Page 6 of Married to the Ruthless Mafia Heir

This was my marriage. The woman who'd spend the most time with me in my life. And I didn't get to choose.

"You've decided?"

I heard my voice go cold. All those years of biting my tongue, maneuvering, planning every step—all that obedience I'd faked in front of him shattered completely in that moment.

"Father, I'm not that old Dante anymore. I won't obey your orders. Not anymore."

I drew in a deep breath. "Women who marry into the Moretti family never get a happy ending. My mother, Isabella, was proof of that. Have you forgotten?"

Salvador never loved my mother. Isabella lived like a caged bird at his side until she swallowed those sleeping pills. By the time they found her, it was too late. I was eight years old.

"Dante!"

Salvador exploded, his furious voice carrying undeniable authority.

My mother's death became a permanent scar on Moretti Manor. Salvador forbade anyone from discussing it. But now I couldn't contain the grief and rage anymore. "First Isabella, now Elena. To you, they're just tools to consolidate power!"

I tightened my fists, struggling to contain my emotions. "Me included—we were all just pieces on your chessboard. Your eyes are fixed only on power. You never see the pain and struggles of the people around you!"

"Dante, shut your mouth!"

Salvador couldn't catch his breath. Alfredo helped steady him. I watched Salvador's aged face flush red from lack ofoxygen. I'd never defied him like this. His eyes showed a viciousness I'd never seen before.

"Everything I've done has been for the family!" Salvador roared like a lion. "We must be strong. In the face of eternal power, family, love—those are just games for children!"

Finally. His real thoughts.

I closed my eyes in despair. When I opened them again, I'd never been more clear-headed. "Yes... you sacrificed my mother. Sacrificed my childhood. You got the family's prosperity in return. But all of it came from sacrificing others."

"You think you're the Don of the Moretti family, the captain steering this ship. But you always forget one thing—" I paused. "You were Isabella's husband. You are my father."

Salvador's rage seemed to calm at my words. Something flickered in his expression. He looked away, uncomfortable.

I took a deep breath. "I can't escape being controlled by you because I belong to the Moretti family. But Elena is just an innocent maid. You shouldn't drag her into this."

Salvador listened, then seized on something like he'd found a major opening. "Innocent maid?"

My heart dropped.

"Seems you don't know yet." Salvador smiled triumphantly. "Won't be long before she agrees. Lady of the Moretti family—such a tempting position. I doubt any woman could refuse."

"Impossible!" I shot him down immediately. "Unless you used some method to force her!"

"Dante, you're too naive."

Salvador looked at me, his gaze even more determined. "You still don't understand how seductive power is. From a lowly maid to the lady of this empire—anyone would be tempted. Besides, you don't really know Elena. She's my choice precisely because she has qualities I value."

Value?

What value did Salvador see in Elena?

I thought back to that small woman ironing my clothes. She was meticulous, careful—different from all the other maids at the manor trying to climb up to me. Could her behavior and words have all been an act?

Salvador seemed to read the doubt in my eyes. He laughed coldly. "Dante, someday you'll realize every decision I've made for you has been the right one. Including your choice of wife."

His words reignited my fury. But then I remembered—I controlled the Moretti family now. After all these years, I was strong enough to stand against him. Salvador could only maintain his position with support from those few old bastards in the family.

Clarity hit me suddenly. Salvador's control was just his fantasy. I could stop that fantasy from becoming reality.