Chapter 141 Brother-in-law

When Alessandro heard his beloved wife demand a divorce, the ground seemed to shift beneath him, and he watched in despair as his world literally crumbled before his eyes. When he married her, he had been indifferent to the idea of marriage, but he hadn't realized when he fell in love with her. Seeing her made him feel like the luckiest man in the world, someone who possessed something precious and entirely his. But he had taken it for granted, and his possessiveness undermined him. He believed that threatening and intimidating Aria would ensure her loyalty and faithfulness. He was wrong-so, so wrong. He had witnessed his parents' infidelity and was terrified of suffering the same fate. He never wanted Aria to leave him, even though he believed she didn't love him and was not loyal. He wasn't ready to lose her at any cost, no matter her faults. He had loved her, and only her, in this world, after his mother. But a divorce meant breaking the marriage and shattering the sacred bond that bound them for eternity. He couldn't imagine living without her; he couldn't survive. The thought struck him like a thousand deaths in that single moment. When he emerged from his trance, he saw Aria walking away from him, and the gates closed between them. "Over my dead body!" he shouted as he ran toward the gate, ready to break it down and take Aria with him. But a hard punch sent him staggering back. "Stay away from my sister, you jerk!" the Duke roared, throwing another punch. But this time, Alessandro caught Alexander's fist in his palm and wrenched it away with force. He frowned as he wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth. "Show's over, Duke!" he mocked with a sneer. "Since my wife isn't here to witness her brother's heroism!" He announced with smugness as he clutched his jaw and tilted his head from side to side before continuing, "You think you can hurt me with those feather-light fists?" He chuckled venomously. "Ha! I've endured more deadly torture than you could ever imagine, Your Majesty," he taunted, emphasizing the Duke's title. "Get the fuck out of my estate!" the Duke bellowed. But the Italian don only laughed coldly. "Give me my wife back, and I'll leave," Alessandro responded with a conceited calm. "In your fucking dreams," Alexander charged at the mafia king in fury, but Alessandro ducked and avoided the blow. Swiftly, he countered with a punch to the Duke's face, sending him reeling backward. The Duke's guards quickly restrained Alessandro, capturing the Italian don. Alessandro's people and Matteo watched helplessly, having been instructed to remain back and not intervene. However, Matteo knew that Alessandro was more than capable of handling the situation alone and that the Duke and his army were no match for his strength and speed. "I'm sure, brother-in-law, you won't go to my wife and complain that her husband hit you," the mafia kin mocked with a taunting smirk, making Alexander clench his jaw. He instructed his guards to release the Italian don, preferring to handle the situation himself and not give the impression that the Duke was abusing his power. Alexander stalked toward Alessandro slowly, his gaze burning with anger. Alessandro smirked, meeting his gaze with a challenging look as he stood authoritatively. "I don't know under what circumstances my sister had to marry you," the Duke grimaced as he spat out, "But now I am here, as her brother, and I will correct this mistake. You don't deserve her. Leave her, and I'll forget all your crimes." he proposed. Alessandro shook his head slowly, smiling. "I might not deserve her, but she is married to me and I love her. She is my wife. The mother of my children. Nevertheless, I am determined to spend my whole life proving myself worthy of her if she gives me one last chance," Alessandro replied peacefully. "But under no circumstances is divorce an option while I am alive, he announced authoritatively. "Then count your days," the Duke snarled, grabbing the Italian don's collar with fury. But Alessandro jerked Alexander's hand away and pushed him back. "I'm giving you one last warning, Alessandro. Leave her for your own good. Don't make me kill you with my own hands." Alexander clenched his fists at his sides, seething with rage. "I would like to see you make me leave your sister's heart. She loves me, whether she admits it or not," Alessandro taunted, provoking the Duke. "If you don't leave within two minutes, I'll put you in the dungeon for barging into my estate illegally and unwelcome," the Duke warned, gritting his teeth. His patience was wearing thin, and he was afraid of doing something in bright daylight that he would regret. "Go ahead," Alessandro shrugged nonchalantly, causing Alexander to frown in confusion. He couldn't decipher the Italian don's expression-what was going through his mind? "As you wish," Alexander signaled his guards, and they rushed to take the Italian don into their custody. "Alessandro," Matteo called out worriedly. But Alessandro shook his head. "Go back home with the others and don't wait for me. I'm going to stay here longer," he announced calmly, causing Matteo to furrow his brow in annoyance. Was his mafia friend really so foolish as to surrender himself to the Duke, who was thirsting for his blood and seeking revenge? Or was this part of a larger plan?