Page 37 of Married to the Ruthless Mafia Heir

I felt cold. Without thinking, I wrapped my arms around myself and shook my head. "I'm fine. I'm okay..."

Everyone saw what just happened. The reigning Don of the Moretti family let go of his new wife's hand in front of everyone and pulled a more beautiful and graceful woman into his arms. An embrace that intense, that undeniable—the feelings behind it had to run deeper than anyone could imagine.

Who was she? I'd never heard the name Valentina before.

Dante clearly cared about her. Was Valentina his ex-girlfriend? She was back now, which meant me bearing an heirwas even more impossible. I could already picture my future—trapped in this manor until I died.

Fear and anxiety flooded my chest. Without realizing it, I clutched at my dress, fingers digging into my palms. It should have hurt, but I didn't notice.

Luca dropped me at Moretti Manor's entrance. He didn't ask questions. Just said before I got out, "If you need anything, call me. The Lombardis and the Morettis have always been close. Don't worry about being a burden."

I looked at him gratefully, nodded, and walked into the manor.

Inside, everything was quiet. Only a few wall sconces lit the long hallway, casting dim light. I walked slowly down the corridor, my dress trailing on the floor. I didn't care. My mind wouldn't stop racing.

Dante's eyes. Him letting go of my hand. His expression when he pulled Valentina into his arms... Each image stuck like a needle in my chest.

Lucia came around the corner, freezing when she saw me alone. "Elena, why'd you come back by yourself?"

I opened my mouth. My voice came out dry and hoarse. "Lucia, do you know who Valentina is?"

Lucia's expression froze. After a long moment, she glanced down the hallway like she was checking for anyone passing by, then lowered her voice. "How do you know that name?"

"She showed up at the party." I felt disconnected from myself. "Dante got weird after seeing her. He left me behind. That's why I came back alone."

Lucia quickly led me to a nearby sitting room and shut the door. She turned back to me, concern in her eyes. "I understand how you feel, Elena. I can tell you who Valentina is, but you can't mention her in front of Salvador and Alfredo. Ever."

I nodded, waiting like I was about to hear my sentence.

"Valentina is Dante's first love."

My heart dropped.

"They were together for years. Their feelings ran deep. But Salvador found out." Lucia's voice was flat, like she was recounting ancient history. "He didn't like Valentina. Thought she had ulterior motives getting close to Dante. He refused to let Dante marry her."

"What happened then?"

"Not long after, Valentina vanished. Dante went crazy looking for her. Never found her." Lucia looked at me, frowning slightly. "Later he learned Salvador had sent her away. Nobody knows where she was."

"So he's been looking for her all these years?" I asked.

Lucia didn't answer. Her silence told me everything.

I looked down at my hands. The diamond ring on my finger caught the light weakly. Just moments ago, Dante had been holding my hand, leading me step by step across the dance floor. Our relationship had finally started improving. Then Valentina appeared and destroyed it all.

"Valentina's beautiful." The words tasted bitter. Tears filled my eyes as I looked at Lucia. "She's tall, thin, gorgeous—like an angel drawing everyone's attention."

When Dante looked at her, his eyes lit up. He'd never looked at me that way.

I returned to my room and stood by the bedroom window, looking out. Dante hadn't come back. Even though I'd left the ballroom so long ago, he hadn't sent me a single message.

He doesn't love you, Elena.

That truth was unbearably painful.

I tossed and turned all night, couldn't sleep, but finally made a decision—I had to fight for myself one more time. Even if Valentina was Dante's first love, I was his legitimate wife. Dantehadn't mentioned divorce, so I was still his wife. I still needed to bear the Moretti family an heir.

Marco's injury had healed nicely. He was meeting up with Dante, and when I said I wanted to go too, he said I could ride along.