Trapped by Seven Mafia Wolves novel Chapter 61

**Lucky Guess**

Aurora’s POV

Matteo sits across from me, a statue of stillness at the table, his presence both imposing and enigmatic.

I steal a glance at him, my gaze drifting away from the untouched food that lies before me, a stark reminder of the unease hanging in the air. He lounges in his chair, his long legs stretched out in a casual display of dominance. One arm rests lazily over the table, as if he were a monarch surveying his kingdom, radiating a sense of bored arrogance. Yet, beneath that smug exterior, I can detect the tension coiling in his jaw, a silent storm brewing just beneath the surface. His thumb taps frantically on his phone, the sound a relentless rhythm that mirrors the growing discomfort enveloping us.

Tap. Tap. Tap. Each strike resonates in the heavy silence, amplifying the unease that wraps around us like a suffocating blanket. His brows furrow, a clear sign of more than just irritation—there’s a simmering frustration bubbling just beneath his calm facade. I feel my own fingers twisting nervously in my lap, a silent plea for the tension to ease. I know I should remain quiet; the weight of silence feels like an unspoken agreement between us. But it’s oppressive, and the urge to break it becomes irresistible.

“Um…”

My voice emerges, barely above a whisper, hesitant and uncertain, as if I’m testing the waters of his mood. “Is something wrong?”

The tapping halts abruptly, and Matteo’s frosty blue eyes snap up to meet mine, sending a shiver racing down my spine. Instinctively, I lean back in my chair, a reflexive response to the intensity of his gaze. He doesn’t answer right away, instead scrutinizing me as if weighing the worth of my concern against the tumult of thoughts swirling in his mind.

Finally, with a dismissive scoff, he runs a hand through his tousled blond hair, muttering something under his breath that I can’t quite catch.

“People are idiots,” he states vaguely, his tone dripping with frustration.

I blink, momentarily taken aback by the abruptness of his words. “Oh.”

He snorts at my feeble reply, returning to his scrolling, but there’s a tension in his posture that stirs something deeper within me. Can I really just let this go? With a hesitant breath, I ask softly, almost as if I’m afraid of the answer, “Is it… like family stuff?”

At that, he freezes, just for a heartbeat. Not in an overtly dramatic way, but there’s a subtle falter in the hand gripping his phone, a silent acknowledgment of the weight of my question.

I know that silence all too well.

Because I have lived in it.

I shrug one shoulder, my voice small and fragile, the weight of his question pressing down on me.

“Lucky guess.”

In that moment, the air shifts between us, the tension that once felt so suffocating begins to dissipate, replaced by a fragile understanding. Matteo’s icy demeanor melts just a fraction, revealing a vulnerability I hadn’t anticipated. My heart races as I realize that we are no longer just two individuals ensnared in our respective silences; we are two souls navigating the murky waters of shared pain and unspoken fears. The words I offered, though simple, resonate deeply within him, igniting a connection that feels both delicate and profound. It’s as if, in that instant, we’ve forged a bridge over the chasm of our pasts, allowing us to inch closer to one another, even if just slightly.

As the weight of our conversation lingers, I sense a shift within myself as well. The act of sharing my truth has lightened my own burden, if only a little. I realize that I am not alone in my struggles; Matteo, too, carries his own scars, hidden beneath the bravado he wears like armor. In this moment of vulnerability, I find a flicker of hope—a belief that perhaps we can help each other heal. The silence that follows is no longer stifling but is instead filled with an unspoken promise of understanding and connection. We may still be lost in our individual battles, but together, we have taken the first step toward finding solace in one another.

**What to Expect in Next Chapter?**

As we look ahead to the next chapter of *Stars Refuse To Blink*, readers can anticipate a deepening exploration of the delicate dynamics blossoming between Aurora and Matteo. With the emotional tension from their recent exchange still hanging in the air, the narrative promises to unravel the complexities of their pasts and the unspoken fears that bind them. Will Matteo allow his defenses to lower further, or will he retreat back into the fortress he’s built around himself, leaving Aurora in a state of confusion? The stakes are high as they navigate their shared vulnerabilities, and the anticipation of what lies beneath Matteo’s cool exterior is palpable.

As Aurora’s insights into trauma and survival instinct resonate within Matteo, the chapter hints at a pivotal turning point in their relationship. The delicate balance of power and vulnerability may shift, igniting a spark of understanding—or perhaps a clash of unresolved issues. Expect revelations that might not only challenge their perceptions of one another but also compel them to confront their own demons. Will the walls they’ve erected around themselves begin to crumble, or will they fortify them even more? The tension is electric, and readers will be left breathless, craving the next installment that promises to delve deeper into their intertwined fates.