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11: The Bonds I Didn't Choose
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2024-12-25 01:33:12Related chapters
How to Escape from a Ruthless Mobster 12: The Weight of the Morunaga Name
POV: Beatrice I woke to the suffocating realization of my new identity: Mrs. Ryuu Morunaga. The word—wife—clung to my mind like poison, bitter and unrelenting. I jerked upright, pulling myself free from the arms that had held me through the night. When had I sought their refuge? The thought made my stomach turn. Weakness. That’s what it had to be—a momentary lapse, born of exhaustion. The blanket slipped off my shoulders, landing across Ryuu’s sleeping form. He didn’t stir. His chest rose and fell with a calmness that mocked my inner chaos. The loose pajama pants he wore did little to obscure the sharp, disciplined lines of his physique. Many women would have envied me, trapped in marriage to a man who embodied power and control so effortlessly. But attraction, if that’s what this was, felt more like a betrayal. Ryuu was a man to be feared. His presence was a reminder of everything I despised about this life—its ruthless, unyielding grip. His body, honed by years of relen
Last Updated : 2025-01-03How to Escape from a Ruthless Mobster 13: Night of Silent Storms
POV: Beatrice“I lived with my aunt for the past four years,” I began, my voice dragging as though each word weighed more than the last. If Ryuu wanted to know about me, I’d give him only what was necessary—enough to satisfy his curiosity but nothing more. “I worked at her restaurant while finishing high school. Afterward, I stayed on full-time for two years. I considered going back to school, helping expand the family business. It’s more than just a front for us; it’s my aunt’s livelihood.”I let my gaze drift, focusing on the horizon where the ocean seemed to swallow the sky. I couldn’t bring myself to look at Ryuu, not while a knot tightened in my stomach, threatening to steal my composure. My voice wavered slightly as I added, “I suppose I won’t have that luxury anymore.”The weight of my own words crushed down on me, the reality of my abandoned future unfurling like a shadow creeping over my chest. If I were alone, I might have cried. But pride wouldn’t allow me to show that kin
Last Updated : 2025-01-04How to Escape from a Ruthless Mobster 14: Luxury, Power, and Coldness
POV: Beatrice After that first fight, I avoided Ryuu as much as I could, and he seemed content to let me. He buried himself in work, either glued to his laptop or pacing the living room, barking orders into his phone like I wasn’t even there. Our interactions dwindled to clipped exchanges, enough for him to announce that we’d be heading to Los Angeles. Where in Los Angeles? He didn’t say, and I didn’t ask. I imagined their home would be the epitome of luxury, a gilded cage dripping with opulence and suffocating grandeur—nothing like the small, warm house I had shared with my aunt. “Are you ready?” Ryuu’s voice cut through the silence, sharp and unexpected. I glanced up to find him leaning against the doorframe, his hands shoved into his pockets, his gaze steady. Ignoring him, I zipped up the last of my bags, nodding curtly as I grabbed the handle. Without waiting for me to ask, he slung one of my bags over his shoulder. Then, to my surprise, he reached for my hand. Startl
Last Updated : 2025-01-05How to Escape from a Ruthless Mobster 1: Sold to the Devil
Point of View: BeatriceLeaving my cozy little house in Palermo wasn’t something I wanted, but my father had other plans. With my twenty-first birthday looming, he organized a family trip to the Bahamas. A celebration, he called it, though I had a sinking feeling there was more to it. My father didn’t do simple. ***“Dad?” I called, my voice soft as I wandered barefoot through the hall of the rented villa. The place was beautiful, all sleek wood floors and breezy blue walls, but the tension in the air made it feel stifling. I followed the trail of muted voices and faint cigar smoke to the office—his sanctuary, even on vacation. Knocking sharply, I pushed the door open without waiting. He was seated behind a massive desk, head bowed, hands pressed to his temples. “Bea,” he said, looking up, his usual sharpness dulled by exhaustion. I crossed the room in seconds, throwing my arms around him. He held me close, his hand brushing through my hair, but there was a stiffness to his
Last Updated : 2024-12-13How to Escape from a Ruthless Mobster 2: Under the Watchful Eyes
