All Chapters of Dear Mafia, My Heart Belongs To You: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

Chapter Twelve: A Glimmer of HopeLena's PovThe hum of the car engine filled the silence, but it did little to drown out the pounding of my heart. I sat stiffly, my hands gripping my skirt so tightly my knuckles turned white. Damian sat beside me, his profile sharp under the dim light from passing streetlamps. His jaw was clenched, his hands gripping the wheel with tension that made me wonder if it might snap under the strain.I wanted to speak, to ask him why he'd come for me, why he'd stormed into Bianca's house like a raging storm and pulled me out of that hellhole without a word. But the words were trapped in my throat, tangled with the fear and confusion that had consumed me since the moment he appeared at Bianca's door.I stole a glance at him, but his face didn't give anything away. His gaze was fixed on the road, his brows furrowed as if wrestling some invisible demon.Why? The question screamed inside my head, louder than the roar of my own heartbeat. Why would he care?The

Chapter Fourteen: Whispers of DefianceLena's POVThe morning sunlight filtered through the curtains, a stark contrast to the storm that had raged within me throughout the night. Sleep had evaded me entirely, my mind replaying Alex’s visit over and over again. His voice still lingered in my ears, his promise echoing in the hollow chambers of my heart."I will come back for you."I sat on the edge of my bed, staring at the floor as if the answers I sought could be found there. My chest was heavy, weighed down by the memory of his touch, the gentleness in his eyes, and the warmth of his voice. For the first time in years, I'd felt something other than despair.Hope.But hope was dangerous.It had been years since I'd let myself hope for anything, especially freedom. This life, Damian's world, it had stolen every fragment of me that once had dared to dream of a better tomorrow. And now, Alex had dared to hand that hope back to me, lighting a spark I wasn't sure I was strong enough to nur

Chapter Sixteen: A Growing Unease The house was silent when Damian stepped through the front door. He set his travel bag down and took a deep breath, letting the familiar scent of home calm the tension in his body. The trip had been long, and exhaustion weighed heavily on him, but there was a nagging feeling at the back of his mind-one he couldn't shake. "Damian!" Bianca's voice greeted him before he saw her. She emerged from the living room in a shower of smiles and elegance, her arms extended as though this was the moment she had been waiting for all day. "Bianca," he said, managing a feeble smile. Then she leaned forward and wrapped her arms around him. He patted her back, stiffly, his mind already being pulled elsewhere. "You're finally back," she said, pulling away just enough to look into his eyes. "I thought I'd surprise you. I know how hard you've been working lately." He nodded absentmindedly, his gaze flicking toward the stairs. His chest tightened, and he didn't kn

Chapter Eighteen: Lena's TearsLena's PovPain.That was the first thing Lena felt as her consciousness began to return. It started as a dull ache in her body, spreading like a storm cloud until it pressed down on her chest, suffocating and unrelenting. Her eyelids fluttered open, and she winced at the harsh light of the hospital room. Everything smelled sterile—too clean, too cold.It took a moment for her eyes to focus, but when they did, the first thing she saw was Damian. He sat by her bedside, his large frame hunched forward, elbows on his knees, hands clasped tightly. His head was bowed and his dark hair fell into his face. He looked. tired. Broken, almost."Damian," she croaked, low and dry and raw.His head shot up immediately, his sharp eyes locking onto hers. Relief washed over his face, softening his usual hard expression. “Lena,” he said, his voice gentle but strained. “You’re awake.”Tears sprang to her eyes, unbidden and unstoppable. She turned her face away, biting her

Chapter Twenty : Conversation Lena's POVThe sun streams through my window, painting warm streaks of gold across the pale walls. Home. After days in the sterile confines of the hospital, I am finally back within the comfort of my own space-though it doesn't feel as comforting as it should. The events of the last few days replay over and over in my head-the attack, the pain, the overwhelming fear. But through it all, there was Damian. He was always there, a lurking shadow who refused to let go, by my side, so I was never lonely.Even now, standing by the door to my bedroom, I could have sworn he is close enough that I might feel the weight of his protection-the halo of a shield that I never asked for, yet somehow need. My body heals, but my heart is heavier than it has ever been. The questions that gnaw at me aren't answered, and my trust in Damian is very much compromised. Still, his devotion cannot be denied, and it is just that contradiction which spins my head around.Damian has b