Chapter 129 Preparations

Chapter 129 Preparations
"This dress design will hide your belly and rediance your skin." Levi's mother handed me the tenth dress design.

I stared at the sketch without speaking. Ten designs. Ten versions of me I was supposed to become. Mila Marceau. The future wife.

A woman with no connection to the blood-soaked world she came from. The irony almost made me laugh.

On the long marble table, fabrics, sketches, and silhouettes were spread like silent proof that I no longer had control over anything-not even how I would look when the world decided I belonged to Levi Marceau.

Even when I said I was tired for shopping, Levi's mother brought a designer.

I forced a small nod. That was what I had been doing all morning. Nodding and smiling when necessary.

Because I couldn't risk leaving the villa yet.

The dresses were too stunning. Ivory silk. Champagne satin. Pale blush lace. Soft colors that whispered wealth, control, perfection. Everything screamed Mrs. Marceau.

Everything felt like a cage disguised as elegance.

'You complain?' voice in my head scolded me. 'Don't start your self pity now.'

I stood slowly, letting the sketches slide out of my sight as I walked toward the window.

Outside, in Levi's villa front yard stood the guards from the dark web. They disgused in an ordinary guards suits. 

But when you see them, you could notice perfect stillness that didn't belong to ordinary security.

I felt relief... and fear once they arrived. I wasn't sure where things was going to go.

Luca's silence scared me more than I would confess.

"Don't think too hard." Levi's voice broke through my thoughts.

I turned.

He was standing near the doorway, sleeves rolled up, calm like nothing in this world could disturb him.

His gaze fixed on me.

"Nervous already," he said. "Aren't you?"

My fingers tightened slightly in my palms. But I smiled. "Just a little."

Levi stepped closer, placed his hands on my shoulders. "Don't be," he said in determination. "I promise I would be a good father to your kids."

I cupped his cheeks. "I know you will."

"I'm happy," he said, voice lower now, "that we finally took a serious step." Then pressed his lips on my forehead.

I was happy that God put him in my way. 

My eyes drifted back to the dresses. To the serius decision behind them.

Engagement.

My stomach tightened, hopping everything would go smoothly.

Levi's expression softened as he watched me over thinking.

"Aren't you happy as I am?" he asked.

I held his hand, feeling his mother's gaze on us. but I knew she could hear nothing.

"Of course I am," I reassured him. "And maybe like this time next year I will be carrying your flesh and blood baby."

He smiled. but said nothing.

Later, silence swallowed the villa again.

I found myself alone near the balcony doors. The glass reflected my face faintly. And I didn't recognize the girl looking back.

The Mila vanished completly in this cheos

Since when did I became like this

My thoughts drifted toward what Levi's mother said about the Mafia.

what if they knew I was a Mafia-a Mafia heiress and princess.

My fingers curled slowly in my lap.

Would Levi ever forgive me if he knew?

If he knew I wasn't just a woman wanted to make a happy family... but a mafia princess?

since when I became that professional in lying? this ruthless? manipulating others for my own benifits.

The air felt heavier, like the villa itself was listening.

Heels echoed suddenly.

Mrs. Marceau entered without hesitation, as if the villa belonged to her in every timeline of existence.

She placed a dress design on the table like a decision already made.

"We should move the engagement party," she said calmly. "After three days would be ideal, as the designer assured he would finish the dress in two days."

I blinked. "Two days?"

She nodded once.

"No reason to delay. The announcement will strengthen Levi's position for his bussness... and yours as well I believe."

Her gaze landed on me. Measuring, calculating, and not unkind.

Just studying me.

That night came too quietly, the kind of silence that felt carefully constructed.

I sat alone again, staring at my reflection in the dark glass.

Even though the villa outside was still. But I had learned stillness didn't mean safety. It meant preparation.

My mind drifted to my foster parents and Aunt Mirenda. How would I be able to invite them and yet not letting Luca know?

'Are you regretting your decision of running now?' My head sound teased. 'You thought he would chase you and now he didn't you started to lose it.'

I sighed.

My hand hovered over my phone yo call Mama.

But then stopped.

No.

Not yet.

My phone vibrated.

It was a text from unknown Number.

\[Congratulations, Kitten.\]

my heart dropped.

\[Still waiting for my invitation.\]