HOW TO HATE YOUR HUSBAND 2
HOW TO LOVE YOUR WIFE
How To Love Your Wife – Chapter 39&40
[π©ππππππ πΉππππ & π»πππππ ]π»ππππ- ππππ ππ§π πππππππ.
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[ππ‘π«ππ ππππ«π¬ ππ π¨]“Mr. and Mrs. Dragoni.” A morgue attendant and doctor emerged from the doors, clipboards in hand.
Angelo met Rafael’s gaze across the chaos and they nodded. Angelo squeezed Hinata’s hand, his own knuckles white, and guided her away, her body sagging against him as they vanished into the room.
Rias’s legs gave out fully. She collapsed to the linoleum, squatting in a puddle of her own tears, arms wrapped around her knees.
“I didn’t want this… please, just let me see him. Please..” Her pleas dissolved into wrenching sobs, shoulders convulsing, the world narrowing to the ache hollowing her chest.
“Sis…” Nancy dropped beside her, pulling Rias into a fierce hug, their tears mingling as she rocked her sister.
Annie hovered nearby, silent and stricken, while Rafael stood guard like a sentinel, watching Rias and then he slowly smiled and walked into the room Angelo and Hinata disappeared into.
______
[Inside]
Inside the sterile hallway, Angelo, Hinata, and Rafael walked past the morgue slab area, feet echoing soft on tile.
They reached a private operating room door, red light glowing “In Surgery” above.
“Why are we here?” Hinata asked, voice small, gripping Angelo’s arm.
The doctor stepped out quick, white coat crisp, face tense but hopeful.
βGood day Mam Hinata.β The doctor.
“What’s going on?” She asked.
“We felt Romeo’s body getting warm and cold interchangeably on the morgue slab. It didn’t sit right. I checked properly and he still has a pulse. Weak, but there. The surgeons are in there now, doing everything to stabilize him. He lost massive blood, internal bleeding bad. 50% chance he won’t make it. If he does, coma likely.”
“Oh my goodness,” Hinata palmed her mouth hard, knees wobbling. Tears spilled fresh.
“Did you know?” she turned to Angelo, voice cracking.
“That’s why I tried to calm you down. Let’s just hope he makes it,” Angelo said low, arm around her waist steady.
The doctor nodded. “We need blood donations form the both of you. Romeo lost too much blood..”
“We’ll donate for him,” Angelo and Hinata said together, no hesitation.
“Should we tell Rias?” Angelo asked Rafael quiet.
“No,” Rafael replied firm.
“That’s right. Tell just Hunter. I don’t want anyone else knowing what happens to Romeo,” Hinata added, wiping eyes fierce.
“But we’ll eventually tell her, right?” Angelo pressed.
“Angelo, we don’t even know if he’s going to make it. Romeo is your priority now, not Rias,” Hinata said sharp.
“Sure, it’s okay,” Angelo agreed.
“You two go on ahead. I’ll head home in a while,” Rafael said.
“Take care, Hinata. Don’t stress yourself too much,” Rafael added soft.
She leaned in, hugged him tight. “Thanks, Dad.”
____________
[ππ«ππ¬ππ§π ππ’π¦π]
Upstairs in Ryan’s large bedroom, toys piled high, a mini gaming setup glowing, shelves crammed with designer action figures and a kid-sized leather armchair.
Romeo sat cross-legged on the fluffy rug, his gaze locked on Ryan’s eyes. Those eyes: mirrors of his own, sharp and mischievous, pulling him in like a time machine.
Ryan bounced over, clutching a sleek remote-control Ferrari that probably cost more than most cars.
“Look, Daddy! This is my car collection!” He revved it across the floor, crashing it dramatically into a stack of luxury toy blocks.
Next, a glowing drone lifted off from his desk, hovering with pro precision.
“And this flies! I have a whole house model too, with lights and everything.” He pointed to a miniature mansion replica, complete with tiny pool and garage.
Rias really spoiled him to the stars.
