Chapter 3

The whole ballroom turned chaotic, as the lights went on. Everyone, running for their lives. It was then she noticed.

She was curled up in Rafael’s hands and everything around them were fading away, their heartbeat audible to hear. After some minutes, he leaned close to her. “That gun was aimed for you…”

WHAT! For her. Why?

She managed to let out the words, as she starred at Rafael in horror. “You are my wife. A lot of people want you dead. So I won’t rule the underworld”

But why should she be targetted, they could have just shoot Rafael, why was it her. She really needed to leave, she had to get out of the hell, even though she had wished she could stay.

She looked on, her heart tightening by every minutes. As her thoughts were interrupted by Marco and Rafael let go of her. “Rafael, I need to talk to you. Right now…. It is really important” He said tension written all over his face.

Without hesitation, Rafael followed him. Leaving Ivy to her thoughts, she looked around the ballroom, fear written all over her face. There were people who really wanted her dead, just because she was Rafael’s wife. But why? Well, she wasn’t really Rafael’s wife, but her life is now in danger. She had really walked into fire, If not for Rafael she would have been dead by now. Her heart tingled at the thoughts….

She could possibly be targeted again, but the whole ballroom is now empty and bodyguards are all around her. She had to get out of this place, before another attack is made.

Just as she signaled one of the bodyguard, she heard footsteps approaching. At first, she was scared but she remembered the bodyguard were going to protect her. She turned slowly and there stood Valentina. Looking at her like a piece of trash…

"Leaving already?" Valentina’s voice was soft. "I thought you might last longer in the spotlight, but that attack must have sent fear down you. Right,"

Ivy forced a smile. "I needed some air."

"Of course," Valentina replied with a knowing smile. "It’s all a bit overwhelming, isn’t it? That gun was aimed at you, but don’t get to scared. This is not the first time, okay"

Not the first time. What did she mean?

“You are not part of us, You are not my brother’s wife. You are nothing but a liability,” She said bitterly venom in her voice.

Just as the silence stretched between them, a voice broke through, unexpected.

"Valentina, I’d like to speak with you."

Both women turned, their attention shifting to the entrance of the balcony. A figure stood in the doorway. She was young, her hair cascading in soft waves down her back, a long, dark cloak draped around her body as if she were trying to hide in plain sight. Her posture was delicate yet strong, like someone who had learned the art of subtlety.

Valentina’s smile vanished in an instant, her icy blue eyes narrowing as she looked at the newcomer. "You should not be here."

But the woman stepped into the light, and Ivy froze, her breath catching in her throat. There was no mistaking it. The woman was stunning. She had sharp features, the same piercing eyes, but there was something different about her. Something that commanded respect and fear in equal measure.

The woman said softly, her voice carrying a smoothness that felt both commanding and restrained. "I came to speak with you."

Valentina’s face turned concerned, her lips thinning into a tight line. "You shouldn’t have come here," she hissed, her voice low. "You know it’s too dangerous."

But the woman—Sophia, Ivy realized—ignored her completely, walking past her and heading toward the glass doors leading inside the mansion. She paused, giving Ivy a quick glance as if deciding whether or not to acknowledge her. "I’ll leave soon," she said softly, but there was an underlying coldness in her words. "I just needed to see him. Or can’t I see my husband. " Then she left

My husband…. What was she saying?

It was then, Valentina explained to her. She was just a standin, Rafael isn’t ready to risk his love’s life. So he is keeping her a secret, until he became a mafia king and using other women that were liable to him.

Ivy opened her mouth to respond, but the words caught in her throat. What could she say? The realization that Rafael had a hidden wife—a woman who had been in secrecy—left her speechless. It was as if the ground beneath her was shifting, and she had no idea which way to stand.

Sophia reappeared in the doorway moments later, her posture now stiff and formal as she stepped back onto the balcony, closing the door gently behind her. She looked at Ivy again, her gaze scrutinizing, almost dismissive.

"It’s time for you to leave," Sophia said, her voice barely above a whisper, yet laced with authority. "You don’t belong here. Not anymore. We only needed to show you to the mafia board and they have seen you. So you may leave and yes…. You should hide your face or your dead body will be sent to your home"

Ivy felt the weight of her words like a physical blow. Her body tensed as she turned to face Sophia, but the woman was already walking away, her figure vanishing into the darkened hall.

Valentina moved toward the door with a final glance at Ivy. "Rafael may have chosen you for now, but his true wife will always be the one in charge. " Her voice was laced with something bitter, almost mocking.

The air around Ivy thickened as the silence swallowed her whole. She had come here thinking she was an imposter, a mere plaything in Rafael’s world. But now, the true wife had stepped forward, and Ivy realized with terrifying clarity that she was merely a placeholder. A pawn in a much larger game.

She thought her life was going to, at least change for the better. But now, it was even worst….

Just as she turned towards a room, she saw a picture….

A very familiar picture, that sent chills down her spine…..

******************

“ I know very well that Austin will do everything to get rid of her. That is why I want her to stay here…. For safety” Rafael said as he watched the cctv footage.

“But, Sophia dosen’t want her here. It can be even more bad….” Marco said his expression, as blank as Rafael’s. “I don’t care, what you say. That girl has to leave, I can’t destroy my sister’s happiness because of safety” Marco said solace in his voice. “Just to get approved, you brought her. And now that you have been approved, please sent her away… Nobody, will find her.”

“Marco, don’t you get it. It is important, I keep her to safety and besides what if the mafia board comes back to visit me. What will I do then?” Rafael said with a strange side of untouched emotions.

“You know Sophia very well, she may be my sister. But she is far dangerous than I am, she can join forces with Austin because of this… And that girl, I am sure she won’t want to stay back…”

“I know that already, but I am going to blackmail her. That is the least I can do” Rafael said and Marco left when the argument was getting heated.

Just as Marco left, Rafael turned back to the footage. Austin had gone too far, by trying to kill her. This time he won’t spare him. He will make sure, he get’s what’s his. Which is the Mafia King title.

Just as he turned to leave the room, Ivy walked in, “ I am ready to stay in your house. I am ready to be your wife, for as long as you want” She said and Rafael starred in shock.

She really agreed to stay. But Why?