Becoming the Cruel Mafia's Wife

Chapter 5: A Resource

As I stepped out of the car, one of Damon's guard dogs courteously opened the door for me. I swiftly grabbed my purse and gracefully maneuvered my way out, one leg at a time, without bothering to meet his gaze. Those men always give me an uneasy feeling.

"Mrs. Lombardi, we'll be waiting for you," he informed me, closing the door behind me.

Curiosity got the better of me, and I turned to examine their faces. It seemed as though they were trained to suppress any signs of joy or emotion. Does Damon pay them to appear soulless?

"I'll be here all day," I clarified, my brow furrowing. What on earth will they do during that time? "You can leave. My father will take me back to the mansion."

"We have orders to wait for you," he replied, emphasizing that Damon himself had commanded it.

"I hope the compensation is worth it," I muttered under my breath, before turning my back on them. Two guard dogs trailed behind me—one chauffeured, while the other dutifully opened and closed doors. And I was certain there was yet another one lurking in the shadows, spying on me.

What does he think I'll do?

Compared to Damon, I am but an innocent dove, so I fail to comprehend why I require such an entourage for a simple visit to my mother.

It truly frustrates me, but I choose to disregard their presence. With determination, I walked towards the front door of my parents' house and knocked, patiently awaiting their response.

Perhaps I could simply open the door and enter, just like in the old days. However, after a year of living elsewhere, it feels peculiar and even disrespectful to do so.

"Miss Abby!" the cleaning lady exclaimed. "I had no idea you were coming! Please come in."

I offered her a warm smile and embraced her with a friendly hug.

"Don't worry, it was my surprise for you. How are my parents doing?"

"Mrs. Laura is enjoying her tea in the back area, and your father is at the company," she responded.

"Can you make me some chilled passion fruit juice?" I pouted playfully. "I haven't had one that tastes as good as yours."

She immediately agreed, and we both headed inside the house. She went to the kitchen, while I made my way to the backyard.

I absolutely adore passion fruit juice, and only Betty knows how to make it just the way I like it. Even though Eliza has explained to the kitchen staff at the mansion that I prefer it thin, they still make it thick, and I don't enjoy it that way. I prefer it pure and liquid enough to drink in one go, without the pulp in chunks.

Leaving the house, I carefully walked along the charming stone path until I reached where my mother was sitting, sipping her tea and engrossed in a book.

I love seeing her so peaceful, indulging in something she loves.

"Hi Mom," I greeted her.

"Abby!" She turned around and immediately stood up. "What a delightful surprise, darling!"

I walked up to her and gave her a warm hug. It had been at least three months since we last saw each other face-to-face, as we had only been communicating through phone calls. According to Grandmother Debora, a married woman shouldn't spend too much time at her parents' house in order to mature.

I get the gist of it, but not entirely.

"Hey mom..." I took a seat, and she followed suit. "I'm glad to see you, but I have some news that isn't exactly good."

"Did something happen to Damon?" she asked, her voice filled with concern.

I understood what she meant. It wasn't that she wished him harm, not at all. When she found out that Damon had woken up, she was genuinely happy. Despite knowing the reasons behind our marriage, my mother was relieved that he hadn't died.

"Well, mom, a lot of things happened to Damon."

With a calm demeanor and patience, I began to recount everything that had transpired since the moment Damon woke up from his coma. I held back my tears in front of her, but the quiver in my voice was undeniable. I chose not to mention this morning's argument or the pain he caused me when he gripped my wrist tightly. I told her about the insemination but kept quiet about the sentence my husband had imposed. There was no point in worrying her unnecessarily, especially if I wasn't able to conceive.

It would only cause her unnecessary distress.

"I want you to be honest with me, Abby." She held my hand tightly. "Do you think you can continue living with him?"

"I won't waste a year, mom. If Damon is willing to give me a chance, even just to tolerate me, I believe we can make it work."

