บททั้งหมดของ THE HOSTAGE'S DILEMMA : บทที่ 121 - บทที่ 130

MIA“You need to tell him, Mia. About Conall.” Drew’s voice cuts through the lingering silence of the alley. I press my lips into a thin line, the metallic taste of fear still fresh on my tongue. “I know,” I manage to say, the word feeling small and inadequate against the enormity of what I’ve just learned. “I know, Drew. It’s just… It’s a lot. The man I thought was dead, the man I never knew, is alive. And he’s… a criminal.” The last word catches in my throat, heavy with the weight of my father’s true identity, Liam Conall, a name whispered with reverence and dread in the same breath within the shadows of this world. My thoughts are a chaotic storm. How do I tell Aaron that the very man who risked his mafia’s safety, is my biological father? The very thought ties my stomach in knots. I can feel the headache building behind my eyes, a dull throb that threatens to erupt into a full-blown migraine.Drew doesn’t push. He just nods, a silent acknowledgment of the impossible situation I

LUCAI spoon another generous serving of homemade pasta onto my plate, the rich aroma of spices filling my senses. My mother watches me with a pleased smile, her silver hair catching the light as she sips from a glass of local red wine. We’re seated at a rustic wooden table on the terrace, the view stretching for miles, a patchwork of green vineyards and golden fields. It’s been ages since I’ve had a moment that is peaceful and normal. I relish every bite, every shared glance with Mom.She forfeited all the mafia drama and decided to stay in Italy, which is my safe zone.“This is incredible, Mom,” I murmur around a mouthful, a genuine, unburdened smile on my face. It’s been too long since I’ve truly relaxed. The chaos surrounding the grandfather, the mafia, and all that mess seems to burn out.Just as I’m reaching for another piece of crusty bread, my phone buzzes, a jarring vibration against the quiet hum of the afternoon. It’s Natalie. My brow furrows. I already know this means the

AARON“Mia, are you sure you want to go alone?” The words are out before I can even think, my voice laced with a concern I can barely mask. My hand reaches out, instinctively wanting to stop her, to pull her back.Mia just shakes her head, a determined glint in her eyes. “Yes, Aaron. I’m sure.” Her voice is firm, unwavering. “This is something I need to do on my own. I need to face him alone. He has been on the run for the longest. Going with you might just make him hide more.”I want to argue, to insist. Every fiber of my being screams at me to follow her, to protect her. The thought of her walking into a meeting with Liam Conall, a man we know with a reputation that is nothing but dangerous, makes my gut twist. But I see the resolve in her expression, It seems like she has made up her mind. “Okay,” I concede, the word a heavy sigh. “Just... be careful. Call me the second you’re done. Don’t go anywhere else from there. Come back straight to me.”She offers me a quick, reassuring smi

LUCAMy fingers gingerly button the last of my shirt. My eyes scan my reflection in the full-length mirror in my closet. For some reason, I feel giddy. It’s probably because I’m expecting good news.My phone, resting on the mahogany, vibrates with a persistent urgency. Natalie. I don’t even need to glance at the caller ID; it was already expected. A slow, self-satisfied smirk stretches across my lips, mirroring the cold triumph in my eyes. Mia is in my custody. The thought settles deep in my chest, a gratifying weight. I feel a surge of exhilaration, a dark pleasure that vibrates through my veins. I mentally pat myself on the back, the ghost of my hand tapping my shoulder. My instincts, as always, were flawless. Using Mia as my bait was a stroke of genius.I recall the exact moment the idea solidified, a sharp, clear image in my mind. Natalie was on the phone, her voice laced with frustration, reporting yet another dead end in the endless, futile hunt for Liam Conall. The man was a gh

MIAThe rope is tight against my wrist but I barely pay attention to the pain. My eyes are fixed on Natalie, her face illuminated by the single, bare bulb hanging precariously overhead. She’s watching me, her expression unreadable, a strange mix of weariness and resolution.“I really don’t want to hurt you, Mia,” she says, her voice surprisingly soft, a stark contrast to the hard lines of her posture. My breath catches in my throat. “Then why… why are you doing this?” My voice is raspy, unused. I probably haven’t spoken more than a few words since I was snatched.Natalie’s gaze flickers, a shadow crossing her features. “This isn’t about you, not really. You’re just… bait for now. I just need Conall to come here.”“You’re bent on getting revenge, aren’t you?” Natalie shakes her head, a slow, deliberate movement. Her lips thin into a grim line. “Nothing you say will change my mind, Mia. Nothing you say will alter the path I’m on, the revenge I’m seeking.” Her voice has hardened now, e