My father sold me to the Mafia King novel Chapter 283

Chapter 283: 283/A Shield of Silk and Shadow

Chapter 283:

Steve’s POV

I opened my eyes the next morning feeling as if a boulder was sitting on my chest. My head felt like it was going to explode from overthinking and the dark scenarios that hadn’t stopped swirling in my mind all night. A sense of total helplessness crept into my limbs, as if I were paralyzed before a dead-end wall. Julie still insisted with a frightening coldness on aborting the child; that determination I saw in her eyes yesterday wasn’t just a fleeting fit of anger, but a decision rooted in her wounded soul.

I was completely lost, torn between supporting her decision to rid her of this torment and my own moral opposition to the idea of ending a life. Yesterday, I exhausted every ounce of my physical and psychological strength to make her back down from her madness, but her body shook with defiance. She didn’t calm down or stop trying to harm herself until I promised her, with a heavy heart, that I would find a solution today.

I had to go to the warehouse; Tono’s threat was serious. But the thought of leaving her alone in that room made my heart tremble with anxiety. Who could guarantee she wouldn’t try to throw herself down again as soon as I left? I suddenly remembered our neighbor, Salma, and her husband, Mr. Omar. They were a couple overflowing with dignity and kindness, and their presence always brought a sense of peace.

I got up with an exhausted body, prepared breakfast, and took it to her room with cautious steps. I prayed silently that she wouldn’t vomit again. But as soon as I placed the tray before her and the scent of bread hit her nose, her face turned frighteningly pale. Her body shook, and she ran toward the bathroom like she’d been electrocuted, covering her mouth with her hands.

She returned after a few minutes, staggering and leaning against the walls to balance herself. I approached and held her arm to support her, saying in a voice full of fear: "Julie... your condition is getting worse. You must see a doctor immediately."

She wiped her lips with a trembling hand and looked at me with a cold gaze, void of any expression except determination: "Steve, you promised me... I want to abort this child. Find me a solution today, or I will take matters into my own hands."

I let out a long sigh laden with sorrow: "Fine, Julie, calm down... I’ll do what I can. But I have to go to work today, and I absolutely cannot leave you alone in this collapsed state."

She replied with a strange indifference, lying back down on her bed: "Go to your work. I’ll be fine... I won’t do anything now."

I didn’t trust her calm tone. I put on my coat quickly and said: "I’m leaving now, but I’m going to ask our neighbor Salma to come check on you from time to time. I’ll leave her a copy of the key."

She frowned with clear annoyance and muttered: "There’s no need for that at all. I’m not a child."

I replied firmly as I headed toward the door: "I won’t have peace of mind while I’m away from you, Julie. I’m going to ask her, and that’s final."

She turned her face away and whispered in despair: "As you wish... do what you see fit."

I left the apartment, the pressure mounting. I headed straight to the opposite apartment and knocked gently. Mr. Omar opened with his calm smile: "Welcome, son. Are you alright?"

I swallowed hard and said in a pleading tone: "Hello, Mr. Omar... I apologize for the intrusion, but I wanted to ask a favor. My sister Julie is very sick today, and I have to go to work immediately. Could Mrs. Salma check on her from time to time?"

Mr. Omar nodded graciously and patted my shoulder: "Of course, Steve. Don’t worry at all. Salma will be there shortly to care for her like her own daughter."

I handed him the key with fingers cold from anxiety and thanked him profusely before rushing off. I hailed the first taxi I saw. Sitting in the back, I felt I was in a race against time. I had to find a reliable clinic for the abortion; I realized I couldn’t force her to keep a child that would be a permanent, eternal reminder of Robert’s hideous betrayal.

I pulled out my phone and began searching Google for specialized clinics in the area. After a careful search, I found a clinic called "East Bay." Its reviews seemed good. I called the number immediately, my heart pounding as if it wanted to jump out of my chest.

A woman answered in a formal, calm voice: "East Bay Clinic, how can I help you, sir?"

I said in a shaky, agitated voice: "I want... I want to book an urgent appointment, please... for an abortion procedure."

The employee went silent for a second, then asked with a tone of concern: "An urgent appointment? Is the lady’s health in danger?"

I gripped the phone until my knuckles turned white: "Her life is indeed in danger, not just physically but mentally... she’s trying to end things herself in dangerous ways. Please, if there’s any appointment soon, even today, I’d be very grateful."

The woman’s tone shifted to sympathy: "I understand, sir. Stay calm... I’ll check the records immediately and speak with the specialist regarding this emergency. I’ll call you back in minutes."

I felt a slight relief, as if a heavy burden had shifted: "Thank you truly. I’m waiting for your call."

I ended the call and leaned my tired head against the cold taxi window, watching the passersby without actually seeing them. I prayed from the bottom of my heart that they would find her an appointment as soon as possible. The sight of Julie yesterday trying to throw herself down with all her might had struck me with an existential terror I had never known.

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Julie’s POV

I curled up on the bed like a fetus afraid to come out into the world. I squeezed my knees to my chest and closed my eyes until it hurt, trying with all my might to silence the violent noise hitting my head. I was trying desperately to erase images of the past and forget the bitterness of the deception I had tasted. Suddenly, the silence of the room was pierced by a light, cautious knock on the door. Blood froze in my veins, and a shiver of terror swept through my limbs.

My breath hitched as I wondered in panic: "Did Robert find me this quickly? Is he the one standing behind that door?" I remained frozen, not daring to blink, until I heard the sound of a key turning in the lock. It was followed by a soft, calm female voice overflowing with serenity: "Hello... don’t be afraid. It’s Salma, your neighbor."

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