Isabella questioned Evelyn, who quickly responded, “Don’t doubt me. I didn’t tell Emanuele about your health condition.”