My father sold me to the Mafia King novel Chapter 281

Chapter 281: 281/The Ghost of a Lie

Chapter 281:

Julie’s POV

The woman slowly removed that heavy black cloak and the veil, revealing sharp, uniquely sculpted features. Although she looked to be in her mid-forties, she possessed a breathtaking, captivating charm, with wide charcoal-colored eyes and long black hair like the night that flowed smoothly over her shoulders. Noticing my stunned gaze, she said in a calm, soothing voice: "I wear this clothing because it is related to my worship and my religion."

I tried to process the matter, observing her appearance with a curiosity overtaken by wonder: "It is strange and beautiful at the same time... it looks a bit like the nuns’ habits we see in churches, doesn’t it?"

A dignified smile formed on her lips, and the wisdom in her eyes sparkled: "Yes, there is a great similarity in terms of modesty, but we cover the face as well."

I nodded, feeling the ghost of fear of strangers begin to fade: "Yes, I understand the intent."

Salma moved gracefully as she prepared to stand up: "You are very pale. I will go immediately to bring you a warm dinner to strengthen your body."

I objected at once, raising my hands in a quick negative motion: "No, no, please, ma’am... don’t trouble yourself for my sake. What you’ve done is already enough."

She insisted with features that brooked no argument and continued her way toward the kitchen: "There is no trouble in honoring a guest; it is our duty."

I said with a plea born of a lump in my throat: "I truly beg you... I’m not hungry. I feel my stomach is completely constricted and won’t accept food."

She stopped and contemplated my condition with deep understanding, then said: "Fine, I won’t pressure you with heavy food. I’ll bring you some cold juice and some refreshing fruit; you surely need some sugar."

I found no choice but to agree before her gracious insistence, so I nodded submissively. When she left the room and I remained alone with the silence of the walls, the nightmare of Robert began to haunt me in every corner of the room. My body spasmed violently as I replayed the words of his treacherous phone call.

I couldn’t accept the idea that he was pricing me like a commodity, or that he was planning to sell me. How could he act out love with such perfection? How did I not smell the venom of betrayal in his breath?

Salma returned carrying a tidy tray with juice and fruit, placing it quietly on the table before me. I took the glass with trembling fingers that could barely hold it, and took a small sip just out of politeness and so as not to disappoint her. She sat beside me and remained still, watching me with eyes full of mercy without uttering a word. I wondered at her silence; she didn’t flood me with prying questions or try to dig into my wounds as the curious usually do.

Half an hour passed in that majestic silence, then I stood up with tension and anxiety: "I think I’ll go now to check on my brother, Steve. Maybe he’s just returned."

She nodded with dignity and stood with me: "Of course, my daughter. Go, and I am here if you need anything."

She accompanied me to the threshold, and I went out knocking on Steve’s apartment door with all the strength and despair I possessed. The door finally opened to reveal Steve, who froze in his place, his eyes widening in thunderous shock as he shouted: "Julie! What are you doing here at this hour?"

I didn’t wait for his response; instead, I threw myself into his arms with a force that made him stumble, as if I had finally found dry land after a long drowning. I cried out with stifled sobs: "Brother Steve! Thank God you’re here!"

I turned toward Salma, who was watching the scene with a sad smile, and said with sincere gratitude: "Thank you from all my heart, ma’am. I will never forget your kindness."

She replied tenderly as she bid me farewell: "No need for thanks. We are neighbors and family... if you need anything, one knock on the door and you’ll find me by your side."

I said goodbye and entered with Steve, who immediately locked the door and pulled me inside. He asked in a tone full of anxiety and agitation: "Julie, tell me what happened? And why did you come out of the neighbor’s apartment? Did something bad happen to you?"

I began to shake as if I were in the middle of a blizzard, and said in a broken voice: "I came here escaping and didn’t find you. I was collapsing... that kind woman took me in so I wouldn’t stay in the hallway."

I buried my face in his chest again, feeling the bitterness of betrayal overflow from my eyes like lava: "Steve... I was a fool and completely wrong... Robert doesn’t love me. He was only using my stupidity to his advantage!"

Steve patted my back firmly, trying to gather my shattered pieces: "Calm down, Julie. Breathe deeply... you’re safe now. No one will touch you."

I exclaimed, my sobs choking my breath and preventing me from speaking: "Everything was a sham... every touch and every ’I love you’ was a lie wrapped in poison! He broke me, Steve!"

I began to sob hysterically, my body jumping in his hands like a slaughtered bird, to the point that I felt a dizziness clouding my vision. Steve tried to calm me with gentle words repeatedly, but despair was stronger than me. He said in panic: "Julie, stop! You’ll hurt yourself and lose consciousness. Please, pull yourself together!"

I screamed with a bitterness that tore the silence of the place: "I’m burning from the inside, Steve! The pain is gnawing at my heart and I can’t stop it!"

Steve carried me in his arms and placed me gently on his bed. He covered me well and sat beside me, stroking my head. I closed my eyes, trying to escape, but the cursed memories attacked me like an invading army; every memory increased the tearing of my heart.

I spent long hours in bitter weeping until my strength completely failed and my tears dried up. Finally, I surrendered to a heavy sleep, burdened with worries and nightmares, fleeing from a reality that shattered all my hopes.

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One Week Later

Steve’s POV

A whole week had passed, and Julie was still a prisoner behind this wooden door. She was locking herself inside that dark room as if trying to hide from the world and from herself. She wouldn’t get out of bed, she didn’t laugh, and she wouldn’t utter a single word unless I pressured her.

The silence that prevailed in the place was heavier than could be endured. I carried food trays to her bed every day, forcing her to swallow a few bites with great difficulty. Sometimes I had to push her toward the bathroom to shower and wash her pale face; she had become like a child devoid of will, dragging the tails of disappointment behind her.

I bought her some new clothes bright colors, perhaps to bring a glimmer of life back to her extinguished eyes but she wouldn’t even look at them. Meanwhile, my phone wouldn’t stop ringing; Max called me every day with eagerness and anxiety, his trembling voice telling me that Robert had lost his mind. He described how Robert was searching for her like a madman in every corner, turning the city upside down to find a trace of her.

Max never believed that Robert would think of selling her. He would shout over the phone: "This is impossible, Steve! Robert loves her; he couldn’t do that!" But Julie refused completely to speak with him or anyone else. Even I, her closest brother, hadn’t been told the full details of what she heard or how she discovered Robert’s hideous intention.

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