Upon arriving at the mansion, Arla accompanied Liam to his private quarters. "This is your new home," he declared as he opened the ornate double doors, revealing a luxurious suite with an elegantly furnished living area adorned with antiques and opulent fabrics.
Liam entered the room, carelessly tossing his suit jacket onto a plush armchair. "You'll find everything you need here," he stated coldly. "My assistant will help you settle in. I have business to attend to." Before he could leave, Arla spoke up. "You know, for a Mafia leader, you're not as terrifying as I expected," she said, her tone bold and unwavering. Liam turned to face her, his gaze locking with hers. "Are you so eager to see the true depths of my darkness?" he questioned, his voice deep and captivating. Unfazed, Arla held his gaze. "Show me your worst," she dared, a mischievous smile playing across her lips. Liam's eyes darkened, and he leaned forward, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Be careful what you wish for, my dear wife. You just might get it." With that warning, he left the room, leaving Arla alone with her thoughts and a growing sense of unease. Arla shook her head and muttered, "He's not fun." A smile spread across her face as she thought to herself, "I'm finally free from that old man's grasp." Wandering through the luxurious rooms, she marveled at her new surroundings. "Not bad," she murmured, trailing her fingers across the smooth surface of an elegant vanity. A soft knock interrupted her exploration. Turning, she found a young woman at the doorway, a warm smile on her face. "I'm Celine, Liam's personal assistant," the woman introduced herself. "I'm here to help you with anything you need." Arla studied Celine for a moment before responding. "So, you're my new spy then?" she asked, her lips curling into a half-smile. Celine's smile widened. "I can be whatever you need me to be," she replied. "Now, let's get you settled in. Dinner will be served in an hour." Arla rolled her eyes, growing irritated. "Are you an AI? Stop repeatedly reminding me," she snapped, dismissing the assistant before settling down on the couch to relax. That evening, Arla entered the dining room and noticed Laurette, the lady of the house, sitting at the head of the table. There was another lady seated to Laurette's left, while the seat to her right was unoccupied. In addition, five other ladies were seated around the table. Arla, still dressed in her white short gown, walked into the room confidently. Arla attempted to sit in the empty chair to Laurette's right, but a woman named Alice interrupted her, saying, "You can't sit there yet; you need to earn it." Arla paused for a moment, staring at Alice without uttering a word. Ignoring Alice's remark, Arla sat down in the chair anyway and declared, "I don't need to earn anything. This is my house, and I am the wife, so mind your business." As Arla began eating, the other women remained silent. Vivian, who was seated across from Arla, didn't say a word but observed the scene quietly. Laurette, known for being a woman of few words, gazed at Arla with a piercing look. Without a word, Laurette stood up from the table, prompting the other ladies to stand and follow her lead. None of them had touched their food, leaving Arla alone at the table. Unfazed by the women's actions, Arla continued enjoying her meal in solitude. Seemingly unaffected by the tense encounter with the other women, Arla finished her meal and returned to her room. She sat by the window, admiring the view, though her calm demeanor masked a vulnerability she preferred to keep hidden. To avoid appearing weak, she took a shower and changed into a red lace nightgown. As Arla entered the bedroom, she found Liam sitting on the couch, his attention focused on his phone. She couldn't help but admire his handsome features. Standing at the entrance of the bathroom, she stared at him. "Stop drooling," Liam teased without looking up. Surprised, Arla insisted, "I'm not drooling. Why would I drool?" She then approached Liam and inquired, "You seem to have a lot of sisters..." Liam chuckled and met her gaze, his eyes full of allure, causing Arla's heart to skip a beat. Swallowing hard, she managed to ask, "Cousins? Or aunts?" Liam suggested, "Why don't you ask them yourself?" before adding, "You need to get along with them." He then removed his shirt and walked past her into the bathroom. "How can I get along with people I don't even know their role?" Arla questioned, her confusion evident. Pausing, Liam locked eyes with her and revealed, "They're mistresses, just like you." Shocked by his statement, Arla stuttered, "What!?" Liam stepped into the shower, prompting