The Mafia’s Substitute Bride Chapter 08

“No. You’re not” Callum’s chest heaved. “Vivienne, you were supposed to marry me I pushed you into this, so

I’ll take you back. We can make everything like it was.”

“We can’t go back,” I said. “Callum, I’m pregnant.”

He froze.

His eyes dropped to my slightly rounded belly.

“That’s impossible. Your husband is ninety years old. How could he-”

“He’s not ninety.”

“What?”

I looked him in the eye. “My husband is young. Younger than you, actually.”

“Are you insane?”

He grabbed my wrist again, harder this time. “I don’t care how you got pregnant. You’re coming with me today. I’m taking you back.”

“Let her go.”

A cold voice cut through the air.

Dante walked out of the airport terminal, his face dark.

I pulled free and went to him.

He wrapped one arm around me and patted my back gently. “Are you okay?”

I nodded.

Callum stared at Dante.

Recognition flickered across his face.

Then his gaze dropped to the red string on Dante’s wrist.

His face went pale.

“That red string,” he whispered. “Vivienne really made it for you. The wife you mentioned that day… it was

her.”

He looked at me, pain twisting his features. “You didn’t marry the old Don. You married him.”

“Yes.” I took Dante’s hand. “This is my husband, Dante Russo. Old Don Russo’s grandson. The family priest said the Russos needed a young woman to renew the marriage contract. He never said she had to marry the

old Don himself. His grandson counts”

I smiled slightly.

“Dante is a good man. He treats me well. Thank you for arranging this marriage for me, Callum. I’m very

happy with it.”

Callum stared at us, blank and broken.

Then he laughed.

A bitter, hollow sound.

“God,” he said, covering his face. “I’m such an idiot. I pushed away the only woman I ever loved. I handed her

to another man. I ruined everything. I’m the biggest joke in Chicago.”

Dante looked at him with open disgust.

“Get him out of here.”

The Russo guards dragged Callum away.

He didn’t resist.

After he was gone, Dante’s expression softened.

“First day back, and we run into a lunatic.” He tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. “Let’s go to Rome for a

few days. Clear your head.”

I nodded, warmth spreading through my chest.

The truth was, Dante and I had known each other for years.

He was my high school classmate. We were never close, but he was always kind.

After senior year, he went abroad. I never saw him again.

Until six months ago, when I heard through old friends that Dante was coming back to get married.

So when Callum said he wanted me to take Mara’s place, I already suspected I might be marrying Dante, not

the old Don.

Dante was handsome, gentle, and born into one of the strongest mafia families in the city.

Marrying him was not a punishment.

It was a win.

On our wedding night, I told him the truth.

“Dante, I had an ex-boyfriend. We grew up together. We were together for years. I even donated a kidney for

him Does that bother you?”

He cut me off.

“I don’t care about your past, Vivienne. What matters is our future. The years we will spend together This may be an arranged marriage, but I will take responsibility for you and for this marriage.”

I leaned into him, my heart full.

“Dante, since I chose you, I’m done with the past. I’ll be loyal to you and to this marriage” For the next few days, Callum waited outside the Russo estate.

On the third day, he saw me walk out.