In truth, I'm the one who truly wants to make it work.

I tried my best to hold back the tears, but her words broke me down completely. I found myself sobbing in her arms, feeling like a helpless child once again. If only she knew the truth about my husband's intentions, she would urge me to leave him without a second thought.

But I decided to keep my pain hidden.

"If things don't improve in two months of this marriage, I'll ask for a divorce and leave with nothing, just like I came in."

Two months should be enough to figure out if there's any hope left, I suppose.

"I'll talk to your father about this," she assured me.

Her support gave me a sense of relief, helping me gather my strength. I won't let him win, but I needed to confide in someone. As I continued, I started planning on how to make Damon at least tolerate my presence.

For a whole year, I tended to him without him even noticing. I dressed him, shaved him, styled his hair, and woke up next to him every morning. I can continue doing the same, but in a more subtle way. After all, no man can resist a woman's charm, especially if she plays the innocent card.

That was my strategy with him—acting innocent and then sharing the most passionate kisses inside his room.

I can try the same approach with Damon.

Betty brought me what I asked for, along with some slices of toast with jam. I thanked her with a big smile and began to enjoy what she did for me with so much love. My mother told me how the company is going and all the juggling that my father has had to do with the money that Damon's lawyer has been sending them to keep it a little more afloat. This made me very happy, because if it continues like this, it will soon be able to stand on its own again. I told her how I am doing in my classes, and everything I should do to advance some subjects in case I have to stop my studies if I become pregnant.

For a moment, I forgot about the drama, and everything I've done in recent days. My mother told me that there is a gala in a few months for all of New York's high society, and that she really hopes to be invited. He doesn't worry about me, because she knows perfectly well that Damon Lombardi will be an honored guest, which honestly doesn't matter to me.

Those parties seem irrelevant to me at this point. I have more important matters to deal with.

But since my mother is a smiley, she sees everything as a fairy tale. She even suggested to me that it would be beneficial for Damon to notice me, at least sexually.

Seriously, mom?

Sometimes I don't understand her.

…

The day flew by quickly. I had lunch with my parents, then shared a snack with my mother after my dad had to head back to work; he only stopped by because I was there.

Having a heart-to-heart with my mother was truly comforting. Thanks to her, I learned that he was back in town.

The thought of running into him makes my heart ache; the pain is still fresh.

Ending a three-year relationship, especially one with a hidden engagement, was incredibly tough for me.

He was my first love. I shared so many memories with him, and having to end it all with the excuse, "I don't love you anymore" broke my heart.

I can still picture his face and the confusion when I returned the engagement ring. The sadness of hurting him, and the guilt of making him believe that my love had vanished.

It's all a facade. I still love him, but it had to be done.

I hope to never bump into him again. I truly wish to avoid seeing him once more. Even though over a year has passed, the memories of our relationship still linger in my mind and heart.

I bid farewell to my mother, promising to keep her updated on any developments. As I stepped towards the car, I received a warm hug from her, and as I turned around, the two loyal guard dogs were waiting for me. One outside by the open back door, and the other inside, behind the wheel.

I strolled along, and just as I was about to enter the car, I caught sight of his mother leaving her house in the distance. She looked as adorable as ever, so graceful and impeccably dressed. When she spotted me, her eyes widened in surprise. It had been a whole year since she last saw me. She greeted me with a wave and a warm smile, but I could sense a hint of sadness in her eyes.

I couldn't deceive her. She had known me since I was a child and was like a second mother to me.

As I hopped into the car, memories flooded back of all the times I had poured my heart out to her, sharing my plans and everything I wanted to say to her son.

She always understood me, without fail.

"Abby!" I heard her voice calling out to me.

"Just a moment, please," I pleaded with the dog before he sped off. "I just want to say hello."

I stepped out of the car once again, not caring if people gossiped about my "handsome husband," and embraced her with indescribable joy. She was thrilled to see me, and was finally able to greet me. I haven't been here in a year. It was my parents who visited me at the mansion.

