Bound by Betrayal (The Mafia King Captive Bride)

Olivia’s POV:

Sliding off the car, I let out a sigh and gazed straight ahead. Right in front of me stood Daniel Harlow’s house, and as I looked behind me, a lingering smirk played on my lips. I stretched my right hand forward, slowly running my fingers over the sleek surface of the red BMW 7 Series, savoring its smoothness. Knowing that this was once Ashley’s favorite car brought a bright spark to my mood.

This was actually my dream car too! But of course, our father had to go and get it for his precious legitimate daughter. Ugh, typical. And then, after everything that went down that night, fueled by anger, our father took away all her stuff – the cars, the fancy luxury jewelry, and even her access to this building. It was a real mess…. She was only left with nothing aside from her clothes.

Smirking, I recall how she would shamelessly show off all her cars on social media, living it up with a carefree lifestyle, going clubbing, and feeling like she owned the world. And let’s not forget about her father’s money. He didn’t hesitate to spend his fortune on her, while my mom and I were kept hidden and treated like outsiders. It was so unfair. We were always treated differently, living in shame without the same privileges she had. And to top it off, there was always this constant comparison between the two of us. It was exhausting, to say the least.

I smiled bitterly, remembering how Margret always goes on and on about her, calling her the “Decent young maiden of the Harlow family.” It was like she couldn’t help but praise her every chance she got, especially when I was around. And of course, she had to give her a laundry list of reasons why she was supposedly better than me. It was so frustrating and hurtful.

But that night was a total shocker! I mean, it had the potential to leave everyone speechless. But instead of facing the consequences, Daniel Harlow thought he could be all sneaky and send her off to marry Damien. Little did he know that it would backfire big time and he ended up losing his own company in the process.

As I nodded my head bitterly, my gaze lifted and fixated on the building before me. My purpose here was clear – to make Ashley endure the same pain and suffering that my mother and I had endured… the anguish of growing up without a father’s love. I wanted her to feel the weight of being deemed unworthy no matter what she did. And now, my next move was to seize control of my father’s other properties, ensuring that the names on those deeds would be switched to mine. It was time for Ashley to face the consequences of her actions.

With a smile playing on my lips, I closed the car door and confidently made my way inside. As soon as I stepped through the entrance, one of the male servants approached me, offering a polite greeting with a slight bow. “Good day, miss…” he said respectfully.

With a smile of satisfaction on my face, I handed him my handbag and asked him to take it to my room. I then gracefully removed my coat and handed it to him as well, gently pushing him aside. It felt empowering to finally receive the respect I had worked so hard for.

“Hello, miss…… welcome, please what would you like to have?”

Just as the cook was about to ask me something, my attention was abruptly diverted by the sound of my mother’s furious voice echoing through the building. It instantly grabbed my attention and I turned towards the source, curious to know what had provoked her anger.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

“Can you for once consider Olivia worthy?”

“She is out there flaunting cars and leaving recklessly knowing quite well that we aren’t that financially stable and fit to continue pulling up with that lifestyle!!”

I felt a lump forming in my throat as my father’s angry screams echoed in my ears. The disappointment in his voice was undeniable, and it pained me to realize that he never saw me as worthy. I couldn’t help but wonder what I had done to deserve such treatment from him.

“She wasn’t the one that pulled you down. So better not transfer your frustration to her,” my mother yelled back. “The same girl that you have been flaunting in your social media and presenting as your next heir. The descent daughter of yours was the one that dragged you to the mud and had your million dollars fortune company stripped off you in a swift of thought,”

A smile instantly spreads across my face, erasing the sadness that had engulfed me. I’ve always trusted my mother to deliver the perfect comeback, and it seems like she’s silenced Daniel Harlow with her words. With the building now quiet, I take a moment to bask in the satisfaction before confidently walking in.

“Olivia!!”

As I walked through the door, my mother’s eyes lit up and she rushed over to embrace me in a warm hug. “You looked so stressed, my dear,” she said, studying my face with concern. I gave her a small smile, grateful for her presence. Turning to face my father, I greeted him with a polite but cautious tone, “Good day, father…”

Ignoring me, he trailed his gaze from my head to toe, “Where are you coming from?” He almost latched out.

But my mom’s voice was quick to cut through the tension, reprimanding my father with a sharp “Daniel!” I gently placed a hand on my mom’s arm, silently urging her to calm down. Deep down, all I ever wanted was my father’s love and acceptance, to be seen and cherished just like Ashley.

