Substitute Wife for the Mafia King R18-Chapter 404: Harsh Treatment

"I’ll try not to come back late," Bradon replied without any further explanations.

I only managed to simply nod my head before he was already out of the living room. The look that Bradon gave me told me to hold my tongue and not ask him any questions. I knew very well that asking him anything would be useless because he most likely wouldn’t give me any kind of answer. As I stared at the doorway, my mind became even more unsettled than before. Something was definitely going on and Bradon was keeping it away from me.

"Probably just work..." I mumbled to myself.

It wasn’t unusual for Bradon not to tell me much about matters related to his work, and I never minded. A sigh escaped my lips when I realized that I had officially failed once again. The worst part was that I felt very relieved at the very same time. Bradon’s parting words, telling me that he would hurry back home gave me something to look forward to and that made me realize just how much I yearned to be with him.

"Stop it, Leya..." I told myself firmly as if scolding a misbehaving child.

Despite my harsh words, I couldn’t stop myself from smiling like a fool when I thought of Bradon returning that evening. My illusion was so blinding that I had to reach both my hands up to slap my cheek to snap me out of it. I returned back to reality just to realize that I was still in a bind with no clear solution figured out about how I was supposed to leave Bradon.

"I need to get out of this place..." I mumbled the words that used to be so familiar to me softly.

I thought that I would be able to vividly recall the memories of the earliest days when I arrived at the mansion and also how desperately I wanted to make my escape but I found out that my memories were quite hazy. The feelings that I felt back then felt so far away and unfamiliar. Now those familiar words brought a different set of heavy feelings to my chest and pulled at my heart. I closed my eyes as I tried to ignore the pain tearing me apart from the inside.

"I need to get out of here..." I whispered to myself softly.

When I headed out of the living room, I could feel many pairs of eyes on me and a sense of deja vu came over me. I was clearly being watched but I had no idea why that was so. Instead of wondering all by myself, I decided to approach the one man that might be able to give me the answer to my burning curiosity.

"Is something going on?" I asked Zain as my brows drew together.

"I am uncertain of what you are referring to, My Lady," Zain replied politely.

"Why is everyone watching me like I’m a lab rat all of a sudden? Also, what is this tense feeling in the atmosphere?" I asked, even more directly than before.

"There is nothing for you to be concerned about. You are safe," Zain replied as if he honestly thought that I was concerned about my own safety and wellbeing.

"Does that mean that there is something for other people besides me to be concerned about?" I asked as I crossed my arms over my chest and stared directly at the man.

"Please do not concern yourself," Zain replied passively.

I stared at the now blank-faced man for a few seconds as I wondered what was truly going on and how I could possibly get Zain to talk. No solid idea came to mind because I knew by that time just how loyal Zain was to Bradon and that he was definitely operating under Bradon’s orders.

"I want to go outside," I stated my demand while noticing that this scene that was unfolding had happened before.

"Is there something that you need?" Zain asked politely.

"I just told you that I want to go outside. You don’t need to come with me, I’ll be fine on my own," I said dismissively as I started to feel irritated.

I knew that something was wrong and it frustrated me without end that I didn’t quite know what it was. The overly professional way that Zain was acting only poured oil on the burning fire that was my temper.

"I’m afraid that that might not be possible," Zain replied with a respectful bow of his head.

"What isn’t possible? Do I need to drag you along with me? Is that it?" I asked in a snappy voice that showcased my raw emotions.

"Not quite, My Lady. You see, I have received orders to keep you from leaving this mansion for the time being," Zain replied flatly.

I glared at the man standing in front of me with widened eyes as I digested his words and their implications.

"Bradon ordered this? Why?" I asked before letting out a scoff at the ridiculousness of the situation.

I had no idea what had happened but somehow Bradon had once again placed me under house arrest. Not so long ago, we were just talking to each other in the living room. He had ample opportunity to inform me of his decision to keep me in the mansion as well as provide me with his reasoning, but he never mentioned anything to me. Anger grew inside of me until it felt like I was ready to explode.

"I am not able to answer that question. Please remain inside the mansion until Master Bradon returns this evening," Zain advised calmly before gesturing for me to walk further inside the mansion.

Without taking a step from where I was standing, I gave Bradon a call that I somehow knew that he wouldn’t answer. With each passing second that I spent waiting for him to answer my call, I knew that something had turned gravely wrong.

Did he already figure out that I was planning to leave? Is that it?

–To be continued...