Why the Mafia’s Wife Kills Chapter 03
I arrived at the café half an hour early the next afternoon.
It was the same spot we’d hung out in high school.
The owner was still there, and her eyes lit up when she saw me.
“Simone? Long time no see!”
“Hi, Aria. It’s been too long.”
I smiled and sat by the window.
At exactly three o’clock, a man in a tailored gray suit walked in.
He was much taller than I remembered.
Calm, powerful. But I still saw the boy he’d been.
Lucius sat across from me.
His gaze lingered on my face, then dropped to the ring on my pinky.
“Your taste got worse.”
He smiled, but his eyes held no humor.
“Just borrowing someone else’s stuff.”
I twisted the ring.
“How did you get my number?”
“I have my ways.”
Lucius waved for two coffees.
“I heard what’s going on.”
“Oh?” I raised an eyebrow. “Heard what?”
“Heard the Donna isn’t happy.”
He looked at me.
“Heard Dante has a mistress. Heard she ended up in the hospital last night.”
“You’re well-informed.”
“Simone.”
Lucius suddenly took my hand, firm and steady.
“Leave him.”
I pulled my hand away.
“And then what? Run off with you?”
“If that’s what you want.” His answer was unashamed.
“Lucius, we haven’t seen each other in years.
How do you know I’m still the same girl?”
“I don’t.”
He smiled.
“But I know the Simone right now needs someone to pull her out of this.”
The coffees arrived.
I stared down at mine, stirring it quietly.
“I’m back.”
Lucius went on.
“I’m not leaving again. I opened a New York branch. I’m staying here.”
“Congratulations.”
“Simone, don’t be like that.”
He sighed.
“You know I didn’t come here for small talk. Tell me what you’re going to do.”
What was I going to do?
I wanted to hurt Dante.
Make him regret it.
Make him feel my heartbreak.
But deeper down?
I wanted the old Dante back—the one who looked at me like I was his whole world.
I knew he’d never come back.
“I don’t know,” I said honestly.
“Then start by leaving him.” Lucius spoke seriously.
“Simone, you deserve better than wasting your life on a man who doesn’t love you.”
“What about you?”
I challenged him.
“Is this pity? Or do you actually care?”
Lucius went quiet for a second.
Then he said, “I’ve always cared. Since high school.”
“I just didn’t get to tell you.
Your family fell apart. Mine did too.
I was sent away overseas.”
The answer surprised me.
“Why tell me now?”
“Because if you’ll let me,” he said slowly, every word clear,
“we can start over.
But only after you leave Dante.
I don’t do second best.
And I won’t let you be trapped in a marriage.”
I looked out the window.
People hurried past on the street.
My phone rang.
It was Dante.
I didn’t answer.
“Think about it.”
Lucius stood up and set a business card on the table.
“Call me when you decide.
But don’t make me wait too long, Simone.”
He left.
The café went quiet again.
I picked up the card.
Lucius Morretti.
CEO of the Morretti Group.
He’d done well for himself.