THE MAFIA'S HEIR: BOUND BY HIS PROMISE

CHAPTER 003

STEPHANIE CHEN'S POV

I had the sensation that the walls were closing in on me and smothering me on the inside. As I looked down at the ancient wooden box that had been concealed beneath my bed for all of eternity, I couldn't help but stare at it. Even though it did not have a lock, I was certain that it was locked with secrets that I did not wish to learn. The amount of dust that was on it was dense, giving the impression that it had been waiting, holding its breath until the appropriate time. It was now time for that moment to arrive.

When I attempted to open it, I felt a tiny tremor come across my fingertips. Although the box was hefty and the wood was thick, it was able to crack open with just a little bit of pressure. I discovered an envelope inside, which had become yellowed with the passage of time and was soiled with something dark. I did not want to give any thought to the nature of that stain; yet, the smell was the first thing that struck me. It was a combination of the metallic smell of blood and another, more icy odor.

While my heart was pounding in my chest, I tore open the envelope and drew out a letter into my possession. It appeared as though the individual had been aware of how deadly the words would be, as the handwriting was lovely and the phrases were meticulous. It was only after a little period that I was able to identify the signature at the bottom: Mom. I had a very limited recollection of the woman who vanished while I was too young to comprehend the reasons behind her disappearance.

I was sitting on the floor, holding the letter in my hand, and each word seemed to penetrate my very being. The act of betraying. Child that is concealed. To make a deal with the mafia. I couldn't stop thinking about Victor Lu, the name that kept coming up, the one that made my stomach plummet.

A number of cautions were included in the letter. The warnings from my mother. Never put your faith in Victor Lu. I had a terrible feeling. Naturally, I was familiar with that name because it was tied to everything that was taking place at the moment. Mr. Samuel Lu. It was his father. The entirety of this twisted game It was a trap for me. As I read further, my hands began to shake.

A pact has been struck between your family and the devil. In addition, when the truth is revealed, it will not be a pretty sight. Caution is advised, Stephanie.

Because my head was racing, I had a hard time breathing. It wasn't only a matter of reprisal. The item in question was quite ancient. Something not too bright. There was a conflict between our families that dated back to a time before the present. At this point, Samuel was a component of it. It was a component of the very entity that had obliterated everything I had ever known.

When it came to the letter, I was at a loss for what to do. What I had just read was so overwhelming that I was at a loss for words. However, there was one thing that I was certain of: I had to come face to face with him.

I was unable to process my thoughts since the sound of his voice was so icy and commanding. "Have you discovered anything, Stephanie?"

When I looked up, I was holding the letter tightly in my hand. My tone was hardly audible above a whisper. Please accept this letter from my mother. This is all about you.

As he moved closer to me, his eyes did not show any signs of emotion; they were completely emotionless. "And?" you ask.

The letter was pushed back into his hands by me. "You absolutely must read this."

Unfazed, he accepted it and began to read the printed words. As I watched him, my heartbeat sped up. We were separated by a dense and suffocating quiet that stretched between us.

He didn't immediately look up after he finished what he was doing. His gaze stayed fixed on the letter, as if the words were beginning to register in his mind. On the other hand, when he did finally look at me, there was a distinct change in the way he looked at me. There is something sinister. No words were spoken by him. Just now, he moved.

He pushed me against the wall before I even realized what was going on. His hand was pressing against my chest, and the weight of his body was squeezing breath out of my lungs with the pressure of his hand. I sputtered, a wave of terror sweeping through me.

As he spoke, his tone was low and almost growling. "So now you finally know," he added. It is your family that murdered me.

His remarks seemed to strike me like a blow to the stomach. It felt as though the floor was falling out from under me, and my legs were weak. My mind was racing. Nothing could possibly be true. None of it could. However, it was the case. Every single item that my mother had cautioned me off of. Exactly what she had been dreading. At this point, I was able to see everything.

Although I opened my mouth to speak, I was unable to produce any sound. There was no adequate way to express this. This is something that cannot be explained in words.

He exerted more pressure on me, his breath forming a warm sensation against my neck. "Stephanie, do you actually believe that I am doing this for fun? Are you under the impression that I have been treating you like a toy? No. This is an act of vengeance. I will demolish everything that your family has worked so hard to create.

I was unable to take a breath. It seemed like my mind was spinning as my heart hammered in my chest. On the other hand, in the midst of all the mayhem, there was one question, one thought that kept making its way through.

Would it be accurate to say that my family was the cause of death for his family unit? And if it turned out to be the case, what did that imply for me? Now that I am aware of the truth, what actions would he take toward me?

I was unable to move. Was unable to talk. His body was pressing against mine, and his gaze was blazing as it penetrated me. He was right there. I experienced a sense of confinement. There was no chance of escape.

The hold he had on me became deeper. It is now clear to you, Stephanie. There is no turning back now. "Whether you want to be a part of this or not, you are a part of it."

Honestly, I was at a loss for words. When I tried to fight back, I was at a loss. I became aware of the fact that I was no longer a participant in the game when I saw the rage in his eyes. I would be the winner. And I was completely clueless about what he intended to do with me.

However, there was one thing that was clear. I had no intention of playing a role in his warped plan of retribution. I was unable to be. It was imperative that I locate a means of escape. No matter the consequences, I had to get to the bottom of things.

But what exactly was the reality?

While I was staring at him, I found myself taking short, shallow breaths. "What are the next steps?" I uttered the words in a hushed whisper, and they hardly penetrated my lips.

After taking a few steps back, he eventually let go of me. But he never took his eyes off of me. He beamed with a sneer, his tone icy. "What now? We can now see how well you are able to play along.

As I stood there, gripping the letter in my hands, my entire body was shaking. The reality was revealed. On the other hand, I was still unsure of what it meant for me.

What would that mean for me now that I was aware of it? Do you think he would make me pay for the sins of my family? If he wanted to destroy them, would he use me?

I was unaware of it. That was the thing that took me by surprise the most.

Where do I go from here?