Dangerous Secrets: My Mafia Stepbrother

However, because she liked Pippo, since it was his favorite color, she decided to buy that particular swimsuit.

“Sure, but recently, Chicago isn’t very safe. Emanuele doesn’t want me to go out much. Let’s wait until things settle down before making plans,” Isabella said. She was sitting on the balcony in a rocking chair, gazing at the night view. At this moment, she appeared very lazy.Owned by NôvelDrama.Org.

From here, the lights and the bustling activities below seemed tiny, like ants. Emanuele enjoyed the feeling of controlling the entire city, and now, Isabella was starting to appreciate it too.

Due to her recent pregnancy and the uncertainty about her condition in the early stages, Isabella had been through some rough times. Now, she felt it was time to rest and adjust her state. Hence, she didn’t want to go out much lately.

She spent her days at home, getting enough sleep, eating, exercising after meals, and watching her favorite variety shows. She was leading a regular and healthy lifestyle, understanding the needs of the child inside her.

She decided to wait until her health stabilized a bit before meeting Evelyn. For now, she didn’t want to tell Evelyn about her pregnancy, and she feared Emanuele finding out. She would consider whether to tell Evelyn when they met next.

This situation, where she couldn’t confide in anyone, made her feel lonely.

“Well, Isabella, sometimes I envy you. It seems like you enjoy so much-endless money, abundant material possessions. But now, seeing the price you have to pay, not being able to go out whenever you want and enduring potential dangers at any moment, it seems heavy,” Evelyn remarked.

Indeed, in this world, gaining something also meant bearing corresponding risks. Isabella understood this early on. Back then, she had no desire to enter the world of the mafia that everyone envied. She preferred to lead an ordinary life, worrying about money, working every day to make ends meet. She didn’t want the life of the mafia. However, she was still dragged into it and couldn’t escape.

“Evelyn, cherish your life. Watching you and Pippo being so sweet, I genuinely wish you well. I wonder when you’ll get married. I can’t wait to attend your wedding,” Isabella said.

“It’s still early. Pippo and I discussed it. Let me work for a few more years. Once I’m settled, we’ll get married,” Evelyn blushed a bit when talking about marriage.

“Alright, Evelyn, if you have any conflicts with Pippo, talk to him. In matters of the heart, it’s crucial to communicate well. Don’t keep things inside. If you don’t like the gray swimsuit, tell him directly. I believe he will respect your preferences, and you won’t have to be upset about it anymore.”

Evelyn thought Isabella made sense. “I understand. I’ll communicate with Pippo.”

Sometimes, she did find herself compromising in certain situations with Pippo because she liked him. But she realized she should communicate more with him, making sure Pippo also knew what she liked. Otherwise, she would be suffering here, while Pippo would be happy thinking she accepted his good intentions.

After ending the call with Isabella, Evelyn lay on the sofa. During her chat with Isabella, she couldn’t help but think of the blue bikini she saw in the swimsuit store. It seemed she wore it during the time they played at the beach.

During that time, she and Pippo lay on beach chairs, basking in the sun, feeling the warmth enveloping her entire body. She loved this feeling. However, when they returned to the hotel that night, after taking a shower, Evelyn suddenly felt like she had been violently struck, and then she passed out.

Evelyn was stunned. She reached out and subconsciously touched the back of her neck. Why did she have such a strange sensation? During their vacation, had she been attacked?

However, she couldn’t recall anything. The more she tried, the more her head hurt, feeling like it was about to explode. Unable to bear it, Evelyn instinctively rubbed her temples. She decided not to dwell on it, but she felt there was something significant in the lost memories.

In the meantime, Isabella enjoyed a leisurely life in the apartment. She read books, played on her phone, watched reality shows, and did some exercises. She maintained a healthy and regular routine, even having Lilly prepare more nutritious meals for her.

She felt different than before. Her sense of smell wasn’t as sensitive, but in its place, her appetite seemed to skyrocket. Previously, a small portion would satisfy her, but now, the same amount left her feeling unsatisfied, almost hungry.

Isabella furrowed her brow, staring at her flat stomach. Though it had grown a bit, it wasn’t apparent; others would just think she had gained some weight. Perhaps in another two or three months, her belly would fully show. How would she hide it from Emanuele then?

Thinking about the challenges she would face in the future made Isabella anxious. She didn’t know if Emanuele would allow her to live in the countryside for a while. Considering his damn possessiveness, he probably wouldn’t want her to leave his side.

Isabella felt a headache coming on. Maybe it was best not to think about these things now. She might have more freedom when the time comes. Who knows, maybe Emanuele wouldn’t have time to bother her? Now, he was busy searching for William throughout the city, as a day without finding him left Emanuele uneasy. William was like a time bomb, ready to explode at any moment.

Staying in the apartment was the safest option with all the security measures in place, and since everyone around was familiar, strangers couldn’t just enter. Isabella believed she couldn’t risk anything with the child in her belly.

During her free time, Isabella called Grazia, pretending to be concerned about Grazia’s health while secretly gathering information on pregnancy-related matters.

One evening, Isabella changed into a loose dress and went downstairs. Lilly looked her up and down. “Isabella, are you pregnant? Why does this part of your belly look so big?”

Lilly’s words startled Isabella. Lilly, having given birth, should be able to tell if someone was pregnant or not. Did she figure out that Isabella was pregnant?

Approaching her, Lilly reached out and touched Isabella’s belly. Instinctively, Isabella tightened her stomach.

“I remember now. Your previous behaviors seemed like symptoms of pregnancy. At that time, I thought you weren’t feeling well. Now, it seems you’re probably pregnant. Isabella, do you want to buy a pregnancy test to confirm?”