Dark Romance: A Cruel Obsession

In the afternoon, after Vivian finished her IV drip, a nurse came to remove the needle. Just as the nurse finished, a commotion of things being thrown came from the neighboring ward. It was Shelley! Vivian lifted the covers, preparing to get out of bed, and just then, Mel pushed the door open and entered.

“What’s going on?” Vivian didn’t even bother to put on her coat and was about to walk out the door. Mel stopped her and motioned for the nurse to leave.

“What’s happened?” Shelley’s crying was loud, but from across the ward, Vivian couldn’t make out what she was saying clearly.

“Don’t go over, Vivian,” Mel said. “Shelley is arguing with her father.”

“What?” Vivian didn’t initially react, but it was only temporary. She quickly understood why Shelley was crying. Perhaps she still couldn’t accept it. Even though after Shelley’s brother died, her father did show some change in attitude towards her, at that time Shelley could console herself by saying, “Father has no heir”, “He needs an heir”, forcing herself to understand her father, to accept the betrothal to Festus. But now? What reasons would Shelley have to explain her father’s actions of abandoning her when his precious daughter was kidnapped? How could Shelley accept that her respected father was actually a selfish man who didn’t love her as much as she thought?

Vivian sighed inwardly. She no longer tried to persuade Mare to let her visit Shelley. She thought Shelley needed time to vent, time alone, just like she used to, even though she was unwilling to believe that her own father was so cold and heartless. Faced with such ironclad facts, she had no choice but to accept.

The sunlight outside the window was so beautiful, with an unknown little bird perched on the power line, flying away in the blink of an eye.

Vivian absentmindedly looked in the direction the bird flew, wondering, “Would Hawaii have such good weather?”

…

In Mrs. Yazmin’s estate, an impromptu family gathering was taking place.

Although the gathering was impromptu, the preparations were not rushed. The chefs in the estate prepared a very sumptuous dinner, and the gardeners brought in fresh fruits from the orchard.

Luzia handed a plate of grapes to Simpson, who was sitting alone in the garden. “You should go and accompany your fiancee, Simpson.”

Simpson was troubled. “Giulia is not yet my fiancee, dear.”

Seeing him like this, Luzia felt like laughing. “You look very troubled.”

“I thought I was making it quite obvious,” Simpson shrugged.

“Why?” Luzia didn’t understand. “Giulia is a very good girl, elegant, beautiful, and with a family background that matches yours.”

“Yes, she is very good, very perfect. Her intellectual elegance meets the fantasies of most men about their partners, even surpassing the general standards of men. I never denied this,” Simpson said.Exclusive content © by Nô(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

Luzia was very satisfied with his answer because Simpson was speaking the truth, indicating his genuine appreciation for Giulia. But what particularly caught Luzia’s attention was when he said, “most men”?

“Most men? Does that not include you?” Luzia voiced her confusion.

“No, it includes me,” Simpson gave the opposite answer.

Luzia was even more puzzled. “Then why won’t you get engaged to Giulia? You know, getting engaged to Giulia is the best for Houston and for you. You will have the support of both the Romano and Guardi families. You will become the Capo of Rome, Italy. No one can oppose you.”

Simpson asked a question that caught Luzia off guard, “Is that good?”

Luzia was surprised, so surprised that she forgot to eat the grapes. “Not good?”

Simpson fell silent for a moment in response to Luzia’s question, then he smiled and said, “No, you are right. It’s good.”

The Italian Mafia has always been powerful, with Rome being the most powerful. If he became the Capo of Rome and had the support of both the Romano and Guardi families, as well as the Houston families, his future power would even surpass that of his grandfather. No one would dare show him a disgusting expression, or say nauseating things to him. He could even start a war at will.

But Simpson still insisted, “But I don’t want to get married.”

It seemed that men of the Mafia had the inherent right to say “no,” while women only had the fate of acceptance.

“Although I tried very hard to tell you the benefits that marriage could bring you, well, I admit that was all my fantasy. If the person you marry is a bastard, marriage is undoubtedly a disaster,” Luzia sighed, saying, “Perhaps I should support your decision.”

Simpson laughed, raisinghis cup of tea to her. “Thank you for your support.”

Simpson took a sip of tea, and in that moment, he saw Joseph emerging from the banquet hall with a dark expression, heading straight towards them.

Simpson raised his eyebrows, pretending surprise. “I seem to have done something to upset you, Joseph.”

Joseph ignored him, coming over to grab Luzia and pull her outside.

Joseph’s grip on her wrist was painful, and she couldn’t help but cry out, “Joseph! Let go, it hurts.”

“Joseph!” Simpson stood up abruptly, intercepting the furious Joseph. “You’re hurting Luzia. Let go!”

“Get out of the way!” Joseph’s gaze was dark and menacing.

Simpson seemed to realize the situation wasn’t good, furrowing his brow. “What’s going on?”

Luzia’s cries brought Mrs. Yazmin, elegantly draped in her shawl, hurrying over. “What’s happening?”

Behind Mrs. Yazmin, Giulia and her brother followed.

Joseph was a remarkable actor. He naturally changed his expression a bit, sounding nervous yet polite as he spoke to Mrs. Yazmin, “I’m sorry, ma’am. I have some urgent business and need to return to Los Angeles immediately. Luzia will come with me.”

“What?” Luzia exclaimed, despair flooding over her in an instant. She was overwhelmed with fear and trepidation.

She was going back to Los Angeles, that hellish city.

“No!” Luzia instinctively refused.

“No?” Joseph narrowed his eyes, his gaze threatening.

Luzia recoiled, tears welling up. “I… I haven’t said goodbye to Vivian. I…”

“This is so sudden,” Mrs. Yazmin spoke up for Luzia. “Don’t you need to say goodbye to Vivian? Does Alajos know? My jam isn’t ready yet, I was going to give it to you.”

“Thank you for the jam, Mrs. Yazmin, but business cannot be delayed. This is a very important deal, and I must be there in person,” Joseph said, unquestionably. “You can say goodbye to Vivian over the phone, Luzia. I will also inform Alajos over the phone.”

“Goodbye, everyone.” Joseph bid them farewell, pulling Luzia out of the mansion. Their car was already waiting outside.