THE GODFATHER

“So all this time, were you just using me?” My voice cracked with emotion, and for once, I didn’t give a damn about my title, position, or reputation… nah, all that mattered to me now was her—the woman standing in front of me, whose eyes no longer held the love I thought I’d seen all this time.

“I wasn’t using you. We were just doing our work.” She spoke firmly, like she was laying down the truth with no trace of guilt.

Yeah, we were doing our work for the first few months… but after that, it wasn’t just work anymore.

“Just doing our work, huh?” My voice raised, laced with fury and betrayal as I stepped closer, but she didn’t even flinch—she stood her ground, staring right into my soul without fear or emotion.

“Yes, Marco. Till now, I only did my job as your lawyer—”

“Shh…” I pressed my index finger against her lips, stepping so close that I could feel her breath against my skin.

“Liar. You’re the worst fucking liar I’ve ever seen in my life, Petal.” I swallowed the thick lump in my throat, forcing my voice to stay steady. “We both know what it was in the beginning, and what it became.”

I pulled my finger away and stepped back. “Just answer me one thing. Is Ivan really your son?”

Her eyes darkened and she averted her gaze from mine.

“Yes or no, Petal? Are you really the biological mother of Ivan?” I growled through clenched teeth, tasting the bitterness on my tongue with every word.

“Yes.” Her gaze locked back on mine, steady and cold.

She sighed and took a step forward, closing the distance like her words weren’t about to rip me apart. “I’m the biological mother of Ivan. I gave birth to him. And yeah, I had an ex-husband. I admit that this love, this affection… it was all just a game to me. A well-played lie to wrap you around my fingers, to get close enough… so I could be successful in my revenge.”

A pause.

And then—

“Yes, I used you all this time, Mr. Marco Ricci.” Her voice didn’t tremble, didn’t crack—it just fucking stabbed me in the chest with every syllable like she didn’t feel a damn thing.

I knew it… Love is the biggest weakness in this world. It doesn’t heal—it destroys. And now, after breaking down like a fool even when I saw this coming from the start… I feel like dying for the first time.

Marco Ricci—The Godfather—shattered, not by bullets or betrayal from enemies, but by the one goddamn manipulation I swore I’d never fall for.

Love.