Bound by Betrayal (The Mafia King Captive Bride)

It’s been three months since I left Los Angeles, and I must admit, I miss Damien every single day. He’s tried every possible way to reach me, bombarding me with countless apologies and calls, desperate to make things right.

Yet, despite the ache in my heart, I still yearn for him. But the painful realization runs too deep, and I just can’t bring myself to go back to him. My heart and mind are at war, torn between the love I still feel and the hurt I thought I’d never overcome.

I felt utterly betrayed, so I blocked Damien on all social media platforms. Since then, the only people I’ve been in contact with are Sebastian and Jessica.

Though I’ve also heard through the grapevine that Damien has relinquished control of my father’s company and resigned as owner.

But I couldn’t care less, my father is already dead.

As I sat on the couch, staring blankly at the TV in front of me, my mind wandered, not even concentrating on the news. When suddenly, the doorbell rang, signaling that someone was at the door.

I snapped my head toward the door, is it Sabastian because he promised to come visit?

With a great effort, I heaved myself and my growing baby bump off the couch, dragging my weary self to the door. As I opened it, my gaze widened in surprise. “Good morning, Mrs. Catherina,”

“Good morning, my beautiful daughter,” she replied, setting her bag aside immediately and enveloping me in a warm, motherly hug.

The hug was exactly what I needed – comforting and reassuring.

After a while, she pulled away and grabbed my face, concern written all over her wrinkled face. ” You haven’t been eating well.”

I gave her a small sad smile and muttered, ” How did you find me here?”

Kissing my visible baby bump, she smiled and then lifted her eyes to look at me. “I had to beg Sebastian to tell me.”

That boy?!

I nodded and opened the door wide for her to enter.

But immediately she stepped inside, her wrinkled face clutched in disgust and concern as she took in my surroundings; squeezed tissues that I used to wipe my tears after crying, empty cans of junk foods and shattered pillows all over the place.

Infact, the place was a mess!

“You haven’t been eating well, you look pale.” She sighed, but I ignored her and closed the door before walking toward her.

“I will show you to your room,”

“No need, I think you need to first show me the kitchen.”

My eyebrows twitched uncomfortably as I nervously scratched my neck. I think the kitchen is even the worst messier place right now.

I just remembered that I haven’t done the dishes for three days now.

**** *****

Mrs. Catherina helped me to tidy up and also cooked a homemade meal for me. I felt so excited and surprised at the same time though I am still curious as to why she traveled all the way here just to see me.

Sighing, I lay on the couch, scrolling through my phone, secretly sneaking glances at Damien’s social media pages, curious to know if he had posted anything new.

But for the past two months, since the incident, his accounts have been inactive.

“Here you are,” I heard Mrs. Catherina’s worried tone and quickly hid my phone by my side before turning to face her.

“Hmm, what’s wrong?” I asked, adjusting my position to sit more comfortably. Mrs. Catherina sighed and sat down beside me, taking my hands in hers, which confused me.

“Are you alright, Ms Catherina?”

“Yes, are you free for us to talk, Ash?” she asked, her eyes filled with concern. I gave her a narrowed look, then nodded curtly. “I heard what happened, Ash,” she said, her gaze dropping to my baby bump.

I sighed heavily and looked away, trying to compose myself.

“You two are obviously hurting each other,” she blurted out, her voice laced with empathy. Taking a deep breath, I turned to her, struggling to hide the longing in my eyes. “He… he broke me,” I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.

“I know, Ash,” she said, shifting forward. “What Damien did was terrible. I had no idea what was happening until I went to visit him. He hadn’t taken my calls, replied to my texts, or even called back. I tried reaching you too, but your line wasn’t connecting.” She paused, and I could hear the pain in her voice.

“So I went to visit him, and his friends and Sebastian told me what happened. Damien looked like a shadow of himself right now… please, Ash,” she trailed off, her voice cracking.

“Please forgive him and give him a chance to make things right again.”

I sniffled, unaware I was crying until Mrs. Catherina pulled me into a warm hug. “Nobody knows what I went through,” I sobbed into her shoulder, and she gently patted my back.

“I know, Ash… we all know, but I think he loves you.”

” No. No. He doesn’t,” I screamed, sobbing hard.

Mrs. Catherina sighed and rubbed my back, offering comfort. “He does, Ash. I’ve never seen Damien act this way, not even when he broke up with Zuri. I’ve seen the way he looks at you – the adoration, the love, it’s always been there, though he messed up big time.”

I wiped away my tears and pulled out of her embrace, my eyes swollen and red. “I loved him, Mrs. Catherina,” I sniffled again, my voice cracking.

“I’ve always loved him but he treated me like I’m not worth it but when it started seeming like he was about to charge, I found out the truth.” She nodded, her expression understanding. “I know, Ash.” she muttered.

“I am in pain, why will he be the man from that night.” She wiped my tears, and sighed.

I looked at her with teary eyes, searching for answers, my voice laced with pain. “But what did I do wrong? Everyone who’s been by my side has always hurt me in one way or another.”

“They don’t deserve you, Ash. You’re great and amazing. Please don’t judge yourself harshly.” she patted my head. “All I’m asking is for you to give him a chance to explain himself even if you don’t want him again. I don’t love to see you two like this.”

I sniffled and leaned back into the couch, my gaze fixed on the white walls of my rented apartment. “It’s not easy, Mrs. Catherina,” I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.

“I’m not asking you to do it now,” she said gently. “Just take your time. But know that I’ll always be here for you, as long as I’m alive, to support you through this difficult moment.” She leaned forward and gently pecked my cheeks.

Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes, and I looked away, quickly blinking them back.

“Everything is going to be fine,” Mrs. Catherina reassured me, her voice soft and soothing.

She gave my shoulder a gentle squeeze, then began massaging my toes, her touch helping to calm my tense muscles and ease my emotional pain.

It felt like a huge burden was lifted off my shoulder by mere talking with her. She gave me that mothering support and I think that is what I needed right now.

She didn’t judge me, she felt my pain.Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.