Chapter 137 Unexpected Declaration

Matteo looked at Alessandro, and Alessandro's gaze shifted to his lawyer friend. Both stared at each other, dumbfounded. Alessandro knew Mia was an orphan with no family except him. When had this brother appeared? "Sister?!" Matteo and Alessandro both mumbled in bewilderment. With a scowl, Alexander shrugged his shirt while adjusting his collar and replied, "Yes, Mia is my long-lost sister, Adeline." "How's that possible?" Alessandro mumbled, trying to process the revelation. He couldn't decide whether to be relieved or shocked. If Mia was the Duke's sister, it meant the Duke didn't want her romantically. "That's true, and your father was responsible for her abduction, just as he was responsible for my father's murder," Alexander declared coldly, his jaw tightening, a muscle in his face twitching as he struggled to control his anger. "What did you say, Alexander?" A soft, feminine voice interrupted them, and they all turned to see Mia standing there, watching her brother with a look of shock. When she heard there was trouble at the main gate, she couldn't stop herself from coming to check. "Was Antonio Valentino the one who abducted me and killed our father?" she murmured, her voice tight with pain and disbelief. Alexander pursed his lips, realizing the hurtful information wasn't meant to be revealed to Mia in this manner. "Mia, go inside while I handle this," Alexander instructed his sister firmly. "No, first tell me what's going on and what you were talking about," Mia insisted stubbornly. "Baby, it's not what it looks like," Alessandro interjected, desperate to defuse the situation. He knew about his father's involvement in the tragedy that struck the Montecarlo family twenty-seven years ago, but he never imagined Mia was a part of it. Now, he couldn't afford to lose her after coming so far, all because of his father's mistakes. "Look, I'm here, cuore mio. I am here to take you, Gia, and Maximo home," Alessandro urged, his voice tinged with desperation. Mia glanced at her mafia husband intently, surprised to see him here after days of avoiding her without any solid reason. Just when she had begun to forget him again and was happy with her family, he reappeared, stirring everything up again. "Here to take me home?!" Mia snapped, her voice sharp with anger. "I am home, Mr. Valentino, and I never want to see your face again after learning what your father did to me and my family." Her words dripped with disdain as memories of the torture inflicted by her cold husband resurfaced. She had thought he'd changed over the years, but she was wrong—he had ghosted her again after playing with her heart, just like he did six years ago. Now that she knew his father had also wronged her family, she felt an even deeper resolve. She never wanted to go back to Alessandro or rekindle their relationship. The pain of the past was too great, and the betrayal too deep. How could she ever trust him again, knowing the blood that ran through his veins was the same as the man who had destroyed her family? "That's unfair, amore mio," Alessandro pleaded. "You can't punish me for what my father did. I'm not like him, and I will never hurt you," he insisted, his desperation clear. Mia snorted, recalling how he was exactly like his father. He had never truly believed in her and had treated her like a possession. Now, he wanted her to believe he had changed. But how could she trust him after everything he'd put her through again? "I have nothing to do with you, Mr. Valentino. We had a business deal, and I've finished my work. We are no longer related," Mia said curtly, turning to leave. Alexander watched the interaction intently, noting that Mia showed no interest in going back with Alessandro. She didn't even acknowledge him as her husband or the father of her children. He had many questions for her but decided to hold off until they were alone. He needed to hear her side of things before making any decisions. "Wait, Aria!" Alessandro called out, his voice desperate. Mia froze at the sound of her old name but quickly realized her mistake in responding to it. She swallowed hard and, without turning back, pretended she hadn't heard him as she continued toward the manor. "You can't run away from me again, mia moglie," Alessandro called out authoritatively, making Mia turn to face him. "What are you talking about?" Mia shot back fiercely. "I am not your wife, and I've told you that many times," she glared at him. Alexander noticed the look on his sister's face and stepped beside her. "What's going on, Mia?" he whispered in a low tone, seeking clarity. Mia didn't respond, her gaze locked on Alessandro as he strolled confidently toward her. "Amore mio, you can refuse it as many times as you want, but it doesn't change the fact that you are my wife, and Gia and Maximo are our children," Alessandro declared with utter confidence, his tone reflecting deep sincerity and honesty. Mia opened her mouth to refuse him again, but Alessandro beat her as he added further, "I knew from the moment I saw you that you were my Aria. My eyes may deceive me, but my heart can never be betrayed by its feelings—it beats only for you, vita mia," he continued, his voice growing heavy with emotion and his eyes showing a hint of vulnerability.