“You know, we kinda look alike, Daddy,” Ryan said, grinning wide as he flexed in front of a mirror.
“Of course. Where do you think you got your good looks?” Romeo teased, smirking.
Ryan chuckled, deep and cheeky for a three-year-old.
“Is it true you were working at a far away place? She said you had to manage all your money,” Ryan pressed, fiddling with a gold-plated watch way too big for his wrist.
Rias is terrible at stories, Romeo thought, amused. “Yeah.”
“So, like… you’re a millionaire?”
“No.”
“Billionaire?”
“No.”
“Multi-billionaire?”
“No.”
“A trillionaire…?” Ryan ventured, eyes huge.
Romeo leaned in. “Yes.”
“Shh! You have that much money?” Ryan whisper-yelled, gasping.
“Surprised?” Romeo winked.
Ryan’s jaw dropped. “I want a car. And a house of my own!”
“What the… what will you do with it?” Romeo laughed.
“Invite my… girlfriends?” Ryan squeaked, blushing a tad.
“Ryan, you’re just three… or four? Who’s giving you these ideas?” Romeo shook his head, but pride flickered.
“Geez, I can’t believe you inherited that mentality from me too,” he muttered.
“I heard you,” Ryan shot back, smirking.
Romeo ruffled his wild hair, chuckling. “So, what school do you go to?”
“She homeschools me. I don’t go anywhere without security. It’s boring,” Ryan griped, kicking at a pile of custom sneakers.
Romeo’s eyes scanned the room, landing on a pair of tiny medicated glasses on the cluttered table amid gadgets and candy stashes. “You wear glasses?”
“Yeah. Sometimes contact lenses, like now. My eyesight sucks, but I’m getting treated. She’s a good, strict doctor,” Ryan said proudly, adjusting an invisible pair.
Romeo nodded, gaze softening back on those eyes.
The door creaked open, and Rias poked her head in, forcing a neutral smile despite the knot in her chest.
“I just set the dining. You boys hungry?”
“Daddy, are you eating? Rias’s cooking is delicious,” Ryan piped up, beaming.
Romeo nodded once, eyes flicking to her briefly, holding her gaze.
“Okay, come downstairs.” Rias murmured, breaking the eye contact nervously, slipping out before the air thickened further.
Romeo turned back to Ryan, voice dropping low. “Little man, what do you call your Mama?”
“Her name? Rias.” Ryan said innocently, shrugging.
“Why?”
“‘Cause it’s her name?” Ryan blinked, confused.
“I better not catch you calling her Rias. She’s your mother, not your mate,” Romeo said, tone brooking no debate.
“But Daddy…” Ryan frowned, lower lip jutting.
“Am I understood, little man?” Romeo’s voice turned ice-cold, gaze piercing.
“Yes, sir,” Ryan pouted, shoulders slumping.
“Good boy. Now let’s go eat.” Romeo stood, leading him out.
“I wonder what kind of mischievous things you’ve done,” Romeo mused, ruffling Ryan’s hair as they hit the upstairs hallway.
They paused at the staircase barricade, an 8-foot drop to the floor below, a sheer railing daring fools to try.
“Daddy, watch me!” Ryan bolted, scrambled up the barricade, then his arms windmilling, and he jumped, landing downstairs with a gleeful whoop.
“Ryan!!! Why would you do that?” Rias shrieked from below, lunging to grab his ear and yank him upright.
“Oww, oww, let go!”
Romeo chuckled low, gripping the barricade. He really is my son, he thought, pride swelling.
With effortless power, he vaulted over, swinging his body mid-air before landing lightly beside them.
Ryan burst out laughing. “Daddy can do that too!”
“You’re seriously encouraging him? He’ll break an arm or a leg!” Rias snapped, worry etching her face as she released Ryan’s ear.
“He won’t,” Romeo said calmly, brushing off his shirt.
“I accidentally fired my dad’s gun at a dog when I was four. Jumping stairs is a piece of cake. Besides… Ryan will join the Yakuza when he turns 16, and by 18, he should already be running it.”
