Chapter 2
928 Words
I had always trusted how efficiently men could handle things.
By the time I returned to the house Niels and I shared, Helena was already gone. The place was spotless, and the familiar scent of my favorite perfume lingered in every corner.
With my arms folded across my chest, I slowly walked through the entire house.
Niels had already changed out of the translucent shirt from the photo. He was now dressed in the black fitted clothes I used to love seeing him wear, following closely behind me. "Was your trip tiring, Babe? Why aren't you saying anything to me?"
My golden curls swayed in front of him before settling back down. I turned around and pouted playfully. "That's not true. When have I ever ignored you?"
Niels kept his hands in his pockets, and his brows moved slightly before he quickly hid it. His black hair was combed back, exposing his mature features completely. His sharp, slightly lifted eyes made him look even more charming.
His unreadable gaze met mine. Memories from the past three years suddenly flooded my mind.
Three years ago, Niels fell for me at first sight when he found me wounded.
Back then, I had just dealt with a subordinate who had betrayed me, ending his life with a single shot.
Outside, countless snowflakes intertwined into a thick white curtain, swallowing every bit of color from the world. Instead of making me afraid, the endless snowfall only awakened the ruthless nature buried deep within me.
As the heir of the most feared mafia family in Eastvale Coast, I never needed to personally handle small-time trash like him. But that man had once sworn loyalty to me. If he was going to die, then I would be the one to deliver his punishment.
The unbearable pain in my body pulled me away from my rage. I had shown mercy earlier and allowed my subordinate to stab me with his blade. After being drenched by the rain, the wound had worsened, the torn flesh turning outward.
And at the time, I had been too headstrong and refused to let my father send anyone to protect me. So that night, I could only wander the streets of Vandell City alone.
Holding a large umbrella and dressed entirely in black, Niels turned the corner and stepped into my view through the violent white fog.
Because of my family's status, every man I had encountered had treated me with nothing but flattery.
At first, they would be captivated by my appearance, but once they discovered my identity, their admiration would quickly turn into respect and fear. Some feared the influence behind me, while others were intimidated by my strength. Niels was the only exception.
He lowered the large umbrella, shielding me from the snow falling around us. He simply stared at me in silence, wearing a gentle, gentlemanly smile.
Niels's soft and warm voice reached my ears, "Don't push me away."
I could hear my heart pounding violently inside my chest. And for some reason, I chose to hide the truth, creating a fragile and helpless identity for myself.
Niels believed every word I said and asked if I would go home with him. That was where our story began.
During those three years, we had shared sweet moments, endured people's doubts, and argued over countless trivial matters. But every single time, Niels would choose to hold me tighter.
He would bury his face against my neck and shoulder, gently rubbing against me. "Ainsley, my love and loyalty will only belong to you. If you don't believe me, I can swear that if I ever betray you, I'll pay with my life."
I trusted him. I had even planned to propose to him myself, confess everything about my past, and give him the top-floor duplex on 57th Avenue in Vandell City as a gift to make up for the lies about who I really was.
After my father looked into Niels's background, he could only shake his head at me, saying I was completely blinded by love. "Ainsley, you're too innocent. But only someone who has been through enough pain and hardship is worthy of taking charge of the Leone family. So go do what you want right now."
I didn't understand what my father meant. The sweetness of love had completely clouded my thoughts.
All I cared about was that if Niels accepted my apology, I would bring him home to meet my parents. If he didn't, I would find a way to make him fall in love with me all over again.
But reality had a way of ruining even the most carefully made plans.
The girl Niels had secretly admired back in college, his unforgettable first love, returned from studying abroad while I was traveling overseas and contacted him herself. Old feelings between them quickly reignited.
The sharp smell of perfume dragged me back to reality. It was MFK perfume they had intentionally sprayed to cover the disgusting traces of their affair.
Niels wore a high collar that hid my view, leaving only a few faint red marks visible in places no one would easily notice.
"I haven't been sleeping well without you these days. Stay with me and rest for a bit." He walked toward me, trying to embrace me as if nothing had happened.
A wave of disgust twisted through my stomach. I grabbed the perfume bottle from the vanity and smashed it onto the floor. My temper exploded without warning.
"Ainsley," Niels's voice dropped, turning cold and dangerous. "What are you doing?"
- Writer
