Dangerous Secrets: My Mafia Stepbrother

“Isabella, have you truly considered divorcing me?” Emanuele looked at Isabella. “Have you made your decision? Have you really thought it through?”

Isabella nodded. “I have thought it through, Emanuele. Although I still love you, this love is not enough to sustain me through the pain I am experiencing.”

As Isabella spoke these words, she felt like her heart was being torn apart.

In reality, she didn’t want to say this. In truth, she was willing to endure hardships with Emanuele. However, she realized that the further she walked with Emanuele, the more difficulties she encountered.

She couldn’t help him when Emanuele was in danger.

When Emanuele needed help, she had to distract him to protect herself.

She couldn’t do anything, not even give Emanuele a child.

What was the point of her staying by Emanuele’s side?

Isabella couldn’t understand.

Since she couldn’t understand, she decided not to think about it anymore. Since Jessie had feelings for Emanuele and with the events in Europe, she might as well let go and allow Emanuele to be with Jessie.

Upon hearing Isabella’s words, Emanuele felt a bit heartbroken.

If Isabella had said she no longer loved him and wanted a divorce, Emanuele wouldn’t have believed it. He would have tried to give Isabella another chance.

But now, Isabella admitted she still liked him, even loved him, but this bit of affection wasn’t enough for her to endure the pain anymore. Emanuele knew Isabella was sincere in saying this.

She acknowledged her feelings for him, but she didn’t want to continue living in this painful way.

So he knew he had to let go.

He couldn’t keep Isabella by his side for his own happiness. Moreover, seeing Isabella sad and hurt, Emanuele knew he would also be miserable.

He hoped Isabella could go back to being vibrant and spirited, always carrying that stubborn refusal to give up.Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

“So be it, Isabella. Let’s get a divorce. As long as you can be happy, I will grant it to you. It’s true, being by my side exposes you to many dangers, and you can’t continue your career. I can’t let you live in constant fear for my own selfish desires. But, Isabella, regarding the incident in Europe, I truly had no involvement with Jessie. Believe me or not, my feelings for you have always been genuine.”

Emanuele was not one to talk much. He preferred to show through actions rather than words. But now, he couldn’t prove anything to Isabella through actions. All he could do was try to explain to Isabella. If she still couldn’t believe him, Emanuele felt he had no other choice.

Listening to Emanuele’s explanation, Isabella felt bitter. She actually believed Emanuele’s words, but at this point, believing or not believing was meaningless.

They were going to separate in the end.

“Isabella, thinking about it, after the divorce, if you have to move, it might be troublesome. You have adapted to the environment here. How about I give you this place, and I’ll find a new house for myself?”

Seeing Emanuele already planning for her post-divorce life, looking calm, made Isabella feel even sadder as she listened.

“No need, after the divorce, I might become Evelyn’s neighbor, move near her. There will be some distance from here to her apartment.”

Isabella knew she had no one to rely on in Chicago. At least Evelyn was her best friend, someone she could depend on for a while.

After she gradually adapted to life without Emanuele, she could move away from the sadness.

Emanuele looked at Isabella’s calm demeanor and suddenly wanted to hug her.

They were only two steps apart now. If he took a few big steps, he could embrace Isabella.

But he felt their distance was vast.

Though it seemed within reach, the distance between them felt enormous.

Emanuele wanted to reach out, but he knew if he tried to hug Isabella, she would avoid him.

From her cold gaze, he could tell how repulsed Isabella was by him.

Yet, he really wanted to hug her.

With that thought in mind, Emanuele asked, “Isabella, since we have decided to divorce, may I hug you one last time?”

Emanuele smiled, pretending to be casual, even though his heart felt shattered, causing him to tremble slightly as he spoke from his throat with effort.

Isabella was taken aback by Emanuele’s request. Despite being surprised, she agreed, for it was to be their last time.

She nodded. “Okay.”

Emanuele immediately approached and embraced Isabella.

Isabella hadn’t expected Emanuele’s embrace to be so tight. His arms were strong, firmly holding her in his embrace.

She could only rest her head on Emanuele’s chest, feeling the hardness of his chest.

Being so close, she could hear Emanuele’s strong heartbeat, like a drumbeat. Tears threatened to fall from Isabella’s eyes.

She couldn’t help but show her natural response, even though she tried to appear calm.

She cherished Emanuele’s body, his scent, wanting to hold onto him tightly.

But she restrained herself.

Because she knew if she showed even a hint of lingering affection for Emanuele, he might change his mind about the divorce.

They had agreed to divorce. She knew Emanuele agreed because he understood the suffering she had endured in this marriage and wanted her to be happy.

If he knew how much she was hurting at that moment, he probably wouldn’t go through with the divorce.

After a while, Emanuele let go of Isabella.

He cupped her face and planted a kiss on her forehead.

“So, Isabella, should I wish you a happy divorce? Damn it, I’m sorry, I can’t. I’m selfish. I don’t want you to be happier after the divorce than when you were married to me. That would drive me insane.”