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43. Ghost back to life
Last Updated:
2025-03-13 18:39:57
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MAFIA’S PET: Beg, or worse, Break 44. I slept with you
Third-Person POVDarcy barely registered her own hurried steps as she followed Dr. Adrian Bellavance down the quiet hospital corridor. The weight of everything, Aelia missing, Sola’s public stunt, the reporters swarming her was making her head pound, but she needed answers.And Adrian was the only person who could give them to her.The moment he pulled her into his office and shut the door, she turned on him.“Where is she?”Adrian sighed, removing his glasses and pinching the bridge of his nose. “You’re welcome, by the way.”Darcy clenched her fists. “Don’t play with me, Doc. Where. Is. Aelia?”His expression remained unreadable, but the sharp glint in his eyes told her he was not in the mood for games either. “Even if I knew, what makes you think I’d tell you?”“Because you clearly work for Pedro,” she spat. “You and Derrick, hell! Probably everyone around him, you’re all just his little puppets, aren’t you?”Adrian raised an unimpressed brow. “You seem to forget that I saved your a
Last Updated : 2025-03-14MAFIA’S PET: Beg, or worse, Break 45. One invitation
Third-person POVDarcy barely made it inside her apartment before the weight of last night came crashing down on her. The door clicked shut, but the suffocating tightness in her chest only grew. Her trembling fingers fumbled for the light switch, illuminating the small but cozy space she called home.The reflection in the hallway mirror stopped her in her tracks. Red-rimmed eyes, smudged mascara, disheveled hair, it was clear she hadn’t just had a bad night. She had made mistakes.Stupid, reckless and selfish kinds.She pressed her fingers against her temples, inhaling sharply. “What the hell did I do?”The memories were hazy but sharp where they counted. The bothersome encounter with Sola, the flashing cameras, the bitter taste of regret. The way she’d let herself get swept away in the moment, drinking, flirting, pretending that for just one night, she didn’t have responsibilities. And while she had been busy indulging in recklessness…Aelia.Darcy’s stomach lurched. She had forg
Last Updated : 2025-03-15MAFIA’S PET: Beg, or worse, Break 46. Escaping
Aelia’s POVMy pulse won’t settle. No matter how many breaths I take, no matter how much I try to steady my hands, my body knows the truth.I’m trapped.I dig my nails into my palms, fighting the storm building inside me. Every second in this villa, every breath in this suffocating space, is another reminder that my control over my own life is slipping away.Louisa left moments ago, her voice smooth, and professional, too calm for someone holding another person hostage. She had gone to inform the stationed chef about lunch and promised to return with something for me to wear.Lunch.With Pedro.My stomach coils. The thought of sitting across from him, pretending everything is fine, letting him feed me like I’m some treasured possession he plucked from a store shelf— I’d rather choke.I can’t do this.I won’t do this.The second I hear footsteps outside the door, I force my body to relax, schooling my face into blank obedience. Louisa wasn’t an ally so I had to be wary. The door swin
Last Updated : 2025-03-15MAFIA’S PET: Beg, or worse, Break 47. Would she beg?
