Love Between Chaos (Parisan Mafia #1)

4

Sabrina returned to the Stuart estate just as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a dim orange glow over the Parisian skyline. The gates closed behind her with a soft clang, and she felt the familiar weight of her family’s presence bearing down on her again. Her steps slowed as she approached the front door, dread building in her chest. She knew Lawrence would be waiting.

She had barely crossed the threshold when she heard his voice.

“Where were you?”

Lawrence appeared in the foyer, his arms crossed, his dark eyes fixed on her. His expression was hard, demanding answers.

Sabrina forced a calm smile. “I went for a walk. I needed some air.”

Lawrence’s eyes narrowed. “You’re lying.”

Her heart skipped a beat, but she kept her voice steady. “I’m not.”

He stepped closer, his gaze scrutinizing her every move. “I’ve known you my whole life, Sabrina. You’re hiding something.”

For a moment, Sabrina considered telling him the truth. Maybe he’d understand, maybe he wouldn’t immediately run to their father. But then she thought of Justine and the chaos that would ensue if Lawrence found out about their secret meetings. She couldn’t risk it.

“I’m not hiding anything,” she said, her voice firmer now. “I just needed some space. Is that so hard to believe?”

Lawrence’s jaw clenched. He stared at her for a long moment, the tension between them thick in the air. Finally, he sighed and stepped back. “Fine. But if I find out you’re up to something, I won’t hesitate to handle it.”

With that, he turned and walked away, leaving Sabrina standing alone in the foyer, her heart still racing. She knew Lawrence wouldn’t let this go. He would keep digging, keep watching her until he found something. And when he did, everything would unravel.

---

The next few days were a blur. Sabrina tried to go about her daily routine as normally as possible, but the constant fear of being found out hung over her like a dark cloud. She kept her interactions with Lawrence brief and avoided her father altogether. The last thing she needed was for Conrad Stuart to start paying closer attention to her activities.

Meanwhile, she and Justine communicated through cryptic text messages, careful not to reveal too much in case anyone was monitoring their phones. They knew they needed more information about their fathers' secret meetings, but gathering that intel without getting caught was proving to be difficult.

One evening, as Sabrina sat in her room, her phone buzzed with a message from Justine.

''I’ve got something. Meet me tomorrow at the same café.''

Sabrina’s heart skipped a beat. Finally, they had a lead. But the excitement was quickly replaced by anxiety. Meeting again was risky. Lawrence had been watching her like a hawk ever since their confrontation in the foyer, and she knew it would only be a matter of time before he grew suspicious of her frequent disappearances.

Still, she couldn’t let this opportunity pass. They needed answers, and she trusted Justine.

The next morning, Sabrina made sure to leave the house early, under the pretense of meeting with a friend. Lawrence didn’t question her this time, but she could feel his eyes on her as she walked out the door. Her heart raced as she made her way to the café.

---

When Sabrina arrived, Justine was already waiting, sitting at the same booth they had occupied during their last meeting. His expression was tense, and he barely looked up as she slid into the seat across from him.