CHAPTER 13

I quickly kicked off my heels when I heard Denice's voice calling up to me.

As the sun set, she stood in the kitchen, her hands busy with the pots and pans on the stove.

The aroma of simmering food wafted through the air, filling the room with a delicious scent. Suddenly, she raised her voice, calling out to the upper floor of the house. "Dinner!" she yelled, echoing through the empty halls.

She paused for a moment, listening for any response, but all she heard was the sound of her breathing.

With a sigh, she turned back to the stove, continuing to stir the contents of the pot as she waited for her family to join her at the table.

I strolled down the path, my feet carrying me further and further away from the bustle of the city.

The air was crisp and cool, and the leaves rustled underfoot as I walked deeper into the woods. The sun began to dip below the horizon, casting long shadows across the forest floor.

As I walked, I couldn't help but feel a sense of peace wash over me.

It was as if the world's worries had been left behind, and all that remained was the quiet solitude of nature. Standing at the doorstep of the unfamiliar house, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease.

I had never met the people here, yet I was about to share a meal with them. I took a deep breath and rang the doorbell, my heart pounding as I waited for someone to answer.

As I entered the room, my eyes were immediately drawn to the figure seated at the table. With a severe expression etched onto his face, a man sat with his hands folded in front of him. His eyes were fixed on some point in the distance, lost in thought.

I couldn't help but wonder what was going through his mind as I approached him. I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease as I watched him sitting at the head of the table, his broad back turned towards the kitchen entrance.

He exuded an air of authority reminiscent of my father, and I couldn't help but feel a twinge of fear as I approached him. Despite his imposing presence, I knew I had to speak with him.

As I walked into the room, Denice turned to me and said, "Lily, this is my husband, Kai." I couldn't help but feel a bit nervous as I extended my hand to shake his.

His piercing gaze made me feel like he was analyzing my every aspect. I couldn't quite grasp it, but something about him made me uneasy.

Nonetheless, I smiled and tried to make small talk as we settled into our seats. Lily flashed a warm smile and quickly introduced herself before sitting beside Denice.

Heavy and fast-paced footsteps echoed through the hall, growing louder with each passing moment. It was clear that someone was approaching and approaching quickly.

Damian stormed into the room, his eyes blazing with anger as he glared at his father. "Fucking Vipers," he snarled before taking a seat, his fists clenched tightly at his sides.

His father looked up at him, his expression unreadable, and Damian knew he was in for a lecture.

But he didn't care All he could think about was the betrayal he had suffered at the hands of those he had trusted. The Vipers had been his friends, his allies, and now they had turned on him.

It was a bitter pill to swallow, and Damian knew he would never forget the pain they had caused him.

He took a deep breath and closed his eyes, trying to quell his rising anger. His jaw tightened as he struggled to regain control of his emotions. He knew losing his temper would only worsen things, but keeping his cool in the face of such frustration was difficult.

Slowly, he released the muscle tension and opened his eyes, feeling a calm wash over him. He knew that he needed to stay focused and level-headed if he was going to get through this.

When Maria entered the kitchen, she asked, "How was your day?". A smile spread across her mother's face as she turned around from the stove.

"It was good, mija. Just busy with work." Maria nodded, taking a seat at the kitchen table.

She watched as her mother continued to cook, the aroma of spices and herbs filling the air. It was a familiar scent that always made her feel at home.

As they chatted about their day, Maria couldn't help but feel grateful for her mother's presence. She had always been there for her through thick and thin.

And even though they didn't always see eye to eye, Maria knew her mother loved her unconditionally. After dinner, they sat on the couch, watching their favorite telenovela. Maria rested her head on her mother's shoulder, feeling safe and content—moments like these have made her realize how lucky she was to have such a wonderful mother. Damian's voice shifted, his mind preoccupied with thoughts of the Mafia. "What do you think about this weather?" he asked, attempting to distract himself.

Damian sat in his chair, his hands tightly clasped together as he rested his chin on them. The room was quiet, except for the soft clock ticking on the wall.

His mind was lost in thought, his eyes staring into the distance as he contemplated his next move.

The world's weight seemed to rest on his shoulders, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. He knew his decisions now would have a lasting impact on his future and those around him.

So he sat there, lost in thought, trying to find the answers he desperately sought. As I gazed upon him, I was drawn to the intricate designs etched onto his fingers, which continued down his arms in a mesmerizing display of ink.

The tattoos seemed to tell a story, each symbol and image holding a deeper meaning that only he knew.

I couldn't help but wonder what secrets lay beneath the surface of his skin and what experiences had led him to adorn himself in such a way. His hand was adorned with a few of them, while a sleeve of tattoos extended up his arm.

I fixed my gaze on the plate before me, determined to avoid unnecessary interaction. My attention was solely on the food; each bite was a deliberate and calculated effort to fill the void in my stomach.