บททั้งหมดของ BOUND BY VENGEANCE 'CLAIMED BY THE MAFIA': บทที่ 1 - บทที่ 10

I never thought this day would come—the day my life would finally end, and yet, it was the only way out. The cold metal door clanged behind me, and I felt my body collapse against the ice-cold concrete of the cell. Everything had led to this. Betrayal. Suffering. Endless years of watching everything that was meant for me slip through my fingers, until it was too late.David's words echoed in my mind as I lay there, bruised and broken, cold air biting at my skin. "You ruined everything," he’d said, his voice cold, devoid of the warmth I had once known. "You should have never come back."How could he say that to me? I, his wife—the woman who had fought to survive, to find my place in a world that never wanted me—had become the enemy. He held Kate in his arms, my fake sister, the woman who had taken everything from me, from the wealth that should have been mine to the love of my parents. Even my husband had chosen her.Tears stung my eyes, but they were no longer for him. I had shed them

The moment Ronan said I’d be moving into his estate, I felt the walls close in on me. I had agreed to trust him, to let him protect me, but this wasn’t what I had envisioned. Moving in? That sounded like surrender, like giving up the little control I had managed to scrape together.“No,” I said firmly, crossing my arms over my chest. “I’m not moving in with you.”Ronan raised an eyebrow, his expression a mixture of amusement and frustration. “This isn’t up for debate, Ashley. Staying in that motel is a risk you can’t afford.”“I can take care of myself,” I shot back, my voice shaking only slightly.He stepped closer, his towering frame making me feel small. “Can you? Because the last time I checked, your husband and that snake you call a sister left you for dead. Tell me, Ashley, do you really think they won’t try again?”His words hit me like a punch to the gut. As much as I hated to admit it, he was right. David and Kate wouldn’t stop until they destroyed me. Still, the idea of movi

The sound of Ronan’s voice stayed with me as we prepared to leave the estate. His words, his warnings, were etched into my mind, but my determination outweighed my fear. This was my life now—my fight.We drove through the city under the cover of night, the tension inside the car thick enough to cut with a knife. Ronan sat beside me, his jaw clenched as he stared out the window, lost in thought. Matteo was driving, his sharp eyes scanning the streets for any signs of danger.“Are you sure about this?” Ronan asked, his voice low.I met his gaze, my hands tightening in my lap. “Yes. If this meeting involves David, I need to know.”Ronan didn’t respond, but the look in his eyes told me everything I needed to know. He wasn’t happy about my decision, but he respected it.The meeting was set to take place at an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of the city—a cliché location for a not-so-cliché confrontation. As the car pulled to a stop outside the looming building, my heart pounded in my

The countryside mansion was breathtaking, surrounded by endless stretches of green fields and dense woods. It was a stark contrast to the tension gripping my soul, but I had to admit—here, I could breathe a little easier. For now, at least.As I stepped out onto the balcony early that morning, I let the cool air wash over me. The sun was rising, painting the sky with hues of orange and pink. For a fleeting moment, I allowed myself to imagine a future where my baby and I could live peacefully.But that moment shattered when I heard Ronan’s voice behind me.“Beautiful, isn’t it?” he said, leaning against the doorframe, his sharp features bathed in the morning light.I turned to face him. “It’s peaceful. I’m not sure I know how to live in peace anymore.”Ronan’s expression softened, and he stepped closer. “You’ll learn. I’ll make sure of it.”His confidence was overwhelming, yet comforting. In Ronan’s presence, I felt protected, even when my world was falling apart.---The day unfolded

The morning sun rose over the mansion, casting long, golden rays across the grounds. It was almost ironic how serene the day appeared, considering the chaos brewing just beneath the surface. Ronan’s men moved with military precision, their faces set in grim determination. My nerves felt frayed, but I held it together—for my baby, for myself, and for the man who promised to bring me out of the darkness.---Ronan had insisted I stay in the mansion, far from the impending conflict. His words replayed in my mind as I stood in the nursery, running my fingers over the crib.“Stay here. Stay safe.”But could I? Knowing what was at stake, knowing he might not come back? The thought gnawed at my resolve, and I struggled against the urge to intervene.A sharp knock at the door startled me. I turned to see Matteo standing in the doorway, his expression unreadable.“Ronan wanted me to check on you,” he said, stepping inside.“I’m fine,” I replied quickly, though the tremor in my voice betrayed m