Page 62 of Married to the Ruthless Mafia Heir

I understood.

So the truth was out now.

Dante knew about Salvador's threats. He knew about Valentina's malicious return. He knew I never meant to hurt him. So he came looking for me. It made sense.

But somehow, I couldn't feel happy about it.

Something crucial was missing. I just couldn't figure out what.

"Listen, Dante." I walked to the doorway, staring at a shadow on the ground. "I understand everything you're saying. You want to apologize. I can accept that. But if you're hoping I'll come back to the manor and keep being your wife—I don't want that."

Dante stepped forward and grabbed my arm. "Why? You're still angry with me, aren't you? You can do anything to me. I'll accept it."

He looked nothing like that Don who controlled everything, not when he was begging like this.

I pushed his hand away and faced him. Dante still looked handsome in my eyes. But everything that happened between us since we met had been too turbulent. We'd fought, we'd held each other. We were still each other's lawful husband and wife.

"We're missing the most important thing."

I looked at Dante seriously and asked the question softly. "Dante, do you love me?"

The question froze him.

I guessed he'd never thought about it. After all, me becoming his wife wasn't his choice. And everything that followed made me notice this question we'd both deliberately avoided.

"Too much has happened between us." I leaned against the door and sat on the threshold, not caring where I landed. "Even though I'm carrying your child now, the truth is I'm still just fulfilling my promise to Salvador. I'm willing to have this baby not only because I promised him, but because I love this child. That's the choice I made."

"But if..." My voice came out light, low. "If you want me to choose to stay as your wife, as the mother of your child—I realize I don't have that desire."

My heart sent another sharp spike of pain through my chest.

I clenched my fists. Dante behind me stayed quiet. Silent. He didn't say a word.

And I asked myself—Elena, what about you? Do you love this man?

I thought I had no answer. But my heart sent another wave of aching pain through me, almost making me dizzy. That reaction already told me. I loved him. From the first meeting to everything after, I'd fallen for him hopelessly.

But that love couldn't give me courage right now. It made me want to retreat. Made me want to run.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Dante

Elena asked me if I loved her.

What a damn question. Ever since I found out she was pregnant and left the manor, I'd been losing my mind. I'd cornered Luca Lombardi, nearly hurt his mother, abandoned my family and business—the most important things in my life—and raced to her side to beg her to come back.

And she asked me if I loved her?

My right hand clenched tight, but I didn't want to show her my temper again. I unclenched my fist, walked over to Elena, and sat down on the doorstep beside her, mimicking her casual posture.

She glanced at me, surprised. I met her gaze. "Elena, that's a stupid question."

Elena's eyes flickered with uncertainty.

I said quietly, "Of course I love you. If I didn't care about you, didn't love you, then whether you were hurt, where you were taking our child—none of it would matter to me. I wouldn't have dropped everything to find you. But here I am, right in front of you. Isn't that the best answer I could give?"

I watched tears pool in her beautiful eyes, making them glisten.