Substitute Wife for the Mafia King R18-Chapter 233: Return of Freedom

Those words sounded so needlessly vulgar and harsh even to my own ears and my attitude was unbearable. However, I couldn’t stop myself and I couldn’t take my words back. I didn’t even understand why I was saying all these things to taunt him when I had nothing to gain from it besides even more bitterness.

I expected Bradon to yell at me but he just stood up silently. I felt my lips quivering as I watched him silently walk away from me toward the kitchen door. His lack of reaction and the fact that he didn’t even bother to explain anything to me or deny my accusations only angered and frustrated me even more.

“You don’t even have anything to say?” I called after him.

Bradon paused in front of the door before he slowly opened it. Just when I thought that he would leave without saying anything, I heard him let out a long sigh.

“Do whatever you want. You’re not going to listen to me anyways,” he said before walking out of the room.

All I could do was stare at the closed door in shock at how cold and uncaring he sounded. Unpleasant emotions welled up inside of me and made me feel like I was on the verge of drowning. I wanted to cry it all out but at the same time I just couldn’t do it. The pain that seemed to tear up my insides felt unbearable and made me feel so empty.

Maybe I was hurt when I realized that he could give me up for the price of a few casino licenses and some shares in some businesses that I didn’t even know about. It was probably because the deal sounded very sweet even to me that I was even more surprised by just how hurt I still felt regardless of the days that had passed by since then.

I let out a frustrated growl and then a scream as I lifted up the closest plate that my hand could reach. My hand halted midair just as I was about to throw the plate down when I was reminded that I was the one who cooked the food and that I would be causing trouble for the maids. Either that, or I had to clean up after my own mess.

“I have enough mess to clean up already...” I muttered to myself as I carefully placed the plate back down on the kitchen counter.

I scoffed and then laughed at the ridiculous state that I was in. Since Bradon did tell me to do whatever I wanted, I took it that he had agreed for me to go along with Desmond’s plans. Things didn’t turn out the way that I wanted them to, but I had managed to get him to let me do what I wanted.

...

The prince was delighted when I called to let him know that I had agreed to our deal. I made sure to state all the terms and conditions for me to collaborate with him but Desmond seemed too happy that I wasn’t sure if he was even actively listening to those terms. It felt like some weight had been lifted off of my chest and that made me believe that I must have made the right decision.

Unfortunately, I didn’t feel completely free of my troubles and that was because Bradon had been avoiding me ever since that day in the kitchen. This time, I didn’t even bother asking Jenna for tips in fear that she would ask me about what happened last time. I didn’t want to go into the details with any one and I also doubted that the same trick would work twice on Brandon.

The king was still hanging on to dear life in the sense that his heart was still beating. According to Desmond, the end was near for the king and that also meant that I would need to make my appearance as Dahlia soon. Strangely enough, the thought of publicly returning as Dahlia frightened me. I had thought that there might be some kind of liberating feeling associated with my return as myself but that wasn’t quite the case. Maybe I had gotten used to hiding behind my sister’s face and name.

There was definitely some safety and security that came along with using Diana’s identity. Everyone had always been kinder and more considerate towards her. Her smile could change people’s mind for the better and get them to agree with her on almost anything. Her words felt like a soft law that people felt compelled to obey. I understood that better than anyone after having walked and lived in her shoes.

Life as Dahlia was just different...

“You’re not going to stop me?” I asked as I paused at the mansion door.

Zain stood at his usual station with a polite smile on his face. To my surprise, he didn’t make a move to stop me from leaving the mansion.

“I have no orders to stop you from leaving. However, it would put my mind at ease if you will allow me to escort you when you go out,” Zain said with a polite bow.

I pressed my lips together as I stared back at the man. Interesting enough, it seemed like the orders that he had received had changed.

“Are you saying that I don’t need to take you with me if I don’t want to?” I inquired with narrowed eyes.

“Yes, that is right. You are allowed to leave the mansion without a guard but it would be better for you to bring a guard with you...” Zain replied.

I could tell that he was reciting what Bradon must have ordered him to do. This sudden return of my absolute freedom of mobility surprised me and I didn’t know what to make of it. Funnily enough, this was all that I wanted all along. The ability to go wherever I wanted, whenever I wanted without someone tagging along all the time...

“Is it no longer dangerous for me to go out and about?” I asked curiously.

“I am uncertain but I assume that the prince will arrange for your escort if you are going out to see him,” Zain replied matter-of-factly.

–To be continued...