Valentina pov
“Madam, you need to eat something, or you’re going to get sick,” Martha said, her voice laced with concern.
“Yes, madam, you have to eat. You haven’t eaten properly in a day. You need to eat something or else you are going to be weak,” Sebastian added, adjusting his glasses nervously, while Daniel muttered a curse under his breath.
“Look what that bastard has done. He’s terrified the poor girl.”
He wasn’t wrong. Why wouldn’t I be terrified? I had just witnessed a murder-a brutal one at that. What the hell was going on? How could everyone be so composed, as if that monster hadn’t just taken a life so effortlessly?
After what happened yesterday, I hadn’t slept a wink. Every time I closed my eyes, the image of the bloodied body would appear, forcing me to wake up gasping for air.
How could he kill so easily? I thought Alexander worked for the government, so…
Felix’s tap on my shoulder broke my thoughts. I turned my gaze toward him, weakly, and saw him holding out a note for me to see.
“Are you okay, Mommy? I’m sorry, you must’ve been so scared. Please eat something.”
My gaze flickered between the note and Felix, and I couldn’t help but remember how he had burst into the basement-his cold expression as he glanced at the body, his gaze briefly meeting mine before running to close my eyes.
“Felix,” I whispered, my voice trembling as I fought back the tears, my throat dry. “Tell me the truth. The honest truth, okay?”
Felix nodded, his small voice muttering, “Okay, Mommy,” and I could feel everyone else in the room lean in, anticipating my question.
“You’re a good boy,” I said softly, trying to steady myself. “I know you’ll be honest with me. You won’t lie.” I took a breath before asking, “Your father… he’s not really working for the government, is he? His business… it’s not very legal, like you told me?”
Felix stiffened, his eyes darting around like a kid that had been caught lying. Dread instantly pulled in my stomach when I realized that he was indeed lying! So that meant that whatever Alexander did wasn’t really legal?!
A sharp laugh broke my concentration, and I turned to see Daniel sitting on the edge of the bed, clapping his hands. His head tilted back as he laughed like he had just heard the funniest thing in the world.
“Oh my goodness, Alexander, legal? Those two words don’t belong together,” Daniel said, still chuckling. “I can’t believe the little demon really said that. Sebastian, isn’t that funny? Alexander, the devil working for the government, haha.” He nudged Sebastian’s sleeve as he spoke, but I could see the disappointment in both Martha’s and Sebastian’s eyes as they glanced at him.
“Dr. Daniel, I don’t think now is the time for jokes,” Sebastian said, his tone stern. “Please, don’t say that.”
“What? I’m speaking the truth,” Daniel sneered before turning his attention to me. His gray eyes glistened with mischief, as if he were about to spill some juicy gossip. “I’ll tell you what Alexander really does… but don’t tell him I was the one who told you.”
My eye twitched when I noticed the sparkle in his eyes as he prepared to reveal his twin brother’s secret. To be honest, you’d never guess Alexander and Daniel were twins based on their behavior. They were worlds apart.
I hesitated but nodded. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Felix eyeing Daniel, a silent warning. Whether Daniel noticed it or not, he didn’t show it. He leaned in, his platinum blonde hair falling across his face. For a moment, I found myself captivated by his beauty, almost forgetting I was speaking to a man. But his next words snapped me back to reality.
“Alexander is a mafia don. A very dangerous one who kills without remorse. Drug trafficking, money laundering, murder, assassinations, arms smuggling, bribery, corruption-anything evil you can think of, you can link it to him. Alexander is a devil from hell, I tell you!”
My jaw dropped as he spoke, my eyes widening in sheer horror.
“What?!” I gasped in disbelief.
“Dr. Daniel!” Sebastian exclaimed, his voice rising in shock as he quickly covered Daniel’s mouth, but it was too late. The damage was done.
“Master Daniel, you’re exaggerating,” Martha interjected, shaking her head in an attempt to calm the tension.
But Daniel, refusing to be silenced, pulled Sebastian’s hand away from his mouth. “But am I, though? I’m not wrong-”
Before he could finish, Felix shot up from his seat, his hand swiftly meeting Daniel’s mouth with a sharp slap. The room fell silent, everyone stunned by the sudden action.
“Y-you little demon!” Daniel screamed but at this time I had already drowned out their voice, my hand reaching out to cover my mouth as I replayed what Daniel had said.
I was married to a mafia don. What the fuck!
___
I groaned and opened my eyes, my stomach growling in protest. God, it hurt, but what did I expect when I hadn’t eaten anything since yesterday? I should have agreed when Martha offered me some ramen, at least.
After finding out about Alexander’s true identity, I’d completely lost my appetite. Fear had taken over, leaving me unable to think straight. How had I ended up marrying a man like that in the first place? And how could I bear to live in a place like this?
After some careful thought, I came to two conclusions: first, I must be crazy enough not to care, and second, Alexander’s appearance must have seriously blinded me.
Tsk, way to go, Emily.
I glanced at the clock on the wall. 10 p. m.
Gosh, I was starving. At this point, I could barely move, let alone think straight.
Wait!
A sly smile crept onto my face as an idea struck me. I could sneak out and grab something to eat. It was late, everyone would be asleep by now, and for once, there were no guards stationed outside my room. If I was quick enough, I could dash to the kitchen and back before anyone even noticed.
I shoved aside the tiny voice in the back of my mind warning me this was a terrible idea. Hunger trumped reason.
I slid out of bed and tiptoed to the door, pressing my ear against it before carefully peeking through, scanning for any signs of life in the hallway.
When I saw no one in sight, I quietly crept down the stairs, making sure each step was as silent as possible. I remembered where Martha had hidden the pack of ramen in the cabinet the last time I was in the kitchen.
Reaching the kitchen, I switched on the light and moved toward the cabinet, but it was placed higher than I thought. My height made it impossible to reach.
Something told me Martha did this on purpose.
I scoffed and rolled my eyes. Like I was going to give up that easily.
Turning around, I walked to the dining table and grabbed one of the stools, pushing it over to the cabinet. Carefully, I climbed onto it, steadying myself before reaching for the handle.
As soon as I opened the cabinet, I was greeted with the glorious sight of neatly arranged packets of ramen. I could have sworn, for a brief moment, that the noodles sparkled with angel wings.
“Hehe, ramen!” I clapped my hands and grinned. Finally, something I’d been craving.
I reached out, intending to grab two packets, but before I could, my eyes widened as I gasped. The stool wobbled beneath me, and before I could catch myself, I slipped. Time seemed to slow as I felt myself falling, I closed my eyes and reached out for whatever could stop my fall but it was hopeless.
I was going to die because of ramen.
At least, that’s what I thought-until a pair of strong arms wrapped around my waist, pulling me close against a hard chest.