“Say Your Last Words and Go,” the Mafia Boss’s Wife Told His Secretary—But She Wasn’t Prepared for Her Answer

Six months later.

The warm spring sun shone brightly over the lush, green gardens of the Lake Forest estate. The scent of blooming lilac trees filled the air, carried by a gentle breeze off the water.

On the grand stone terrace overlooking the lake, eight-year-old Juny was running across the lawn, chasing a golden retriever puppy, her bright laughter echoing through the quiet afternoon.

Sitting at a wrought-iron table on the terrace was Josie. She wore an elegant, long-sleeved cream silk dress. Her dark hair was styled loosely over her shoulders, and her face was filled with a healthy, radiant warmth.

Beside her sat Rafferty Castellano.

He had officially stepped back from the dangerous street operations of the syndicate, transferring control of freight logistics into fully legitimate, audited shipping corporations managed directly by Josie.

Rafe leaned over, setting a small velvet box on the table before her.

Josie looked at him, her dark eyes curious. "What is this, Rafe?"

"Open it," he said softly, a warm, genuine smile lighting up his dark face.

Josie opened the velvet box.

Inside lay a beautiful vintage wristwatch made of polished rose gold. But what made her breath catch was the watch face: it was ticking smoothly, its slender gold hands marking the exact, live time of the afternoon.

And engraved on the back of the casing were the small, clear symbols: PH/04 — ALWAYS.

"Your father's watch will always keep the memory of your past, Josie," Rafe said, reaching across the table to wrap his scarred hand around hers. "This watch is for our future."

Josie looked up into his eyes—the eyes of a man who had protected her, who had torn down an empire to save her, and who loved every single scar she carried.

Juny came running up the terrace steps, breathlessly holding up a colorful crayon drawing she had been hiding behind her back all morning.

"Look, Josie! Look, Rafe!" Juny cheered, laying the drawing on the table.

It was a drawing of their small rowhouse, the grand estate, and three figures standing hand-in-hand under a bright yellow sun.

Josie laughed—a light, joyful sound that carried across the spring gardens.