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“…you’ll be the first one I kill,” she says, her lips forming a determined pout before she turns on her heel and disappears upstairs.

I remain frozen for a few seconds before suddenly chuckling to myself like a madman.

This woman…

Sometimes, I don’t know what to make of her. One moment, she’s the most fragile thing in need of protection, and the next, she’s a tigress ready to fight for those she loves.

My gaze shifts back to the hallway where Sasha disappeared with Sienna.

Since the Floros sisters arrived, I don’t know what to make of him either.

I suddenly hear footsteps echoing on the stairs, and I know it’s not Selina—these are lighter than hers. I lift my gaze and frown as I see Rafael coming down, tears streaming down his face.

“Mamma ?” he calls weakly, his voice filled with confusion as he descends.

I move toward him, crouching to his level, but he hesitates when he sees me.

“What’s wrong, little man ?” I ask, gently taking his trembling hand.

“Where isMamma? Did the monster take her ?” he asks, warm tears running down his cheeks. I stare at him, trying to grasp the meaning of his words.

“I… no, your mamma is fine. She’s upstairs ; she’ll be down soon,” I reassure him, wrapping an arm around his frail shoulders.

He buries his face against my chest, sniffling softly.

“He won’t use his belt on Mamma anymore, right ? She won’t scream?” he suddenly asks, his small voice trembling.

Every muscle in my body tenses at his words.

“What… belt ? What are you talking about ?” I ask, my jaw tightening as a slow, seething rage starts to consume me.

“Rafael ?”

Selina’s soft voice calls from the top of the stairs, and we both turn. She stands a few steps above us, holding a set of clothes in her uninjured hand.

“Mamma !” Rafael cries before racing up the stairs toward her.

I straighten slowly, struggling to suppress the violent fury threatening to take over.

Images flash through my mind—images of this delicate, beautiful woman screaming, crying, suffering.

I don’t know if I’ll be ready to let them go when the time comes in a few weeks.

But one thing is certain—

The next time I cross paths with Antonio Rasili, I will kill him.

Chapter thirteen

Selina

The cool night air made me sigh in relief as I stepped out of the hospital after a long shift. Several emergencies had come in throughout the night, leaving me with no time to rest. My feet protested with every step, making me groan.

I finally reached the parking lot, walking toward my little canary-yellow car—the one my sister never stopped ridiculing. She practically ignored me whenever I picked her up from school, claiming I embarrassed her by showing up in my “rolling chick.” That little brat.

I jumped when headlights suddenly flared behind me, casting my shadow long and distorted. My heartbeat skyrocketed as I turned, squinting into the blinding light. The back door of a sleek car swung open, and a man stepped out, approaching with his hands buried in his pockets. As his features became clear, I froze.

Antonio Rasili.