BOUND BY VENGEANCE 'CLAIMED BY THE MAFIA'

BOUND BY VENGEANCE 'CLAIMED BY THE MAFIA'

last updateLast Updated : 2024-12-30
By:  BelluxaroseCompleted
Language: English
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David, you returned thinking you could fix everything, but your words froze me to my core. You said I ruined everything that should have been perfect. I begged you to live—for our unborn child—but the woman you held wasn’t me. It was Kate, my fake sister who’d stolen everything from me for twenty years. Abducted at 10, I fought through unspeakable hardships to find my family, only to be despised by them. I watched Kate take my wealth, my parents' love, and even my husband. She told me to disappear, and I was cast away in darkness. Bruised, tortured, and broken, I waited for the end. But I opened my eyes to a hospital room, with a pregnancy test report on the table, dated the day before my death. I was reborn. Given a second chance, I vowed never to repeat the mistakes of my past. I’d leave this toxic family, this horrible marriage, and give up everything for my baby’s future. But then you came, David—begging me to come back with tears in your eyes. Could I return to you after everything? Then came Ronan Darkwood, a mafia don with power, wealth, and a deadly reputation. He claimed me as his own. In his world, I found strength, love, and protection from the horrors of my past. As I fell for him, I realized that everything I thought I knew about love and family was wrong. I have a second chance, and I won’t waste it. Will I break free from my past and embrace a future with Ronan, or will the chains of betrayal tear it all apart?

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Chapter 1

Chapter 1: Rebirth

I never thought this day would come—the day my life would finally end, and yet, it was the only way out. The cold metal door clanged behind me, and I felt my body collapse against the ice-cold concrete of the cell. Everything had led to this. Betrayal. Suffering. Endless years of watching everything that was meant for me slip through my fingers, until it was too late.

David's words echoed in my mind as I lay there, bruised and broken, cold air biting at my skin. "You ruined everything," he’d said, his voice cold, devoid of the warmth I had once known. "You should have never come back."

How could he say that to me? I, his wife—the woman who had fought to survive, to find my place in a world that never wanted me—had become the enemy. He held Kate in his arms, my fake sister, the woman who had taken everything from me, from the wealth that should have been mine to the love of my parents. Even my husband had chosen her.

Tears stung my eyes, but they were no longer for him. I had shed them long ago. This time, they were for the baby growing inside me—my baby, my only hope, the one thing I could still fight for.

"I’m sorry," I whispered to the child, my voice cracking. "I couldn’t protect you from this. I couldn't protect myself. But I swear, I’ll make it right. I’ll find a way."

The door of the cold, dark cell creaked open, and I could barely muster the strength to lift my head. I heard footsteps approaching, but they felt like a distant memory like everything around me was fading into nothingness. My breath was shallow, and my limbs were growing heavy. The cold was seeping into my very bones, but I didn’t care. It felt like the end.

Until I opened my eyes and saw the sterile white walls of a hospital room.

The sound of a heartbeat monitor was the only thing that filled the silence, a steady rhythm that grounded me in reality. My hands were trembling as I slowly turned my head, expecting to see the harsh, unforgiving world of my past. But there was none of that. No, Kate. No David. No betrayal.

I glanced at the table beside my bed, and my heart nearly stopped when I saw the pregnancy test report. My eyes moved slowly to the date—just one day before my death. The chills that ran down my spine weren’t from the cold, but from the sudden realization that something impossible had happened.

I was reborn.

My mind reeled as I tried to make sense of what had just occurred. Had I died? Was this some kind of cruel joke? Or was I truly given another chance at life?

A surge of emotion flooded me—fear, anger, confusion—and then, beneath it all, a quiet, almost delicate sense of hope. I wasn’t sure what had brought me back, but I wasn’t going to waste this opportunity. Not this time.

I was going to leave everything behind. The toxic family. The betrayal. The horrible marriage. All of it. I would escape it for good. This time, I would ensure that my baby would grow up safe, far from the shadows of my past.

