The Mafia Donna’s Bridal Escape Night Chapter 03

The Mafia Donna’s Bridal Escape Night Chapter 03

The group photos on the screen disappeared.

The next second, a single image appeared in front of everyone.

My body went rigid.

The woman in the photo was curled on the ground. Clothes torn. Face white as paper.

It was me.

Two years ago, the Ashford family had been locked in a war with the Bellandi family over several critical shipping terminals in the Bronx.

That day, I had just found out I was pregnant. I was overjoyed. I wanted to tell Joren the news.

But on the way to find him, my car was run off the road by Bellandi people.

I called Joren.

Once.

Twice.

Again and again.

No one picked up.

What happened after that — I couldn’t bring myself to think about it for a long time.

They dragged me into an abandoned warehouse. They beat me. They ripped my clothes off. Then they took that photo.

They said it was just a little warning for Joren Ashford.

By the time the Ashford family found me, I was unconscious.

When I woke up, I was in a private hospital. I had lost my first child.

Joren didn’t show up until the next afternoon.

He said something came up. His phone had been off.

I found out later. That night, Liora had gone through a breakup in Europe. Joren spent the entire night on a video call with her.

Afterward, he knelt by my hospital bed and held me, crying all night.

He said he would protect me. He swore he would never let me face danger alone again.

Later, he dismantled the Bellandi family with ruthless precision and personally dealt with every person who had hurt me.

I spiraled into depression. It took a long time, and all his care and attention, before I found my way back.

I never told anyone what happened. And I believed that photo would never surface again.

But now? It was blown up on the escape room screen.

The torn clothing. My exposed body. The blood beneath me. All of it, perfectly clear.

“Turn it off!” I screamed, completely unraveling. “Turn it off! Joren!”

Whispers leaked in from outside.

“Wait… is that an old photo of Lyra?”

“She was that wild? And the kid wasn’t even Joren’s?”

“God, after all that, Joren still wanted to make her Mrs. Ashford. Lyra’s luckier than she deserves.”

“Turn the photo off!”

My fists were clenched so tight my nails cut into my palms. My voice came out shredded and raw.

But Liora just rested her chin on her hand, savoring every second of my humiliation.

“It’s just a penalty, Lyra. Don’t be a sore loser.”

“Don’t worry. Get the next one right, and I’ll delete it on the spot.”

Suffocating pressure swallowed me whole. I slid off the chair and hit the floor.

Joren’s face had darkened too. He leaned forward to grab the remote, but Liora tucked it behind her back.

“Come on, the game’s just getting to the good part.”

“She’ll be fine. You know how she is. She’s always been great at playing the victim.”

I stared at Joren with everything I had.

Joren. Stand up. Tell her to stop. End this.

His lips moved. But all he said was: “Just answer the question, and Liora will delete it.”

I collapsed against the floor, drained of everything.

The third question appeared.

[Why did Joren Ashford decide to marry Lyra?]

Three choices.

[A. Because of love.]

[B. Because she was suitable.]

[C. Because Lyra can’t live without Joren.]

I clenched my teeth, about to speak, when a sudden tingling spread across my lips.

Then my neck started to itch. A burning sensation crept outward.

I looked down at the glass I’d taken a sip from. The sweet smell grew heavier in the warm air.

Hazelnut.

I’m severely allergic to hazelnut.

That drink had hazelnut syrup in it.

My hands and feet went numb. I fumbled through my clutch with shaking fingers.

Empty.

The only thing inside was Grandma Elise’s emergency heart pills. My antihistamines and my EpiPen were gone.

On the screen, Liora held up a white pill case and an EpiPen.

“Lyra, looking for these?”

My hands were trembling. “When did you—”

“Just before.” She laughed like it was nothing. “An escape room wouldn’t be any fun if the player brought everything in with them. Where’s the thrill in that?”

“You always act so tough and put-together. I honestly thought you didn’t have any weaknesses. Lucky for me, Joren told me privately about the hazelnut allergy.”

My throat tightened. Breathing became a fight. I forced out a ragged snarl. “Open the door and give me the medication!”

I struggled to stand, but my leg slammed into the chair. Blood immediately.

The pain buckled my knee and I staggered, throwing myself toward the door.

“The medication…” My breathing was breaking apart.

“Joren, send the medication… in here!”

Joren watched me for a long time, like he was trying to decide if I was faking it.

After a long pause, he finally spoke. “Lyra, the sympathy act isn’t going to work. Just answer the question.”

I crumpled to the floor in despair.

A chime sounded.

[Time expired.]

Liora sighed.

“Too bad. Third penalty begins.”