Semua Bab THE MAFIA CHEF: Bab 31 - Bab 40

When I walked into the house, the staff greeted me warmly, Gilmore, Luke, even Brenda. Their faces showed surprise, but there was happiness and a bit of relief in their eyes. “Welcome back, Miss Lily,” one of the maids said with a kind smile. Luke stepped forward and gave me a small nod. “It’s good to see you. Finally, we can all catch a break." I stopped in my tracks. “What do you mean?” I asked, feeling my stomach tighten. Luke rubbed the back of his neck like he was unsure how much to say. “After Gerrard came back alone from your trip, the casino ran into some trouble. Police trouble... Don't worry, it’s all been taken care of now. The boss has powerful connections, you know.” I just nodded. I already knew Gerrard wasn’t the type to fall apart, even with Bruno stirring things up. Still, I felt a strange unease settle in my chest. Luke continued, his voice a little softer now. “But Gerrard hasn’t been himself, he was so worried about you when he couldn’t reach you. He was

The next morning was quiet. Peaceful. Almost too peaceful. I woke up still wrapped in Gerrard’s arms, warm and safe, like the storm from last night had never happened. We were still tangled under the sheets, not ready to move. I didn’t want to leave his warmth. Not yet. Maybe not ever. But my stomach had other plans. It growled, loud and clear. Gerrard chuckled and ran his hand slowly down my arm. “Well, someone’s alive and kicking,” he said gently. “Come on, let’s get up and find something to eat.” I didn’t move. The moment felt too good to end, but deep inside, I felt heavy again. The thoughts came rushing back, my father, his sickness, the cage he was stuck in, also, the lies, the pretense, it all pressed hard on my chest, like a weight I couldn’t lift. “I’m not really hungry,” I said softly. Gerrard pulled back just a little so he could look at me. He brushed some hair away from my face. “You haven’t eaten much since you got back. You need to eat, Lily.” I didn’t answ

Later that evening, I waited for Gerrard in his room, the room where I mostly sleep now. The quiet felt calm, but heavy too. I guessed he was still with Murphy. I didn’t understand why he was so interested in hearing stories about my past, like he could figure me out from someone else’s mouth. His love for me had turned into something deep, maybe too deep, an obsession. That love had made a crack in his life. One that let enemies in easily, including me. After my bath, I slipped into a silk robe. My hair was still damp and hung loose over my shoulders. The sheets felt cool as I sat on the edge of the bed, brushing my hair slowly. Then I heard the door open. Gerrard came in, smiling softly. He looked relaxed, his steps slow and smooth. I could tell he had been drinking a little. “Hey, beautiful,” he said, grinning as he came over and kissed the side of my neck. I moved a little, pretending to fix the pillow, but I could still feel his breath warm on my skin. “How did the backgrou

When Gerrard came back that evening, Victor dropped him off at the front entrance. The two of them were laughing about something as they stepped into the house. I was already waiting near the staircase, wearing a deep plum silk dress that brushed my knees. I smiled like everything was fine, even though the memory of Gilmore’s lifeless body, already gone, already buried in silence, stuck to me like cold ash. “Hey, princesa,” Gerrard said as he kissed my cheek. His hand stayed on my waist, it was warm. “Did you miss me?” I smiled and held his fingers. “Always.” He wrapped his arm around me and led me to the sitting room, talking about how a meeting went better than expected. I nodded when I needed to, laughed when he laughed, playing the part, just so that he doesn't suspect a thing. But then he stopped, looked around, and asked, “Where’s Gilmore?” The question hit me like a slap, I should've known he'd realised sooner than later. Gilmore was always there to take his jacket and

I didn’t know how long I’d been in the room, time blurred in the cold silence, there were no windows, no clocks, just the dull ache in my body from sleeping on tile and the weight of waiting.I kept asking for Gerrard, begging for him, but he never came.The guards brought food I couldn’t eat. Just silence and fear.Until the door finally opened. I looked up, weak and sore, and when I saw Victor, my heart clenched.He stepped in with that same cold precision, shutting the door behind him. He pulled out the chair across from me and sat like this was just another meeting.He placed a thick folder on the table, creased, worn, and heavy, like it held the weight of my sins.Then he looked at me. “Do you want to tell me the truth, or should I walk you through what we already know?”I didn’t speak, my throat burned, my voice was gone. “Alright,” he said, flipping the folder open. He pulled out a photo, blurry, grainy, but clear enough. Murphy, dragging Gilmore’s body. And me, standing th