Dark Romance: A Cruel Obsession

Shelley, being a daughter of the Mafia, naturally understood Vivian’s caution. “We are surrounded by ears.”

“Yes,” Vivian nodded, “perhaps countless pairs of eyes too.”Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

Shelley didn’t like this kind of life at all. She gloomily caressed the delicate petals of a rose. “I used to think I was happy.”

Vivian remained silent, watching her.

“I was luckier than you. My mother is the daughter of the Capo of Washington. My father respected her greatly. I had a very capable and loving older brother. I was raised as a lady, but my father and brother never treated me as a gift to be married off.”

As she spoke of her family, Shelley’s lips remained curved in a smile, warm and beautiful. She was truly happy.

Vivian felt a pang of sourness within her, unsure if it was more jealousy or envy.

“But, my brother died.”

The heartwarming and happy story took a sudden turn. The passing of a family member cast a shadow over this once happy family. The powerful father, who had lived a lifetime, lost his heir and suddenly aged. Shelley’s life also underwent significant changes. Her loving father made a decision that could shatter her life, aligning Shelley with Festus of the Roscente family, making her the new heir of the Benoist family.

And so, Shelley became nothing more than a breeding machine for the Benoist family.

How could she accept this? How could she?

She was the daughter of the Benoist family. With her brother Hanson dead and her cousin John imprisoned in England, she should have naturally become the heir of the Benoist family, instead of being handed over to that son who knows not when he will arrive!

“Here’s to a pleasant collaboration!” Shelley snipped a rose and used it to touch the rose in Vivian’s hand, as though making a toast.

Shelley soon fulfilled her promise, obtaining a platinum card for the club’s manager for Vivian.

They arranged to meet at a mall in downtown Houston, pretending to bump into each other. Shelley recommended a spa for a massage to Vivian and discreetly handed over the platinum card disguised as a spa membership card.

“You know those shooting clubs that the Benoist family put out in the open as targets, you definitely can’t go there. I’ll tell you the addresses of a few underground spots, find time for Mare to take you there.”

Shelley paused. “Does Alajos know about your desire to learn shooting?”

Vivian snatched the card from her hand. “You’re only asking me now, isn’t it a bit late?”

Shelley’s voice rose in terror. “So he doesn’t know?”

“Shh!” Vivian covered her mouth. “Can you keep it down?”

Shelley drew in a sharp breath. Now she was scared, she felt like crying. “Will I die? If Alajos finds out I’m teaching you to shoot, will he kill me?”

The more Shelley thought about it, the more she felt it was possible. Shivers ran down her spine.

“It’s not that dramatic.” Vivian looked at Shelley wordlessly. “It’s not about being brave or not. That’s Alajos we’re talking about. I was counting on his support for me to become the head.”

Vivian rolled her eyes. “Relax, I’ve already discussed it with Alajos in advance. He agreed to my learning to shoot.”

Vivian’s willingness to learn to shoot made Alajos very happy. He couldn’t be by Vivian’s side all the time to protect her. Even with Mare’s close protection, there were times when Mare couldn’t be there. If Vivian knew how to use a gun or some other means of self-defense, her chances of survival would greatly increase.

“Don’t roll your eyes.” Shelley picked up a book to shield herself from Vivian’s disdainful gaze. “Remember, you’re a lady.”

“Let the lady go to hell.” Vivian no longer cared. “She can’t hold me back anymore.”

Shelley expressed her contentment.

After handing over the card, Shelley left. She and Vivian didn’t have much of a relationship. Spending too much time together would raise suspicions, and they might even expose their collaboration.

Or maybe they should find some time to deepen their bond? Sneaking around and pretending to coincidentally meet every time wasn’t a sustainable solution.

Shelley planned to discuss this with Vivian the next time they met.

After Shelley left, Vivian didn’t rush to leave. She carefully placed Shelley’s card in a compartment in her bag and then took the list of today’s massage packages from the spa receptionist.

Her fingertips slid over one item after another, involuntarily bringing Luzia to mind.

Was Luzia doing well in Los Angeles? Had she adapted to her new life? WasJoseph treating her well? Is he still abusive?

Thinking of Luzia made Vivian feel a pang in her heart, ruining her good mood and leaving her feeling low.

Mare, who had been waiting for her, suddenly received a call. He spoke quietly for a moment before hanging up.

He could see Vivian’s low spirits and knew that the massage for today probably wouldn’t happen.

“Is it Alajos on the phone?” Sometimes, Vivian was very sensitive.

“Yes,” Mare said.

“Is there something wrong?” Vivian sighed. If she didn’t ask, Mare wouldn’t tell her. This stubborn man!

Mare thought for a moment, then said, “Alajos said if you have time now, you should go see him.”

“Go see him where?”

“At the hospital,” Mare replied.

“The hospital?” Vivian almost jumped up. “Is he injured?”

“No, he’s fine. Don’t worry,” Mare tried to reassure her. He had scared Vivian. “It’s just a minor issue, definitely not an injury. Don’t worry.”

“No, we’re going to the hospital right now.” Why would Vivian believe it was a minor issue based on what Mare said? Alajos was someone who wouldn’t go to the hospital even if he was shot. Would he go just for a minor issue?

Vivian was worried, and Mare couldn’t persuade her, so he followed her. Luckily, Vivian remembered that she was pregnant, so she didn’t run too hard.

Diego was almost becoming Vivian’s personal driver now. He received the order and quickly took Vivian and Mare to the hospital designated by Alajos. Someone was waiting for them at the entrance.

It was someone familiar to Mare, Emmert.

Vivian didn’t know him.

“Capo is really alright. He came to the hospital today for another purpose.” Emmert could see Vivian’s unusual anxiety at a glance. He glanced at Mare, silently asking how he had explained it to the lady.

Mare shrugged. He really didn’t exaggerate Alajos’s condition, it was Vivian who was overthinking it.

Emmert gestured to him without speaking and then led Vivian into the hospital lobby.

“Where’s Alajos?” Without seeing Alajos safe and sound with her own eyes, Vivian wouldn’t believe anyone.

“Please follow me.” Emmert led them through the hospital lobby, turned twice, took an elevator, went up to the fourth floor, got off, and guided them through a long corridor, past the nurse’s station, into an empty elevator, which went directly to the seventh floor. They walked a bit further and took another elevator down to the sixth floor.

Vivian was already feeling dizzy from Emmert’s roundabout route, but Mare was always following behind her, which reassured her and made her forget the only thing that was still not quite right.