Claimed By The Mafia Rogue King (Snow and Cupid) novel Chapter 17

Chapter 17

Snowflakes

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Finished

It was the quiet sound of my bedroom door opening that woke me. Fluttering my eyes open, I saw Pinky standing in the doorway.

“Snow, good morning. Would you care for tea or coffee?” she asked, and I shook my head.

“Good morning, Pinky. I prefer tea,” I murmured sleepily.

“Got it. You should come to the dining room.”

“I will,” I murmured again, and she left, closing the door behind her. I lay there for a few more minutes, my gaze falling on the family frame on the wall.

My bedroom hadn’t changed much, just tidier. My brothers had never stopped caring for it, even when they had cut me out of their lives. Unlike my biological brothers in Mooncrest Pack, who had erased my existence entirely, replacing my luggage with Viviana’s pictures.

Sighing, I got up to get ready for the day. Last night had ended on a good note. My brothers‘ women had slept over, and now I could hear their voices drifting from the dining room.

After bathing, I picked one of my old dresses from the closet, combed my hair down, and headed to the dining room. At the entrance, I paused to watch them laughing and discussing. One big happy family, they were, if I were asked. Kashi wasn’t there. I smiled and walked in to help dish out breakfast.

“Good morning,” I greeted, and they all responded in unison.

“You mean there won’t be any more movies of yours coming out this year?” Rocco asked Pinky, who was pouring tea.

My father hadn’t employed a maid or cook. When we were growing up, my brothers and I had kept the house in order. Now, with their own women, they were taking over.

“Not at all. I only have some gigs to advertise a brand. After that, I’ll take holiday leave. Besides, my man won’t approve me working too much.”

Hearing that, we all turned to Eshan, who was already halfway through his breakfast. He glanced up briefly, but before he could speak, Kashi appeared from the hall, dressed for work, papers in hand.

“Good morning,” he greeted everyone, leaning over to kiss Mirey’s temple. When he straightened, his

eyes fell on me, compelling me to stop dishing out plates.

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“Here you go,” he said, handing me the papers. I accepted them and scanned through. Divorce papers. More authentic than the ones Dove had provided.

“Kashi…” I murmured.

“These divorce papers are different,” he explained. “Very fast and effective. The longest time separation can be granted is a week. All you need is his signature and a witness. Those two are very important. In court, he’s doomed. I will stand as your attorney. Don’t worry.”

I swallowed, feeling the weight lift slightly from my chest.

“Who will be the judge?” Rocco asked, thinking briefly.

“I think one of the judges at H.O.W.L.,” Kashi said.

“Perhaps I can volunteer,” Rocco, our eldest, said, looking at me. “Your case will be mine to judge. Don’t worry.”

***

That early afternoon, I parked my car in front of Ares‘ mansion, feeling a deep relief and joy I hadn’t experienced in a long time. Never had I felt so content, and I knew exactly why.

It was the

support from my brothers. They had assured me that within a week, I would be free from Ares‘ grasp, finally able to leave his house behind.

My cellphone beeped, and I pulled it out. It was a text from Dove, checking on how the reconciliation with my human family had gone. I quickly updated her on the new divorce paperwork, then tucked my phone into my bag and alighted.

Quietly, I made my way into the hall where Ana was waiting to take my coat.

“Good morning, Madam. Will you eat breakfast now?”

“I’ve already eaten at home. Thanks,” I said, leaving the hall and moving into the living room. with a tired sigh.

Before departing, Sera had assured me I would soon receive the official email from H.O.W.L. on when to report to my office and team. Now, I couldn’t wait. I was eager to start working for real.

I headed up the spiral staircase to my bedroom, hoping to change and relax. But when I pushed open the door, Ares was there, sitting on the bed, waiting. The sight shocked me.

I had never expected him to be here, staring at me as if I had done something terribly wrong.

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“I thought you’d gone to work,” I murmured, my voice calm, as I stepped further in.

His reply was harsher than I expected.

“You care to explain how long you’ve been planning to go back to your human family? Why didn’t you take my calls yesterday? Why was your cellphone off? And must you sleep over there?”

He was angry, barely holding himself together. I stared at him, wondering how he would react to the news of my new job at H.O.W.L. A man who loved me weak and dependent, how would he take it?

“I missed them,” I murmured sincerely. “Days ago, I realized how much I had missed them, so I decided to go beg for their forgiveness.”

Silence fell after my words. He looked taken aback, clearly not expecting me to be so cool- headed. I used the moment to drop the bombshell.

“Ares, I will be working at H.O.W.L. now, as a profiler. You know my brother’s fiancée, Seraphine? She helped me get in touch with the director, her father, and I was employed immediately. It turns out the offer I was given years ago, after solving that hard case, still stands. In a few days, I’ll get the official email telling me when to start. It’s good news.

“Now I won’t be dependent on you, weighing you down. At Mooncrest Pack, my mother said I was a burden, and I realized I had been. From now on, I plan to stand on my own two feet. You won’t need to worry so much about me. Okay?”

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