Page 76 of Mafia King's Forbidden Obsession

I let out a nervous chuckle. “I know, right? But when we're in a hurry, we don’t always find what we’re searching for.”

A brief silence hangs in the air as the mafia boss studies me.

“Are you alright? You’re acting a little weird,” Ezra points out, his eyes softening as he reaches out to gently cup my cheek.

“I’m fine.” I force a laugh, but it’s weak even to my ears. “I’m just so bored here doing nothing all day. That’s all there is to it really.”

I tell him the only lie that comes to mind. He watches me closely for a moment as if trying to see through my brave facade. Then he nods, accepting my answer, and turns to leave.

Just as he wraps his hand around the knob, he pauses and glances back at me. “You can go outside today if you’re bored. I’ll let the guards know. Then you can go into town with them.”

For a moment, I forget my predicament, and I nod eagerly. “Really? Thank you!”

“You still have my black card from the last time?” he inquires, raising a thick brow slightly.

“Yes.”

He nods and walks out the door. The moment he’s gone, I let out a shaky breath, my heart pounding with relief.

I wait until I don’t pick up his receding footsteps before taking out the pregnancy test sticks from inside the closet.

As I stare at them, I can’t stop the gnawing feeling in my chest. I should just tell Ezra once and for all. I sigh and sink onto the floor, clutching the test sticks tightly to my chest.

Tears prick the corners of my eyes as I think about the next few weeks when the pregnancy progresses. My chest tightens at the thought of carrying the weight of it all alone. I know I can’t hide forever. Eventually, I’ll have to face him.

I swipe at my cheeks, catching the tears streaking down my face.

Stupid pregnancy hormones.

My gaze falls again to the test sticks in my hands, finally coming to a decision to wait for the right moment to inform him.

With a sigh, I get up and tuck the test sticks into one of my nightdresses. That way, Ezra never finds it until I’m ready for him to know and to deal with the consequences.

Walking over to the bed, I pull open the bedside drawer and grab the burner phone. As I unlock the screen, I immediately scroll to my chat with Harper from last night. My thumb hovers over the screen as I re-read her messages, the ones where she expressed her shock at finally hearing from me after weeks of silence.

I’d told her I was okay; there was no need to fret or call the cops and that I would explain all the details to her later. It had taken a lot for her to believe me, but she finally did.

When Ezra handed me the device earlier, I didn’t know how to react at first—part of me thought it was some kind of cruel joke. But then I realized he really meant it.

Reconnecting with Harper made me realize how much I missed her.

I bite down on my bottom lip when I scroll to her last message:When are you coming home?A sinking feeling lingers in my chest, guilt gnawing at me.

I shake my head and decide to think of a proper response after I return.

Quickly, I change out of my knee-length gown into a simple tee and jeans. It’s time to breathe fresh air— to feel like a person again.

The sun shines brightly as I step outside, wrapping me in its warmth. I take a moment to soak it all in—the blue sky above, the chirping birds, and the distant sound of laughter. Okay, I’m overexaggerating…the laughter thing is in my head, but it will be real soon.

Two guards approach me. “All set, miss?” the taller one asks.

“Oh yes,” I nod, gripping my satchel.

They guide me to a black Range Rover parked in the driveway. My steps falter when I take in the sleek car. The last time it was a different one– another expensive one– and now this? Fuck, he must be stinking rich to own expensive cars and mansions. Stinking rich to casually give me a black card.

I roll my eyes at my own thoughts and resume walking. Of course. His wealth runs deeper than I initially thought. The stinking rich, billionaire mafia don.

I climb into the back seat before a guard shuts the door. Then the engine roars to life, and we speed out of the property… into town. The town pulses with the same vibrant energy as it did last week. The trees dance softly to the gentle rush of wind beneath a brilliant blue sky.