But as I tried to sit up, the door to the room opened, and I froze.

David stood in the doorway, his face ashen, eyes wide, like he had seen a ghost. His suit was impeccable, as always, but there was a tremor in his hands—hands that had once held me, that had once made promises of a future we could build together.

I looked at him, trying to ignore the bitter taste that filled my mouth. “You—what are you doing here?”

His voice cracked as he stepped forward, his eyes welling with tears. “Ashley… I—I’m so sorry. Please, come back to me.”

A surge of anger welled up within me. How could he do this? How could he stand there, after everything? After he had torn my world apart and handed it to her?

“No,” I whispered, shaking my head. “I’m done with you, David. I’m done with all of this.”

“But—” His voice faltered. “Please, don’t do this. I… I love you.”

I laughed bitterly, a harsh sound that echoed through the room. “You loved me?” I asked, the words tasting like poison. “You loved me when you were holding her in your arms? When you made me feel like I was worthless?”

David flinched, the guilt in his eyes making me feel a twisted sense of satisfaction. But there was no room for that anymore. No more time to waste on the man who had ruined me.

I stood up from the bed, my knees shaky, but my resolve stronger than ever. “I’m not coming back. Not to you. Not to Kate. Not to any of it.”

David’s face crumpled with grief. “Please… please don’t go.”

I shook my head. “It’s over, David. You had your chance.”

I turned, and as I walked toward the door, a sense of finality washed over me. I was leaving behind the life I once knew, the life that had torn me apart. And though it felt terrifying, I also felt a flicker of something I hadn’t felt in years: freedom.

I stepped out of the hospital room, leaving David standing there with that pitiful expression on his face. I didn’t look back. There was no point in reliving the past, no point in letting him see how much he’d broken me. The weight of the decision felt heavy, but it was the only choice I had left.

I walked through the sterile hallway, the sound of my footsteps echoing in the space. Nurses passed by, giving me brief, curious glances, but I didn’t care. I wasn’t here for their approval. I wasn’t here for anyone. I was here for me, for my baby—this new life that had been given to me.

The air felt strange as I stepped outside, the sunlight blinding as it hit my skin. It felt foreign, too bright, like a life I had never known. The world seemed too big, too overwhelming after the small, suffocating space I had lived in for years. My mind was racing. What now? What do I do next?

The thought that I was truly free was liberating and terrifying all at once. I couldn’t go back to the house I had shared with David. That place would forever be a reminder of everything I had lost, of everything Kate had taken from me. The thought of going back to my parents’ house was equally unbearable. They had never cared for me and had always treated me like an outsider. Kate had always been their perfect daughter, their darling. The thought of facing them again, after everything that had happened, made my skin crawl.

So, I did what I had always done. I kept moving.

I had nowhere else to go. But I wasn’t going to fall into the traps of the past. I was stronger now. And I wasn’t going to waste this chance.

I needed a place to stay, a new life, something to call my own. It had to be far from the toxic world I had known.

As I walked through the streets, I felt like an outsider. The sounds of the city surrounded me, but they felt distant and muffled. People passed by, oblivious to the inner turmoil I was going through, and to the new life I was now trying to build.

My phone buzzed in my pocket, and I pulled it out to see a message from an unknown number. It read: “You don’t know me, but I know you. I think we should meet.”

I frowned. Who would send me a message like that?

I didn’t recognize the number, but something in me told me this wasn’t a coincidence. It felt like fate like someone was offering me a lifeline, a way out of the mess that had become my life.

I hesitated, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that this message was important.

Without thinking twice, I typed back: “Who is this?”

The response came quickly: “Someone who knows your story. Someone who can help you.”

I wasn’t sure whether to be terrified or intrigued.

Before I could type anything more, my phone buzzed again with another message: “Meet me at The Crimson Room in an hour. Come alone.”

I didn’t know what it meant, but it seemed like my only option.

I wasn’t sure what was waiting for me there. But as I stood on the edge of the city, with nothing but a future I couldn’t yet see, I knew one thing for sure: my life was about to change.