her to follow. Before she could finish her question, she realized Liam was naked under the shower and quickly turned her back, preparing to leave. However, Liam pulled her into the shower, his voice a mixture of amusement and challenge. "Didn't you come here expecting something to happen?" he asked, his words hanging in the air between them as the water cascaded over their bodies. Arla's heart pounded as she found herself wrapped in Liam's arms, warm water flowing over them. His question lingered, and she knew he was right. The undeniable attraction between them needed to be confronted. She turned to face him, their eyes locked. "And if I say no, what will you do?" Arla whispered, her voice barely audible. Liam gently lifted her chin with his hand, water flowing over her face as she studied his handsome features. "What do you mean by mistresses?" Arla asked, trying to understand their situation. Liam leaned closer to her face and questioned, "What do you understand by mistresses?" The proximity of their faces made Arla swallow hard, feeling the intensity of the moment. Before she could respond, Liam pressed his lips against hers under the shower. His hands caressed her body as they deepened the kiss, the water drenching them and soaking Arla's once dry nightgown, exposing the outline of her body. Her curves and full breasts were now evident through the clinging fabric. Liam lifted her and placed her on the edge of the sink, closer to the shower, still kissing her passionately. His hands explored her body, igniting a fire within her. Suddenly, Liam tore her nightgown from the shoulder, breaking the kiss as they both gasped for breath. Arla stared at him, pulling him closer and whispering, "Quench this fire." With that, he ripped off her clothes and carried her to the bedroom, where a night of passion ensued. Arla's moans echoed throughout the corridor as they surrendered to their desires.As the morning light crept into the room, Arla reached out, finding the bed empty. Opening her eyes, she saw Zora, one of the mistresses from the previous day, standing in her room with her arms folded, staring at her. "What are you doing in my room?" Arla asked, irritated. "Didn't anyone teach you about privacy?" Zora replied coldly, "You've consummated your marriage. Don't expect Liam to return to your room. He belongs to Vivian now." Zora left the room before Arla could respond. Arla, annoyed and confused, sat up in bed, muttering to herself, "They're crazy. What do they mean he won't come to our room? Isn't this our bedroom?" She got up, showered, and went to the dining hall, only to find it deserted. Arla asked a maid for breakfast, but the maid informed her that breakfast time had passed. Annoyed, Arla retorted, "Do you want to lose your job? I said bring me breakfast!" The maid refused to budge. Just then, Vivian entered the dining hall, wearing an elegant pink gown,
As Vivian attempted to reignite their intimacy after Arla's departure, Liam pushed her away and quickly dressed, his movements sharp and efficient. Vivian drew the blanket over herself, her eyes fixed on Liam as he moved about the room. "Where are you going?" she inquired. Liam met her gaze, his expression unreadable. "I have business to attend to," he stated coolly, his words carrying a finality that caught Vivian off-guard. As he strode out of the room, Vivian could only watch in stunned silence. This was a side of Liam she had never seen before, and she found herself grappling with the sudden shift in his demeanor. Clutching the bedding in a tight fist, she struggled to understand what could be so important that he would leave her in the middle of the night without explanation. The night air carried a chill as Liam's footsteps echoed in the hallway, Vivian was left alone in the bedroom, her mind racing as she attempted to make sense of the unexpected turn of events. The tension
Arla's eyes abruptly snapped open, her slumber disturbed by the restless night that left her hair tangled and disheveled. As she slowly sat up, her gaze swept across the room, adjusting to the warm, golden rays of sunlight that insistently attempted to pierce through the gaps in the curtains. The once vibrant and immaculate furnishings appeared still and hushed in the morning light, their cheerful colors in stark contrast to the heaviness that weighed upon her heart.Arla released a deep, melancholy sigh, her eyes darting back and forth as she grappled with the emptiness that consumed her. She had truly believed that marriage would provide an escape from the facade she had been forced to wear, a mask that hid her vulnerability from the world. Despite projecting an image of unwavering strength, Arla continued to battle the demons of her past—the trauma that had overwhelmed her after her mother's untimely death.As she struggled to come to terms with her new reality, Arla couldn't help
