Page 47 of Dark Mafia Heir

“Agatha said I’ll find you roaming around the house, and she was right.”

At least, she didn’t say you’ll find me mentally taking note of the CCTV cameras,I think as I turn to the source of the voice.

It’s Ginny, and she looks just as beautiful as the first time I saw her. She is dressed simply but elegantly, wearing a tailored black dress that hugs her curves just enough to highlight her figure without being overly ostentatious. Around her neck is a single gold chain, delicate and understated, but on her, it seems to gleam with purpose.

And she’s wearing that pleasant, friendly smile on her face, one that always has me smiling back at her.

“Liked what you saw?”

I blink when I realize what she’s speaking of. “What?”

She joins me on the lower step and gestures to the surrounding environment. “I asked if you liked it—the estate. I know you do. I’ve been here a couple of times and enjoyed taking strolls around. You might not believe me because, well... livingwith these men is anything but peaceful. But the surroundings here are incredibly serene. Have you seen the orchard?”

“Yes, I have. It’s beautiful and abandoned.” Strangely, I feel relaxed around her. “And I believe you. I experienced it myself. Walking around this place, you’d never believe that the men here sleep with knives under their pillows.”

Ginny snorts. “Just knives? Sometimes, my husband keeps the gun on the vanity when he’s in the shower.”

I roll my eyes but can’t suppress a chuckle. It’s amusing that she finds her husband’s habit absurd, but the subtle crinkle at the corner of her eyes and the lingering smile on her lips tells more than she does: the thought of her husband is like having a breath of fresh air.

She loves him.

Despite the uncanny bond and connection, I feel forming between us, that is one thing we’ll probably never have in common: love for our husbands.

I’m pretty sure I’m on the verge of detesting mine, and everything about him. Except for sex with him.

That’stolerable,at least.

We slowly go around the house again, but I don’t bother noting security installations anymore. This moment, chatting with Ginny, is liberating, like I am finally getting something I lacked for a long time.

We talk about everything and anything we think of; what my life was like before Antonio, my sister, my father, friends, if I ever had any, and her life with Dario.

She’s happy. I’m not.

But we both like salted caramel popcorn and ice cream and Netflix, and a bunch of other things that are truly silly.

I like Ginny. I like that we share interests. But she reminds me of my sister, and how much I miss chatting like this with her.

“And Agatha? How’s your relationship with her?”

I kick a stray pebble and knot my fingers behind my back. Ginny doesn’t see the red stain on my cheeks, but I feel the heat creep up my neck when I remember nearly slicing off Agatha’s neck.

“Cordial? I guess, we’re cool,” I say instead. There’s no need going down that memory lane with Ginny, although I am surprised that she isn’t aware.

“She is generous, isn’t she? After you tried to use her as an escape pad.”

Of course, she’d heard. The whole house must have heard, too.

We’re by the orchard when we stop walking. Ginny turns to me, and the smile that once was on her face is no longer there. She brushes loose strands of her hair behind her ear and nibbles on her lower lip.

“Look,” she sighs. “I know this isn’t the best life you’re living, and I’m sorry you are stuck in this situation. I know what it feels like first-hand to feel trapped.”

Does she?

She seems to read the question in my eyes and further clarifies. “Dario and I weren’t always in love. We were enemies at first, even though I always found him really hot,” she says with glee. “But now we mean the world to each other. I’d give my life for him, and I know he’ll do the same for me. I believe there’s a chance you and Nio will fall in love with each other.”

Before I can stop myself, my protest flies out of my mouth. “I doubt it. Nothing will change.”

“Vivienne…”

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