Bound by Betrayal (The Mafia King Captive Bride)

There was a silence between us, we were just inside one of the empty rooms in the hospital.

I had so much to say, but the words wouldn’t come. I sat down on the bed, my gaze fixed on the white paint on the wall, trying to gather my thoughts. When suddenly, Sebastian cleared his throat with a light cough, breaking the stillness.

“Sister inlaw,” I slowly tilted my head to look at him.

“We’re more than just family. You’re my best friend, and seeing you hurt without being able to do anything hurts me too.”

I forced a smile, trying to hide the pain in my eyes. “Sebastian, I’m fine,” I lied. But he was quick to see right through me.

“You’re not, sister-in-law. Please talk to me. Why do Damien want to abort his own baby?” he asked, his voice filled with concern. I instantly shut my eyes, gulping hard, as the emotions I’d been trying to suppress threatened to surface.

“I know something is wrong,” Sebastian continued. “Why do I feel that the baby isn’t his? But wait…” He trailed off, his eyes locking onto mine as if an idea flashed through his head, and he immediately shifted forward to hold my hands in his. “Ashley, you know I’ll never judge you. I’ll always be here to support you, no matter what.”

That word was enough to open the flood gate of my tears, I inhaled sharply as tears flooded my eyes. Our gazes met, and I saw the genuine concern etched on his face.

“It’s a long story, Sebastian,” I stammered, my voice shaking.

“I’m listening,” he replied, giving my hands a comforting squeeze.

I opened my mouth to speak, but the words caught in my throat. The memories of that night still felt like yesterday, and I didn’t know where to begin.

“Ash…. Say it and get the burden off your chest.”

“This…. this,” I trailed off before I continued, “You are right, the child wasn’t his.”

I blurted out instantly, my body trembling as fresh tears rolled out. I remained silent waiting for him to at least react…. I was expecting a look of disgust, disappointment, or even an ugly snort. But instead, I heard none.

Sebastian lifted his right hand and gently wiped the tears off my face, “I can never judge you, Ashley,” he said softly. “I know there’s a story behind it.”

His words caught me off guard.

He is not judging me? Really? I turned to him, another fresh tear rolling down my cheek. For the past few months, I have been judged and condemned, but seeing Sebastian acting differently somehow brought a warm feeling in my heart, urging me to open up.

“I was set up by my best friend and step sister,” I said, the memories flooding back. I recalled the smile on Olivia’s lips at the foyer that day. “They drugged my drink and I ended up getting raped by a total stranger that night.”

Sebastian’s eyes widened, I can see the puzzled look on his face as his eyes scanned mine, trying to process the truth. “But according to the media, you and Damien were dating then. He was your fiance,” His words came out more like a question.

And I smiled wryly, taking a deep breath before shaking my head.

There was no need to hide anything anymore.

“They recorded everything and uploaded it on the internet. To save face, my father arranged with Damien to pretend to be the man in the video… to act as my fiance and marry me. But in exchange…” I trailed off, the pain and shame still raw.

“He gets his company,” Sebastian interrupted, completing my statement. I nodded in agreement.

I wanted to ask him how he knows but then again I decided to brush it off. After all, Olivia once leaked the news on social media, so I am sure he gets to know from there.

“So, it was just a contracted marriage,” he added.

I nodded again, giving him a small, sad smile.

Sebastian let out a deep sigh, rubbing his jaw as he leaned against the bedhead, his gaze never leaving mine.

“And since then, you haven’t seen the stranger,” he stated, his tone gentle.

I turned my head to face him, my face c***d in disgust. “There’s no need to see him again,” I scoffed.

“Did Damien know?” Sebastian asked, but I just shook my head. “What difference would it make? I heaved out a frustrated sigh.

Sebastian sighed, rubbing his jaw thoughtfully. “I think he’s supposed to know,” he said, but I gave him a side look before letting out a bitter chuckle. “Even if he finds out, will he still want to keep the child?”

“Fine, then we need to find the stranger,” Sebastian suddenly blurted out, causing my heart to beat faster.

What?! Why?

The disgust vanished from my face and fear and confusion rushed through me.

“That will complicate things, Sebastian,” I said, shaking my head in disagreement.

“We can’t let a rapist roam free, have you considered what he might do to other young girls?”

Sebastian’s words struck a chord, and I swallowed hard, closing my eyes. He was right, but why hadn’t I thought of finding him? Maybe I was scared of facing the person who had turned my life upside down in an instant.

“That fool needs to be behind bars,” Sebastian said, his angry snort snapping me back to attention.

“But Sebastian… mmm” I began, only to be cut off by him.

“Just forward me your best friend’s full name, the name of the hotel, and the date,” he said, his tone firm but gentle. I tried to speak again, “Seb…” but he let out a sigh, taking my hands in his and squeezing them reassuringly.

“Leave everything else to me,” he said, his smile calming my nerves, even as I saw the anger simmering in his eyes.

He didn’t need to say it; I knew he felt bad for me, and angry that the culprit is still roaming free.

Sighing, I shifted forward and rested my head on his shoulder. He patted my back, whispering comforting words.

How I wish, Damien is this understanding.

**** *****

Just like Sebastian had requested, I forwarded him the details.

Though part of me wanted to see the man that had caused me this pain, while the other part seemed terrified of confronting the harsh reality.

Getting home, I stepped inside the building heading straight to the room. I felt so exhausted and drained from crying. My eyes seem swollen.

Luckily, Damien’s car wasn’t outside, so I assumed he hadn’t returned yet. Honestly, I didn’t know how to face him.

Reaching the upstairs area, I headed toward the corridor leading to our room when I suddenly heard an argument coming from the other corridor to my left, where Damien’s small home office was located.

But I had just checked, and his car wasn’t outside… So who was in his office? My curiosity got the better of me, and I slowly started walking toward the office. The closer I got, the louder the voices became.

Wait… it wasn’t just two people in there.

I stopped beside the door and slowly peeked inside, noticing it wasn’t fully closed. I saw the backs of Eros and Pasito, confirming my suspicion that it wasn’t just two people in there.

So Damien is back.

My heart throbbed hard but then I heard Pasito say something that grabbed my attention.

“Bro, you know you also contributed to this man’s death, assuming you didn’t collect the company. He couldn’t go through hell before dying.”Content bel0ngs to Nôvel(D)r/a/ma.Org.

“Whose death? What has Damien done this time?” I mumbled in my head and inched closer, eager to hear more of their conversation.