I can clearly see the way my mom and him glare at each other. Even after what happened, he was quick to marry her off, not ready to have her bear the shame. But deep down, I know the reverse could be the case if it was me in the picture. It’s just so frustrating and unfair, you know? I just want to be treated with the same love and respect as Ashley, regardless of the situation.

“Hmm… Coming from the birthday party of Senator Juan’s son,” I replied, putting on my best fake smile.

He suspiciously glanced at me before switching on the television for his night news, “How did you get invited?”

“What do you mean, Daniel?” My mom snapped back but I instantly held her hand stopping her from saying any other words. “That was a harmless question,” he was quick to defend before rolling his eyes.

Gulping hard, I muttered, “You’re right, Dad. It’s just a harmless question. I went with Mason.” I could feel my heart racing as I revealed the truth.

“Mason,” he repeated the word like he didn’t hear the first word well, “Which Mason?” He questioned, turning to look at me.

“Mason Grayson,” I shrugged, feeling a knot tighten in my stomach. But all I could get from my dad was surprise, shock, and disappointment. “That was once your sister’s fiancé,” he rebuked.

“Yeah, but they broke up before we started dating,” I lied.

“Still, you shouldn’t have, he was almost your sister’s husband,” he reprimanded once again.

“He was almost before she blew it all off, besides I don’t think that the girl still deserves to be addressed as one of this household!” My mom tackled my father, glaring at him. “At least for once, Daniel Harlow, appreciate the daughter in front of you that wasn’t a whore!”

“It still doesn’t justify her actions….. Going to her sister’s ex-boyfriend?”

“I rebuke a whore for being my daughter’s sister…. You should thank the young responsible man for still wanting a maiden from this household, at least he finds my daughter worthy unlike some street whores,” I silently smiled at my mother’s last remark, especially seeing the helpless look on my father’s face.

But before he could say a word, the anchorwoman from the television broke a news that pulled all our attention. “It was amazing to see cold-hearted Damien Albrecht so clingy and lovely again with his new wife, Ashley Albrecht last night after his fall out with his ex for years now,”

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. My heart sank, and a mix of emotions washed over me. I felt a surge of anger, and sadness all at once. I suddenly felt my heart clench at the headline, and the sweet comments below the caption. Slowly I turned and noticed how the disappointment in my father’s eyes slowly switched to adoration and happiness, and that crushes me deeply. It shows that he still has a soft spot for her despite everything that happened. Do I even have a chance?

“Hmm…. Olivia,” my mother turned to look at me. “Didn’t you say that you went to the party, so you met this family misfortune,” her question pulled everyone’s attention, including me. I could see how much anger was swirling in my father’s eyes immediately after those words left my mother’s lips. He feels like strangling her.

“Hmm, yeah… yeah,” I stammered, but my mother raised a brow. “Wow! How could the anchorwoman be this cunning,” I suddenly exaggerated, acting shocked.

“What is it?” My father asked, looking at my surprised face.

Shaking my head, I let out the beastly side of me. “Your whore of a daughter…”

I didn’t get to finish when my father suddenly interrupted me with a stern warning, “Olivia…”

“Daniel!” My mother yelled back, making my father turn to look at her. Surprised at her sudden outburst, “Allow the child,” she said to him, I silently smiled.

Things were tense for a while before I cleared my throat. “Sorry, Daddy, but she disappointed me,” I pulled up a fake hurtful expression which I am sure only my mom noticed. “She was found in a man’s hotel room after she lied to Damien that she wanted to use the restroom. I was with them throughout the party,” I fabricated with a sad smile.

“Even with Mason, ” he inquired.

“Come on, daughter,” my mom said, “What happened,”

Shrugging, I flipped my lashes innocently at him. “She had no problem seeing us together. She had earlier told me then when she was still in the house that she never loved him but wanted to marry him because of you,” I smiled, seeing the shock on his face.

“She and Damien were both clingy and sweet at the party before she was captioned in a hotel room on one of Damien’s adversary’s bed. This really caused a huge commotion at the party but as normal Damien has everything swept down the carpet at least his action will save us all from endless shame,” I said the last word with so much innocence that you could call me an angel when silently savoring the shock and disappointment on their faces.

“Damnit,” Daniel Harlow smacks his fist on the couch, “How shameless!!” He murmured.

“Oh! How thoughtful of Damien,” my mom heaved out a sigh but I just shrugged.

Looking away, a malicious smile slowly gleamed on my face. Just slow… Slow and I will destroy you, Ashley!