Pedro’s POVI stepped out of the car, adjusting my cuff as Derrick fell into step beside me. The cool afternoon breeze did little to temper the irritation simmering beneath my skin.“Sir,” Derrick started, his voice measured. “Valeria showed up at the office. She requested to have lunch with you.”I cast him a slow glance. “There are things you shouldn’t report to me.”Derrick gave a slight nod of understanding.As I made my way through the entrance, a strange silence filled the villa. Something was off. Her presence was missing. I didn’t need to ask. I already knew.Aelia had tried to run.A smirk played on my lips as I changed direction, heading straight for the back garden.And there she was.Clinging to the stone wall like a desperate little squirrel. Her arms stretched upward, her body shaking from exertion as she struggled to climb over. Ridiculous.I took a few unhurried steps forward and leaned casually against a nearby column. Amused, intrigued and possessive.“Do you need he
Last Updated : 2025-03-16MAFIA’S PET: Beg, or worse, Break 48. Her heart stopped
Third Person POVThe heavy summer heat lingered outside, but inside Corale Prime towering skyscraper, the air was crisp and cold. Pedro Montonio strode through the marble-floored hallways of his empire, his patience already wearing thin.Derrick walked beside him, his voice low and even.“Valeria has been waiting in your office for twenty minutes,” he reported.Pedro didn’t even glance at him.Pedro pushed open the frosted glass doors to his office and, as expected, there she was, Valeria Moretti.She sat comfortably on the plush couch, her silk dress hugging her frame perfectly, her dark curls cascading effortlessly over one shoulder. A bento lunchbox sat elegantly on the coffee table, along with a bottle of sparkling water.Pedro barely spared it a glance.She smiled at him. “Finally.”He moved to his desk without greeting her, unbuttoning his suit jacket and sinking into his chair.“You should have called before coming.”Valeria pouted. “Where’s the fun in that?”Pedro leaned back,
Last Updated : 2025-03-17MAFIA’S PET: Beg, or worse, Break 49. Helplessness
The drive to the orphanage was a blur. Aelia barely remembered how she got there, only that her hands were shaking the entire way. The moment she stepped inside, the heavy scent of antiseptic and worry thickened the air.“Where is she?” Aelia’s voice came out breathless as she spotted Mary standing outside Penelope’s room.Mary’s face was tired, but she managed a small, reassuring nod. “She’s stable for now. The doctor is with her.”Aelia pushed past her into the dimly lit room. Penelope lay on the small cot, her tiny frame barely covered by a blanket. Her chest rose and fell in shallow breaths. The sight sent a sharp pain through Aelia’s heart.“She suddenly developed a high fever,” Mary explained quietly. “We tried everything, but nothing was working. So I called the doctor…”Aelia turned, ready to thank whoever had helped, only for her breath to catch in her throat.Adrian.He stood by Penelope’s bedside, adjusting the IV drip with practiced ease. His presence was so unexpected tha
Last Updated : 2025-03-18MAFIA’S PET: Beg, or worse, Break 50. I’ll do it
Aelia’s POV“I shouldn’t have answered the call… now here I was.” The café smelled of coffee beans and fresh pastries, but nothing about the cozy atmosphere eased the weight in my chest. I had barely sat down when Jamie arrived, dressed in his usual polished way, as if his crisp white shirt and tailored blazer could smooth over the mess between us.I wasn’t in the mood for small talk. He didn’t deserve that from me.“Aelia…” He exhaled, sitting across from me, his hands clasped together on the table. “I know I messed up that night.”I scoffed, looking away. Messed up? That was an understatement.“I should’ve chosen you. I wanted to—”I raised my hand, stopping him mid-sentence. “Then why didn’t you?”His jaw clenched. “I was overwhelmed. I was blindsided, and I—”“Those sound like excuses, Jamie” I shook my head. “If you wanted to choose me, you would have.”His silence was answer enough. What was I expecting? Ah, how foolish of me.I grabbed my purse, ready to leave. There was nothi
Last Updated : 2025-03-19MAFIA’S PET: Beg, or worse, Break 51. Blackmail
Aelia’s POVThe orphanage was filled with laughter and shrieks of joy, the kind that made my chest swell with warmth despite the storm raging inside me.The sun was high, blazing down on the playground where the kids ran wild, their tiny hands gripping the new toys I’d bought for them earlier. Some clutched stuffed animals, others ran in circles waving their new bubble wands, leaving trails of shimmering bubbles in the summer air. The scent of freshly baked treats drifted from the kitchen, where Mary had prepared an afternoon snack for them.I should’ve been happy.I should’ve let myself smile.But I wasn’t. And I couldn’t.Because the moment a small girl tugged at my sleeve and said, “That handsome uncle buys us treats like this too!” my body went stiff as stone.My heart gave a violent lurch. Handsome uncle?I turned to her slowly, my fingers tightening around the edge of my dress. “What did you just say, sweetheart?” I kept my voice calm, but my insides were twisting.She beamed, t
