Betrayed by My Mafia Brother novel Chapter 28

Chapter 8

Fortunately, all my fears had been unnecessary.

The housekeeper led me to a bright corner suite with wide windows overlooking the entire estate.

From the balcony, the gardens shimmered beneath moonlight.

When I lay down, I could see the stars through the glass ceiling above my bed.

That night, I dreamed deeply and peacefully for the first time in years.

At dawn, a cheerful knock came at my door-Julian’s voice followed.

“The seedlings are ready! Come on, Mira, let’s plant your tree!”

I got dressed and joined him outside. Together we planted a young silver fir beside the one he’d planted when

he was nine.

Afterward, we fed the fish in the pond, brushed the horses in the stables, and for a while, I felt almost weightless-like I’d stepped back into a carefree childhood I thought I’d lost forever.

Days passed quickly, and before I knew it, two weeks had gone by.

One afternoon, the butler found me and said, “Mr. Crowe would like to see you.”

Julian immediately wanted to come too, but the butler stopped him. “Mr. Crowe said it’s a private matter.”

Julian frowned, disappointed, and stayed behind.

When I reached Vincent’s study, a harsh, ragged cough echoed through the door.

I opened it to find him bent over his desk, his face red, a handkerchief pressed to his mouth-stained with

blood.

I hesitated, ready to leave to spare him embarrassment, but he waved me in.

He took a pill from a small bottle, swallowed it with water, and gestured for me to sit across from him.

As soon as I did, his sharp, predatory eyes fixed on me.

“That man, Derek Langston-was he your boyfriend?” he asked coldly.

I understood instantly.

“Yes,” I admitted, “but not anymore. I found out he was in love with his childhood friend, Tessa Rowen. He betrayed me for her-and for her sake, he was willing to see me die.”

Chapter 8

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“So now he’s not my lover,” I said quietly, “he’s my enemy.”

To make him believe me, I told him everything-about my past life, about how Derek had destroyed me.

Vincent listened without interrupting. Surprise flickered across his face, but when he saw my steady eyes, he

nodded as if deciding to believe.

His tone softened. He pulled open a drawer, took out a document, and slid it toward me.

“I want to appoint you as the CEO of Crowe Holdings,” he said.

I stared at the papers, stunned.

He chuckled at my hesitation. “It’s not because of your business skills,” he explained. “It’s your integrity. And

most of all-my son trusts you.”

I tried to answer, but he lifted a hand to stop me.

Coughing hard again, he continued hoarsely, “You’ve seen what he’s like. I’ve protected him too well-he

knows nothing of the real world.”

“I’ve lived a wild life,” he went on, his voice weakening, “but he’s the one thing I can’t let

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