Chapter 28-Gabriel's pov(part 2)

I made good on my promise to my father. I attended the succession lectures with renewed dedication, soaking up every word and strategy. I even put in appearances at social events, playing the part of the dutiful son.

But my passion for basketball, once a burning fire, had dwindled to a smoldering ember. I still played, but my heart wasn't in it. My mind was elsewhere, with her.

Our weekly meetings became the highlight of my week. I'd find excuses to slip away, to steal a few moments with her. But even when we were apart, I made sure she was taken care of. I sent people to her every day, some to drop off food in the dumpster, others to stand around and wait to be pickpocketed. It was a small way for me to stay connected to her, to ensure she knew she wasn't alone.

Those small acts were my lifeline, the one thing that kept me going in a world that seemed determined to suffocate me. And as long as I had her, I knew I could face whatever came next.

As the weeks turned into months, our routine became a well-oiled machine. My people would drop off food and stand around to be stolen from, and she would collect them from the dumpster without questioning how it got there.

I'd watch from afar, a mix of emotions swirling in my chest. Pride, because she was thriving, growing stronger and more confident with each passing day. Guilt, because I couldn't be there for her in person, couldn't hold her hand or wipe away her tears. And longing, because I yearned to be with her, to feel her warmth and her smile.

I took my first life at fourteen, a pivotal moment that left an indelible mark. The trauma threatened to consume me, but I knew I had to maintain a facade of strength. Weakness wasn't an option, not when I had someone depending on me.

As I navigated the dark world of my family's organization, I began to take on more responsibility. Wu, my father's loyal right-hand man, had grown old. His body, worn from years of violence, could no longer keep pace. I knew it was time for him to step down. He soon did and handed over to his replacement.

Wu's past was marked by tragedy. His family, brutally murdered by a rival organization, had driven him to seek revenge. He joined my family's organization when it was still in its infancy, and together they exacted vengeance, rising to become powerful figures.

Despite his tough exterior, Wu confided in me about his desire to leave the violence behind. He yearned for an ordinary life, free from the constant threat of death. I understood his longing and wanted to help him achieve it.

My sources kept me informed about Betty's life, and every report broke my heart. Her parents' maltreatment, her daily struggles... I wanted to help her, but the deal with my dad was clear: I had to watch over her from afar.

I considered paying her parents to treat her better, but I knew it would be a waste of time. They were beyond redemption. So, I focused on finding other ways to help her.

But what really ignited my determination to protect her was when my father bought her from her parents and took her to a brothel, just to mess with me. He knew how much I cared for her, and he used that against me. I had to buy her out, just to save her from that horrific fate.

And that wasn't the first or only time. Her parents made it a habit to sell her off whenever they needed money, and every time, I had to buy her out. It was a vicious cycle, and I knew I had to put a stop to it. I sent people to threaten her parents, warning them to never sell her again.

When I entered college at seventeen, I knew my dad had chosen a school far from Cedar Creek to keep me away from Betty. But I wasn't going to let distance stop me. I continued to keep tabs on her through Pete and others.

The final blow came when I was eighteen. Her parents had abandoned her, leaving her to die in the cold. Luckily, Pete took to a small house on Avenue Street for treatment.

That was when Ryan, my childhood friend and confidant, suggested sending someone to stay with her. He was right; she couldn't go back to her parents. So, I asked Wu, my father's former right-hand man, to take care of her until she became an adult. Wu was eager to leave the mafia world behind and start anew.

But my father was not pleased with this development. He sent his escorts to fetch me, and I knew I was in for a confrontation.

I walked into the dimly lit room, the air thick with tension. My father sat behind his massive desk, his eyes blazing with anger. "You think you're clever, don't you?" he spat. "But you're not clever enough to outsmart me, boy. I'll kill that little girl, Betty, and then I'll simply take Wu back. No one will dare to stand in my way."

I met his gaze, my mind racing. Something didn't feel right. My father's anger seemed... calculated. I had a sudden realization - he wasn't truly furious. He was measuring me.

A slow smile spread across my face as I asked, "Tell me, Father... are you angry that I stole Wu from under your nose, or are you proud that I finally have the guts to stand up to you?"

My father's expression faltered for a moment, and I saw a flicker of surprise in his eyes. He hadn't expected me to call him out like that.

Then, his face hardened again, and he sneered at me. "You think you're clever, don't you?" he said. "But you're just a foolish child, playing at being a man. You don't know the first thing about standing up to me."

I shrugged, my smile still plastered on my face. "Maybe not," I said. "But I do know that I've finally done something that's gotten your attention. And that's all that matters, isn't it?"

My father's eyes narrowed, and he took a step closer to me. "You're playing with fire, boy," he growled. "And you're going to get burned."

I stood my ground, refusing to back down. "I'm not afraid of you, Father," I said, my voice steady. "Because I know that you won't hurt Betty."

My father's eyes flashed with anger, but I could see the faintest glimmer of curiosity in their depths. He was intrigued by my boldness, and he wanted to know more.

"Why not?" he asked, his voice low and menacing. "Why do you think she's safe from me?"

I smiled again, feeling a sense of power and control that I'd never felt before. "Because she has something you want," I said. "Something you need. And as long as she has it, you'll keep her around."

My father's eyes narrowed, his gaze piercing. "What are you talking about, boy?" he growled.

But I just smiled and shook my head. "You'll figure it out, Father," I said. "You're a smart man. And when you do, we'll talk again."

And with that I walked out of his office.