Rias froze, color draining from her face. The words hung like smokeβcold, inevitable.
“Daddy, let’s go eat!” Ryan tugged Romeo’s hand, oblivious, pulling him toward the dining room.
Rias stood rooted, heart slamming against her ribs.
How could she forget? Of course Ryan would follow in his father’s footsteps. The legacy wasn’t escaping, Ryan can’t chicken out of it, whether he likes it or not.
—-
They settled at the long dining table. Rias reached for the steaming bowl of pasta, ladle in hand, but Romeo’s fingers brushed hers firm as he took it away gentle.
“I’ll do it,” he said, voice low, eyes locking on hers steady.
She froze a beat, then let go slow, hand lingering near his before pulling back.
Romeo scooped generous portions first for Ryan, twirling pasta neat on the plate, sauce glistening just right, then set it down in front of the boy.
“Is that okay, little man?”
“Yup,” Ryan grinned, grabbing his fork eager.
Romeo turned next, dished for Rias carefully, then pushed the plate her way slowly.
“Is that okay, baby mama?”
Her mouth dropped open slight, cheeks heating fast. Baby mama? Sweet or cold jab? She couldn’t read him, his face stayed calm, eyes dark pools holding hers too long.
She nodded quick, whispered.
“Yes,” fork trembling as she picked it up.
They started eating, forks clinking soft, Ryan slurping loud between bites. Silence stretched thick, charged.
“So Daddy, are you going to live with us here?” Ryan asked, sauce on his chin.
“No, not here. I don’t like New Jersey,” Romeo said, wiping Ryan’s face with his napkin tender.
“So where are we going to go?” Ryan pressed, eyes wide.
“We can go to Paris, but then we still have to go to Tokyo. That’s where we’re gonna live,” Romeo replied, voice even.
“Tokyo… I’ll get to see Grandma and Grandpa and Ariana and Great Grandpa?” Ryan bounced in his seat.
“Yes. Along with your uncle Hunter, Aunt Sasha, and Aunt Nancy,” Romeo added, smiling small at Ryan’s giggle.
Rias swallowed hard, fork pausing. “Is it true that Lin is friends with you and Hunter now?”
Romeo met her gaze direct. “Yeah. Well, sadly she didn’t die from the gunshot Nancy gave her. She’s the one running her clan now and the alliance with hers is still on. She’s a great help too, Lin has no problem. She’s just a brat.”
She nodded, but he kept going, voice dropping softer.
“And if you’re thinking about what happened in the past, don’t. Nobody talks about that anymore.” His eyes held hers, intense.
She nodded again, silent.
She ate slow, but her appetite died quick. His vibe felt offβtoo calm, too unusual. Is he still mad at me? She thought.
She pushed her chair back quiet.
“I’ll be in my room.”
“But you only started eating,” Ryan said, fork mid-air.
“I’m full, baby,” Rias forced a smile.
“You sure?” Romeo asked, voice low, eyes narrowing slight.
Her stomach grumbled loud, betraying her.
“Sit. Down,” Romeo said, tone firm, brooking no argument.
She nodded fast and sank back into the chair, her cheeks burning under his stare.
“I want to pee,” Ryan announced, hopping down.
“Wash your hands once you’re done,” Rias called after him.
“I will,” Ryan yelled back, feet pattering away.
Silence crashed back heavier. Rias poked at her food, feeling his eyes burn into herβintense, unrelenting, tracing her lips, her neck, the way her chest rose fast.
Romeo set his fork down deliberate and leaned forward slightly.
His hand twitched on the table, inches from hers, fingers flexing like he ached to touch her, to pull her close, claim her right there.
But he held back, his gaze smoldering hot, saying everything words wouldn’t. Years of hurt, want, forgiveness tangled in that look.
She met it finally, her breath catching. Pulse thrummed loud in her ears.
“We’re going to Paris immediately after dinner,” he said.