Point of View: BeatriceI lay sprawled on the hot sand, a book in hand, sunglasses shielding my eyes, and a scowl planted firmly on my face. My black bikini and yellow sarong said “relaxed,” but nothing about this felt like a tropical vacation. My hair, braided back, was a mess of loose curls that refused to cooperate—much like my mood. Trapped on this island with my father and the Morunagas, I had no idea how to process any of it. Pretending to be okay with an arranged marriage to a man I’d never met was exhausting. Unfortunately, solitude in a house full of alpha males was harder to find than a peaceful family dinner. “I finally get to meet the infamous bride,” a smug voice interrupted, cutting through the sound of the waves. I didn’t even bother hiding my annoyance as I looked up. Nitta Morunaga, Ryuu’s youngest brother, stood over me, smirking like he owned the beach. He dropped onto the sand without waiting for an invitation, his tattooed chest and arms on full display in n
Last Updated : 2024-12-15How to Escape from a Ruthless Mobster 3: The Bride’s Defiance
Point of View: RyuuThe conversation in the sitting room buzzed around me, but I barely registered it. My father, my brothers, and the Carbone patriarch were talking business or something close to it, the laughter and clinking glasses grating on my nerves. Small talk had never been my strength. Beatrice’s absence was glaring. She’d pulled back during dinner, her discomfort radiating like heat. I didn’t blame her. No one would be thrilled about being handed over to a man like me, especially with so little warning. Her unease wasn’t personal. It wasn’t even surprising. This arrangement wasn’t ideal for either of us, but it wasn’t about what we wanted. It was about the families. The business. The sharp flick of a finger against the back of my neck yanked me out of my thoughts. I turned, already irritated, and found my father standing there, his expression stern.“We were talking to you,” he said, his tone low but loaded with warning. Before I could respond, Nitta chimed in, gri
Last Updated : 2024-12-15How to Escape from a Ruthless Mobster 4: Acting the Part
Point of View: RyuuAfter Beatrice stormed out earlier, I tried to bury myself in work, but my focus was shot. She lingered in my mind, an infuriating distraction I couldn’t afford. I didn’t want to think about her—the sharpness in her tone, the defiance in her eyes. Yet, every time I closed my laptop or looked away from the screen, there she was. With a frustrated sigh, I shoved my laptop aside and pinched the bridge of my nose. The work piling up was nothing compared to the mess this marriage had become, consuming my thoughts like a fire I couldn’t extinguish. “You’re slipping, big brother.” Nitta’s voice sliced through the silence, followed by the sound of his footsteps crossing the room. Without looking up, I knew he was smirking. “What do you want, Nitta?” I muttered, not bothering to hide my irritation. He dropped into a chair across from me, lounging like he owned the place. “You should’ve heard her,” he said, his grin widening. “Beatrice called you an idiot—to her
Last Updated : 2024-12-16How to Escape from a Ruthless Mobster 5: Lines in the Sand
Point of View: BeatriceDario, the second eldest of my cousins, had always been the quiet, brooding type—the kind of man whose presence alone carried weight. It made me uneasy sometimes, but today, his stoic calm was a relief. Anton and Lex, still teenagers at nineteen and seventeen, felt more like brothers, full of youthful energy and sharp opinions. “A pleasure to finally meet you,” Ryuu said, extending a hand to Bion, the eldest of my cousins. Bion clasped his hand firmly, his silence speaking volumes. The low grunt that followed made his disapproval abundantly clear. To my surprise, Ryuu didn’t rise to the bait. His unreadable expression barely wavered as he gently took my hand. The touch was brief but purposeful, his lean into my space deliberate. His lips hovered closer than necessary to my ear, a gesture calculated to make me feel trapped. “I’ll leave you with your family,” Ryuu murmured, his tone smooth but distant. Then he straightened and walked away, his retreat as
Last Updated : 2024-12-17
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How to Escape from a Ruthless Mobster 14: Luxury, Power, and Coldness
