Dark Romance: A Cruel Obsession

“Mark is a more clever decision-maker, and he is the undisputed soul of the Los Angeles Mafia,” Noah, Houston’s current ally, calmly analyzed the situation. “His methods may be even more sophisticated than Bryson’s. Can you feel it, Alajos?”

Alajos remained silent, but he understood what Noah was talking about.

Mark set up a big game, perhaps starting it after Bryson was critically injured. Regardless of Bryson’s life or death, Mark was not as loyal to Joseph as he appeared.

While using sweet words to pacify Joseph, who was eager to kill Bryson and win the Capo position, Mark set traps and used various contradictions to stir up chaos, escaping in the confusion.

Even more cunningly, Mark seemed to have predicted that when he took Bryson and the assets away, Los Angeles would be in dire straits, and Alajos would definitely come to Los Angeles’s aid.

It was inevitable. Although Alajos was happy to see Bryson’s power crumble, the growing power of the Bratva would also pose a problem for him.

Sending elite soldiers, reallocating assets to help Los Angeles, supporting Vilem to take the Capo’s throne seemed to be Alajos’s only choice. After all, only Vilem would strive to maintain the alliance between Los Angeles and Houston because of Vivian. Any change in leadership could lead to the rise of another Bryson or Joseph.

Knowing that Alajos would come to help Los Angeles, Houston’s forces would weaken, allowing Mark to find an escape route.

Mark found a loophole and enticed the fleeing Lopaka, sneaking into the penthouse under the cover of darkness, only to meet his end at Mare’s gun.

Alajos’s face turned ashen. “I have only one question.”

“What question?”

“Is Bryson still alive?” Alajos asked.

Vivian, on the other side of the living room, put down the phone, looking at them with a mournful expression. She couldn’t explain her feelings. Was she hoping her father was alive or dead? Did her father know about the hit list Lopaka planned? Did he know her and Vilem’s names were on it?

“I’m so conflicted,” Vivian covered her face and whispered to Luzia, “I will be sad if he’s dead, he is my father. But if he’s alive, all of this is a conspiracy between him and Mark, which would be terrifying.”

“This means he not only abandoned me and Vilem, he even abandoned Joseph,” Vivian said fearfully. “Power is a terrible thing; perhaps I never truly understood my father.” Her father was colder and more ruthless than she imagined; Vivian shuddered.

“It’s all in the past, Vivian.” Luzia placed Dhanna in her arms, the baby’s soft, warm body comforting her. “Look, Dhanna is looking at you, don’t worry her, okay?”

Vivian looked down at Dhanna’s big eyes, her heart softening uncontrollably into a warm mush.

The men in the living room finished discussing matters. It was already three in the morning; Vivian’s eyes were tired, but the little one in her arms was still full of energy.ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

Alajos took her from Vivian’s arms; his gloomy expression vanished instantly. “Look at her, big eyes.”

“I can’t take it anymore,” Vivian rubbed her eyes. “She looks like she’ll stay up all night.”

“I’ll take care of putting her to sleep,” Alajos nudged Vivian gently from the back, indicating the stairs with his chin. “I’ll accompany you back to bed.”

Noah and Simpson were also leaving.

Noah was staying temporarily at a hotel in Houston, his driver would pick him up when needed.

Simpson, now an adult, had left the mansion where he grew up, just like his brother, buying an apartment near Alajos’s.

“Are you coming to stay with me?” Simpson asked Luzia with concern. “Aren’t you afraid?”

Lopaka had climbed into Luzia’s balcony through the safe passage. Her room was in disarray, and even if it could still be lived in, Luzia surely didn’t dare to stay here anymore.

Only Luzia knew the extent of the psychological shadow that the kidnapper had made her wake up from her sleep, and now when she closed her eyes, she could see the terrifying grin Lopaka hid in the darkness.

“I…” Luzia swallowed hard, her gaze subconsciously drifting towards Mare. Of course, she wanted to go with Simpson, but she knew tonight was destined to be a nightmare. An empty room could not soothe her frightened soul; she craved for someone else’s affection and warmth.

“I…” Luzia took a deep breath, trying to make her voice sound less shaky, “I will move to another guest room, no need to worry.”

Luzia’s refusal surprised Simpson. Based on his understanding of Luzia, she should be begging him to take her away from here before he even spoke. Why did she now choose to stay?

Simpson was puzzled, but Lopaka was already dead, and Alajos had increased the security level of the apartment. Staying here was indeed safer than going to his apartment, so Simpson didn’t think too much about it.

“Okay, get some rest,” Simpson gestured with a wave of his hand and left.

The people in the living room dispersed, leaving only Luzia and Mare.

“Um…” Luzia’s hands involuntarily folded in front of her, feeling a bit uneasy.

“Let’s go upstairs,” Mare said. “Which room do you want to stay in? I’ll help you tidy up.”

Luzia looked at his retreating figure, gritted her teeth, and then pounced on him. “I want to stay in your room, is that okay?”

Mare was pushed forward by her sudden move, his hand clapping on the railing, making a crisp sound. “Um… I’ll go sleep in the guest room…”

“No, I just want to sleep with you!” Luzia turned his face towards her, making him look into her eyes. “Tell me, what are you thinking?”

Luzia was too close, and Mare’s breath hitched. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Mare chose to avoid, but Luzia insisted on him facing her. “You saw it today; my father has already started looking for my third suitor. What do you think? Tell me.”

“Mr. Noah is a very good choice, a talented young man, surpassing many successful people in Houston…” Mare replied hesitantly.

Luzia sneered, “My skin is not that thick. To let such an outstanding man like Mr. Noah accept a widow like me who has been married twice and can’t bear children…”

“Don’t say that!” Before Luzia finished her self-deprecating words, Mare interrupted her. “You are the best girl; Paavo’s and Joseph’s deaths have nothing to do with you. Don’t be bothered by rumors.”

“You heard them too,” tears welled up in Luzia’s eyes as she cried sorrowfully. “They are not wrong. I am a ‘cursed widow,’ I am incapable of bearing children. If you want to break up with me, I won’t blame you…”