After His 13 Betrayals, I Chose to Marry the Mafia Boss

"I need your help," Nolan said in a straightforward manner. He appeared out of nowhere in my boutique.

"What do you want?"

"I've been asked to a party by a big perfume company. They want Valerie and me as the couple in their ad campaign. I hope you can make us an amazing exclusive collection for us. One set. A couple's outfit.".

I stared at him for a long while. I suppose it was more amusing for Nolan to waste all his time with Valerie than to do anything for me.

I nodded my head to his sentences like a trained robot.

"All right. I'll make it."

He breathed easier with a huge sigh, as if the world had been lifted from his shoulders.

"Scarlett, you're a sweet woman. I'm sorry that my promise to wed you has been put on hold because of my job. But I assure you, marrying you is my wish."

I could muster a pale smile and nodded. Trying to accept his promise, which I knew would eventually be broken.

Nolan squeezed my hand for a moment. "Thanks for being understanding."

I just sat there staring at my fingers as he left. Still warm, but no longer whole.

****

I've been weird the last few days. I've been dizzy, nauseous, and vomiting every morning. My appetite's gone, and I can barely tolerate the scent of the perfume I usually wear.

My head was heavy rolling out of bed. And then my phone buzzed like a flurry of messages arriving.

And it was a full dozen messages. All photo and video from a quantity that hadn't registered.

Heavier in my chest, I opened the first video.

And there they were. Valerie and Nolan.

Dark room. Satin sheets draped over nothing. Bodies all wrapped in each other on the bed.

I tried to conclude the video, but another video replaced it instead. And this one was worse. It was longer.

Then a clear voice full of moans.

"Look at me, Valerie. Only you can make me feel this way and lose control."

"You still like it, don't you? When I touch you like that…"

Valerie moaned gently, then spoke in labored breaths, "I love it, every touch by you, darling."

"Say what you want tonight," Nolan whispered in a kiss.

"You… only you… Nolan. No one else," Valerie panted, stifling a moan.

Nolan inched closer, kissing her neck gradually, before he spoke softly.

"Show me, now! Let's fight to let this passion go."

I gagged.

My body blazed at once. My hands trembled and I nearly dropped my phone.

I ran to the sink. Nausea I had stifled burst in a single wild spasm.

I vomited the putrid liquid from my stomach.

Teardrops accompanied the revulsion that flowed into my mouth.

Because my health had been failing, I at last had myself tested.

I was stunned when the doctor told me the test results which I had just undergone.

"Congratulations, you are four weeks pregnant," the doctor spoke with a smile.

I was dumbfounded, not knowing what to say.

Do I need to be happy or be in tatters?

That moment was there when Nolan was intoxicated, and I could not hold him back. In a mistake, we had ended up in that night.

I looked down at the small ultrasound report in my hand. Part of me wanted to be thrilled, hoping for nothing more than that this child's life would soften Nolan's heart and cause him to love me. But the image of that hot video nagged in my mind for the umpteenth time.

With hope, I clutched the test results to me and left the room. I would speak with Nolan, at least let him know. Maybe there still was a path through it all.

But I procrastinated. When I met Valerie on my way to go down to the main floor.

She folded her arms over her chest with a satisfied smirk. Her bright scarlet lips curled in disdain.

"Hello, Scarlett! Did you see the video I sent? You know who captured Nolan's heart, don't you?"

I was taken aback by what she said. So Valerie was the number that did not reveal my name. I could not hold back my fury and slapped her on the face.

"So it's been you all this while trying to get at me? You bitch!"

Valerie gasped, but only for a moment. Her face was fierce.

"You've got some nerve!"

She shoved me hard. I hadn't seen it coming. My heel had slipped on the steps.

I fell, thumping several stairs, then rolled until my body came to rest against the ground below.

My leg hurt with pain, and a burning, searing pain flashed through my abdomen. When I placed my hand on my thigh, blood began trickling down my skirt.

"No! My baby…" I whispered softly, my lips quivering.

Valerie shrieked suddenly.

She collapsed onto the ground, shrieking hysterically.

"Nolan! Help me!"

Down from the topmost floor came Nolan, frantic. His eyes were locked on Valerie, sobbing theatrically. He fell to his knees immediately to check Valerie's leg.

"What happened?" Nolan exclaimed anxiously.

"It looks like Scarlett was jealous of me. she shoved me on purpose down the stairs. And now my leg really aches," Valerie gasped dramatically.

Nolan's face turned cold. He scowled at me. He walked over and grasped my arm in a tight hold.

"What the deuce, Scarlett?! What did you do to her?"

I couldn't talk. Stomach cramps worsened along with leg aches.

All I could do is look at the blood still flowing beneath my thigh.

Nolan pulled his hand back harshly. Then turned, taking Valerie instantly and leaving me behind.

I was all shattering at once my body, heart, and last tiny hope.

In my mind, I was counting once more.

"This is the twelfth time, Nolan. Wear one more! And never see me again!”