Sold To The Dying Mafia King의 모든 챕터: 챕터 31 - 챕터 40

Elara POVViktor Volkov was not what I expected.Tall. Calm. Expensive suit. Cold eyes that assessed me like merchandise.“Sit,” he said, gesturing to the clinic bed I’d just escaped from.I didn’t move.He smiled. “Brave. Or stupid. I haven’t decided yet.”“What do you want?” My voice shook but held.“What I want is three of my men back. But since your… protector killed them, I’ll settle for compensation.”“Dante didn’t”“Dante Moretti shot three of my best soldiers.” His voice remained pleasant. Terrifying. “Kirill, Alexei, Dmitri. Good men. Loyal men. Now dead because some scorned woman paid me to eliminate a pregnant girl.”My hand moved instinctively to my stomach.Volkov noticed. “Relax. I don’t kill children. Even unborn ones.” He tilted his head. “But you? You’re different. You’re leveraged.”“I’m nobody,” I said quickly. “I’m just”“Just what? His whore? His mistress?” Volkov stepped closer. “No. I did my research. You’re more interesting than that. Bought at auction. Contrac

Dante POVThree days.Three days of doctors hovering. Machines beeping. Luca’s worried face.Three days of Elara sitting in that chair by the window, pretending she wasn’t watching me.“You’re cleared to go home,” Dr. Chen said, reviewing my chart. “But strict bed rest for two weeks. No stress. No”“No gunfights, I know.”He didn’t smile. “I’m serious, Dante. Your heart can’t take another episode like that. Next time”“There won’t be a next time.”He gave me a look that said he’d heard that before.“Two weeks. Then we reassess.” He glanced at Elara. “Make sure he follows orders.”She nodded but didn’t meet my eyes.She hadn’t really looked at me since I woke up.Since I almost saidThe doctor left.Silence filled the room like a third presence.“I’ll get Luca,” Elara said quietly, standing.“Wait.”She stopped but didn’t turn around.“We need to talk about”“Not here.” Her voice was tight. “Not now.”Then she was gone.The drive home was excruciating.Luca driving. Elara in the backse

Dante POVShe requested a meeting.Formal. Scheduled. Like I was a business associate instead ofInstead of what?The father of her child?The man who almost died for her?The coward who couldn’t say three words?I sat behind my desk at precisely 2 PM.She walked in at 2:01.No knock. No hesitation.Different from the girl I’d bought six months ago.“Sit,” I said.“I’ll stand.”Fine.She placed a folder on my desk.“What’s this?”“Contract amendment.” Her voice was steady. Cold. “I want to renegotiate terms.”My chest tightened. “You want to leave early.”“I want clarity.” She met my eyes. “The original contract states I leave after the baby is born. I fulfill my obligation. You get your heir. We’re done.”Every word was a knife.“Yes,” I managed.“I want to know if that’s still the plan.”“Elara”“Do I leave or do I stay? Simple question, Dante.”“It’s not that simple.”“It is.” Her hands trembled slightly but her voice held. “Because I can’t do this anymore. I can’t live in limbo. I

Elara POVThe waiting room was too cold.Or maybe that was just me.My hands wouldn’t stop shaking.Dante sat beside me, leg bouncing. He never bounced. Never showed nerves.Until now.“Elara Moretti?” The nurse called.I stood on unsteady legs.Dante’s hand found mine immediately.We walked down the hallway in silence.Into the exam room.Onto the table.The paper crinkled beneath me. Too loud. Everything was too loud.“Deep breath,” the doctor said, smiling. Dr. Reeves. Kind eyes. Steady hands.I couldn’t breathe.“Elara.” Dante squeezed my hand. “Look at me.”I did.“Whatever happens”“Don’t.” My voice cracked. “Don’t say it. Don’t jinx it.”He nodded.Dr. Reeves squirted gel onto my stomach.I flinched.“Cold, I know,” she said. “This will just take a minute.”A minute felt like forever.The ultrasound wand pressed against my skin.The screen flickered.Static. Grey shapes. Nothing that made sense.My chest tightened.“Please,” I whispered. “Please let there be”Then I heard it.*

Alicia POV“I’m so sorry.” I wiped my eyes. “I know I shouldn’t be here. I know you don’t want me around. But I just need a place for two days. Maybe three. Until I can figure something out. Please.”Dante stood in the doorway, looking torn.Behind him, I could see Elara frozen on the stairs. Face pale. Hand pressed to her stomach.Perfect.“What happened?” Dante asked.“Gas leak. My whole building is being evacuated for renovations. They said "at least a week.” I let my voice break. “I spent everything on therapy. I can’t afford a hotel and I….I have nowhere else to go.”“There are shelters,” Luca started.“I know.” I looked down. Humble. Ashamed. “I understand if you say no. After everything I did. I just thought” I stopped. “Never mind. I shouldn’t have come.”I turned to leave.“Wait.”Dante’s voice.I stopped. Didn’t turn around. Let him see my shoulders shaking.“Two days,” he said. “Guest room. East wing.”I turned slowly. “Really?”“Two days, Alicia. That’s it.”“Thank you.” I