Later that night, I walked through the east corridor of the Montecarlo estate, my body heavy and numb. The hallway was lined with portraits of dead men in dark suits, their painted eyes following anyone who passed.
Then I heard them.
Soft whispers.
Low giggles.
I turned slowly.
They stood there, all six of them, each holding a candle. The flickering flames cast strange shadows across their faces, making their smiles look twisted and unnatural.
"You told on us," Alessia said sweetly, her voice filled with hidden venom.
Gianna stepped forward, her eyes gleaming. Her chin tilted up and to the left. "Nonno punished us because of you."
"I didn't tell," I said quietly, trying to walk past them.
Matteo stepped in front of me, blocking my way. "You cried like a baby. We saw you."
"Where's your puppy now?" Nico added with a sneer. One shoulder lifted in that careless shrug of his.
My chest tightened, but I forced myself to stay calm. "Move."
"Or what?" Rocco smirked. "You'll run and complain again?"
"You're powerless now," Lucia said with a cold smile.
They began to circle me slowly.
Then they tilted their candles.
Hot wax dripped onto my skin.
I gasped as the burning drops hit my arms and neck, pain spreading instantly across my body.
Before I could react, a new voice echoed through the corridor.
"Children, that is not how we treat family."
I froze.
Valentina walked in calmly, as if she owned everything.
The woman they adored. The woman Enzo truly loved.
Her emerald satin robe shimmered under the corridor lights, her red hair flowing over her shoulders. She moved through the Montecarlo estate like a woman whose name was already on the deed.
"Mamma Valentina," the children cheered, running to her.
"My babies," she said gently, kissing their foreheads.
She finally looked at me, her smile soft but cold. "Oh. Seraphina. Still here?"
I clenched my fists. "What do you want, Valentina?"
She stepped closer, lowering her voice. "I heard about the dog. Such a shame. But maybe now you can focus on yourself."
"Move," I said.
She did not move.
Instead, she leaned in closer. Her fingertips drifted to the hollow of her throat, lingering there for half a breath before dropping away. "You poor thing. No family. No friends. No place here."
Before I could react, she grabbed my hair and yanked my head back.
I tried to scream, but her hand covered my mouth and nose, cutting off my breath.
Panic surged through me.