I made my way to the address. The building stood in the middle of an industrial area, dark and imposing, but somehow alluring. It was the kind of place you’d expect a person like me to end up—alone, searching for something.

When I stepped inside, the warm, dimly lit ambiance was a stark contrast to the harsh reality outside. The air smelled of whiskey and cigar smoke, and the buzz of conversation filled the room. My eyes scanned the space, looking for anything—or anyone—that could give me a sense of security.

Then, I saw him.

Ronan Darkwood.

He sat in a private booth at the back of the room, his back against the plush velvet cushions, his presence commanding the attention of everyone around him without so much as a word. His black suit was impeccable, and his dark hair was styled just enough to look effortless. His cold, calculating eyes met mine the moment I entered, and I felt a shiver run down my spine.

He was the man I had been warned about—powerful, dangerous, a mafia dons with a reputation that stretched across the city. He wasn’t the kind of man you crossed. And yet, there was something about him that made it impossible to look away.

My heart beat faster as I walked toward him, my legs trembling beneath me.

“Sit,” he said, his voice low, smooth, and filled with an undeniable authority.

I took a seat across from him, my nerves on edge, but his calm demeanor seemed to put me at ease. For a moment, I almost forgot why I was here, who I was. I was just a woman, sitting across from a man who could change everything.

“I’ve been following your story, Ashley Brown,” he said, his eyes never leaving mine. “You’ve been through hell. And I think it’s time for you to leave it all behind.”

His words sent a jolt of excitement through me, but also fear. Could I trust him? Could I trust anyone after everything that had happened?

“I don’t know what you’re offering,” I said, my voice steady despite the storm inside me. “But I have nothing left.”

“That’s where you’re wrong,” he replied. “You have everything now. You just don’t realize it yet.”

I frowned, confused. “What do you mean?”

He smiled, a dark, knowing smile that made my heart race. “I’m offering you a chance. A chance to escape. To leave behind the man who betrayed you, the family that never cared for you. To start over. But there’s a price.”

I swallowed hard. “What kind of price?”

Ronan’s smile widened, and his gaze softened just enough for me to see a flicker of something deeper—something dangerous. “Your loyalty, Ashley. Your trust. And your heart.”

His words hung in the air like a heavyweight. Loyalty, trust, and my heart. Three things I had given away before and all of them had been betrayed. Could I hand them over to someone like him?

I searched his eyes, trying to find any sign of deception, but all I saw was cold certainty. Ronan Darkwood wasn’t asking me for something casual—he was offering me a way out, a way to claim power, but at what cost?

“Why me?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

He leaned back in his seat, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the glass of his whiskey tumbler. The dim lighting of the room seemed to accentuate his features—the sharp line of his jaw, the coldness in his eyes that made it clear he was a man who never let anything slip. Yet, when he spoke, there was a dangerous allure to his words.

“Because you’re not weak,” he said slowly. “And I don’t deal with weakness. You’ve been broken, but you’re still standing. That tells me you’ve got the fire to survive. You just need someone to help you fan the flames.”

I looked away for a moment, my mind racing. Fire. Survive. Those words resonated with me more than they should. I had survived so much already, but had I come out unscathed?

David’s words echoed in my mind: "You ruined everything that should have been perfect." His voice, the venom in his tone, as though everything that had happened was my fault. Kate’s cold, elegant dismissal as she told me to disappear. They had both torn me apart, piece by piece until I was nothing more than a shadow of the woman I once was.

And yet, here I was, standing before a man who seemed to see something in me that I couldn’t even see myself.

“Why do you think I need your help?” I asked, my voice tinged with doubt.

Ronan’s lips curled into a small smirk, his eyes narrowing slightly as if he found amusement in my resistance. “Because you’re pregnant, Ashley. You’re carrying the only thing that matters now—the future. And I will protect that future.”

My hand instinctively moved to my stomach, the slight bump barely noticeable yet so significant. My child. The one thing I could never allow anyone to take away from me. I had to protect this life. The weight of that responsibility settled heavily in my chest, more pressing than any decision I had ever made.