POV: Beatrice After that first fight, I avoided Ryuu as much as I could, and he seemed content to let me. He buried himself in work, either glued to his laptop or pacing the living room, barking orders into his phone like I wasn’t even there. Our interactions dwindled to clipped exchanges, enough for him to announce that we’d be heading to Los Angeles. Where in Los Angeles? He didn’t say, and I didn’t ask. I imagined their home would be the epitome of luxury, a gilded cage dripping with opulence and suffocating grandeur—nothing like the small, warm house I had shared with my aunt. “Are you ready?” Ryuu’s voice cut through the silence, sharp and unexpected. I glanced up to find him leaning against the doorframe, his hands shoved into his pockets, his gaze steady. Ignoring him, I zipped up the last of my bags, nodding curtly as I grabbed the handle. Without waiting for me to ask, he slung one of my bags over his shoulder. Then, to my surprise, he reached for my hand. Startl
How to Escape from a Ruthless Mobster 13: Night of Silent Storms
POV: Beatrice“I lived with my aunt for the past four years,” I began, my voice dragging as though each word weighed more than the last. If Ryuu wanted to know about me, I’d give him only what was necessary—enough to satisfy his curiosity but nothing more. “I worked at her restaurant while finishing high school. Afterward, I stayed on full-time for two years. I considered going back to school, helping expand the family business. It’s more than just a front for us; it’s my aunt’s livelihood.”I let my gaze drift, focusing on the horizon where the ocean seemed to swallow the sky. I couldn’t bring myself to look at Ryuu, not while a knot tightened in my stomach, threatening to steal my composure. My voice wavered slightly as I added, “I suppose I won’t have that luxury anymore.”The weight of my own words crushed down on me, the reality of my abandoned future unfurling like a shadow creeping over my chest. If I were alone, I might have cried. But pride wouldn’t allow me to show that kin
How to Escape from a Ruthless Mobster 12: The Weight of the Morunaga Name
POV: Beatrice I woke to the suffocating realization of my new identity: Mrs. Ryuu Morunaga. The word—wife—clung to my mind like poison, bitter and unrelenting. I jerked upright, pulling myself free from the arms that had held me through the night. When had I sought their refuge? The thought made my stomach turn. Weakness. That’s what it had to be—a momentary lapse, born of exhaustion. The blanket slipped off my shoulders, landing across Ryuu’s sleeping form. He didn’t stir. His chest rose and fell with a calmness that mocked my inner chaos. The loose pajama pants he wore did little to obscure the sharp, disciplined lines of his physique. Many women would have envied me, trapped in marriage to a man who embodied power and control so effortlessly. But attraction, if that’s what this was, felt more like a betrayal. Ryuu was a man to be feared. His presence was a reminder of everything I despised about this life—its ruthless, unyielding grip. His body, honed by years of relen
How to Escape from a Ruthless Mobster 11: The Bonds I Didn't Choose
POV: BeatriceThe stems of my bouquet bent beneath my grip, each step down the aisle tightening my hold until the fragile blooms threatened to break. The sight before me was every bit as pristine as the planners had intended: white chairs perfectly aligned, delicate flowers swaying in the ocean breeze, and a makeshift altar framed by the endless horizon. Yet, for all its beauty, the scene felt hollow, each detail mocking me with its cheerful façade. My eyes locked on my father, stationed near the altar beside my aunt. His presence felt like an intrusion. I’d refused his offer to walk me down the aisle—one small victory in a war I was otherwise losing. He didn’t deserve the honor of giving me away, not after dragging me into this arrangement. The music swelled, and all at once, dozens of faces turned toward me. Strangers, most of them, their gazes curious, expectant. I ignored them, keeping my focus fixed ahead. My cousins, seated in the front row, stood out among the crowd. Their
How to Escape from a Ruthless Mobster 10: The Burden of the Name
POV: BeatriceThe ache in my neck was a harsh reminder of how the morning had begun. Heat radiated against my cheek, and with dawning horror, I realized it wasn’t just the sofa cushioning me—it was Ryuu. His bare chest pressed against me, firm and unyielding, as memories of the night crashed over me. I’d fallen asleep on him.I shot upright, embarrassment searing my skin as I rubbed my eyes and tried to make sense of my surroundings. My sudden movement startled him, a gruff, half-conscious groan escaping his lips, but it was the laughter across the room that made me freeze.“Good morning,” Nitta drawled, his tone dripping with amusement.My head snapped toward the source of the voice, only to find Gojou and his sons standing there like spectators at some absurd comedy show. Gojou, as calm and collected as ever, sipped his coffee from an armchair, while Fukui stood lazily scrolling through his phone. Nitta, of course, looked smugger than anyone had a right to be.“It’s nice to see you
