Lahat ng Kabanata ng Felon- A Dark Mafia Romance: Kabanata 71 - Kabanata 80

Lilah's POV :I wake up to the first slivers of dawn creeping through the curtains. The quiet hum of the village surrounds me, and for a moment, I let the peace of it settle over my restless heart. It’s strange, living somewhere so far removed from the chaos of my past. But no matter how much I try, I can’t seem to leave the shadows behind.I slip out of bed, careful not to wake Lucy or Robert. The last thing I want is another argument about how I shouldn’t be working. They mean well, but I can’t keep relying on them. I need to pull my weight.The walk to the bakery is quiet, the cobblestone streets damp with morning dew. As I step into Linda’s shop, the warmth of freshly baked bread envelops me.“Good morning, Lilah,” Linda greets me with her usual smile, handing me a cup of tea.“Morning,” I reply, already tying on my apron.Linda has been nothing but kind since I started working here. She’s patient when I fumble a recipe, quick to praise when I get something right. I’m learning mor

Lilah's POV :Two months have passed since I escaped the chaos that was my life, but the memories feel as fresh as if they happened yesterday. Every sound outside my small apartment makes my pulse race, every shadow in the corner of my eye feels like a threat. I tell myself every day that I’m safe, that Ivan Volkov isn’t coming for me. But I can never be sure.I smooth down my loose floral dress, making sure it hides the small bump just beginning to show. My baby bump. My heart flutters at the thought as I look out of the bakery window, waiting for the last customer of the day to finish up.“Thank you, Mrs. Carter,” I say, handing her the neatly wrapped pastries. She’s a sweet older woman who never leaves without reminding me that I look tired or too thin. “You should take care of yourself, dear. That glow doesn’t come naturally, you know!”If only she knew.The moment the door jingles shut, I exhale in relief, pulling my apron over my head. “Thanks for another day, Ms. Bryant,” I cal

Lilah’s POVThe morning dawns too quickly, and I’m already exhausted before the day has even started. None of us slept after last night’s encounter. Lucy’s eyes are red-rimmed, her face pale with worry. Robert sits by the window, his sharp eyes scanning the street below, his jaw clenched.We were supposed to leave immediately, but the reality of uprooting our lives isn’t as simple as packing a bag and disappearing. Robert spent most of the night making calls, trying to arrange a safe place for us to go.I rest a hand on my belly, my mind racing. I’ve been careful—so careful—but somehow, Ivan still managed to track me down.“We’ll figure this out,” Robert says firmly, breaking the silence.I glance at him, my throat tightening. He’s been so strong through all of this, taking on responsibilities that aren’t his to bear.“Thank you,” I whisper, my voice barely audible.He looks at me, his expression softening. “You don’t have to thank me, Lilah. We’re family now.”Lucy walks into the roo

Lilah’s POVIt’s been a week since Ivan brought me here. A week of waking up in this gilded prison, with its suffocating silence and air that reeks of power and control. I glance at the clock on the wall—an ornate, golden monstrosity that ticks so quietly it’s almost mocking. Eleven at night.The mansion is quiet now. The guards outside my door have stopped their low murmuring. I’ve spent days memorizing their shifts, the pattern of footsteps in the hall, and the clicks of their radios. Every detail matters if I want to get out of here.I press my hands over my belly, feeling the small swell of life beneath my skin.“I’m going to get us out of here,” I whisper to my unborn child. “I promise.”The baby kicks in response, a tiny, reassuring nudge. It’s enough to steel my resolve.---Dinner with Ivan earlier was as insufferable as usual. He has a way of making every meal feel like a negotiation. He asked questions about my health, the baby, and even how I was adjusting to “our home,” as

Lilah's POVThe next morning, I wake to find Anna gone. Her absence gnaws at me, the weight of guilt pressing on my chest. Did Ivan find out about her part in my escape attempt? I picture her face, her trembling hands as she warned me, and my stomach churns.I can’t sit here, paralyzed by fear. If Anna is in trouble because of me, I need to know.---The halls of the mansion feel colder today, the usual quiet now oppressive. Ivan’s presence lingers everywhere, like a shadow I can’t shake. His words from last night echo in my mind: “You’ll never run again.”When I pass by the kitchens, the staff lowers their heads, avoiding my gaze. It’s as if the entire house is mourning something unspoken.Finally, I find the courage to approach one of the maids, a young girl named Marla. She’s carrying a tray of tea, her hands trembling slightly as I step into her path.“Marla,” I whisper, glancing around to make sure we’re alone. “Do you know where Anna is?”Her eyes dart to the side, and she shift