“It doesn’t hurt much anymore,” Vilem said, lifting his shirt to show Vivian the wound on his lower abdomen. “I just can’t walk fast. A few more days of rest and I’ll be fine.”


    Vivian’s eyes were red, holding back tears, “I’m so d you’re okay.”


    Vivian was delighted to see Vilem healthy and his wounds healing quickly, which was a good thing. Conflicts between Houston and Bratva urred daily, and Vilem needed to recover as quickly as possible to work better for jos, demonstrating his value.


    Conversing with Vilem was always a pleasure. He would approach Vivian openly, speaking gently to her. With Vilem, Vivian didn’t have to endure the coldness, alienation, or violence. Vilem also shared with her some of jos’s whereabouts-Vivian could only obtain this information through Mare or Vilem.


    Vilem was more forting than Mare, as he didn’t need to report to jos, and Vivian could get more news from him.


    Vivian didn’t understand why she was so concerned about jos. She told herself to “be friends with jos, don’t expect his love,” while she couldn’t help but yearn for the tender kisses and love she felt from jos on their wedding night. She couldn’t bear his endless aloofness.


    “Bratva attacked a warehouse in Houston; many people died.” Vilem raised his hands to rub his face, trying to soften his angry expression, “jos has been busytely, but it doesn’t look good.”


    Vilem, who had been healing for over a month, was surprisingly well-informed about the situation in Houston.


    Vivian, concerned, took his hand, “Did he tell you this to seek help from father?”


    Vilem nodded, “He will borrow more men from father.”


    “Will father agree?”


    “Father will demand something in return.”


    What could Houston have that would repay father? Money? Women?


    Vivian thought of Luzia, “Luzia…”


    Vilem told her father’s decision, “They’ve moved up Luzia and Joseph’s wedding date. The engagement will be announced soon.”


    “What?” Vivian stood up in shock. She knew Luzia would leave her eventually, but she didn’t expect it to be so soon; she hadn’t been able to do anything for Luzia yet.


    “I know you’re close to Luzia and don’t want her to marry Joseph,” Vilem sighed, “but it’s father’s decision, and we can’t change it.”


    “No, how can this be!” Vivian eximed. “Luzia is such a beautiful and bright girl, how can she marry Joseph? Joseph is a devil, a cruel executioner; he’ll ruin Luzia.”


    “She has no choice, neither do we.” Vilem embraced Vivian. He knew Vivian had many regrets marrying jos; she didn’t want Luzia to fall into the same predicament, but, “The family has raised us, given us wealth, estates, and servants. This alles at a price. Boys be warriors, fighting for the family for life; girls offer their chastity for alliances. It’s our destiny.”


    “To hell with destiny.” Vivian kicked a table, not strong enough to overturn it, but making a significant noise, drawing Mare’s probing gaze-as he said, he needed to protect Vivian’s safety at all times, even now, with her brother in front of her.


    “She’s my only friend here, brother,” Vivian cried in Vilem’s arms, “this marriage makes me feel hopeless. Luzia is the only one who can apany me, bringing me joy. I can’t save her, and now I’m losing her.”


    Hearing his sister’s painful sobs, Vilem felt very ufortable, “Did he hit you? Is he treating you badly? Did he… force you?”


    “If I say yes, can you take me away? Can you give me a one-way ticket to Norway?”


    “If that’s what you want.” Vilem looked into her eyes, their identical blue eyes staring intently at each other.


    Vivian sobbed, “He would kill you.”


    “If you ask me to.”


    “No.” Vivian shook her head, grateful for Vilem’s willingness to risk his life for her, but she couldn’t, “He hasn’t.”


    Vilem fell silent for a while, “Okay.”


    “Will jos get hurt?”


    “Don’t worry, he’s very capable,” Vilem assured, “and he has many bodyguards protecting him.”


    “Will he talk about me with you guys?”


    “No, men don’t specifically talk about their wives with other men. Unless it’s to boast about their bravery in bed.”


    Vivian widened her eyes athim.


    Vilem stroked her hair, “But jos won’t. He’s a Capo, his lofty status doesn’t allow him to talk about his wife, nor allow her name to be mentioned by other irrelevant men.” If anyone did, jos would execute hisw, killing them.


    Vivian slumped back onto the couch, frustrated, “I don’t know what he wants, I know nothing about his affairs.”


    “This is family business, you don’t need to know.”


    “Why? Because I’m a girl?” Vivian red at him angrily.


    “Yes.” Vilem smoothed her hair, looking into her beautiful eyes, “jos is a powerful Capo, he’s busy with the family’s business, battling his enemies. Just like father, he faces Bratva and other family foes; it’s very dangerous.”


    “Every day?”


    “Yes, every day.” Vilem said solemnly, “I know it’s cruel, you might think we’re bloodthirsty, it might disgust you, you might not ept it. Vivian, this is our job. jos is always fighting; he can’t stop. To stop for him means death.”


    “But…”


    “You don’t need to think too much; just live happily.” Vilem said, “You can go to the library, go shopping, maybe you need some social events, make new friends to distract yourself.”


    Vivian poured herself a cup of tea, “I’ve enrolled in online courses.”


    “That’s good.”


    “Your expression tells me you don’t quite agree.”This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    Vilem took the tea and drank, “It’s mainly because I don’t quite understand the purpose of you continuing to study. Getting a degree won’t be very useful for you; you can’t go out to work, and jos will make a lot of money, you don’t have to worry about money.”


    “I just want to keep myself busy,” Vivian said helplessly, “I don’t want to go to the library or attend social events.”


    “Alright.” Vilem supported her decision, “As long as you don’t cause trouble for yourself.”


    “In fact, I can’t even cause trouble; I can’t even meet my ssmates,” Vivian said, “because I can’t go to school to attend offline sses, jos would never agree.”


    Vilem stayed in the apartment for a long time; he had lunch with Vivian, watched TV, yed games, and had tea in the afternoon. Vivian asked him to stay for dinner, but he declined.