Chapter 43: Chapter Forty-two

“Oh my God, Mira. You have been going through all these? And you never thought it was necessary to let me know about everything? Do you even take me as someone important to you, because hell! If you did, you wouldn’t have shut me out this way,” Hilda’s voice shook as she finally dropped her hands from her lap and looked directly into Mirabella’s face.

Mirabella sat stiffly on the small beige sofa in Hilda’s living room, her fingers twisting into each other nervously. She had just finished telling Hilda everything that had been happening with Hunter—the club, the control, the way he had taken over her entire life without her consent. Of course, she left out the part about what she had learned earlier that day; it simply didn’t feel right to tell Hilda about that just yet. Some things were just too heavy to unload in the same breath.

The color on Hilda’s face had drained as Mira finished narrating everything. She shook her head in disbelief, her chest heaving with suppressed anger and guilt.

“I’m sorry, Hilda. I didn’t know how to tell you everything. I didn’t want you worrying about me,” Mira said softly, her voice small, her throat tight.

Hilda sat and buried her face in her palms and sighed heavily. “Everything David feared is happening all at once. I shouldn’t have let you work at that club. I should have insisted we find something else for you to do. Something that wouldn't have exposed you.”

Mirabella leaned forward, her own eyes damp but steady. “Don’t blame yourself. It’s all on me. I insisted on working there. I wanted the money. I thought I could handle it whatever comes. But well, I didn't expect he would be the owner of the club.”

Hilda looked at her, almost broken, before shifting closer to where mirabella sat. She took Mira's hand in hers, her grip trembling with concern. “What are you going to do now? You can’t continue like this. You can’t keep letting him have his way. Mira, maybe we should get the police involved.”

The reaction was instant. Mira’s head whipped toward her sharply, eyes wide, lips trembling. “No. No, Hilda. There’s no use getting the police involved. Hunter is well above the law, sadly. He has power, connections… money. The cobs will not help here.”

Hilda shook her head furiously, her jaw clenched. “I’m sorry. I couldn’t protect you just like I promised your brother I would. I failed him and I failed you. You’re still so young… and…”

“Hilda…” Mira’s tone held a warning.

“—yes, you’re young!” Hilda snapped, ignoring her protest. “You still need protection and care. I feel so mad at myself for not being there when you needed me most.” She pressed Mira’s hands tighter. “What now? I can't let you go back to him. How about I take you somewhere far away from here? Somewhere he won’t find you, somewhere he won’t put his hands on you anymore.”

Mirabella shook her head slowly, her eyes glassy but her voice steady. “He will never let me go, Hilda. No matter where I go, he will find me. Do you know he knows all about my life in New York? He had his men keeping an eye on me the whole time, but I never knew.”

Hilda’s face went paler, her eyes widening in horror. “What? He was spying on you even then?”

“Yes.” Mira’s lips trembled. “He knew everywhere I was up to. Every move I made. Even the friends I kept. So, if I leave now, he will still find me.”

Hilda let out a shaky breath, rubbing both hands across her face in frustration as she rose to her feet and began pacing the living room. Her steps were quick and uneven, the carpet swallowing her movements, her body very stiff with tension.

Mira stood after her, walked slowly toward her, and wrapped her arms around her waist from behind. She pressed her cheek against Hilda’s back, whispering softly. “Don’t worry. I’ll be fine. Really, I’ll be fine. Don’t beat yourself up. This is my mess. He won’t hurt me, Hilda. He only wants sex from me.”

Hilda stood in place, her whole body tensing the more. She turned abruptly, holding Mira by her shoulders, her voice stern and edged with fury. “That’s the problem, Mira. He shouldn’t force you to have sex with him. It’s not right. You are still just nineteen. He is taking advantage of you. This is not acceptable.”

Mirabella’s eyes softened, though her chest squeezed painfully. She let out a shaky sigh. “He’s not forcing me anymore. The first few times, yes, but not anymore. I promise you. I swear. Don’t think too much about it. Don’t beat yourself up for it. Ok?”

Hilda shook her head, her eyes blazing. “I just can’t calm down knowing this is happening to you. I’m not just liking this at all. You’re everything David trusted me with, and I’m letting him down.” Her voice broke, but she pulled Mira close again, hugging her fiercely, like she could protect her just by holding her tight enough.

Meanwhile, Hunter’s mansion carried a silence that was heavy and suffocating.

The sound of the front door closing echoed faintly before Ashley’s sharp voice cut through the air. She stood in the hallway, arms crossed, her eyes narrowing at Hunter as he walked in without Bella.

“Where is Mirabella?” Ashley demanded, her tone low with questions.

Hunter’s jaw flexed. He didn’t slow his stride as he removed his jacket, tossing it over a chair, his tall frame radiating barely controlled irritation. “Mirabella will not be returning home tonight. Go to sleep,” he said flatly.

Ashley’s face hardened, her lips parting in disbelief. “What do you mean she won’t be returning home? Hunter, what the hell is going on huh?”

He didn’t bother answering further. His eyes darkened, dismissing her as though she wasn’t even standing there. He turned away, his broad shoulders cutting a sharp figure as he strode toward the grand staircase without hesitation.

“Hunter! Come on.” Ashley called after him, her voice rising. But he didn’t stop.

He entered his room and slammed the door behind him, his chest heaving with a fury that was eating at his insides. His thoughts were all over the place, crashing into each other like waves in a storm. He couldn’t believe what had happened. Mirabella wanted to stay away from him. She chose to leave. He had plans for her.

She preferred to stay with a stranger instead of him. Maybe not a stranger, but still…

The thought continues to claw at him, burning his pride and feeding his rage.

He walked to the bed stand, his jaw hard, and poured himself a glass of scotch. He gulped it down in one swallow, the liquid burning down his throat but doing nothing to cool the fire raging inside him. He poured another drink, watching the amber liquid swirl in the glass.

He took it with him as he strode to the bathroom, the glass still clutched tightly in his large hand. He set it down on the sink, then stripped off his clothes piece by piece until he stood bare, his muscles taut, his veins standing out from the tension. He stepped under the shower, letting the warm water cascade over him.

Minutes passed. He stood still, unmoving, his hands pressed against the tiled wall, his head bowed under the spray. Water streamed down his face. He closed his eyes, but the image of Mira’s pleading, innocent eyes wouldn’t leave him.

Her voice echoed in his head; Let me go. Just tonight… please. She had sounded so desperate to leave him.

“Fuck. Fuck.” He slammed a fist against the wall, the sound echoing in the large space. “I can’t fucking think straight again.”

He tilted his head back, letting the water pour over his face, his chest heaving. His jaw clenched harder as his thoughts spiraled.

“Mirabella,” he growled under his breath. “This won’t happen again. This is the last space you’ll ever get from me.”

The water continued to pour, but nothing washed away the way he felt and the dark promise that formed in his heart.