Bound by Betrayal (The Mafia King Captive Bride)

“It’s okay, Sebastian, it’s fine,” I comfortingly pat his shoulder. “I understand the fear, and hey, you’ve learned from your mistake.”

“Sniffing, he buried his face on my shoulder, ‘I miss him, I miss our friendship…'” I consoled him, feeling the weight of his words. “His jokes, I miss him a lot,” he continued, his emotions raw and palpable in the air.

Swallowing hard, I fought back the tears, a heavy silence enveloping us. “Where is she now?” I inquired softly, the question lingering in the air.

Pulling his head off me, he rubbed his jaw repeatedly, his eyes reflecting a deep frustration. “She died in childbirth, both she and the baby couldn’t make it alive.”

Ah…! And for the first time, I felt bad for her. Past few years I was busy enjoying my life while some had messy years. Slowly I stared at the sad-looking guy sitting beside me, “Did Damien kill her?” I asked quietly but he gasped in response.

“Come on, hell no,” he was quick to defend. “Though I wished he did but he didn’t,” nodding I looked away from him.

After seeing him shoot someone dead in front of me, everything about him scares though at the same time intrigues me.

“How are you planning to fix things?” I inquired, eager to glean insights as my own life seemed like a chaotic puzzle waiting to be solved.

Chuckling, he absently massaged his left ear, a gesture of both frustration and resignation. “Sometimes, we have to let fate do its thing,” he remarked, our eyes locking in a moment. “Although I’m somewhat limited at the moment, I’m just helping him tackle some minor issues behind him. My main goal is to help him capture that elusive runaway coward,” he stated with a determined glint in his eyes.

Huh! Interesting… He’s right, not everything can be fixed. Sometimes, we’ve got to let fate take the reins. But what does he mean by him helping out from the shadows?

“How will you do that?”

“I might not be physically present with him but I am with him,” I blinked in surprise at his statement, my confusion evident in my gaze. “What do you mean?” I questioned again, wanting clarity.

“I am cipher,” he smiled mysteriously.

Cipher…!

This is the second time he is calling this name. Is that some kind of nickname or so?

I gave him a look like he’d gone off the deep end, though I was itching to ask him about the meaning of cipher, but I held back. Minutes ticked by, yet we remained seated in silence. Nothing else was said aside from our laughter, jests, and casual banter.

My vision blurred, probably thanks to the alcohol in my drink. Strangely, for the first time in months, I felt a hint of relief. Maybe it was because I opened up a bit about my pain. Not everything, but enough to feel like I stumbled upon a slice of friendship and peace with Sebastian.

He wasn’t the family puppet or physco as they said.

He is a good listener, and somehow I feel comfortable around him.

“You are damn funny,” I chuckled, my head spinning as I leaned on his shoulder. Empty cans of drinks surrounded us. Lost in the moment, I completely forgot that it was getting late until Sebastian’s gaze locked on the wall clock before us.

“Damnit!” He exclaimed, jumping to his feet. “It’s late. I bet Damien will be searching for you.”

“D-Damien,” I stammered, the name hit me like a ton of bricks. I let out a scream and scrambled to my feet, nearly losing my balance from the alcohol’s effects.

Supporting me to prevent any missteps, Sebastian guided us out of his place to his car. Igniting the engine, he drove away instantly.

**** **

The night was chilly, the sky dark as Sebastian silently drove down the dark road. I gazed out the car window, lost in my thoughts.

Just a few meters away from Damien’s place, he halted. I glanced at him, sensing his unspoken words. “He’ll kill me if he sees us together,” he muttered, his gaze fixed on the imposing black gate before us.

The lights are on, one more move, and our car will be easily spotted. “Is fine,” I reassured him with a smile. At that moment, he turned to meet my gaze.

My vision is getting damn blurry and my head pounds so hard. But I didn’t want him to notice, putting him in trouble was not what I wanted.

“Can you manage to walk inside by yourself?” I nodded immediately, offering him a small smile, even though I knew it would be challenging given how drunk I was but he needed to leave before that monster could catch sight of him.

“Alright,” he nodded, returning the smile. “Thanks for today,”

“Why?”

“I get to share the pain inside me with someone after years now.” He said, gently squeezing my hand. I smiled and nodded before a sudden realization struck me, his words echoing in my mind.

/” Sometimes we just have to allow fate to play its part,”/Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

“Something just can’t be fixed, no matter what,” I thought to myself. Before I could stop myself, the words spilled out, “Can you arrange me a visa to a distant country where I can disappear without a trace?”

“Ashley!” He nearly screamed, his eyes widening so much they almost popped out. “What are you saying? Damien loved you.”

Giving him a rueful smile, I shook my head, “He doesn’t.” I laughed sadly, holding my throbbing head.

“You are drunk, I am sure you don’t know what you are saying,” he said, eyeing me up strangely.

Shaking my head, I drunkenly waved him off, “I know what I am saying,” turning to face him, I suddenly held his hand, startling him. “Or don’t you want to help me?”

“Stop it, he loves you, I can see how he stares at you.”

“Stop it, Sebastian!” I couldn’t hold it back anymore, yelling with tears brimming down my face. “He doesn’t… He is still stuck in the past.”

“I don’t think so, he is not stuck in the past. He just wants to get Alexander, that’s all,” he said, trying to reassure me. But my heart seemed to have a mind of its own, and the pain of what was happening in my life recently forcefully flashing in my head.

He can never understand that we didn’t meet in a lovely way, it was all just a contract to him. My head throbs so hard, I immediately hold it and hissed out in pain before laughing so hard…… like really hard, that my stomach started to ache. Honestly, I didn’t know what was going on with me. My heart feels heavy, too heavy that I feel it will explode anytime soon. Sebastian couldn’t say anything but continued staring at me.

“You think, but it’s a lie… If not, tell me why he still has pictures of his ex all over our matrimonial room?” I snapped, shocking Sebastian, who had his mouth wide open at my revelation.

Coughing, I dragged in a deep breath before saying, “Please help me,” my voice calmed as I held his hand again.

My head banged so hard, and my eyes felt foggy, but before he could say another word, we both heard a voice from a distance. “You all have to be fast, boss is looking for her,” it seems like the person is on a phone call.

Sebastian gave me a sign and I quietly climbed down the car. I almost staggered, but I held the door for support. He gave me a worried look, but I waved him away.

Staggering as I shifted for him to drive away. Seeing that he had left, I let out a cough, too loud for the guy in the distance to hear.

“Who is that?” I heard him ask.

Walking forward, I kept swirling to the sides. My steps were unstable and shaky as I walked toward the direction of the gate.

“Ma’am!” I heard him shout and hurried toward me.

“Boss, she is back,” he screamed over the phone.

Looking forward, I can see the gate opened instantly and three men rushed out. I stared up at the mansion in front of me… Indeed something can never be fixed.

I don’t think he can ever love me, the whore legitimate daughter of Daniel Harlow that was married based on a mere freaking contract. Laughing drunkenly, I almost fell but was caught on time by… Damien!

How is that possible?

“You,” I whispered, pointing at his face. His deep intoxicating silver eyes were the last year I saw before I lost consciousness.