The Mafia’s Forgotten Daughter. The Desert King’s Jewel Chapter 04

The Mafia’s Forgotten Daughter. The Desert King’s Jewel Chapter 04

The commotion behind me hit like a wave.

Vescari guards scrambled out of the way—like lapdogs—rushing to open the door.

An older man stepped out. Authority radiated off him, hot as a desert heat wave.

I looked up, hope surging—

Then our eyes met. My heart plummeted straight to the floor.

Not my adoptive father.

It was Victor Vescari. My biological father. The current Mafia Don of North America.

For a second, something soft flickered in his eyes—maybe pity, maybe guilt. After all, I had the same face as his dead wife.

But two heartbeats later, it was gone. His face hardened back to stone.

Camille ran to him and grabbed his arm. “Daddy, Monica’s bullying me.”

Victor didn’t say a word. He strode forward and slapped me twice—fast and brutal.

I clutched my face, staring at him with pure hatred. I truly, utterly hated him.

Just like ten years ago. No questions. No truth. Just his violence.

“Do you know what today is! If you’re going to cause trouble, at least pick the right time!”

“If Farid Al-Nassar gets angry, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

“Ten years gone, and you haven’t improved at all. You don’t deserve the Vescari name!”

I gritted my teeth against the sting. “I never wanted your name anyway!”

His expression turned even colder—just like the day I was first brought back. “You think these stubborn little acts will win you any favor? Just childish defiance!”

Rafael stepped closer and quietly filled him in.

When he finished, Victor’s palm came down again. My head snapped to the side, blood streaming from my nose.

“Useless trash. The Vescari family has no daughter like you!”

Rafael shoved my face toward the melted ice cream on the ground.

“Since you love cheap garbage so much—lick it up.”

“And while you’re at it, admit you’re a homewrecking slut. Apologize to Camille.”

Camille held up my necklace like a trophy.

“If you want it so badly? Do what he says, and maybe I’ll give it to you. On behalf of the Al-Nassar Future Matriarch.”

Humiliation burned through me like fire.

But that necklace—it was my adoptive mother’s—

“Fine! I’ll lick it!”

I dropped to my knees and pressed my tongue to the sticky, melting mess. Once. Twice.

Bitter tears rolled down my face. The crowd laughed. Phones clicked, recording everything.

I swallowed every ounce of shame and stood up. “Give me back my necklace.”

Camille smiled—vicious, cruel—

Then she raised her hand and tossed it straight into the trash can.

Without thinking, I lunged forward, half my body diving into the garbage. I reached desperately—

She kicked the can hard.

I tumbled all the way in.

But I rolled right back out. Trash stuck to my dress, my hair, my skin.

Victor pinched his nose in disgust.

“Get her somewhere out of sight. Farid Al-Nassar will be here any minute. If he sees this filth…”

He waved his hand.

A woman stepped out from behind him.

The moment I saw her face, I almost screamed.

Elena—my nightmare from the dump. The one who stole my life!

She walked toward me, a cold smile spreading slowly across her face.

“Little brat. Come with me now.”

“No—I won’t—”

I struggled, my knees going weak. I stumbled—

A pair of warm arms caught me.

I looked up, surprise lighting my eyes.

“Zayn, help me!”