Sometimes I wonder if Grandma Debora doesn't want me around them.

"Mrs. Jensen, how have you been?"

"You can call me Caroline, dear. Don't think that just because you're married to another man, you have to address me differently."

"I'm sorry. How have you been, Caroline?"

She responded immediately, sharing that everything was going well. The twins were about to start college, and the house felt empty without them as they were in the process of moving to Boston. She also mentioned that they were throwing a farewell party for both of them over the weekend. I overheard her express her relief that her son had returned from Europe and now had his own company.

"And he... How is he?” I asked.

"He has changed, but it is fine. Don't worry, Abby, things happen for a reason.”

She gave me a conciliatory smile, and only God knows that I was holding back from crying.

I didn't want the dogs to see me cry.

I said goodbye to Caroline because I didn't want her to think that I wanted to know more about Evan, although I would like to. Before getting into the car, she invited me to the twins' party. Practically, they insisted that I be present and give them a hug before they leave, because according to her, they have been asking about me for months.

"I'll do my best to make it, I promise."

My response seemed to ease her worries as we bid each other farewell. Back in the car, I fastened my seat belt and retrieved my phone from my bag.

To my surprise, I found ten missed calls from an unknown number.

Ignoring it, I scrolled through my photos. A chuckle escaped me as I came across the snapshots taken with Damon while he was in a coma. The one with the mask will always be my favorite. How can someone so beautiful look so hideous? There are over five selfies with him, including one where I added some silly bows. In my defense, I was bored. Yet, the spa day photo will forever hold a special place in my heart.

Recalling his hurtful words, anger bubbled within me. I contemplated deleting the pictures, but ultimately decided against it. Swiping through the screen, I stumbled upon a picture of Evan and me. We truly looked like a couple deeply in love.

We're under the covers, and we just had an amazing first night as a couple. He took the photo, and he said that whenever he saw it, he would always remember the night when he made me his for the first time.

I have the same memory right now.

...

As we arrived at the grand mansion, the guard courteously opened the door for me to step out. The night had already fallen, and although it's dinner time, I found myself devoid of any appetite. The memories of the past have a way of stealing away my hunger.

Stepping into the mansion, I was greeted by Mrs. Eliza. She was the first to welcome me.

"Mrs. Abby, Mr. Damon has been waiting for you in the dining room for over twenty minutes now," she informed me, concern etched on her face.

"Is something the matter?" I replied, feeling a tinge of weariness.

"You should go and at least pretend to eat something. Mr. Damon is not in a good mood," she advised, her voice tinged with worry.

"He's never in a good mood."

I scoffed, knowing all too well the temperament of Damon.

Deciding to heed her advice, I followed her towards the dining room, with her walking behind me. As I entered, I was taken aback to find the entire family gathered together. There's Grandma Debora, my in-laws, my brother-in-law, and his wife, along with some cousins and an unfamiliar woman, whom I vaguely remember from the wedding.

I assumed she must be a friend of one of them.

"Good evening." I greeted them with a smile. "I had no idea we were expecting visitors, my apologies."

"If only you had bothered to answer your phone, we wouldn't have been kept waiting," Damon scolded me disdainfully. "Now, come and sit where you belong."

So, it was him who called me earlier.

I clenched my teeth to contain what I thought. Under the watchful eye of everyone, I went ‘where I belong’, which is at his side.

"I'm sorry, I was busy," I said quietly, placing my hand on his. “I promise to answer you on the first ring next time.”

I gave him a sweet smile, stroking the back of his hand with the pad of my thumb. I noticed him tensed. I saw how he clenched his jaw, hardening his face. The rigidity did not go unnoticed by me, so subtly and without stopping smiling at him, I removed my hand before he reacted reluctantly, and I settled into my place.

I said I would use the last resort, and I would not hesitate.