How to Escape from a Ruthless Mobster 9: Silk and Diamond Chain
POV: Beatrice“Because I didn’t choose this,” I snapped, my voice steady even as fear clawed at my chest. “I’m being forced into it. We both know what happens if I refuse.” My words hung in the air, daring him to argue, but Ryuu’s silence only spurred me on. This was my last chance—my final moment before the wedding to make him see reason. “Is that what you think?” he asked, his tone infuriatingly calm. “I’m not stupid, Ryuu Morunaga,” I shot back, my frustration cutting through the tension like a blade. “I know who my grandfather is. I know who your father is. And I know exactly who you are. I know what happens to women who defy men like you.” His grip tightened on my ankles, like iron shackles pinning me in place. His silence was deafening, daring me to continue, and I wasn’t about to stop now. “I’m not the ideal wife for you. I won’t be... obedient,” I said, the word leaving a bitter taste in my mouth. Mafia wives weren’t meant to have a voice. They were meant to be see
How to Escape from a Ruthless Mobster 8: Unspoken Tensions
Point of View: BeatriceI found myself counting the hours that night. The weight of my impending marriage to Ryuu Morunaga pressed down on me, suffocating every thought and movement. The fear of what awaited—restrictions, control, and the loss of freedom that came with being the wife of a mafia man—clung to me like a shadow I couldn’t escape. As the night dragged on, my thoughts kept circling back to Suniza Morunaga. Why wasn’t she here for her son’s wedding? Her absence left me uneasy, gnawing at the edges of my resolve. Was I destined for the same fate? Would I be confined, cut off, and stripped of the independence I had taken for granted? By two in the morning, I couldn’t take it anymore. The weight on my chest had grown unbearable, and the suffocating silence of my room felt like it was closing in. I slipped out of bed, careful not to disturb the Morunaga men, and made my way through the darkened house toward the kitchen. I needed something—anything—to distract myself. A
How to Escape from a Ruthless Mobster 7: A Toast to Control
Point of View: BeatriceThe dinner was winding down, the tables nearly empty, when a slurred voice cut through the low hum of conversation. “So, Beatrice,” one of the Morunaga cousins drawled, his tone soaked in liquor and brimming with misplaced confidence. “What’s a charming young woman like you doing with a recluse like this guy?” He leaned forward, his glass teetering precariously in his hand. I didn’t know his name—just that he was one of Ryuu’s cousins, loud and irritatingly hard to miss. I forced a pleasant smile, the kind sharp enough to draw blood. “Don’t you think your cousin is a fine match?” I said sweetly, letting my gaze linger on the cousin just long enough to make him squirm. Then, with deliberate slowness, I reached across the table, placing my hand over Ryuu’s. My voice took on a lilting tone, honeyed with mockery. “I prefer the company of men who know how to behave themselves.” The cousin’s glass froze halfway to his lips. Around the table, muffled lau
How to Escape from a Ruthless Mobster 6: A Seat at the Morunaga Table
Point of View: BeatriceI’d been hiding in the kitchen, stealing a rare moment of peace, when Gojou Morunaga found me. His sharp gaze swept the room before landing on me, and the disapproval in his expression was clear before he even spoke. “Leave the food to your aunt and the others,” he said, his tone clipped. “You should check on Ryuu. He looks like an angry bull trapped with those idiots. If he doesn’t escape my nephews soon, they might not survive until the wedding.” I froze mid-motion, fingers fumbling with the apron tied around my waist. Was he joking? I glanced at my aunt, but she avoided my eyes, her focus fixed on the vegetables she was chopping. No one else in the kitchen dared to look up either, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife. With a shaky breath, I removed the apron and left the kitchen, Gojou’s words trailing me like a shadow. I found Ryuu exactly where he’d been earlier—on the veranda, surrounded by his brothers and a cluster of cousins. The air w
