Unmasking The Mafia

Chapter 28

William's jaw clenches as he sees the shock on your face. He averts his gaze, the shame and guilt clearly written on his features. He crosses his arms, his body language radiating discomfort as he struggles to continue.

He takes a deep breath, forcing himself to meet your gaze once again.

"It's not something I'm proud of," he mutters quietly. "But the scar... it's a permanent reminder of what happens when obsession takes over."

You frown, "obsession? Meaning?"

William's expression darkens further at your question, his gaze hardening as he answers.

"Meaning she was fixated on me to the point it became dangerous. She would show up uninvited, leave cryptic little messages, and make it clear that she was always watching. She knew things about me that she shouldn't have known, and she used them to try and control me."

He lets out a bitter chuckle, his voice filled with a mix of disdain and resignation.

"She was convinced I was hers and hers alone, and she would stop at nothing to keep me."

"How... how did you distance her?"

William lets out a cynical laugh, a sharp, mocking sound that lacks any humor.

"I didn't, initially. She was relentless, always finding new ways to worm her way back into my life. I thought I could handle her on my own, that I could keep her at bay... but I underestimated her."

He hesitates for a moment, the memory clearly weighing heavily on him.

"It all came to a head... one day, she showed up when... you and Ethan were here. I tried to handle her myself, and... it didn't go well."

"She came because of you?"

William nods, his expression growing darker at the memory, "she came here looking for me. She was convinced... no, obsessed, that we were meant to be together. And when she saw you and Ethan, she flipped completely. She accused me of betraying her, of choosing you and Ethan over her."

"But... you haven't seen her in a long time. Right?"

He nods again, a grim expression on his face.

"Right. I'd managed to keep her at bay, but she was always lingering on the fringes. But recently... she's become more aggressive. More desperate."

He takes a deep breath, his eyes flitting around the room as if searching for an escape.

"That's why I've been so secretive and distant as of late. I didn't want her to hurt you and Ethan... and I didn't want you to get caught in the cross fires."

You look at the floor, now feeling guilty with how you behaved, "I... I'm sorry."

As you apologise, William glances at you, his gaze softening slightly.

"It's not your fault," he reassures you. He steps closer, his hand lifting to gently cup your face, his touch tender and gentle.

"I should have told you sooner. I just... I wanted to keep you and Ethan safe. I thought I could handle it myself, without putting your lives at risk."

He leans in, pressing his forehead against yours.

"I'm also sorry, love. I'm sorry for putting you through all this."

William sighs softly, his lips brushing against your skin as his arms wrap around you, pulling you into a tight, protective embrace. His voice is a low, gruff murmur as he speaks.

"I promise I won't keep anything else from you. There are no more secrets between us, love."

He holds you close, breathing in the familiarity of you, the scent of your skin and the sound of your heartbeat, a comforting melody in his ears.