Chapter One Hundred And Ninety Four Elijah knew that he needed guidance in this delicate matter, so he reached out to his trusted contact in the Italian mafia, Godfather Roberto. After a discreet meeting in a dimly lit, secluded restaurant, he broached the topic."Roberto," Elijah began cautiously, "I've been approached by the local police, and they've offered protection for my family in exchange for information about our contacts in the Italian mafia. What should I do?"Roberto, a seasoned and wise figure in the world of organized crime, took a long drag from his cigar before responding. His voice was low and filled with authority as he advised, "Elijah, my boy, you must remember that we live in a world where trust is a rare commodity. Cooperating with the police, even for the safety of your family, is a dangerous game. You can never be sure where their loyalties truly lie."Elijah nodded, taking in the weight of Roberto's words. He had always relied on the guidance of the Italian m
Chapter One Hundred And Ninety Five Elijah, the young mafia boss, sat in his dimly lit office, a haze of cigar smoke swirling around him. He leaned back in his leather chair, his fingers idly tapping on the mahogany desk. His piercing blue eyes glistened with a mixture of determination and a hint of vulnerability as he contemplated the treacherous path he was about to tread.The room was adorned with ornate paintings and vintage furniture, a stark contrast to the criminal empire that Elijah had built. His cartel, known for its ruthlessness, had gained notoriety in the underworld, and power coursed through his veins. But today, his mission was different. Today, he sought to protect his empire with a deal that could change the course of his life.Elijah reached for his vintage phone, a relic from another era, and dialed a number he knew by heart. The voice on the other end was gruff but loyal, "Boss, what can I do for you?""Tony, I need you to organize my jet," Elijah said with a calm
Chapter One Hundred And Ninety SixAs Elijah's private jet soared through the night sky, his thoughts couldn't escape the weight of his actions. The darkness of his dealings loomed over him like an ever-present storm, but there was a glimmer of humanity within him that refused to be extinguished.As he prepared to land back home, the memory of the Brazilian streets haunted him. He had seen the desperation in the eyes of children, their small frames bearing the weight of a harsh world. Their faces, etched with innocence and sorrow, had stirred something deep within him.Upon arrival, the Hilux cars sped through the familiar streets of his city. Elijah stared out the window, his mind filled with images of the children he had seen in Brazil. He had been just like them once, a child born into a world of uncertainty and danger. His heart ached for their suffering.Then, as if fate were testing him, the convoy came to an abrupt halt. A group of children had darted into the street, their rag
Chapter One Hundred And Ninety Seven As the days turned into weeks and the orphanage foundation became a reality, something beautiful was happening in Elijah and Selena's relationship. Selena, who had always loved her husband deeply, found herself falling even more in love with him, and it was because of the kindness and compassion he showed to the orphans.Seeing Elijah's transformation from a feared mafia boss into a caring, philanthropic figure had a profound impact on Selena. She had always known the complexities of her husband's life, the power and danger that came with it, but now she witnessed a side of him she hadn't fully understood before. It was a side filled with empathy, a deep-seated desire to make a positive change in the world.Every time Elijah returned from visiting the orphanage, there was a new light in his eyes, a sense of fulfillment that radiated from him. He would recount stories of the children he had met, their dreams and aspirations, and the progress being
Chapter One Hundred And Ninety EightHenry, his face contorted by anger and embarrassment, stood in the dimly lit room, his heart pounding like a drum in his chest. He clenched his fists, and the fragile porcelain vase on the table bore the brunt of his fury, shattering into a thousand pieces on the polished floor. His plan to sneak into Elijah's house as a bodyguard had unravelled, leaving him jobless and humiliated."Damn it," he muttered through gritted teeth, his voice thick with frustration. He had thought this would be his chance to prove himself to his stepbrother Elijah, to finally gain some respect in his eyes. But instead, he found himself standing in the wreckage of his dreams, shattered just like that vase.Henry had spent days meticulously planning his covert mission, envisioning himself as the valiant protector, earning Elijah's admiration and trust. Now, all that remained was the harsh reality of his failure.Elijah's voice echoed in his mind, the words that had cut de
Chapter One Hundred And Ninety Nine Nicki's steps echoed in the mall as she pushed through the glass doors. The afternoon sun streamed through the expansive windows, casting a warm glow across the polished floors. Shoppers bustled about, weaving through the aisles of colorful displays and catchy sales signs. She adjusted her grip on the shopping cart and glanced around the mall, trying to find the right store.Her family would be shocked to see her here, especially her sister, Selena. Nicki had always been clear about her disinterest in babies, even her own sister's pregnancy hadn't changed that. But today, something had stirred within her, a surprising determination to choose a gift for her soon-to-arrive niece or nephew.She approached a store brimming with adorable baby clothes and toys. Nicki felt a twinge of unfamiliar excitement as she crossed the threshold. A friendly sales clerk greeted her, and Nicki returned the smile with one of her own. She wasn't accustomed to the baby
Chapter Two Hundred Selena and her younger sister, Nicki, were in the cozy corner of the nursery, surrounded by shelves filled with colorful baby toys. They had been engrossed in a lively conversation about which toys would be perfect for Selena's future bundle of joy. Selena's eyes sparkled with excitement as they carefully inspected each toy, her heart full of anticipation.As they laughed and shared their thoughts, Selena felt a strange sensation, like a sudden warmth between her legs. Alarmed, she stopped mid-sentence, her eyes widening. A look of concern washed over Nicki's face as she saw her sister's expression change."Sis, are you alright?" Nicki asked, her voice tinged with worry. Selena couldn't find words immediately. Her gaze fell to her lap, and that's when she saw it. The deep red stain on her dress. Panic surged through her as she realized what was happening."Nicki," Selena stammered, her voice quivering. "I...I need to go to the bathroom." Her trembling hand pressed
Chapter Two Hundred And One As the minutes passed, the tension in the waiting room grew palpable. The doctor finally returned with more news about Selena's condition. It was a moment of relief, as the bleeding had been contained, and the baby was stable for now. Selena sighed, a mixture of exhaustion and gratitude washing over her.Elijah, still standing beside his sister, felt a complex mixture of emotions. He was relieved that Selena and the baby were stable, but his anger had not completely dissipated. His concern for his sister warred with his lingering resentment towards Nicki.Turning his gaze to Nicki, his voice was icy as he said, "Nicki, I don't want to see you near my wife again. You're not part of this family." His words were a harsh reminder of the past, of the times when Nicki had been unkind and unapologetic.Nicki's face fell, her eyes filled with regret. "Elijah, I'm just trying to help now," she pleaded. "I know I wasn't always the best sister, but I've changed. I ca