Claimed By The Mafia Rogue King (Snow and Cupid) novel Chapter 5

Snowflakes

The automatic gates of Ares Mansion opened for me, and I drove in, parking my car in the garage. I stepped out, the gardener rushing forward to take my bag, but I ignored his help with a small smile.

Inside the house, I paused in the hall, unable to breathe for a few seconds. The ride home was supposed to make me feel better, but instead it made me feel even more miserable.

I moved away quickly. When I appeared in the living room, Ana, the maid, rushed to remove my coat.

“Should I make some warm tea for you, Madam?” she asked. But I didn’t respond. Instead, I stared at her, and the question settled heavily inside me.

Did she know too?

Dante, my brother, already knew it was Viviana who ordered for me to be raped and stabbed. Ana had been with us since Ares and I lived in his rented house. She used to come once a week back then.

Did she know too? Who else knew the truth?

That question throbbed in my mind as I climbed the spiral stairs silently and entered the matrimonial bedroom. Roses lay spread across the bed, the joyful tribute to the doctor’s verdict that I was healed enough to have pups.

Slowly, I turned away and walked to the window, staring out blankly. Tomorrow, by this time, would mark four full years since I was raped and stabbed.

My husband had never touched me sexually. His excuse was that he wanted me to heal, both physically and mentally. But now I realized why he spared me only the lightest kisses, because he had Viviana’s look-alike out there, satisfying every fantasy.

When he told me to focus on healing, to be ready because we would consummate our marriage tonight, I had been over the moon.

My phone vibrating snapped me back to reality. I dug into my bag and pulled it out. His message sat on the screen.

Honey, I’ll be working overnight at the office. I’ll be back tomorrow. I apologize. Love you.

I nearly smiled. Working. Yes, working on a bed with the woman I saw entering the suite earlier.

I didn’t respond. Instead, I sat on the bed and stared into blank space. Leaving the case wasn’t the only request I granted Ares four years ago. I left behind my ambition, my life as the youngest top profiler.

Back in university, in my final year, when the murder case shook the whole region and detectives were running in circles, I solved it with profiling.

The director of H.O.W.L, Human Order and Wolf Law Enforcement Bureau, believed I would become one of the greatest justice-makers.

He gave me an official invitation to come work in H.O.W.L.

“I… I don’t know what to do, Sera. I don’t know what to do. And… I want to speak to my brothers, but I don’t know how. I want to accept the offer Director Castle made to me four years ago, but I doubt it’s still open.”

Silence filled her end for a long moment. Then she spoke softly, warmly, supportively.

“You’re the profiler who exposed a notorious murderer. A case even the most experienced investigators couldn’t solve. Of course the offer to join H.O.W.L is still open. And as for your brothers… how about I tell them? Maybe arrange breakfast or lunch with them so you can come over? What do you think?”

My heart clenched, but in a way that eased the ache. She didn’t question me, didn’t demand anything. Seraphine was always gentle.

I blinked hard, realizing how much I had given up for Ares. I bit my lower lip to stop the tears from spilling. Then I nodded and sniffed.

“Thank you, Sera. Thank you so much.”

“It’s fine. I love you. We all love you, Snow. The frost family all do. You know that, don’t you?”

New tears rolled down my cheeks. Yes. I knew. They were my only family, the Frosts, the ones who loved me without condition. Even knowing I wasn’t their true blood, they raised me with warmth. My brothers, overprotective as they were, loved me fiercely.

I ended the call and texted Dove, my best friend, to update her on my next plans. Then I walked to the medical report that declared me healed and ready to conceive. I tore it apart, shredded it into a thousand tiny pieces, before sinking to the floor, heartbroken.