The Mafia King of Philadelphia: From witness to his doted wife

By the time Viktor returned to the Kessler mansion, the house was quiet. He went upstairs first. Sienna was still asleep. He stood in the doorway for a moment and watched her. She hadn’t even noticed that he had left.

Her breathing was slow and peaceful, her face relaxed against the pillow. Viktor quietly closed the door again.

She needed the sleep. Instead of waking her, he went downstairs and called a private chef. If Sienna was going to spend the day recovering, he wanted her to eat properly.

A little while later, the kitchen became busy.

The chef prepared several dishes, carefully choosing food that would be filling without being too heavy. Viktor stayed nearby, giving instructions here and there.

”Not too spicy.”

”Yes, sir.”

”And make sure everything is fresh.”

”Of course.” He tasted one of the dishes and nodded.

”That one is good.” The chef smiled. ”I’m glad you approve.”

”Add a little more of that sauce.”

”Yes, sir.” Viktor glanced toward the staircase. ”She likes simple food.” The chef nodded. ”I’ll keep that in mind.”

By the time everything was finished, the dining table looked almost like it was prepared for a celebration. The chef cleaned up and left. Viktor remained in the dining room. He had barely taken a seat when he heard footsteps coming down the stairs.

He turned. Sienna appeared, still looking slightly sleepy. Her hair was loose, and she was wearing comfortable clothes.

She paused when she saw the table. Her eyes widened. ”What is all this?” Viktor smiled.

”You’re right on time.” Sienna walked closer.

”Food?”

”Food.” Her face immediately brightened.

”Great, I guess the aroma woke me up.” She looked over the table. ”You made all this?” Viktor pulled out a chair for her.

”Well...” He gave her a small smile. ”I got a little help.” Sienna looked at him suspiciously.

”A little help?” Viktor nodded toward the empty kitchen. ”The chef might disagree with the word little.” Sienna laughed softly.

”This is quite a feast.”

”Yes.” He waited until she sat down before pushing the chair in gently. ”I figured you deserved one.” Sienna looked up at him.

For a moment, she simply smiled. Viktor watched her. That smile was enough to make the endless files, the office, the Don, the missing blood samples, and every unanswered question disappear from his mind for a few seconds.

At least for now, she was safe. And that was all he cared about.

Sienna sat down and immediately started eating.

She seemed to enjoy everything on the table. She took her time, trying a little of almost everything the chef had prepared.

Across from her, Viktor barely touched his food. He simply watched her. After a few minutes, Sienna noticed.

”Won’t you eat?”

”I’m not really hungry,” Viktor replied. Sienna paused with her fork halfway to her mouth. There was something about the smile on his face that didn’t quite match his words. It was a small, controlled smile, but there was something behind it.

She tried to read him. She couldn’t. And she decided not to press him. Instead, she continued eating.

”I feel refreshed,” she said after a while. ”I think I should go back to the hospital and check on Aria.”

”She’s doing well,” Viktor said. ”The others are doing well too.” Sienna nodded.

”That’s good.”

”You need more rest.”

”I know,” she admitted. ”But Dr. Philips and I have something to discuss.” Viktor’s eyes narrowed slightly. He knew she wasn’t planning to return to the hospital only because of Aria.

There was something else on her mind. Before he could ask, he decided to tell her part of what had happened. ”Yeah. Dr. Philips called.” Sienna looked up.

”Someone took your blood sample from the lab,” Viktor said. ”And they also took the analysis sheet.”

He watched her carefully. He wanted to know how she would react. He wanted to know how much of the truth she could handle.

But Sienna didn’t look surprised. She simply nodded. ”I see.” Viktor’s expression changed slightly. Again?

Sienna picked up a chicken thigh with both hands and took a bite. Viktor continued watching her.

”You’re not surprised?” Sienna slowly chewed before answering.

”No.” She wiped her fingers with a napkin.

”At first, I thought it was just a simple mistake at the hospital. Maybe someone misplaced the sample or the paperwork.” She paused.

”But now...” Her expression became more serious. ”It appears that it’s not a mistake.”

Viktor said nothing. Sienna took another bite of the chicken. ”I need to speak to that Carina girl.” Viktor’s eyebrow lifted.

”Carina?” Sienna nodded. ”You know where I can find her?” For a moment, Viktor simply stared at her. Carina. So Sienna knew about her. But how? And more importantly, how much did she know?

He remembered Carina’s words. She’s a key. Viktor leaned back slightly in his chair, studying his wife.

”When did you hear about Carina?” Sienna swallowed and looked at him.

”I didn’t hear about her.”

”Then how do you know her name?” A small silence settled between them. Sienna reached for her glass of water.

”I looked into her.” Viktor’s expression hardened slightly.

”You looked into her?”

”Yes.”

She took a sip.

”After she came to the lab, something about her didn’t feel right. Dr. Philips said she helped with the analysis, but I don’t buy that the way she seemed to know things she shouldn’t have known...”

Sienna placed the glass down. ”So I did a little digging.” Viktor remained silent. ”And?” he finally asked.

”I found out she works with Don Konstantin.” That answer made Viktor’s jaw tighten. Sienna noticed.

”You know something about her too, don’t you?” Viktor didn’t answer immediately. For the first time since they sat down, Sienna stopped eating.

She watched him carefully. The silence between them suddenly felt heavier than it had a few minutes ago.

”Viktor?” He looked at her.

And for a moment, he wondered whether the truth he had been trying to protect her from was already standing right in front of her.