Exposed to the CEO Behind the Mafia Mask

Chapter 472: Chapter 68 All Pretenses Abandoned

Daniel’s POV

After the federal judge scheduled that crucial divorce hearing, my existence as a Martinez family member became a living nightmare. Sasha spiraled deeper into her manipulative games, growing more unhinged with each passing day. Meanwhile, my father ramped up his political pressure campaign, demanding I attend regular family council meetings at the Greenleaf estate—an utterly unreasonable demand given the delicate balance I was trying to maintain between my police duties and family obligations.

Even our regular poker nights at Thorne’s private club, which used to provide sanctuary from the chaos, had devolved into collective therapy sessions. I found myself venting about the impossible situation with my father’s judicial interference and Sasha’s escalating threats. Jude couldn’t stop brooding about Nora traveling overseas to handle her father’s business crisis. Dominic was drowning in his own family’s territorial demands. Only Caleb and Finn seemed to have achieved some semblance of stability in their operations. Xavier, oddly enough, remained uncharacteristically quiet throughout the evening, making me suspect he was dealing with his own family complications.

When Zoe mentioned that Lila had returned to the apartment early with a severe headache, I decided to abandon the game. Arriving home to our fortified penthouse, I found her already asleep in our bed. Not wanting to disturb her much-needed rest, I slipped carefully between the sheets without my usual protective embrace. Sleep remained elusive, and then my secure phone began its insistent buzzing. I didn’t need to check the encrypted caller ID to know it was Sasha.

I retreated to the reinforced living room before answering. As predicted, she was in full hysterical mode, hurling threats and ultimatums through the scrambled connection. Recognizing she wouldn’t cease until I confronted her directly, I agreed to meet immediately. She directed me to one of those exclusive establishments that wealthy power brokers frequented to conduct their shadowy business dealings.

I spotted her instantly, surrounded by her usual entourage at a table near the main floor. Preferring to maintain tactical advantage, I selected a more secluded booth and sent her an encrypted message to approach alone if she wanted meaningful conversation.

”Darling husband!” Sasha announced loudly as she approached, flanked by two equally insufferable associates from prominent families. Her slurred pronunciation and unsteady movement confirmed she’d been indulging heavily in premium liquor. I knew from bitter experience that alcohol stripped away her carefully constructed facade, revealing the calculating predator beneath.

”I see you acquired the designer wig,” I remarked coldly, intending to humiliate her. ”Did you inform your companions about your recent scalp condition?”

Her eyes flashed with dangerous malice. ”Did you enlighten your little protégé about your legal wife?” she countered viciously.

”What do you want, Sasha? Why the hell are you summoning me during operational hours?” My patience was evaporating rapidly.

”That’s hardly appropriate language for your lawful spouse. Come along, ladies, make yourselves comfortable,” she gestured to her companions, which only intensified my irritation.

”They are absolutely not sitting anywhere near me!” I snapped. ”Your two little accomplices can turn around and disappear from my sight, or I’ll make them flee in a decidedly unfriendly manner. And I’ll still remove that artificial hair from your skull right here, before this entire establishment.” The threat carried enough menace to send her associates retreating with indignant expressions.

”You’re becoming increasingly intolerable, Daniel!” Sasha pouted dramatically. ”I demand to understand what this federal hearing represents that you somehow managed to arrange.”

”And you’re becoming increasingly pathetic! If I’m so intolerable, why are you desperately clinging to this farce of a marriage?” I demanded, my restraint completely shattered.

”Oh, you know what, I’m exhausted from maintaining pleasantries,” she said, leaning forward conspiratorially. ”You want to know why I contact you during your intimate moments? Because I know you’re with her, and I’m hoping you’ll have explosive arguments when another woman calls. You want to know why I refuse to dissolve this union? Because your father controls vast financial networks and promised me a lifestyle befitting royalty if I maintain this legal bond. You even possess attractive features, impressive physique, and a prestigious bloodline. But the truth, Daniel, is that I never desired to marry you—I simply had to secure what was most advantageous for my position. You’re insufferable, always have been. A rigid enforcer who lacks appreciation for sophisticated pleasures. And a complete brute! There, I’ve spoken honestly!”

”Excellent! Since the pretenses are abandoned, let’s address what truly matters,” I replied with icy precision. ”I cannot tolerate you either. I married you because I believed I felt affection, even convinced myself it was love, but I realized that was never genuine. I will not reconcile with you, and I will mobilize every resource at my disposal to eliminate you from my existence. And let me clarify that your psychological warfare isn’t succeeding—Lila and I don’t engage in conflicts because of your calls.” The reality was that Lila consistently assumed the police department was contacting me for urgent cases, but Sasha didn’t need that intelligence.

”But you haven’t revealed your marital status to her yet. Or have you? I seriously doubt it. I could handle that disclosure for you,” she threatened with a triumphant smirk.

”I already warned you never to approach her.” I slammed my fist on the reinforced table, my voice rising to dangerous levels.

”Well, Daniel, you may despise me, but you’ll remain legally bound to me. You can wager your father is already deploying his judicial connections to sabotage your divorce proceedings. So, darling, it would be wise if we negotiated terms soon.” Her confidence was deeply troubling—she possessed information I lacked.

”Negotiation? You’re genuinely proposing to make a deal?” I asked, already anticipating the answer from her smug expression.

”No, what your father guaranteed me exceeds anything you could possibly offer. You couldn’t even approach his level of influence.” Her victorious smile made my blood reach dangerous temperatures.

”Suit yourself, but when he abandons you to handle the consequences alone, don’t come seeking agreements or clemency.” I stood and departed that insufferably noisy establishment, ignoring Sasha’s desperate shouts behind me.

Returning to our secure apartment, not wanting to disturb Lila’s rest, I collapsed on the reinforced couch with my mind racing about whatever scheme my father and Sasha were orchestrating. When I awakened the following morning, Lila had already departed for her classes without our customary goodbye embrace or leaving any communication.

In the subsequent days, we barely exchanged words. She left early for Thorne’s legal department and returned exhausted from her law studies. Though deeply concerned about our growing emotional distance, I hesitated to confront the situation directly, sensing her mounting suspicion. The weight of her unspoken doubts created crushing pressure in my chest, adding to my escalating stress. I knew I needed to resolve this crisis swiftly before everything I valued most slipped beyond my reach.