Page 73 of Fatal Sloth

"Why the sudden change of heart?" I question, eyeing the snacks in her hands with suspicion. It's unlike Karen to offer me junk food. She's always been the one enforcing strict diets and starvation eating habits. "You never let me eat junk food before, so why now?" I ask, my voice tinged with skepticism as I closely inspect the unopened bag of chips and soda.

Her expression is tinged with guilt. "I... I know I've never let you eat this before, but... things are different now," she murmurs, her voice barely above a whisper. "You need to eat something."

"Since when do you care about me?" I shoot back, unable to shake the feeling that there's more to her sudden change in behavior than meets the eye.

Hunger gnaws at my stomach, urging me to relent. So I accept the snacks from her outstretched hand, my fingers trembling as I examine them for any signs of tampering.

"It's not what you think," she says, her voice softening slightly.

"What's that supposed to mean?" I fire back, my anger bubbling up. "You've always been horrible to me, teaming up with Dad to beat me up and starve me my whole life."

"There's a lot you don't know, but I am sorry I mistreated you," she says, and for a moment, I almost buy her sincerity.

"Well, tell me then, or don't waste your time trying to be nice now."

"I know I haven't always been the best mother figure," she admits, and I can't help but snort. She's been a terrible role model. "But the plan was for you to be the top choice for possible suitors.”

"I hit the jackpot when I scored the mighty mafioso boss," I scoff, flipping the tab of the soda can and chugging down the warm liquid in one go. "So, you tortured me my whole life for my benefit? He didn't even choose a wife until a few months ago?"

Riddle me that, Karen.

"You don't understand. While we always hoped for the best man for you, Don Antonio knew Sebastiano wouldn't settle down so quickly. He made it clear years ago that he would do what he had to, in order to make his son settle down, to take over his position. So, I always made sure that you had everything going for you––the hottest clothes and makeup, the best body, anything that would make you stand out." Her hands fidget on her lap, twisting together nervously as she struggles to find the right words. "And when Don Antonio asked about you, the way your dad's eyes lit up... I'm not sure what your father would have done if he chose another bride," she confesses.

“When did he ask about me? How long has this been planned?” I press.

“Shortly after you left for Juilliard,” she reveals, sounding remorseful. “That's why your dad had his men watch you closely and why he would show up whenever your friends made plans with you. Your father wanted to make sure you didn’t mess up this arrangement. He never wanted to let you go away to school, but I begged him to let you go. He finally listened when I told him it's the best school, and we need to keep up appearances.”

Karen is the only reason I was able to leave home, granted under secure protection, but still.

Wow! I never knew that she cared.

“And I'm not sure if you know this, but I always wanted babies. I wanted a huge family,” Karen confesses. “But your father refused. He said he couldn't risk having another girl. To him, having another girl was an embarrassment he wasn’t willing to endure. He refused to grant me the one thing I wanted more than anything in this world," Karen continues, her voice strained with emotion. "And now that you're pregnant,” she pauses, taking a shallow breath of air. “I will do anything in my power to make sure your baby is safe. I'm just sorry I didn't do a good job with you,” she admits, quickly swiping away a tear. She stands abruptly. “Are you finished? I need to throw out the evidence so your dad doesn't know,” she says, reaching out her hands to take the empty soda can and snack wrapper.

"I'll try to bring you more after he goes to bed," Karen offers, opening the door. With the door ajar, I catch snippets of a heated argument downstairs. Is Bash here? Did he come to apologize and take me home?

"Stay here," Karen insists, locking the door behind her as she quickly leaves.

"No, don't lock me in here, please," I beg, rushing to the door and pounding my fists against it. The sound echoes through the room, a desperate plea for freedom.

I pound the door until my hands hurt, only stopping when I hear the unmistakable sound of the door unlocking.

I grab the knob and fling the door open, hoping to see Bash standing on the other side. Instead, I come face to face with the last person I expected.

"I'm here to bring you home, princess," he says, reaching out to grab my arm.

41

Sebastiano

Today's been a total fucking disaster. First, I had to deal with the three missing dock employees. They were found by a fisherman, of all people—floating in the river, tied to crates full of my stolen guns to weigh them in place, just waiting to be found. Someone's definitely trying to set me up. If Theo hadn't stepped in, the cops—none of who are on my payroll—would have been all over me. The stress is making my temples throb, and I can feel the tension coiling in my shoulders like a vice grip.

The only thing I needed after a shitty day was to come home and fuck my troubles away. But no, instead, I walk into more bullshit.

Pregnant. Mia's fucking pregnant. I couldn't have been clearer with her that I didn't want kids. This is just fucking great.

I can barely take care of myself, let alone some little brat.My knuckles turn white as I clench my fists, the anger boiling inside me like a damn volcano. "Son of a bitch!" I curse, feeling the rage pulsating through my veins.

Just then, my phone starts ringing. "What, Theo?" I bark into the phone.

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