Mr. Villain's Lovely Wife

Chapter 83

San Francisco, California

Amalia sat across from Rob in the cramped café, her fingers tightening around the chipped edge of her teacup. She stared at the man opposite him who casually leaned back in his chair, his tattooed neck visible above the collar of his worn, faded shirt. The snake design coiled up one side, stopping just below his car. He rubbed his bald head absentmindedly, his expression impatient.

“What do you mean, give you some money?” Rob said, frowning He gestured toward his scuffed jeans. “Do I look like I’m rolling in cash right now?”

Amalia’s grip on her cup tightened further, her knuckles white. You said you’d pay me back after last time,” she said, her voice shaking slightly. “Rob, I know you’re applying for jobs, but really need that money. If I can’t get the properties back from the pawnshop, I’ll have nowhere to go. Do you understand? Nowhere.”

Rob snorted. “What do you mean by ‘nowhere‘? You’ve got that stupid niece of yours, don’t you? What’s her name? Izzy? Why the heck are you asking me for money when you can just ask her to give you some?”

“Don’t call her that,” she snapped. “She’s not stupid.”

“Really?” Rob tilted his head, raising an eyebrow. “What’s going on then? Why are you running around begging for money like this?” He leaned closer. “Hey… are you trying to test me right now?”

“What?”

“Are you testing me? Seeing if I’ll give you some money if you need it?” He looked around. “Are there cameras somewhere?”

“Rob, what are you-”

%

he clicked his tongue. “Amalia… can we stop fooling each other? Both of us know that I can’t give you anything right now. I’m still looking for a job, the market’s

turned

something next week.

finally spoke. “She’s kicking us out,” she said. “Izzy is bullying your daughter, Rob. She got

from irritation to disbelief. “What the hell? How could you be struggling just to get by? Are you fucking with me right

“Rob-”

that… bag…” Rob gestured at her back.

“Rob!”

listen to me,” Rob leaned closer as he rested his elbow on the table. “I found someone willing to buy secondhand bags, as long as you still have the boxes and receipts. You can get some

Amalia interrupted him. She looked around and noticed people staring at them. Then she lowered her voice. “I’m here asking you to pay me what you

Wed, Jan 15

Chapter 83

her, irritation flashing on his face. “What about that niece of yours? Are you

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now! “I thought I raised her,” she said, her shoulders trembling. “I didn’t know I was raising a wolf. She’s treating me like

that? Did she notice you stealing from her bank account?” Then he shook his head. “No… that can’t be. That’s impossible.

“But she’s turning 26 in a few days. She’ll finally get her inheritance. Maybe she thinks she’s better than us now. She’s got power, Rob, and she’s using it to crush us. Monica’s her cousin! And she fired her, kicked her out of her job like she was nothing. I

silence for a moment, his expression hard to read. Finally, he leaned forward, resting his tattooed

froze all my cards. And if I don’t find a way to get the money to buy my properties back,