Taken By The Mafia Lord

Even after Arianna had finished bathing under a warm shower, she couldn't get rid of the coldness that seeped into her bones. Now on her bed and ready to sleep, she couldn't forget the conversation tonight.

Was Marcel aware of this? Was he in support of Adele's decision to marry Elijah? Arianna had been tempted to call him on the phone and interrogate him about everything, but she didn't. He already had a lot of things to deal with and she was sure Marcel wouldn't appreciate her calling to nag him. She wasn't that kind of woman.

But then, Arianna couldn't sleep and kept turning and tossing on the bed. A lot of things crossed her mind and she wondered if this would have been her situation if she and Marcel hadn't got back together again. What if she got pregnant the time they broke up and Marcel found out by chance, would he force her by his side as his father did to his mother? Or would he take the child from her and send her away?

"Ugh," Arianna groaned in frustration.

It was too cruel. The traditions in these patriarchal crime families were harsh on the female sex. Although Arianna didn't want to think the worst, what if in the future, things get bad between her and Marcel and she wants a divorce? Does this mean she would be left with nothing?

Perhaps she was thinking too much and the intended marriage between

Adele and Elijah could be the perfect cover to revive the sparks that had once been flying between the both of them. As much as Elijah hurt Adele, Arianna didn't believe she hated him thoroughly. Hate was also a form of love and the only reason Adele loathed Elijah might be because she loves him too much. Her dumbass step-uncle Elijah would have to work hard to change her mind and get the fire burning in her heart once more.

A knock on the door roused Arianna from her train of thought.

"Come in." She said, already having an inkling who that might be.

Natalie stepped in and her heart skipped a beat. Just as she thought, her mother was here to pick up from where they stopped. The conversation was inevitable, Arianna braced herself mentally.

"I guessed you would be awake, turns out I was right," Natalie told her, coming to sit on the foot of her bed.

"Well, after that huge revelation tonight, my mind is not exactly settled." Arianna was honest with her.

Natalie took in a deep breath before saying, "Nothing is achieved easily, Arianna, that was the best for Adele. She knew it too. Moreover, both of them were adults and knew what they were getting themselves into."

"She didn't know." Arianna objected, "Elijah fooled her. Took advantage of her. I'm not surprised she wanted nothing to do with him until the pregnancy hit her. And now she's left with four kids. Can't you even begin to imagine that?"

Natalie reached out to grab her hand and told her, "We would be there for her. Everyone makes mistakes and Elijah is not proud of what he did." She sighed, "Let's not talk about that, okay."

"And talk about what? If I'm pregnant?"

Her mother was taken aback by how bluntly she brought the issue up. However, she was quick to recover and asked her, "Tell me then, are you pregnant?"

Arianna was sure of her answer. The lies were right there at the tip of her tongue, but when she looked into her mother's eyes, it hit that this was the only woman on her side in this critical moment. Marcel might not trust his father, but Natalie wanted the best for her. It was not worth lying to her when she needed her by her side.

"I am," Arianna confessed, her heart beginning to race. Now that she bravely let the cat out of the bag, she was beginning to doubt if she had made the right decision. She glanced at her mother's face, it was blank. Arianna had no idea what was going on in her mind.

"I thought as much." Natalie finally said a word, relief passing through Arianna.

"You're not angry?" She was surprised.

"Oh, I'm angry! Very, very pissed off! That bastard got you pregnant behind my back and I bet the both of you planned to keep it a secret from me, right!" She looked furious.

"About that…." Arianna gulped, having no idea how to explain it to her. How did she know? Thank the lord that she had not lied to her.

"But then…." Natalie breathed, "Nothing surpasses the joy of being a grandmother."

At once, a smile split Arianna's face and before Natalie could brace herself, she threw herself on the woman and they fell off the bed thanks to their miscalculated weight. Even while on the floor, Arianna refused to let go of her.

"Muah! Muah! Muah!" She peppered her face with kisses, giggling at her embarrassment.

"Get off me, you brat! I'm not exactly as young as you are!" Natalie playfully chided her.

Arianna finally let go of her, standing up to her feet, and helped her too. The both of them stood, staring at each other until Natalie glanced down at her stomach, asking, "How far are you?"

She shook her head, "I don't exactly know, three? Four weeks? I haven't exactly gone for a full test."

"I don't know if you kids planned this or what, there would be a lot of weddings to plan once Richardo is taken care of. First you, now Elijah, what's so special about being in-laws with the damned Luciano family?" She muttered under her breath, "Hopefully that bastard takes my advice and I don't see his face."

Although Arianna didn't hear the rest of her words, she had a feeling it was about Daniel. Her mother was not exactly subtle about her dislike for Marcel's father.

Natalie told her, "After this, I'm having a talk with Marcel."

Before Arianna had the chance to ask what she would discuss with Marcel if they meet Natalie reached out and clasped her cheek with her hand.

She said, "I told you, you're my daughter and I'll do anything for you. Anything in this world."