Laurette leaned forward, her eyes boring into Arla's, "You see, this house runs on a set of rules. I am the head of this household, and every woman here abides by my regulations. It would be wise for you to do the same."Arla raised her chin in defiance, "I am Liam's wife, and as such, I believe my primary concern should be his rules, not yours."The other women glanced at each other nervously, feeling the tension thickening in the air. Laurette's lips tightened into a thin line as she stood abruptly, causing her chair to scrape against the floor. "Very well then, we shall see how long you last here without my guidance." With a final disdainful look, Laurette turned on her heel and strode out of the room, her entourage following closely behind.Arla watched them leave, her heart pounding wildly in her chest. She knew she had made an enemy of Laurette, but she refused to be intimidated. She would face whatever challenges came her way and prove that she wasn't one to be trifled with. A
Liam's fingers intertwined with Arla's hair, pulling her closer as he stared deeply into her eyes. Her breath quickened, and she gasped as his hands traced along her thighs, sending tingles through her body. Their faces were almost touching when he whispered, his breath hot against her lips, "It all depends on how you act."Despite her intense feelings, Arla couldn't ignore the unanswered question that weighed heavily on her mind. She took a deep breath and asked, "You still haven't answered my question." Liam's face suddenly grew cold, and he pulled away from her. "Get up," he ordered, his voice hard and commanding.Confused and startled by his sudden change, Arla stood up slowly visibly annoyed, and didn't leave. Instead, she defiantly asked, "Do you know what happened to me today? Those people locked me in a storeroom... Liam's face remained cold and unreadable as Arla continued, "And as I was trying to tell you..."But before she could finish, Liam abruptly grabbed her arm, causin
"Son of a bitch!" Arla spat, her irritation at Liam's actions evident in her voice. "Ugh! What the hell is this?" she screamed, yanking at the cuffs that bound her. The metal shackles banged against each other, bruising her hands in the process. "I'll never give you what you want!" she declared, glaring at the closed door with defiance in her eyes.Liam, having left Arla in the locked room, stepped back into his study to find Vivian waiting for him. He stood with his hands in his pockets, his gaze sweeping over her from head to toe. Her hair was still wet from the water she'd doused on herself, and a towel hung around her shoulders. Liam remained silent, his eyes locked on her.Vivian, feeling uncomfortable under his scrutiny, stood up and approached him. "Why are you staring at me that way?" she asked, her brow furrowed."What way?" Liam replied, evading her question.Vivian's gaze flickered towards the door Liam had just emerged from, then back to him. "Where is she?" she inquired,
Arla stared into Liam's lust-filled eyes, her voice filled with uncertainty. "What are you doing? You can't mean now? I'm hungry. I haven't eaten yet, and I'm exhausted," she protested.Liam moved closer, retrieving a neatly washed and cut apple from a freezer in the room. He approached her once more. "Open your mouth," he commanded."But this won't feed me. Why can't we do this tomorrow?" Arla questioned, her tone pleading.Liam's grip tightened on her face. "I warned you not to disobey or question me. It seems you enjoy being disobedient," he said, a hint of danger in his voice. "And you will be punished.""Wait," Arla said quickly. "I... I will be obedient." She opened her mouth reluctantly, allowing Liam to feed her the apple slices while she remained cuffed to the bars.Once she finished, Liam placed his hands on her neck and kissed her passionately. His kiss felt as if he was going to consume her. When he finally pulled away, Arla stared into his eyes. "Can I make a request?" sh
As the morning sun cast a warm glow through the window, Arla slowly opened her eyes, taking in her surroundings. She realized she was in Liam's room, but he was nowhere to be found. Sitting up in bed, she ran her fingers through her hair and let out a deep sigh, leaning her back against the bed frame.Her mind drifted to the events of the previous day, an involuntary smile tugging at the corners of her lips. Arla emerged from Liam's bed, shedding the cozy covers and gently setting her feet on the cool marble floor. A sharp pain suddenly shot through her abdomen, causing her to wince and gasp softly. "He wasn't joking when he said I might have trouble walking," she mused, rubbing the tender spot as she recalled his passionate intensity from the night before.She wrapped her body in a plush robe, the soft fabric offering a comforting embrace as she stepped out of Liam's bedroom. Just as she entered the hallway, she collided with Vivian, who appeared to be heading in the direction of Lia
