Substitute Wife for the Mafia King R18-Chapter 405: Unexpected Arrival

**A few days later**

"How many times do I have to tell you? You can’t keep me locked up in here!" I yelled at the top of my lungs, my hands clenching into tight fists. I could feel the blood rushing to my face as anger and frustration took over.

Over the past few days, I had already lost count of the number of times Bradon and I had had this argument. For some reason that I could not comprehend, my life as a prisoner inside his household had resumed. There must have been a change in Bradon that I couldn’t fully understand-something that had led him to decide to keep me under house arrest. Going out was no longer an option, even if I was escorted.

"You may leave when I tell you that you can," Bradon replied with the same infuriatingly calm response he always gave, his tone ticking me off even more.

"Listen, I’m not doing this because I want to be selfish. If there’s a reason why you can’t let me go outside, then please just let me know, and I’ll try to be understanding," I said, taking deep breaths in an attempt to calm myself. I knew that yelling at Bradon wouldn’t lead to any kind of solution, but my multiple attempts to make things right between us had failed, leaving my emotions in complete turmoil.

"I might be back late today. Don’t wait up for me," Bradon told me, completely ignoring my question.

I stared at his back as he turned to leave, walking away just like he always did whenever I asked something important. By now, I had already gotten used to his lack of response and how he would immediately leave for work in the middle of our conversations. It reminded me of the old days when I first arrived at his mansion, only this time, it made my heart ache more than ever before.

Zain was left to guard me at the mansion like a loyal watchdog, along with a small army of Bradon’s men.

"I can assure you there are very good reasons for this," Zain told me in a low voice one evening when we were alone in the hallway.

"I know, but I just wish that he would tell me what’s going on," I whispered softly.

I knew very well that Zain was trying his best to comfort me, and I also knew that no matter what he personally wanted, he couldn’t go against Bradon’s orders. That meant he couldn’t provide me with any answers. Just like

Zain wanted me to believe, I wanted to believe that Bradon wasn’t doing this without good reason.

As I stood next to Zain in silence, we both realized there was nothing I could do but wait for Bradon’s return. Whatever storm was brewing outside, whatever he was facing, had no place for me. All I could do was wait for the storm to subside. Despite knowing that, it was difficult for me to remain at peace.

"He really doesn’t trust me," I muttered under my breath.

"I honestly don’t think that’s the case," Zain quickly spoke up in defense of his master.

I turned and gave Zain a weak smile because I wanted to believe his words and have faith in Bradon. However, I had to admit that it was difficult. I hated the fact that Bradon always kept me in the dark and locked me out whenever it truly mattered. I remained silent, trying to ignore the sinking feeling that developed in the pit of my stomach, as if it was trying to signal to me that something bad was about to happen.

Suddenly, a black limousine drove down the driveway. My eyes immediately widened as my heart skipped a beat with excitement. Bradon was finally home. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

At least, that was what I thought-until I felt Zain step in front of me, blocking my view as if shielding me from danger.

"Stay back. Better yet, you should head inside. Go to your room and don’t come out," he instructed in a tense tone before I could ask him anything.

"What is going on?" I asked, narrowing my eyes.

At first, I thought the black limousine looked similar to the one Bradon usually used to commute to work, but the way Zain was acting told me that whoever had just arrived was not his master.

"Don’t you think I should be here to greet the guests?" I asked teasingly, though my mind was racing with curiosity.

It wasn’t common for Bradon to have visitors-especially ones who would stir up such a reaction in Zain.

Regardless of what he had to say, I refused to step inside because I desperately wanted to know who the visitor was and what was making Zain react the way he was. The car came to a stop, and the driver stepped out to open the limousine door with a respectful bow of his head.

"Mr. Vulkan..." Zain said respectfully, bowing his head slightly.

Bradon’s father stepped out of the car-but he wasn’t alone. Mrs. Vulkan carefully made her entrance after her husband. I knew that Zain was in an awkward position because, for a moment, he didn’t seem quite sure whether or not the two of them were allowed into the house.

"Master Bradon isn’t here at the moment," Zain said respectfully.

The two of them completely ignored Zain as their eyes fell on me. The way their gazes traveled slowly from the top of my head to the tip of my toes and then back up again shook me to the core with a sense of unwelcoming disgust.

"Welcome," I said shortly.

Without saying a word to me, the two of them walked into the mansion as if I were nothing but thin air.

–To be continued...