The Collateral Bride's Final Eternal Sleep

Chapter 2

Word Count: 470 | Released on: 21/05/2026

ena

les from years of combat training-sho

n filled with wet cement. The

could retreat to the kitchen, I caught her wrist

, Rosa. For spending your whole life

ing-guilt, maybe-passed through her

ena. You're the only g

ter, Domin

the warmth from the air. His tailored suit emphasized the lethal geometry of his fra

of his trailing guards. Without a word, R

lipstick was smeared an

ression perfectly, naively blank-the face of

Inside was a custom cake fr

the one Rosa had ord

oice. "You two really do have a telepathic

ightened before he masked i

ield me during the turf wars, how he'd spent years making me believe I was his chosen Quee

agile piece he used to stay close

ulder this weight alone, play the oblivio

ckering light caught Dominic's hand resting on the back of her chai

d dug my nails into my thigh

at up an

led girl they expected. "And I already kn

and slid slowly into his jacket pocket, and

Chapter End

Claim Your Bonus at the APP

Open

The Collateral Bride's Final Eternal Sleep

REGINA SIMONDS Mafia

“I was holding a diagnosis that gave me six months to live when I heard my fiancé's voice behind the oak tree. Dominic Falcone, the Don of the New York Syndicate-a man who had buried three rival Bosses before his thirtieth birthday-had my sister pinned against the stone courtyard wall. "I arranged the betrothal to keep you inside my circle," he said, his voice a low, possessive rasp. "Drop the collateral weight, Rosa. Let her go." The collateral weight. That was me. My sister, who had fought off armed soldiers to protect me when we were children, pressed her forehead against his chest. Her shoulders shook. "Surviving this life would be a million times easier," Rosa whispered, "without having to carry her." I stood frozen behind the bark. My fingers tightened around the medical report-Somnus Decay, terminal, six months-until the paper crumpled in my fist. I didn't confront them. I didn't scream or cry or demand an explanation. I closed my eyes, made a silent vow to whatever god watched over this blood-soaked Family, and took the first step toward orchestrating my own quiet disappearance.”