Lahat ng Kabanata ng The Mafia's Claim: Kabanata 51 - Kabanata 60

Scarlett's POV Liam didn’t say much after he called to know if I was done with my search. There were no loud arguments, no cold lectures, no cold warnings. He simply arranged a private jet to bring me back home like it was the most ordinary thing in the world. Quiet, efficient, distant.I almost preferred when he shouted. At least then I knew exactly what to expect.The flight was too calm. The constant hum of the engine was the only sound, and I sat by the window, staring blankly at clouds rolling past like I wasn’t really there. Floating, weightless, empty.Even after we landed, everything felt the same. Quiet shadows followed me—James and four bodyguards, all of them instructed to stay close, but they said nothing. They didn’t have to. Their presence was enough to remind me.By the time we arrived at Liam’s house, the weight pressing on my chest felt unbearable. Heavy. Suffocating. No matter how much I tried to take deep breaths, it wouldn’t lift.Liam was seated in the living roo

Scarlett's POV After telling Michael to stay away from me, I was expecting him to scoff, to roll his eyes, to throw some arrogant, dismissive remark my way because that was what he always did. That was who he was.But to my surprise… he smiled. It wasn't a smirk. Not a cruel, mocking grin. It was an actual smile.I frowned. “What the hell is funny?”Michael didn’t answer right away. He just stood there, his lips slightly curled, as if he had a secret I wasn’t in on.I crossed my arms. “Well? Say whatever insult you’re thinking and get it over with.”His eyes flickered with something unreadable before he finally spoke. “I’m not trying to insult you, Scarlett,” he said simply.He wasn't? Something was definitely wrong because the Michael I knew would never say something like that.I studied him, looking for the usual arrogance. But something was different. His sharp edges were still there, but… dulled, somehow.What the hell was going on with him?I opened my mouth, but before I could

Liam's POV The following day, in the late afternoon, I found myself standing in the middle of the apartment, looking around at a place that no longer felt… welcoming. The air still carried her scent—something soft, something that shouldn’t have mattered, but it did.I clenched my jaw. I was done.I turned to James, who was standing a few feets away from me, my voice sharp. “I'm leaving. When she finally decides to come out of her room, let her know I won’t be coming back.”James hesitated, his usual calm expression flickering with something unreadable. “Mr. Liam, maybe…”“Just do it.” My tone left no room for argument.He gave a slight bow. “Understood.”Without waiting for another second, I grabbed my keys and coat, and walked out without looking back.I had already wasted enough time.If Scarlett wanted to act like I didn't matter, like everything I did for her meant nothing, then so be it.The drive to my estate was quiet, the low hum of the engine the only sound in the car. My fi

Scarlett's POVThe line crackled softly in my ear before his voice came through again, deep and steady.“Yes, Scarlett. It’s me.”Michael? Why on earth was he calling me? And why now, of all times?“Michael?” I frowned. “Why are you calling? It's late.”There was a pause. Then, “I… um… I wanted to discuss something with you.”I scoffed. “At 12 a.m.? Can't whatever you need to talk about wait until tomorrow morning?”“Forget about that,” he said suddenly, his tone changing. “What did you say earlier? A power outage?”Damn it.I had answered too quickly when I picked up the phone, thinking it was Liam. I hadn’t even looked at the caller ID. And now, Michael had overheard me talking about the power outage.I scrambled for a response, forcing out a small laugh. “Oh, that? You misheard me. I was talking about something else.”There was a pause. It felt too intense. Too deliberate. Then—“Scarlett.” His voice was low. “Are you lying to me?”A shiver ran down my spine as I heard the worry in

Michael’s POVThe door closed suddenly. It was a small sound, barely there. But to me, it felt like a gunshot. Final. Sealing something I didn’t want to accept.I stood there, frozen, hidden in the shadows of the dimly lit hallway. My chest was tight, my hands curled into fists at my sides. I should leave. I should turn around, walk away, forget I ever came.But I didn’t move. I couldn’t. Because all I could see was her.Scarlett. In his arms.I had watched it all. Every second of it. And I hated it. My mind kept replaying the scene—like some sick punishment. The way he held her. The way he kissed her like he fucking owned her.##########Scarlett's POV The second Liam shut the door, he was on me again.His hands gripped my waist, his lips trailing down my neck, his breath hot against my skin. I let out a small gasp, caught completely off guard."Liam, stop."He didn’t stop. If anything, he pressed closer, his fingers tangling in my hair, his mouth moving over mine with a hunger t