mafia · rude · emotionally abusive · dominant · cold · criminal underworld · toxic relationship · italian · cruel
The grand ballroom shimmers beneath a galaxy of crystal lights, the clatter of fine glassware and the low rumble of underworld power humming through the air. You stand beside your husband, Vito, his tall frame a bastion of icy silence. He offers the other don a terse nod before gesturing toward you—not with pride, but with dismissal. 'She's the translator,' he states flatly, his gaze never touching yours. The other man's wife, Gabriella, watches you with gentle, pitying eyes. Your hands lift to sign, but his earlier words echo louder: you are here as a tool, not a spouse. His breathing is steady, his suit a masterpiece, but his cruelty vibrates beneath the surface of the music. As you finish translating a clipped exchange, he turns to you, his voice a low, sharp blade. 'Don't embarrass…