Semua Bab Acknowledged By A Mafia Leader: Bab 1 - Bab 10

Ava felt a surge of bitterness rise in her chest, and her eyes began to water. She gazed down at the table, but no one looked up at her—not even a glance. She felt invisible. Her gaze rested on Emma, her mother, and an ache in her heart spread, sharp and unyielding. She couldn’t understand why Emma had always detested her. Even as a child, Ava had wondered if Emma was truly her mother. But of course, she was in no position to ask. Emma had never treated her like a daughter. All her love was reserved for Charlotte.Ava stole a glance at her father, Dylan. He was chewing his beef slowly, his fingers licking off the sauce with enjoyment. Seeing him so engrossed in his meal, a quiet disappointment washed over her. Even her father no longer cared. Once, Dylan had been her protector, standing up to Emma when she was too harsh. They had their disagreements, of course, but he had always been in her corner. Now? He was just as cold and indifferent as Emma.Ava stood still behind the table, her

It was sunset. The daylight had faded, the sun dipped beneath the horizon, and the night crept in. Ava walked through her neighborhood, her steps slower than usual. She was home earlier today—not by choice, but because Mrs. Perez had insisted she leave. Ava had tried to hide her reddened cheek, but Mrs. Perez had caught sight of the faint print of fingers marked across her skin.“Who did this to you, Ava?” she’d asked, stunned.Ava instinctively reached to cover her cheek, but Mrs. Perez caught her wrist, gently but firmly, stopping her.“Answer me, Ava. Who did this?”Faced with her boss’s fury and concern, Ava knew there was no point in lying. She told her what had happened, leaving out one detail—the strange, powerful man who had silently come to her defense.Mrs. Perez was livid. She knew Ava like the back of her hand. The girl wouldn’t have deliberately spilled water on anyone, let alone provoke someone. Guilt twisted in her gut for not being there. She clenched her fists. If she

Ava glanced down at herself from head to toe. The white heels hugged her fair, slender feet perfectly, but the dress—it made her uncomfortable. Her thighs were too exposed, and she kept tugging the hem down with nervous fingers. When she looked up, Hazel was beaming at her.Hazel, now dressed in Ava’s casual baddie jeans and white sneakers, sleeves rolled up, grinned as if she were admiring a work of art. “You look stunning, Ava. If I were a guy, I would’ve asked you out ages ago.”The dress hugged Ava’s curves so well, anyone would think Hazel had taken her along when she bought it.Ava curled her lips in dissatisfaction. “It’s too short, Hazel. I can’t wear this.”She tugged at the neckline where the fabric dipped—not low enough to show cleavage, but enough to make her self-conscious. Hazel frowned and gently slapped her hands away.“Don’t be a baby, Ava. This is exactly how most girls dress in college. You better start getting used to it.” Her tone was firm, brooking no argument. S

‘Zachary Gonzalez.’ His name echoed loudly within Ava’s chest, thumping like a persistent drumbeat as she continued to stare at his face in growing puzzlement and disbelief. Was she dreaming now? Was this yet another illusion conjured by her mind after a night blurred by wine and dim lights? Her throat grew dry as the vivid flashes of last night’s events flooded her thoughts in waves—disjointed but strikingly real.Everything came back to her like a slap of cold water.She had gone out with Hazel and Charlotte the previous night. The air had been thick with music and perfume when they stepped into that opulent lounge. Lights flickered in gold and violet hues, bodies swayed to a low rhythm, and laughter had filled the air. She remembered being left alone—Hazel distracted by a phone call, Charlotte disappearing without a word. She had sat at the bar, nervous but curious, and eventually sipped something that burned its way down her throat but had a strangely sweet finish. The drink, what

Reid’s mind was heavy, burdened with the weight of the news he had just received. He knew this moment would break Zac’s heart into pieces, even if Zac’s expression remained unreadable, his face as cold as ever. For everyone who knew Zac, it was no secret that the one person he cared for, the one person he would have given up everything for, was Travis.Travis had lost his parents when he was just a child, growing up with no family. He had resorted to pickpocketing to survive on the harsh streets. But that all changed one fateful day when Zac caught him stealing his wallet. Zac didn’t call the authorities; instead, he returned his wallet and, for reasons Reid couldn’t quite understand, saw something worth saving in the boy. After that, Zac took Travis under his wing, introducing him to his line of work within a matter of days.Reid’s heart sank as he remembered the last time he saw Zac smile. It was after taking Travis in. Since then, Zac had remained stoic, burying his emotions deep.