Dangerous Secrets: My Mafia Stepbrother

Isabella returned to the apartment, where Lilly and Elisa were waiting and immediately embraced her.

Elisa was the first to notice Isabella’s return, and upon seeing Isabella’s disheveled state, she felt a sense of self-reproach. However, the fact that Isabella had returned safely was a tremendous relief.

In silence, Elisa embraced Isabella. She restrained her emotions, but her eyes were distinctly red. “Isabella, I’m so sorry. The boss entrusted me with your protection, but I failed.”

“You don’t need to apologize,” Isabella said, revealing a faint smile. “You don’t have to blame yourself, Elisa. William is too cunning; no one could have anticipated such an event.”

In that situation, unless Elisa had been by her side 24/7, even the time she spent in the restroom could have been an opportunity for William to take her. That scheming man must have plotted this for a long time.

Elisa nodded, but her inner guilt didn’t dissipate immediately.

Isabella continued, “Thank you for teaching me those self-defense techniques. You have no idea, William nearly killed Emanuele. Luckily, I used the methods you taught me to free myself from the ropes and took William’s gun away; otherwise, Emanuele would have been in grave danger.”

“You are so capable, Isabella. I am truly proud of you,” Elisa said, embracing Isabella again.

“Nevertheless, it was still too dangerous. I truly hope you never have to use those self-defense skills again in your life.”

If Isabella hadn’t taken the gun from William, and if William had had another weapon on him, the outcome would have been disastrous.

Compared to Elisa’s composure, Lilly, upon seeing Isabella, burst into tears. “Heavens, Isabella, you’ve finally returned. I’ve been praying to God, hoping for your safe return.”

“Lilly, please don’t cry, I’m fine,” Isabella patted Lilly’s shoulder. In that moment, in Lilly’s embrace, she also felt a sense of warmth.

It felt wonderful to be back home.

“I’m so relieved, I can’t contain it,” Lilly had truly feared for Isabella’s life. “My goodness, kidnapped by Emanuele’s enemies, it’s a miracle you’re alive, isn’t it?”

When she saw the hair the kidnappers had sent, she was heartbroken. Having taken care of Isabella, she knew very well that Isabella cherished her hair the most.

Now, seeing Isabella’s hair, once so beautiful that it could have been in a shampoo commercial, now disheveled, Lilly felt intense sorrow.

She reached out to touch Isabella’s hair. “Isabella, what should we do with your once beautiful hair now in this state?”

Lilly’s eyes were filled with regret.

“Let’s just cut it all short. It’s convenient, especially as my daughter in my belly grows, it’s a hassle to wash long hair. Trying short hair doesn’t sound bad either.”

“Yes, yes, Isabella will look beautiful even with short hair.”

“Um, I’m very tired, and I feel dirty. Lilly, could you prepare a hearty meal for me? I need a good feast. Elisa, could you fill the bathtub for me? I want to take a bath.”

“I’ll get right on it,” Lilly and Elisa replied, and then went about their tasks.

Isabella thought that keeping them busy would leave no time for sadness.

Isabella was indeed exhausted. She felt she needed a bath, some food, and then a good rest.

Once Elisa had the bath ready, Isabella undressed and sank into the tub.

Enveloped by warm water, Isabella felt her entire body relax.

She scrubbed herself vigorously, recalling the image of William kissing her. She felt as though her body, having been touched and kissed by William, was now unclean. She wanted to shed her skin entirely.

So disgusting, Isabella thought, as she scrubbed her face and body, every place that William had touched, she cleaned repeatedly.

It wasn’t until those areas turned red and, due to the friction, even broke the skin, that Isabella stopped.

She lay wearily in the tub.

Although Isabella felt her body relax, mentally she was still on edge.

She was constantly worried about Emanuele. The thought of him lying in a pool of blood tore at her heart, and the pain spread from her heart throughout her body.

Her mind remained tense, continually reminding her that Emanuele was in mortal danger.

She didn’t want anything to happen to Emanuele.

Tony had said that if anything happened to Emanuele, he would inform her promptly.

But now, Tony hadn’t received any bad news; he only knew that Emanuele was in the hospital undergoing surgery.

Did that mean shedidn’t need to worry too much for the time being?

Isabella stayed in the bath for an hour, then rinsed her body again. She felt her skin had become a bit rough from soaking in the water for too long. She finally stopped bathing.

She still felt dirty and noticed marks on her body, evidence of William’s touches and bites. It made her want to retch!

At that moment, she truly wanted to take a knife and cut her skin off.

She looked at the woman in the mirror, her hair uneven in length, resembling a madwoman.

Isabella considered it and then fetched a pair of scissors. With a click, she cut off the longer side of her hair. It looked more natural this way.

Isabella touched her short hair. This was the first time she had cut it this short, and it didn’t look bad at all.

At that moment, Lilly knocked on Isabella’s door. “Isabella, would you like to come downstairs to eat? I’ve made your favorite pasta and mushroom soup.”

“Lilly, could you bring it up? I’m a bit tired and don’t feel like going downstairs,” Isabella replied.

“Of course,” Lilly said, heading downstairs to bring the food up.

Lilly brought the food back and, upon seeing Isabella’s short hair, couldn’t help but exclaim, “Isabella, did you cut your hair yourself?”

Isabella nodded.

“It looks beautiful,” Lilly praised Isabella, though inside, she felt more sorrow than anything else. But she would never show it.

“Thank you,” Isabella smiled.

Isabella’s bedroom was spacious enough for her to have lunch on the sofa.

Lilly brought the food and set it in front of Isabella, but she wanted some quiet time. “Lilly, I’ll eat alone. I’m a bit tired, and I might need a nap after eating.”

Lilly looked at Isabella’s weary face; she seemed as fragile as a newborn kitten.

It made Lilly want to hold her and protect her.

Lilly had been with Isabella for so long that in her heart, she already considered Isabella as her daughter.

Lilly nodded. “Alright, Isabella. If you need anything, just come find me.”

Isabella nodded.Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

While eating, she took a moment to message Harry: “How is Emanuele doing?”

Soon, Harry replied, “The boss is still in surgery. Please don’t worry, he will be fine.”