Last Updated : 2025-03-20
Latest chapter
MAFIA’S PET: Beg, or worse, Break 95. Getting rid of Aelia
The blue and red lights of police cars painted the hospital walls in frantic pulses. Officers moved in clusters, speaking in clipped tones into radios, while reporters hovered just beyond the line of sight, hungry for the next tragedy to feed on.Darcy pushed through them all, heart in her throat, hair clinging to her cheeks from the wind. Her shoes slapped hard against the concrete, breath ragged as her eyes scanned for a familiar face. Then she saw Pedro, standing like a wall of stone by the hospital entrance, surrounded by his men.Without thinking, she lunged.“You bastard!” she screamed, her fists slamming against his chest. “How could you let this happen?! How could you lose her?!”Pedro barely flinched. His eyes were dead and distant.Adrian appeared out of nowhere and caught Darcy from behind, dragging her back just enough to stop her flailing.“Darcy,” he whispered tightly, trying to calm her, but she kept fighting him.“She’s missing because of you!” Darcy’s voice cracked. “
MAFIA’S PET: Beg, or worse, Break 94. Beg for death
Pedro stood motionless, his hands tucked behind his back as he stared at Valeria like she was a puzzle missing only one piece, one very damning piece!His sharp eyes slid from her face to the bag in her hands, then back up again.“I’ll ask only once,” his voice was calm, but laced with steel, “why the hell are you here?”Valeria held her chin high, calm on the outside, but her knuckles turned white as she gripped the handle of the tote bag. “I brought you some essentials. You haven’t been home in weeks. Thought you could use food, clothes. Maybe a razor.”She extended the bag slightly in his direction like evidence, but Pedro didn’t move.“Convenient,” he murmured. “The one day you visit the hospital, she disappears.”Valeria’s jaw tightened. “Are you accusing me?”Pedro didn’t answer. He stepped in closer. Too close. His breath mingled with hers, his voice dipped into a dangerous whisper. “You think I’m stupid?”“I didn’t even go near her room,” she said defensively, expression smoo
MAFIA’S PET: Beg, or worse, Break 93. Wakey wakey
One Hour EarlierIt was warm here, too warm.Aelia stood barefoot in a sun-drenched field, the sky a rich shade of rose gold, the air thick with the scent of lavender and memories. The children from the orphanage were playing in the distance, their laughter soft and echoing, like it came from behind a veil. And beside her, Daisy stood. Whole. Smiling.“You could stay,” Daisy said, her voice feather-light, as if it didn’t belong to a body at all. “You and I… we could watch over them together.”Her fingers were laced with Aelia’s, the grip gentle but firm. Aelia looked down at their joined hands, felt the warmth, the strange comfort of it all.But something tugged.Not her hand, but her soul.“I can’t,” Aelia murmured, her voice uncertain, hollow. “I promised Penelope. I can’t leave her… I can’t leave them.”Daisy’s smile didn’t fade. “Then go,” she said softly. “I’ll take care of things here. You still have something to finish.”Aelia hesitated, but nodded and just like that, the golde
MAFIA’S PET: Beg, or worse, Break 92. Someone took her
Pedro hadn’t slept.He sat in the dim hospital room, his elbows propped on his knees, shoulders weighed down by exhaustion and a torment he refused to name. His phone was in his hand, the screen glowing faintly as he scrolled through the collection of photos and videos his shadows had gathered, moments he hadn’t been a part of, moments when Aelia had smiled without knowing he was watching.Aelia sipping coffee by the window of the villa, her eyes reflecting sunlight.Aelia pacing while on the phone, probably with Darcy, her brows furrowed.Aelia sitting on the beach, hugging her knees, completely unaware of the drone that captured her.He hated himself for them now. Hated that he’d needed control so desperately, he resorted to surveillance. And yet he couldn’t stop watching her. Because she wasn’t smiling anymore. She wasn’t pacing or sitting or drinking coffee.She was motionless, and he was losing his mind.A quiet knock on the door pulled him back. A nurse stepped in politely, sa
MAFIA’S PET: Beg, or worse, Break 91. She’s mine now
