Exposed to the CEO Behind the Mafia Mask

Chapter 452: Chapter 48 Ghost Returns Home

Daniel’s POV

The moment I stepped into the exclusive lounge of the Meridian Hotel, I spotted her. That silhouette was burned into my memory like a brand—tall, elegant, draped in designer black that hugged every curve. Sasha Benedetti sat at the corner table overlooking the city skyline, her manicured fingers wrapped around a martini glass, a thin cigarette burning between her lips. The woman who had once shared my name and my bed. The woman who had demanded I choose between my badge and our marriage, then vanished into the European social circuit when I refused to become another Martinez family puppet.

Seven years had passed, yet she remained devastatingly beautiful. We had grown up in the same circles—our families bound by old alliances and unspoken agreements that stretched back generations. Our parents had orchestrated our union so skillfully that I never realized I was being maneuvered into position until I found myself standing at an altar, convinced she was my destiny. That illusion crumbled when she demanded I abandon my position in law enforcement and return to manage the family’s legitimate businesses like a dutiful heir. I chose justice over legacy. I had never looked back.

”Why would a ghost crawl out of her grave just to haunt me?” I growled, making no attempt to mask my irritation as I approached her table.

She laughed, that familiar sound that once made my pulse race and now set my teeth on edge. ”Is that any way to greet your wife, darling?”

”Sasha, you stopped being my wife when you signed those papers and disappeared to Milan,” I shot back, remaining standing despite her gesture toward the empty chair.

”Did I?” Her crimson lips curved into a predatory smile. ”Sit down, Daniel. That righteous anger doesn’t suit a man of your stature.”

”What do you want, Sasha?”

”The same thing I wanted seven years ago—for you to stop playing hero and remember who you really are. I grew tired of waiting for you to come to your senses. Now I’m taking matters into my own hands.” Her presumption that I would suddenly capitulate to demands I had rejected during our marriage was breathtaking in its arrogance.

”Who exactly do you think you are to make demands of me?”

”Your wife, Daniel. The woman who exchanged vows with you in front of five hundred witnesses at St. Catherine’s Cathedral. Surely you remember that day?”

”That’s ancient history, Sasha. Our marriage ended with legal documents. You chose to walk away. You spent years jet-setting across Europe on the settlement money while I stayed here, building the life I wanted.”

”You may think those papers freed you in the eyes of the law, but remember what Father DiMarco said? ’What God has joined together, let no man put asunder.’ Some bonds transcend legal technicalities.”

”Please, Sasha. Even you don’t believe that sanctimonious nonsense.”

”But I do now. I want my husband back. Daniel, I love you. Deep down, beneath all this stubborn pride, you love me too.”

”You’ve lost your mind. Forget about me, Sasha. Go live your life and stop trying to resurrect something that was dead and buried years ago.”

”You only feel this way because of that little plaything of yours. She’s just a distraction—fresh excitement that will fade once the novelty wears off. Tell me about her.”

”Stay away from Lila. Don’t even think about her name.” The thought of Sasha anywhere near Lila sent ice through my veins. Sasha was cunning and ruthless, trained in the subtle arts of family warfare. She could destroy Lila without breaking a nail, and I would never allow that to happen.

”Look how protective you are of your little pet.” Her eyes glittered with calculated interest. ”But I have news that changes everything, my darling husband.”

”Just say what you came to say.”

”First, that divorce you’re so confident about? Your father is quite resourceful, you know. Don’t ask me how he managed it, but legally speaking, we’re still married.”

”That’s impossible. I have the decree.”

”Yes, you do. What you don’t know is that I filed an appeal and had that divorce nullified—with dear Vittorio’s assistance, of course. Everything was handled through proper channels, just quietly enough that you wouldn’t discover it. We assumed you would eventually tire of this rebellion and return to reality.” Her smile dripped with triumph.

”That’s insane, Sasha.” My mind reeled. Even with my family’s connections in the judicial system, nullifying a finalized divorce without my knowledge seemed impossible.

”Oh, sweetheart, the right favors in the right places work miracles.” Her smile turned glacial. ”I brought copies of everything.” She slid a leather portfolio across the table.

As I scanned the documents, my vision blurred. This had to be forgery. But the seals looked authentic, and the signatures...

”What the hell is this, Sasha? These papers claim we requested an annulment due to pregnancy? This is some sick joke. I never signed these documents, and you were never pregnant.”

”Your signature is right there. Look more carefully.” Her unnatural composure fed my growing rage.

”This is fraud. I know it is. I’ll have every document examined.”

”By all means, investigate. But everything is legitimate. As for the pregnancy, I discovered it shortly after our divorce was finalized. I wasn’t about to raise a child alone—I never wanted children anyway, though your parents convinced me this separation would be temporary. As you mentioned, I received quite generous compensation from our dissolved marriage and decided to enjoy myself. That’s exactly what I did for seven years. But I’m tired of the games now. I’ve come home.”

”What happened with the pregnancy?” I dreaded her answer.

”I lost our child. And it was your fault for abandoning us.” She spoke with such chilling detachment that I doubted she had ever truly been pregnant or mourned any loss.

”You’re despicable.” My voice shook with disgust.

”You’re simply overwhelmed by all this revelation. But as always, Daniel, I’ll be practical and spell out your options. Take one week to verify everything I’ve told you. Then send that little distraction away. After that, you’ll return to me, we’ll move back to the family compound, and eventually you’ll abandon this pointless career in law enforcement.”

”You seem remarkably certain of yourself. But I don’t dance to your tune anymore, or my father’s.”

I stood to leave, but paused to deliver one final warning. ”Don’t even think about approaching Lila.”

I stormed out, fury coursing through my veins, unable to process the audacity of this woman’s claims. I needed to investigate these allegations immediately. Too shaken to face Lila yet, I drove to the precinct to examine those documents and explore my options.

Dawn was breaking when I finally returned home. Lila lay sleeping peacefully in our bed, but I desperately needed her warmth and presence. After a scalding shower, I slipped beneath the covers and pulled her soft body against mine, waking her gently.

”You’re home,” she murmured drowsily.

I said nothing, simply removed her silk nightgown and lost myself in her embrace, temporarily forgetting the world and all the chaos that had just been unleashed upon it.