But could I trust Ronan? Could I trust anyone?

“I can’t go back to my old life,” I said softly, more to myself than to him. “I can’t go back to David, to Kate, to my family. They don’t care about me. They never did.”

“I know,” he said, his voice softening. “That’s why you’re here. You don’t belong in that world anymore, Ashley. You belong in a world where you’re strong, where you can build a future for yourself and your child. A world where no one can hurt you again.”

His words were like a balm to my wounded soul, but at the same time, I couldn’t shake the fear. The fear of being controlled, of becoming trapped in another cage—only this time, one made of power, wealth, and dangerous promises.

“And what do you want in return?” I asked, my eyes narrowing slightly, trying to gauge his true intentions.

Ronan’s gaze didn’t waver. “Everything comes with a price, Ashley. But I’m not asking for your soul. I’m asking for your loyalty. Your trust. And when the time comes, you’ll give me something worth more than anything else.”

My heart skipped a beat. What was he asking for?

“You want me to be yours,” I said, more to confirm it than to question it.

His gaze softened just a fraction, and for the first time, I saw something flicker in his eyes—a hint of something real. “I want you to choose me. Not because you have to, but because you want to. You’ll come to realize, Ashley, that with me, you’ll never have to live in the shadow of your past. You’ll be free.”

The words hung in the air, heavy and full of promise. Freedom. It was the one thing I had never had, the one thing I wanted more than anything. But could I take this chance? Could I truly let go of everything I had known and trust him?

“I don’t know,” I whispered, the uncertainty in my voice betraying my doubts.

Ronan’s expression hardened once more, his eyes growing cold. “Take your time. But understand this—no one in this world gives you a second chance. I’m giving you one. You walk out that door, and you go back to the life that destroyed you. Or you come with me, and you embrace the power that will protect you and your child. The choice is yours.”

I sat in silence, the weight of his words pressing down on me. Ronan Darkwood, a man who had the power to change everything, was offering me a way out. But at what cost?

I stood up slowly, my heart pounding in my chest. “I need to think.”

He nodded once, his expression unreadable. “Think quickly. The world won’t wait for you.”

As I turned to leave, my thoughts were in turmoil. I had no real choice but to take this leap of faith. The past had already taken so much from me. Could I let it control me anymore?

I stepped into the night, the cool air hitting my skin like a slap of reality. I didn’t know what the future held, but one thing was clear—I was done being a pawn. This time, I was going to play my own game.

And maybe, just maybe, Ronan Darkwood would be the key to my freedom.