Henry glared at Mia, his voice dripping with disdain. "I have no use for you. You're useless to me very useless. Why don't you die with your father?"Mia screamed, her eyes filled with anguish. "Haven't you done enough? What did we do to deserve this? Leave us alone!"In a split second, Henry cocked the gun, his finger hovering over the trigger. Realizing his intention, Jason leapt in front of Mia, shielding her from the imminent danger. The gunshot rang out, and the bullet grazed Jason's arm, eliciting a pained grunt.Henry chuckled, his cold laughter echoing through the hall. "Good, you can have her. I don't care about that bitch." With those words, he gripped Arla's arm tightly and dragged her towards the waiting car before speeding away.Liam, his heart pounding with fear and desperation, knew he couldn't risk following them. Henry was an unpredictable and volatile man who wouldn't hesitate to harm Arla. The realization of his own feelings for Arla hit him like a tidal wave, and
The morning sunlight filtered through the lush greenery of the garden as Donna was wheeled out of her room by her maids. Seeking solace in the serene environment, she instructed them to leave her alone, relishing the temporary peace that nature provided. Just as she began to relax, the sound of clapping interrupted her reverie, and she turned to find Vivian standing before her, an unreadable expression on her face."It's nice of you to grace us with your presence," Donna remarked sarcastically, leaning back in her wheelchair and adjusting the blanket on her lap. "Aren't you tired of being Liam's shadow?"Vivian chuckled, her eyes fixed on Donna with a steely gaze. "Aren't you tired of acting?"Donna's brow furrowed in confusion, her body tensing up at Vivian's words. "What do you mean, 'acting'?"In a sudden, swift motion, Vivian pulled Donna off the wheelchair, causing her to shriek as she fell to the ground. Vivian glared down at her, her voice filled with accusation. "I know you ca
Liam growled, his voice rough with passion. He captured her lips in a fierce kiss, his tongue demanding entrance. Arla opened to him willingly, their tongues tangling in a dance of desire. His hands roamed over her body, tracing the curves of her hips and the softness of her thighs through the thin fabric of her nightgown.Arla moaned into his mouth, her hands threading through his hair, pulling him closer. She arched her back, pressing her breasts against his chest, inviting him to explore her further. Liam's hands found the hem of her nightgown and with a swift motion, he pulled it over her head, leaving her completely bare before him.Her body was a vision of perfection. Her skin, smooth and flawless, glowed in the dim light. Her breasts were full and round, her nipples puckered and begging for attention. Liam's mouth watered at the sight, and he lowered his head, taking a taut peak into his mouth. He suckled and teased, his tongue flicking and swirling, eliciting a series of moans
Liam's laughter was tinged with disbelief as he questioned Arla. "Are you trying to tell me that you didn't know him at all? Is that what you want me to believe?"Arla's face twisted with frustration, her words pleading for understanding. "I knew Henry, but we weren't close, Liam. I can't give you the answers you want, but I swear I've never lied to you."Liam's eyes hardened, the pain of betrayal still fresh in his heart. "I can't just forget what happened, Arla. I'm surrounded by people who have manipulated me, and it's hard to trust anyone."Arla's voice rose, her patience wearing thin as she defended herself. "I'm not asking you to forget, but don't paint me as the villain here. There are others who have played a role in all of this Vivian, Donna, and Laurette. Investigate them instead of constantly blaming me."Liam shook his head, his disbelief palpable as he scoffed. "Donna has been in a coma for two years, Arla. How can I confront her when she's only just awakened? And her fa
