114 Seek revenge

"It was a long time ago when I was seventeen or eighteen," Vladimir began, his voice tinged with a mixture of sorrow and resentment. He moved closer to Linda and settled beside her on the couch. "I joined the mafia because of my father. He was abusive. He had a lot of influence in the mafia world, and he would beat my mother every evening when he returned home." "I couldn't protect her," he confessed, his eyes clouded with pain. "Every time I tried to intervene, he would turn his anger on me as well." Linda's heart ached for Vladimir as he shared his painful memories. "Your mother," she said softly. "Where is she now?" Vladimir shook his head sadly. "He killed her," he revealed, his voice heavy with grief. "She's dead." The news hit Linda like a weight in the pit of her stomach. She couldn't fathom how a father could commit such a heinous act against his own family. "Why did his hatred grow to the point where he would kill his own wife?" she asked, her voice barely above a