“Huh?” Rias blinked, eyes wide on his.
“We’re going to Paris.” Romeo repeated slow, gaze dropping to her lips deliberately.
“Okay,” she whispered, looking away quick, heart slamming wild.
__________
[An Hour Later]
Rias knelt by the suitcase, folding Ryan’s tiny clothes with mechanical precision. Since Romeo had said they were leaving to Paris right after dinner, she hadn’t questioned it.
Why bother? His word was law.
She felt his eyes on her the whole time, heavy and assessing. Then he moved to her closet, pulling out her dresses, blouses, jeansβpacking her clothes without a word.
She bit her lip, heart twisting, but let him.
“Romeo,” she said softly.
“Yes.”
“About what you said… about… um…”
“Our son joining the Yakuza?” He didn’t pause, folding a sweater with sharp efficiency.
She nodded, throat tight.
“Is there a problem?” His voice was even, eyes still on the clothes.
“Is it necessary?” The words escaped in a whisper.
“Yes. No objections to it.” He stacked another shirt, final as stone.
“But I want our son to have a normal life.”
Romeo’s hands stilled. He turned then, gaze piercing. “Are you implying I didn’t have a normal life?”
“I didn’t say that,” She rushed, hands fidgeting.
“Ryan will join the Yakuza at 16. I’ll train him personally.”
“Butβ”
“If you’re worried about his safety, don’t be.” He zipped a side pocket shut. “Whether he’s in or not, his life is tied to it. Better he learns to defend himself.”
Rias sighed, defeated, shoulders sagging.
“Ariana’s joining too, not just Ryan,” he added, casual as weather.
“Sasha agreed to that?” Shock flickered in her voice.
“Yes.” He sealed the last suitcase with a sharp *zip*. “Let’s go.”
He hefted all three bags effortlessly, striding out ahead.
Rias followed, glancing back at the empty apartment one last time before leaving.
_____________
[πππ«π’π¬ – ππ¨π¦ππ¨’π¬ ππ«π’π―πππ πππ¬π¨π«π – 11pm]
They arrived at the resort and the security shut the gates.
“I’m so sleepy,” Ryan murmured as Romeo carried him.
“Shh, go to sleep,” Romeo said softly.
Rias walked behind slowly with the bags.
This resort holds the most important memories for them. It’s where she fell in love deeply with Romeo, they had their first vacation here.
Most importantly, this is where Ryan was made.
She chuckled lowly to herself.
They entered the house and walked towards the rooms downstairs.
Romeo placed Ryan in the bed carefully.
“Let me,” Rias said.
Romeo stepped aside.
Rias pulled the blanket up over Ryan’s little body, tucking it tight around his shoulders so he wouldn’t kick it off.
She smoothed his hair back gentle, then leaned down and kissed his cheek soft, her lips lingering.
“Mama…” Ryan mumbled, eyes half-closed.
Rias bit her lips and smiled, her heart full.
“Did you talk to him?” Rias asked Romeo quietly.
“Why’d you let him call you Rias?” Romeo said.
“Says the person who called his parents by their name till he turned 33,” Rias shot back.
Romeo found that amusing but then he left the room first.
“Mama,” Ryan opened his eyes a bit.
“Yes baby,” she whispered, sitting on the bed edge.
“Daddy will be here when I wake up, right?”
“Of course, your daddy won’t go anywhere.”
“Promise?”
“Promise. Just go to sleep and rest to the fullest, so you can play with Daddy tomorrow.”
“Thank you, Mama,” Ryan said sleepy.
“For what?” Rias asked.
“For taking care of me, and for giving me Daddy. I love him so much, I don’t want another Daddy except for him..”
Rias sniffed her tears back, throat tight.
“I love you so much, Mama. But I’ll still be a brat.” He murmured.
She chuckled.
“Love you too baby,” she whispered, kissing his forehead one more time.
He slept off.
Rias came out a while later and surprisingly Romeo was at the door. Her eyes met his. The air felt thick.
