Dark Romance: A Cruel Obsession

“You’re right,” Vilem leaned back until the back of his head thudded against the wall. He squinted at the corridor’s ceiling, the glaring light of the incandescent lamp dispersing above. He stared at it until his eyes stung, and a tear fell as he lowered his head to avoid the piercing light. “You’re right,” he muttered.

Huddled in the corner, Vilem held his head in his hands. Alajos stood by the door of Vivian’s room, arms crossed. They remained silent for a while, until Alajos broke the silence, “Vivian needs to grow up.”

“She’s no longer a fledgling hiding under her father’s wing. She needs to learn to shed her innocence and fend off danger,” he said. “What do you plan to do?” Vilem asked, his eyes red.

“Adieu, a high-end bar, is my private property. I’m willing to give it to her without conditions,” Alajos said. “She can gather, host parties, and socialize with people from various families at the bar. She needs to manage the bar’s accounts and coordinate with the manager.”

“There will be numerous bodyguards around her and the bar for protection.”

Vilem understood his plan, “You want to assign more people to protect Vivian under the guise of taking over the bar?”

“Only in this way can we avoid suspicion. The news of Vivian’s pregnancy must not be leaked,” Alajos stated.

Vilem furrowed his brow, not expressing agreement or disagreement, “They targeted Vivian suddenly in the mall, it must be for a reason.”

“Are you sure the news of Vivian’s pregnancy hasn’t leaked?”

“I will check,” Vilem replied.

Before Vilem could say more, Alajos fiercely snapped back, “Don’t try to command me, Vilem. You are just my partner, understand your position.”

Vilem knew when to stop. He swallowed his remaining words and took a breath, “I’ll wait for your result, Alajos.”

“I won’t disappoint you,” Alajos said as he unlocked the door and entered Vivian’s room.

Vilem didn’t follow; he went to the next room, where the knight who had protected his sister was staying. He needed to thank him.

Vivian was unaware that Alajos and Vilem had quarreled for her, or what “friendly” conversation they had. She slept deeply, perhaps assured of her safety, sleeping soundly until dawn without any nightmares.

When she woke up groggily, the clock pointed to nine o’clock. Vivian’s head was still muddled. She blinked at the snow-white ceiling, full of confusion. Where was her red rose butterfly canopy? Had thieves broken into the house?

After a moment of confusion, she remembered, oh, she was in the hospital now, so everything was fine…

Perhaps Vivian’s expression was too vivid; Alajos, who was watching, couldn’t help but chuckle.

Vivian turned her head in confusion, her hair rustling against the cotton pillow. She saw Alajos, and her blue eyes suddenly lit up, “Alajos!”

“Good morning, Vivian,” Alajos reached out and gently touched Vivian’s cheek.

Vivian nuzzled his fingertips like she was yearning for warmth, “Good morning, Alajos.”

She furrowed her brow gently, “You look tired. Did you not sleep last night? And your injury…” Vivian cautiously touched his wound.

Alajos sat on the small chair next to the bed, cupping Vivian’s hand. He lightly kissed the back of her hand, “I was very worried about you,” not mentioning how he got his injury.

“I’m sorry,” Vivian apologized softly. “I didn’t expect such an accident to happen.”

“No need to apologize, it’s not your fault,” Alajos said harshly. “It’s the damned Bratva. They stormed the mall and shot in a crowded place, trying to kidnap you.”

“I’m very grateful that Mare was with you. He did his duty, and you are safe because of him.”Content provided by NôvelDrama.Org.

“Thank you for bringing Mare to me,” Vivian embraced him, feeling his warmth, “How is Mare?”

“He was shot in the shoulder and broke two ribs,” Alajos asked her if she was hungry and what she wanted for breakfast. After getting Vivian’s answer, he continued, “Soft tissue bruises and minor fractures, the doctors have taken care of him. He’s resting in the room next door.”

“I want to go see him,” Vivian took a bite of the food Alajos had handed her. “He protected me, I should go visit him.”

Alajos did not object but said, “Wait a couple of days; you almost had a miscarriage. The doctor said you should rest in bed and not move around casually for these two days.”

“A miscarriage?” Vivian didn’t feel anything at the moment, but she remembered the increasing pain in her lower abdomen yesterday, as if something was constantly falling inside her belly. She had almost had a miscarriage?

Vivian’s face turned pale.

“Don’t worry, everything’s fine now,” Alajos comforted her, placing his hand on her belly. “He’s healthy now.”

“Okay,” Vivian’s eyes welled with tears, still feeling unsettled. She dared not move recklessly. “I will rest well.”

Alajos also mentioned preparing her to help manage the bar. Vivian’s mood couldn’t be described as shocked but rather horrified, “Why?”

“To protect you,” Alajos didn’t conceal his intentions. “By sending more people around you, they will think it’s for the bar’s operations, not because you’re pregnant.”

“But…” Vivian touched her gradually swelling belly, “How long can we keep it a secret?”

“As long as we can,” Alajos sighed, “It’s better than exposing it now.”

“Vivian, we need more time to prepare for the confrontation with Los Angeles,” he brushed Vivian’s disheveled hair, tucking it behind her shoulders. “Vivian, grow up quickly.”

After breakfast, the doctor came for a check-up. Alajos stood by, waiting. When the routine check-up was over and the doctor said there was nothing major wrong with Vivian, Alajos finally breathed a sigh of relief.

“Still, you need to pay attention to resting in bed. It’s better not to move around casually for these two days,” the doctor advised.

Vivian nodded obediently, watching the doctor leave.

Alajos had work to do. Bratva had attacked his wife, and he had to make Bratva pay. The longer it dragged on, the more it would shake things within the mafia, and that wouldn’t be good.

Alajos left two people to guard the door of Vivian’s room and then departed.

The room quieted down. Vivian couldn’t sleep. She lay bored in bed, considering whether to call the guards outside the door to ask the nurse for two magazines to read when the door was gently knocked.

Someone was guarding the door, so whoever could approach and knock on this door couldn’t be a dangerous person. Vivian felt at ease and curious, so she called out, “Come in.”

“Hi!” the door was gently pushed open, revealing a familiar face. “Are you alright, Vivian?”

“Shelley?” Vivian looked at her in surprise. “Why are you here?”