Arla stood trembling, her arms wrapped tightly around her body in a desperate attempt to preserve her dignity. As the maids stepped away, her mind was suddenly flooded with flashes of her past, memories long forgotten now resurfacing with a force that sent a shockwave through her system. Her head throbbed with an intense pain, the fierceness of her past and present colliding in a tuneless confusion and fear.Without warning, Liam lifted a hose connected to the tap, his actions fueled by a wave of cold, detached anger that seemed to have consumed him. As the icy water sprayed over Arla's vulnerable form, she was assaulted by the shock of the cold and the relentless pressure of the water, her body convulsing in response to the brutal onslaught.The weight of the memories, the stinging pain in her head, and the humiliation of Liam's actions overwhelmed her senses, her consciousness slipping away as she let out a desperate scream. Her body went limp, collapsing to the floor as she gasped
Liam sat in his office, his brow furrowed in concentration as he pored over the details of Donna's recovery plan. He knew that her return to Carponi would allow him to refocus on his affairs, which had suffered in the wake of the chaos that had engulfed the safe house. A sense of frustration filled him, the weight of the recent events bearing down on his shoulders as he struggled to regain control over his life.His thoughts drifted to Donna, and he felt a surge of anger at the role she had played in orchestrating Arla's kidnapping. He had discovered her involvement while she was in a coma and couldn't help but feel that she had contributed to the problems that now plagued him. Despite this, he was determined to see her walking and independent once more, not only for her sake but also to alleviate the burden that had fallen upon him.Liam understood that Donna must never learn of Arla's presence within the safehouse, knowing full well the turmoil that would ensue should their paths cr
As Donna was wheeled into the safehouse, her arrival was met with a mixture of relief and apprehension by its occupants. Vivian, observing from the shadows, felt her blood boil at the sight of her rival returning to the fold. In the privacy of her room, she unleashed her rage, the weight of her fury pressing down upon her like a suffocating blanket."Why is she waking up now?" Vivian seethed, her voice trembling with bitterness. "Today was supposed to be my special night with Liam." She clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms as she fought to control the tempest of emotions that threatened to consume her."Liam, why do you attract all these wild women?" she cried out, her despair mingling with the fury that coursed through her veins. Vivian's anger was all-consuming, her desire for Liam's undivided attention transforming into a dangerous obsession that blinded her to all reason.As she paced the confines of her room, her gaze fell upon a silver pen, its sharp edge glintin
Arla left Liam's room in the safe house, only to be met by a venomous Vivian, her hand raised and ready to strike. However, Arla was prepared this time. She caught Vivian's wrist, halting the slap before it could land. "I'm not ready for your mind games today," Arla declared, her voice hard and unyielding.Vivian's eyes widened in surprise as she took a step back, a flicker of uncertainty crossing her features. She studied Arla's face, noting a change in her demeanor that hadn't been there before. Had Arla regained her memories? The thought sent a shiver of fear down Vivian's spine, her carefully laid plans suddenly unbalanced on the brink of collapse.Biting her nails anxiously, Vivian watched as Arla walked away, her confident stride a stark contrast to the frightened girl she had once been. Vivian's anger, still simmering from the previous night when Liam had taken Arla away from her grasp, bubbled to the surface once more.Back in her room, Vivian's rage had reached its boiling po
As the first light of dawn filtered through the curtains, Arla's eyes fluttered open, a wave of fear washing over her as she found Liam sitting beside her, his gaze locked upon her face. Her heart racing, she instinctively recoiled from him, her voice barely a whisper. "Please, don't hurt me."Liam remained still, his eyes never leaving hers as he wrestled with the storm of emotions that raged within him. "I won't," he said finally, his voice raw and husky.Arla's brow furrowed in confusion, her hand moving to her throat, wincing as she felt the tender skin beneath her fingertips. "You tried to kill me," she accused, her voice shaking as she searched Liam's face for answers.Liam looked away, his jaw clenching as he struggled to come to terms with his actions. "I was angry," he admitted, his voice heavy with regret. "I lost control."As Arla watched him, a mixture of fear and disbelief warring within her, she realized that there was still so much she didn't understand. "Why?" she aske