in

ering like the haunted memories of the high-profile t

same faces that had allowed me to lose everything just days before. My fists clenche

, knowing there were bi

ir was thick with tension, every step echoing in the silent space. Then, out of the

da un po'." Lo

roz

ay, my chest constricting, every breath a struggle against the rising panic that threatened to consume me. I staggered bac

om me - was my mother. Her b

ogance that bordered on insanity. He stood there like a god, looking down on

The word tore through me as I cradled her body, my fingers trembling as

h a sadistic delight. "Isn't that the best surprise ever?" His voice dripped with mockery. "Perhaps

" My voice cracked, barely able to contain the storm within me.

ce, right? I never thought I would see you cry like this. After all, you've taken the same toll on others. What do you

aid nothing. I could barely look at him, my

d I." He paused for a moment, clearly savoring my pain. "I know what you can do, but I

move. "Damsel, I'm the leader of the Dante family - Mafia. We control the hardest drugs in the market. But it's not just that. There

unding in my ears. "No, Francesco.

e barked out an order. "Time's

body was weak, my spirit drained by the grief, and I could barely hold my

ing dragged away, out of my reach, disapp

lay in front of Francesco. With everything I had left, I lunged at him. But he was faster. H

open, my body limp. A primal scream tore throu

inctively went to my head, where the pain throbbed like a pulse, steady and unforgiving. The roo

ring its catch. "Hope the journey wasn't too stressful." He

"Do you think this is a joke?" My voice cracked, my

le never faltering. "I'm not here for

e hand, a tablet in the other. "Take this,"

! Stop whatever you're doing!" I struggled to stand, to escape him, b

liberate slowness, he reached for a small black bottle from the t

cupping my chin with his cold, cruel hands. His fingers dug into my skin

sed in protest, but I couldn't stop him. The poison - Deadly Nig

r to

, watching with sadistic pleasure as

my mouth, and I could do nothing but cry. My vision blurred as

like a death sentence. "Sometimes, the person you once loved may end up

really was," I whispered, my v

e no comfort to offer you. Your little p

managed to say, my voice barel

ess is the key when you have a willful mindset. I kno

the words left my lips, doubt gnawed a

ured whiskey into a glass, savoring the slow, deliberate motion. He

by the devil's grace." My words hung

ing closer to the doom awaiting us both. But deep inside,

e wasn'

ould regret eve