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122 Chapters
Chapter 1: Rebirth
I never thought this day would come—the day my life would finally end, and yet, it was the only way out. The cold metal door clanged behind me, and I felt my body collapse against the ice-cold concrete of the cell. Everything had led to this. Betrayal. Suffering. Endless years of watching everything that was meant for me slip through my fingers, until it was too late.David's words echoed in my mind as I lay there, bruised and broken, cold air biting at my skin. "You ruined everything," he’d said, his voice cold, devoid of the warmth I had once known. "You should have never come back."How could he say that to me? I, his wife—the woman who had fought to survive, to find my place in a world that never wanted me—had become the enemy. He held Kate in his arms, my fake sister, the woman who had taken everything from me, from the wealth that should have been mine to the love of my parents. Even my husband had chosen her.Tears stung my eyes, but they were no longer for him. I had shed them
last updateLast Updated : 2024-11-23
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Chapter 2: A dangerous proposition
I walked out of Ronan’s office that night with my mind in turmoil. The cold evening air whipped across my face, carrying the faint scent of rain and city streets. My hand instinctively moved to my stomach. My child. My reason for everything now.Could I trust him? A man like Ronan Darkwood, who radiated power and control, wasn’t someone you casually trusted. Yet, in his eyes, I saw something I hadn’t seen in years—certainty. He wasn’t going to break me. He saw me for who I could be, not who I was in my weakest moments.I flagged down a cab, giving the driver the address of a cheap motel on the outskirts of town. It wasn’t safe, but it was quiet, and I needed time to think. I couldn’t go back to the Scott mansion—not with David and Kate waiting like vultures, ready to pounce on the carcass of my already shattered life.The motel room was as dreary as I’d expected—peeling wallpaper, a bed that creaked under the lightest weight, and a single bulb that flickered ominously. But it didn’t m
last updateLast Updated : 2024-11-25
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Chapter 3: Shadows of control
The moment Ronan said I’d be moving into his estate, I felt the walls close in on me. I had agreed to trust him, to let him protect me, but this wasn’t what I had envisioned. Moving in? That sounded like surrender, like giving up the little control I had managed to scrape together.“No,” I said firmly, crossing my arms over my chest. “I’m not moving in with you.”Ronan raised an eyebrow, his expression a mixture of amusement and frustration. “This isn’t up for debate, Ashley. Staying in that motel is a risk you can’t afford.”“I can take care of myself,” I shot back, my voice shaking only slightly.He stepped closer, his towering frame making me feel small. “Can you? Because the last time I checked, your husband and that snake you call a sister left you for dead. Tell me, Ashley, do you really think they won’t try again?”His words hit me like a punch to the gut. As much as I hated to admit it, he was right. David and Kate wouldn’t stop until they destroyed me. Still, the idea of movi
last updateLast Updated : 2024-11-26
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Chapter 4: Dangerous alliance
The next morning began with a knock on my door. I was already awake, staring blankly out the window as the early sunlight spilled into the garden.“It’s me,” Ronan’s voice came from the other side.I hesitated before opening the door. His presence still unnerved me, but there was an undeniable pull that made it hard to stay distant.“Come in,” I said, stepping back.He entered, his expression serious. He was dressed casually today, in a fitted black shirt and dark jeans, but the weight of his authority clung to him like a second skin.“Are you ready to talk about what you know?” he asked without preamble.I swallowed hard, clutching the folder in my hands. “I’ve been thinking about it all night.”“Good. Sit.” He gestured to the small sitting area by the window.I sat down reluctantly, and he followed, his sharp eyes trained on me.“Start from the beginning,” he said.I hesitated, the memories rising like bile in my throat. “David… he wasn’t always this way. When we met, he was charmin
last updateLast Updated : 2024-11-26
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Chapter 5: Into the lions den
The sound of Ronan’s voice stayed with me as we prepared to leave the estate. His words, his warnings, were etched into my mind, but my determination outweighed my fear. This was my life now—my fight.We drove through the city under the cover of night, the tension inside the car thick enough to cut with a knife. Ronan sat beside me, his jaw clenched as he stared out the window, lost in thought. Matteo was driving, his sharp eyes scanning the streets for any signs of danger.“Are you sure about this?” Ronan asked, his voice low.I met his gaze, my hands tightening in my lap. “Yes. If this meeting involves David, I need to know.”Ronan didn’t respond, but the look in his eyes told me everything I needed to know. He wasn’t happy about my decision, but he respected it.The meeting was set to take place at an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of the city—a cliché location for a not-so-cliché confrontation. As the car pulled to a stop outside the looming building, my heart pounded in my
last updateLast Updated : 2024-11-26
