Chapter 223
Chapter 223
Cupid
66
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I woke with a violent start, heart slamming, muscles coiled, the old mafia reflex kicking in like a live wire.
Years of sleeping with one eye open, never truly at peace, had carved that jerk into my bones. But the moment my eyes focused, I saw her.
Mother.
She stood at the foot of the couch, soft morning light spilling through the curtains behind her, face gentle and glowing. The tension bled out of me in an instant. I exhaled, long and shaky, and sat up slowly.
The house was quiet. I’d fallen asleep right here last night, still in yesterday’s clothes, boots kicked off somewhere near the coffee table. Marlik was gone.
“Good morning, Mother,” I said quietly.
Her smile was instant, bright, the kind that could melt glaciers.
“I didn’t hear you come in p>
I nodded, rubbing the back of my neck.
“Arrived late p>
I checked my wristwatch, past eight. Morning already. I stood, stretching stiff limbs.
“I should take a bath p>
“Come down for breakfast,” she called after me, voice warm.
I paused halfway up the stairs, turning back. She was still watching me, pride shining in her eyes like sunlight on water.
“Are you okay, Mom p>
No hesitation. No shadow.
“As long as there is peace, my son p>
Of course. That was always her answer.
I nodded, offered a small smile, and continued upstairs
I pushed open the door to my bedroom only to freeze.
Marlik stood near the bed, back to me, tissue in hand, clearly mid–finish from masturbation.
I snapped the door shut again, breath catching, sleep evaporating like mist.
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09:56 Sat, Feb 14
Chapter 223
I knocked properly this time.
“Come in,” he called, voice rough.
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I opened the door slowly. He was already reaching for another tissue, casual as if I’d walked in on him drinking coffee.
“You should come by the club some night,” I said, heading straight for the attached bathroom. “There are whores there p>
“I’m allergic to whores,” he muttered.
I paused in the doorway.
“After Rasha,” he added, quieter, “I’m allergic to love and romance, period p>
“Understandable, but you know this is my room, right p>
“I stayed in it because your energy lingers here.” He said smoothly and I sighed.
I stepped into the bathroom and closed the door behind me.
The hot water hit like punishment. I stood under the spray, letting it scald away the remnants of last night’s revelations. But nothing could burn away the truth I’d confessed to Snow.
I loved her.
No more pretending. No more hiding.
I should tell Father.
By the time I finished and stepped back into the bedroom, Marlik had cleaned up and left.
The closet doors stood open, racks of black leather, pant trousers, dark fabrics that screamed mafia king. The staff had filled it based on how they saw me. Power, shadows, control with the section aside for a
woman.
I sighed, dressing quickly in black shirt, black trousers, black gloves still in hand, unpulled.
“Jahan,” Marlik called from the doorway. “Someone’s waiting for you p>
I frowned, following him out.
From the balcony, I looked down. Desmond stood in the foyer, posture rigid.
I descended the stairs slowly, gloves dangling from my fingers.
“ Yes? ”
He met my eyes, unflinching.
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09:56 Sat, Feb 14
Chapter 223
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“The Godlike Pack’s beta is back p>
I went still.
“Didn’t you say next week p>
“Next week starts today. He gave your dad a call. He’s already en route to the underworld. Uncle says we must be there to receive him.” A pause. “You especially p>
I waited. There was more. I could feel it in the way Desmond’s throat worked.
He swallowed.
“Roselia is coming with him.” My stomach dropped.
“And?” I pressed, pinning him with my stare.
Desmond exhaled.
“Overnight, it was announced on the underworld channel p>
He let the silence stretch just long enough for dread to coil tighter.
“Roselia is betrothed to you p>
The words landed like a blade between ribs.
I didn’t breathe for a full second.
The gloves slipped from my fingers, hitting the marble with a soft slap.
Betrothed.
To Roselia.
The alliance I’d never asked for but somehow see coming. The arrangement Father had quietly brokered while I was busy falling in love with someone else.
Snow.
I stared at Desmond, the living room uddenly too narrow, the air too thin.
Everything I’d confessed last night, everything I’d finally admitted to myself now hung in the balance.
Cedella
Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.