Trapped by Seven Mafia Wolves novel Chapter 60

**Chapter 60: Left Behind**

**Aurora’s POV**

The dining table feels like a battleground, the air thick with unspoken words and a tension that seems to wrap around me like a heavy cloak. The earlier noise and laughter have faded, leaving behind a suffocating silence broken only by the clinking of silverware and the soft, almost ghostly footsteps of maids as they flit about, tending to the remnants of our meal. My eyes are glued to the untouched food on my plate, my fingers mindlessly tracing the torn edge of a piece of bread, its crust rough against my skin. My stomach churns—not from hunger, but from a deeper, more unsettling anxiety that twists and knots within me.

Then, with a soft scrape that cuts through the silence, Andrei rises from his chair. He doesn’t utter a word at first; instead, he pulls out his phone, the screen illuminating his face in the dim light of the room. His fingers dance across the glass, and for a fleeting moment, he appears absorbed in whatever urgent matter has captured his attention. I can sense the gravity of it—something significant is brewing beneath the surface.

His gaze flickers toward Raphael, who sits beside him, and in that instant, a silent conversation unfolds between them. Their eyes lock, and a single nod from Andrei conveys a world of understanding. I can feel the weight of their shared knowledge pressing down on me, a reminder that there are issues at play that I am not privy to.

As if choreographed, they both rise in unison, their decision made without the need for words. Raphael leans down, pressing a gentle kiss to the top of my head. The warmth of his lips momentarily chases away the anxiety that has coiled around my heart, grounding me in the present. Andrei follows suit, running his fingers through my hair in a soothing gesture that offers a fleeting sense of comfort. “We’ve got work,” he states, his voice steady and devoid of elaboration, leaving me to wonder what demands their attention so urgently.

As they head toward the door, Raphael glances back over his shoulder, a playful grin breaking through the seriousness of the moment. “Boys, don’t forget. You have tryouts today.”

“Tryouts?” My mind races, confusion flooding my thoughts as I search the faces around the table for clarity. Leon lets out an exaggerated groan, his expression one of disbelief. “Ugh. I totally forgot about lacrosse.”

“You forgot?” Jace, already springing to his feet, raises an eyebrow in mock horror. “How do you forget that we’re supposed to literally go bleed for the team today?”

Leon shrugs, a smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. “I was distracted by your face. It’s horrifying.”

Jace clutches his chest in feigned offense, eyes wide. “Wounded!”

I steal another glance, my curiosity piqued. Why is he still here? He doesn’t speak, nor does he meet my gaze. Instead, he sits with his elbows resting on the arms of his chair, as if he’s waiting for something—or perhaps ensuring that I’m not entirely alone in this quiet moment.

But I don’t ask him. And he offers no explanations.

As the echoes of laughter and banter fade into the distance, the weight of unspoken emotions lingers in the air, wrapping around me like a shroud. The chaos of the dining room has transformed into a haunting stillness, mirroring my internal turmoil. With Andrei and Raphael’s departure, a sense of abandonment washes over me, intensifying the knot in my stomach. Yet, amidst the silence, Matteo’s quiet presence offers a flicker of solace. His stillness is a reminder that I am not entirely alone, even in the depths of my uncertainty.

I grapple with conflicting feelings of longing and solitude, acutely aware that the bonds I share with those around me are as fragile as the bread I absentmindedly touch. In this moment of introspection, I begin to understand that the weight of my emotions is not a burden to be feared but a testament to my capacity for connection. I realize that the laughter shared moments ago, the teasing jabs exchanged between friends, and even the silent companionship of Matteo are all threads woven into the fabric of my life. Though the room may feel empty, it is filled with the echoes of shared experiences and the promise of what lies ahead.

As I sit in the quiet, I resolve to embrace the uncertainty, knowing that even in the darkest moments, the stars refuse to blink, illuminating the path forward with hope and resilience.