Airella pov
I said to my brother you shouldn't be sorry, there's nothing you could've done. Vincent's voice broke the silence, "If I'd told you earlier, maybe you could've run away or something."
I shook my head, "There's no way I could've run away. Father and Don Luka would've found me in minutes and brought me back. And only God knows what they'd do to me if I dared to run off."
My brother's expression was grim. "The Don hasn't married you yet, so he won't get involved. It's only Father who'd look for you alone. Let's face it, Father doesn't really have the resources to look for you if you decide to run."
I thought to myself, I'm not as courageous as my brother. Besides, I couldn't just run away. It wasn't as easy as he made it sound. I don't know anywhere in the world; I've been sheltered all my life, only going to school and coming back home. The females in our world are taught to be good wives and obedient wives, that's it.
I've never really gone anywhere without bodyguards, I've never had the freedom to express myself or do what I want. Our internet access is limited, and there are some things I can't do on my phone.
My brother's words sounded like a fairy tale, but the reality was far from it. I was trapped, with no escape in sight.
I thought to myself, besides, I don't have the money or resources to run away. I don't know anywhere or anybody that I'd want to go to. The money I have, the ATM card is linked to my father, and if I use it, he'll get an alert. The friends I have are also trapped in this Mafia world, just like me.
Being a female in the Mafia world is the worst thing that can ever happen to you. Things are really difficult for females, you're just meant to marry, give birth, and take care of the house. I felt a wave of frustration and desperation wash over me. What's the point of even trying to escape? I'll just end up right back where I started.
My mind was racing with thoughts of my limited options. The Mafia world was all I knew, and it seemed like there was no way out.
My brother looked at me sadly and held my hands, trying to comfort me. After a while, he asked, "Okay, so what did our mother say about this? What was her opinion about this? Did she try to fight Dad about the issue?"
I shook my head. "No, she didn't do anything. She was just sitting there, with an expressionless face, agreeing with everything Father said. The one time she said something was when she side i should be honored that the mafia king want to marry me."
My brother's face twisted in anger. "I hate that woman so much you know? I wonder if she's our real mom, maybe she's just our stepmother and our real mom is gone or something."
I laughed a little, a bitter sound. "Well, now after what has happened, I hate her more. I don't know why she never stands up for us or protects us from Dad. She always supports Dad and agrees with him. She never helps us out in anything. She's just a stranger to us."
My brother's voice was filled with conviction. "I still think she's not our mom."
I raised an eyebrow. "The blonde hair and dimples are something she'd pass down. She's our mom, she just doesn't care. She's more of a wife than a mother."
I thought to myself, whenever my friends in school talk about their mothers, they speak with so much love and admiration. They talk about how their mothers stand up for them, help them talk to their fathers, and support them in everything. And I just feel sad and detached, because I can't relate. I've never experienced love or support from my mother.