Darcy sat on the edge of the bathroom counter, hissing softly as Adrian dabbed disinfectant on the cut across her forearm. Blood had already been cleaned off, but the skin was torn and angry, a painful reminder of Sola’s outburst.“You’d think I got slashed in a knife fight,” she muttered, wincing. “Didn’t know betrayal came in crystal form.”Adrian didn’t laugh. His brows were furrowed, jaw tight. He’d been quiet ever since Sola left, and that silence was beginning to hum with tension.“I’m fine, you know,” Darcy added, watching him through the mirror. “I’ve taken worse.”“That’s not the point.”Adrian’s voice was low, sharp. He met her eyes through the reflection, and she saw it the, the fury still simmering behind his calm exterior.“She could’ve hit your face. Or your head.”“But she didn’t.”“I should’ve thrown her out the second she showed up.” His voice cracked with restraint, like he was still trying to rein it in. “I knew she was spiraling.”Darcy tilted her head, still watch
MAFIA’S PET: Beg, or worse, Break 90. One-sided love
Adrian hadn’t slept.Not really, anyway. The past month had been a cycle of long nights and longer days, of watching Pedro lose his mind by inches and keeping the pieces of their crumbling world from collapsing entirely.But tonight, for once, the storm had settled.At least, it seemed that way.Darcy was sitting across from him in his apartment, barefoot, legs tucked beneath her, a half-empty glass of whiskey dangling from her fingers. She had been talking about something, Aelia, Pedro, maybe the last time she had gotten a decent night’s sleep but her words had faded into the background, a low hum against the quiet crackle of the fireplace.Adrian wasn’t listening. Not because he didn’t care. But because he was too busy watching her.She was tired. She would never admit it, but he could see it in the slight droop of her shoulders, the way her usual sharp edges had softened just enough to let him see the exhaustion beneath.“You’re staring.”Adrian smirked. “I was admiring.”Darcy sno
MAFIA’S PET: Beg, or worse, Break 89. Hope
One Month LaterThe world outside carried on as if nothing had changed. Stocks rose and fell, wars were waged in boardrooms and back alleys, and people continued to wake up, go about their lives, and go to sleep.But Pedro’s world hadn’t moved in a month.Aelia was still unconscious.She lay in that same pristine hospital bed, her body too still, her face far too pale. The machines surrounding her had become a familiar sight, the beeping of her heart monitor a sound Pedro had memorized. He hated it. That thin, fragile line on the screen was the only sign she was still here, yet it was never enough. It mocked him.Every day was the same. He’d sit by her bedside, watching, waiting, barely speaking. Some nights, he’d stay so late that Derrick had to pull him away, reminding him he still had an empire to run. Some mornings, he’d wake up with his head resting beside her arm, exhaustion having stolen away his consciousness for only a few fleeting hours.And then there were the days like tod
MAFIA’S PET: Beg, or worse, Break 88. Her boyfriend
Louisa’s words haunted him.“I have a boyfriend now.”She’d said it so easily, so carelessly, as if it didn’t mean anything, as if he didn’t mean anything. But Derrick knew better. He felt better. That night they spent together wasn’t just lust, wasn’t just two people falling into old habits.It meant something.He saw it in the way her fingers trembled when she touched him, the way her breath hitched when he whispered her name.And now she was telling him she’d moved on? That she was settling down?Bullshit.But it wasn’t until later that day, when he saw it with his own eyes, that the words really started to sink in.He hadn’t been looking for her. Not intentionally, at least. But as he stepped out of the hospital, irritation already simmering beneath his skin, he caught a glimpse of her.Louisa.Standing by a sleek black car, dressed sharply in one of her tailored outfits that hugged her body just enough to be professional but tempting.And she wasn’t alone.A man, tall, broad-shou
MAFIA’S PET: Beg, or worse, Break 87. She didn’t break
Darcy Never Liked Hospitals.They smelled like loneliness and disinfectant, like whispered prayers and silent cries. They were places of endings and beginnings, of cold white lights and walls that had absorbed too many last goodbyes.But she was here.Standing beside Aelia’s bed, her fingers curled tightly around the metal railing as if her grip alone could anchor her friend to this world.Aelia looked small against the stark white sheets, too pale, too still. The rhythmic beeping of the machines monitoring her vitals felt both comforting and unbearable, a cruel reminder that she was alive but not awake.Darcy’s throat tightened as she studied the bruises peeking out from beneath the hospital gown, the quiet evidence of the violence Aelia had endured. It was wrong. Aelia had always been the strong one, fierce and stubborn, the kind of person who could stare down danger without flinching.Now, she looked defenseless.“She looks better than yesterday,” a voice murmured from behind her.
