Chapter 0003

My father's mistakes caught up with him. He worked for Dominic, the powerful mafia king, who discovered my father's embezzlement. Dominic's punishment was swift and merciless.

Little did I know, my father's fate would become intertwined with mine, forever changing the course of my life.

Now, as I lay in Dominic's mansion, his wife and carrying his child, I wonder: Will my past continue to haunt me, or will I find redemption?

Then, Dominic's gaze fell upon me, and he spared my father's life for my sake alone. But his words sent shivers down my spine: "You have two options - hand her over or watch your family perish."

My father, devoid of compassion, relinquished me to Dominic's mercy. I feared another hell awaited me, that I'd become his slave, subjected to unspeakable horrors. But Dominic defied my expectations.

He married me, granting me respect and status as his wife. His six companions, once intimidating figures, transformed into loyal protectors. Arthur, Max, Kael, Drax, Carter, and John became my unlikely friends, their rugged exteriors hiding kind hearts.

As the mafia king's wife, I grew accustomed to gunfire and screams echoing through the mansion's halls. Initially, these sounds haunted me, but time numbed my senses.

Dominic's love enveloped me, and I reciprocated, finding solace in his embrace. Our child grew within me, a symbol of hope. Yet, trepidation crept in - would our baby follow in Dominic's footsteps, inheriting the darkness of the mafia world?

I longed to shield our child from this realm, to raise them with values of compassion and kindness. But Dominic's grip on the mafia was unyielding; could I ever change him?

In the silence of the night, I whispered a silent prayer: "May our child be different, may they choose a path of righteousness." But Dominic's shadow loomed large, a reminder that our baby's fate was already intertwined with the mafia's destiny.

Still, I held onto hope. For now, I was content in Dominic's love, surrounded by unlikely friends, and carrying the promise of a new life - our family, our haven.

*******************************

Jenna's voice trembled. "Please, don't do that."

Max's grin twisted. "I'm just playing. Let you be my pet for tonight."

Jenna's eyes flashed with defiance. "Viktor will kill you."

Max's expression darkened. "Ahh, baby doll, you made a grave mistake saying Viktor's name. That bastard is my worst enemy. He killed my sister."

His tone turned sinister. "I just wanted to play, to have fun together, but now you'll be punished."

Max's command echoed through the room. "STRIP!"

Jenna's eyes widened in horror.

"Don't do that," she begged.

Max's patience snapped. "I'm the least patient of all, and I don't repeat my words. Either you take off your clothes or I'll tear them."

The silence was oppressive.

"NOW!!" Max bellowed.

Jenna stood frozen, her silence infuriating Max. He grasped a belt, the leather cracking through the air.

Jenna screamed as the first lash struck, her body trembling with pain. Max's frenzy continued, ripping off her clothes, beating her with the belt. Jenna's back bled, her cries echoing through the room.

Max's voice dripped with malice. "Valerie felt the same pain when you beat her with a belt, just because she accidentally tore your dress."

Jenna's eyes went wide, her gaze locked on Max's twisted face.

"Feel the pain, baby doll. It's just the beginning."

*************************

Valerie's eyes snapped open, jarred awake by a familiar, painful voice. She knew whose voice it was, and her heart sank. Throwing off the covers, she rushed to the door.

Arthur stood guard outside, his expression stern. "Go back to sleep, Valerie. Dominic won't like it."

Valerie's determination faltered for a moment, but the sound of Jenna's cries still echoed in her mind. "Is that Jenna's voice? Why is she here?" Memories of her father's fate flooded back. "First, my father, and now my step-sister... what's going on here?"

Arthur's voice was firm. "Some things you don't need to know, Valerie. Go back to bed."

But Valerie's resolve strengthened. "I want to see her."

As she tried to push past Arthur, he grasped her hand, his grip gentle but unyielding. He pulled her back into the room, closing the door behind them.

Valerie's eyes widened in surprise as Arthur pinned her to the wall, his face inches from hers. His warm breath caressed her skin.

"Dominic... whenever he liked a girl, he used to share her with us," Arthur whispered, his voice low and urgent. "But you, he's restricted us from even seeing you. That means he really loves you. Don't make things difficult, Valerie. Stay away from this. I care about you."

His gaze locked onto hers, intense and pleading. "Please, don't make Dominic turn into a beast again. He's changed a lot."

Arthur released Valerie, stepping back. She stood frozen, shock etched on her face.

The silence hung heavy, filled with unspoken secrets and warnings. Valerie's mind reeled, her heart torn between concern for Jenna and the weight of Arthur's words.

As the stillness stretched on, Valerie's thoughts whispered a haunting question: What darkness lay hidden behind Dominic's loving facade?

"What's going on? Why is Jenna here? And why is Arthur keeping it a secret?

"Dominic's past is shrouded in darkness. What did Arthur mean by 'turn into a beast again'? Has he hurt others before?

"I thought I knew Dominic, but now I'm not so sure. His love for me feels genuine, but what about his other side?

"Jenna's cries still echo in my mind. I have to find out what's happening to her.

"Arthur cares about me, I sense it. But his loyalty lies with Dominic.

"Can I really trust Dominic? Or am I trapped in a web of secrets and lies?

"I need to protect Jenna, but how? Dominic's grip on me is suffocating.

"What secrets is Arthur hiding? What does he know about Dominic's true nature?

"I'm torn between my love for Dominic and my duty to protect Jenna. What choice will I make?"

Valerie's thoughts eventually subsided, replaced by the soothing rhythm of her heartbeat. She retreated to the sanctuary of her bed, her hands instinctively cradling her belly.

As she lay down, her fingers gently caressed her unborn baby, a sense of peace washing over her. The gentle motion was a reassuring reminder of life's beauty amidst the darkness.

"Stay safe, little one," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "Mommy will protect you."

**************************