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Chapter 6: Shadows of the past
The aftermath of the warehouse shootout left me rattled but resolved. It was no longer just about survival—it was about taking control of my life. Ronan’s words from the night before echoed in my mind as I paced in the library of his sprawling estate.“You’re stronger than you think, Ashley.”But was I strong enough to face what was coming?The sunlight streaming through the tall windows felt foreign as if the world outside shouldn’t be so bright when my life was so fractured. Matteo entered the room, his quiet presence breaking my spiraling thoughts.“Ronan wants to see you,” he said, his voice gruff but not unkind.I nodded, following him down the hall. The estate was a labyrinth of luxury, but its grandeur did little to comfort me. Every shadow seemed to hold a threat, every quiet moment a precursor to chaos.Ronan was in his office, seated behind a massive mahogany desk. His sharp suit was immaculate, but the tension in his posture was impossible to miss. When his eyes met mine, t
last updateLast Updated : 2024-11-27
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Chapter 7: The calm before the storm
The countryside mansion was breathtaking, surrounded by endless stretches of green fields and dense woods. It was a stark contrast to the tension gripping my soul, but I had to admit—here, I could breathe a little easier. For now, at least.As I stepped out onto the balcony early that morning, I let the cool air wash over me. The sun was rising, painting the sky with hues of orange and pink. For a fleeting moment, I allowed myself to imagine a future where my baby and I could live peacefully.But that moment shattered when I heard Ronan’s voice behind me.“Beautiful, isn’t it?” he said, leaning against the doorframe, his sharp features bathed in the morning light.I turned to face him. “It’s peaceful. I’m not sure I know how to live in peace anymore.”Ronan’s expression softened, and he stepped closer. “You’ll learn. I’ll make sure of it.”His confidence was overwhelming, yet comforting. In Ronan’s presence, I felt protected, even when my world was falling apart.---The day unfolded
last updateLast Updated : 2024-11-27
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Chapter 8: A storm draws near
The atmosphere in the mansion was thick with tension. Preparations for the impending confrontation had taken on a life of their own. Every man under Ronan’s command moved with a purpose, their loyalty and determination evident in their every step. As for me, I felt like a spectator in a world of chaos—a world that Ronan lived and breathed.But I couldn’t just sit idly by, waiting for the storm to hit.I spent the early hours of the morning in the library, sifting through stacks of books. It wasn’t just a distraction; it was my way of feeling connected to something familiar. Yet my mind refused to quiet. The weight of what was coming, of everything Ronan was risking for me, pressed heavily on my chest.“Couldn’t sleep either?” Matteo’s voice startled me. I glanced up to see him leaning casually against the doorway.“Is it that obvious?” I asked, managing a weak smile.Matteo stepped inside, pulling a chair close to mine. “You’re worried about tomorrow.”“Of course, I am,” I admitted. “
last updateLast Updated : 2024-11-27
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Chapter 9: The battlefield
The morning sun rose over the mansion, casting long, golden rays across the grounds. It was almost ironic how serene the day appeared, considering the chaos brewing just beneath the surface. Ronan’s men moved with military precision, their faces set in grim determination. My nerves felt frayed, but I held it together—for my baby, for myself, and for the man who promised to bring me out of the darkness.---Ronan had insisted I stay in the mansion, far from the impending conflict. His words replayed in my mind as I stood in the nursery, running my fingers over the crib.“Stay here. Stay safe.”But could I? Knowing what was at stake, knowing he might not come back? The thought gnawed at my resolve, and I struggled against the urge to intervene.A sharp knock at the door startled me. I turned to see Matteo standing in the doorway, his expression unreadable.“Ronan wanted me to check on you,” he said, stepping inside.“I’m fine,” I replied quickly, though the tremor in my voice betrayed m
last updateLast Updated : 2024-11-27
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Chapter 10: The cracks begin to show
The morning after the attack felt heavier than it should have. While the mansion was safe, the cost of that security lingered in the air. Ronan had left early to handle the fallout, leaving me in the care of Matteo and the other men.The silence in the house wasn’t peaceful—it was charged. Every creak, every distant murmur reminded me of how much my life had changed.I sat in the kitchen, cradling a cup of tea in my hands. My thoughts swirled a tangle of questions I couldn’t yet answer. How long could I live like this? How long could I expose my unborn child to this world of shadows and blood?---Matteo entered the room, breaking my train of thought. “You look like you didn’t sleep a wink.”I managed a weak smile. “That obvious?”He pulled up a chair, his usual smirk replaced by a rare moment of sincerity. “This isn’t easy, I know. But you’re stronger than you think.”“I’m not sure strength is enough,” I admitted. “This world—it’s nothing like the one I grew up in. I feel like I’m co
last updateLast Updated : 2024-11-27
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