The Mafia’s Substitute Bride Chapter 05

Callum’s POV

Mara had a mild concussion. Saint Aurelia Medical Center kept her overnight for observation

I stayed by her bed until morning.

When the first light came through the blinds, my old gunshot wound began to ache.

Without thinking, I called out, “Vivienne, my back hurts. Come rub it for me.”

The room answered with silence.

Vivienne wasn’t there.

My Capo told me the Russos had pulled her out of the crash and taken her to their estate.

Something hollow opened in my chest.

Later that day, I heard the Russos were holding a memorial ceremony at their family cemetery. I told myself! was only going to make sure Vivienne was alive.

That was a lie.

From a distance, I saw her.

She wasn’t screaming. She wasn’t fighting. She stood among the Russos, quietly handing water to Old Don

Russo in his wheelchair.

For some reason, the sight twisted something inside me.

I told myself that when the old man died, I would bring her back. I would not let her suffer too long.

On the way down the hill, I overheard two Russo maids whispering.

“The new lady cried all night in the bridal suite. I was blushing just listening. Young couples are so intense.”

I froze.

All night?

A ninety-year-old man could still do that?

A tall young man brushed past me.

I turned.

There was something familiar about his face, but before I could place it, my eyes fell to his wrist.

A red braided string.

My blood went cold

“Wait.”

He stopped and looked back. Tall. Sharp-featured. Two Russo guards behind him.

“Can I help you?” he asked calmly.

I stared at the red string.

I knew that braid.

Only Vivienne braided red strings like that.

“Your bracelet,” I said. “Where did you get it?”

“My wife made it for me.” His voice was flat.

“Wife?”

He raised one brow. “Why? Interested in my wife?”

“No.” I forced a laugh. “No. It just looked nice. I was curious.”

I told myself I was overthinking.

Vivienne’s husband was a ninety-year-old Don.

Not this young, handsome man.

Impossible.

I returned to the hospital.

Mara was awake and crying in bed. The moment she saw me, she reached for my hand.

“Callum, you came back. I thought you left me. My family is ruined. If you don’t protect me, they’ll sell me off

to pay the debt.”

“I’m not going anywhere,” I said, patting her back.

A nurse walked in. “Mara Wren, time for your checkup.”

When the results came out, I took them to the doctor.

“One more thing,” I asked casually. “My wife donated a kidney a few years ago. Would the accident affect the

remaining one?”

The doctor looked confused. “Donated a kidney? Both her kidneys are intact and fully functional.”

I shot to my feet.