“Goodnight,” She said and headed towards her room.
She felt his strong hand grab her elbow and he pulled her towards his door instead.
He opened the door wide.
“Go in,” He said leaning on the door frame.
She didn’t object and entered. He followed her in and shut the door.
“Make yourself comfortable,” he said taking off his shirt.
She froze seeing his back. His tattoos asides, she could see scars from the gunshot wounds.
He turned to her and she was still staring, it became worse when she saw his s+xy chest. F+k… Her eyes then widened.
He tattooed Ryan’s name on his chest and not just Ryan’s name, he tattooed her name too with an arrow heart.
She blushed hard.
“Do you like it?” He asked softly.
This is the first time since she saw him today that his voice was soft while talking to her. It’s like he just switched up.
“Huh?” She snapped out.
“You know what I’m talking about,” He said.
“Oh. When did you get it?” she asked.
He walked towards the bed and sat, stretching his arms.
“Two months after I woke up from a coma. I was still undergoing therapy then.” He said.
“I was shocked when your mom told me that you were alive. She told me just recently a year ago before you woke up from a coma. Can’t believe it,” she said.
“Did Ryan know? I mean did you tell him his dad was hospitalized? Cause from what he said, it doesn’t look like he knows,” he asked.
“I never really mentioned it. But why? Why did you tell them to restrict me from seeing you when you woke up,” she said.
“You think I wanted you and Ryan to see me in a pitiful state?” he replied.
“Oh, okay.” She stood there, feeling his eyes on her.
“Come here,” He said.
She dragged her feet towards the bed and stopped at the edge, right in between his legs.
He held her wrist, pulling her onto his thighs.
“Romeo,” she gasped as his hand tightened around her waist.
She was nervous, heart pounding.
“Relax will you, what the f+k is wrong with you?” he asked, surprisingly calm.
“You’re really making me nervous,” she said.
“Why’s that? Do you feel uncomfortable with me?” He asked.
“More like sad and scared,” she whispered.
“Why?” he asked, shutting his eyes as he kissed her shoulder slowly.
“Hmm.” She moaned softly, her body reacting.
“Because…. you said you were here for your son and not me,” she said.
“Does it bother you?” he murmured.
She nodded, eyes glassy.
“I meant that I was there, in New Jersey, at that moment, for Ryan. I knew he wouldn’t let me be the minute he saw me. I wanted to bring you here afterwards.β He said .
βI was f+king holding myself back from grabbing you the entire time in front of him. You’re my very special priority,” He said low.
She burst into tears, burying her face in his neck.
“I thought you hated me,” she sobbed.
“Why should I?” he asked, hand stroking her back.
“Because I’m the reason you went into a coma, you almost died because of me, Romeo.” she cried.
“Who’s blaming you? I did that because I had to. Protecting you meant that I protected Ryan too. Don’t blame yourself for that,” he said firm.
“He looks a lot more like me in person than in the photos you sent to mom,” he added.
“He’s stubborn too and a headache. He literally is you, my genes didn’t even try,” she said, voice shaky.
“Are you jealous?” he teased lightly.
“No.” She chuckled, and his eyes stayed on hers, intense.
His hand on her waist pulled her closer, she crashed against his body hard.
Their eyes locked, not saying anything, heat building.
“Did, did you miss me?” she whispered.
“Did I miss you?” He caressed her hair slow, rubbing her chin.
She nodded, eyes glassy.
“Let me show you.”
His palm instantly wrapped around her neck and pulled her face closer roughly and crashed their lips together hungry.
She wrapped her arms around his neck, caressing his bare back, nails digging light.
He shifted and flipped her onto the bed, her back hit the mattress, her eyes shut tightly as he devoured her lips madly.
His body pressing down hot as she wrapped her legs around his waist, his hands roaming fire against her thighs.
βF+k…I missed you so f+king much, baby mama…β He m+aned into the kiss.
Β°
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Β« π.π.π Β»
