Chapter 2

Mara

Once Enea was smiling again, chocolate gelato smeared across his nose, I stepped outside and called Corrado's encrypted line.

It rang three times before Alba answered, breathless and panicked. "Hey, please don't yell at him! The alarm tripped and I panicked and stepped on some broken glass. He's wrapping my foot up right now. His phone was ringing on the counter. Did you need something?"

Something deep inside my mind snapped cleanly in two.

Years of suppressed agony, betrayal, and venom evaporated, leaving behind a chilling, absolute calm.

Corrado's gentle voice came through behind her: "Keep pressure on it. Do we need to bring the doctor over?"

That softness froze the blood in my veins.

Four years ago, I became his shadow, fighting back-to-back with him in bloody warehouses. Four years ago, he secretly bound me to him with a marriage contract.

He had never, not once, used that tender voice with me or our son.

"Never mind," I said, and killed the call.

I returned to the booth.

"This is the best one yet!" Enea grinned, chocolate coating his chin.

I pulled a small wrapped box from my coat and pushed it across the table. "Make a wish for me, birthday boy".

I sang softly as Enea opened his gift, his face bright again. When I leaned over to wipe his face, he pressed a tiny foil sticker onto my cheek.

I froze.

He giggled. "You need to smile more, Mama. Promise?"

The innocence of his request hit me like a physical blow, blurring my vision. I pulled him into a fierce hug, my throat tight. "I promise. Cross my heart".

I pulled out my phone and took a selfie. Just the two of us in the frame—the only true family we had ever been.

Later that night, I tucked Enea into his bed. I watched his chest rise and fall before walking into the study, opening the wall safe, and pulling out the severance papers I had drawn up weeks ago.

My last shred of hesitation was gone.

At 1:00 AM, Corrado came in and noticed the foil sticker on my cheek. Guilt flickered across his face. "Look, things went south downtown..."

"It was his fifth birthday," I interrupted coldly. "You gave him your absolute word. And you abandoned him".

He opened his mouth. "I'm flying out to Vegas tomorrow. I'll pick him up a souvenir to even the score".

I offered a tight half-smile, saying nothing.

He packed a tactical duffel with his phone against his ear, his voice turning warm. "Almost done. Keep the doors locked until I get there".

Alba's sugary whine bled through the speaker. "Please hurry. Every shadow in this house is freaking me out".

I placed the severance papers on the glass desk and opened to the final page. "Put your name on the dotted line, Corrado".

Without reading the header, he took the gold pen and signed. "I'm running late. Let the guards know if you need anything".

And like that, he was gone.

I stood in the quiet house, staring at his ink on my freedom. Four years of chains. You finally got your out, I thought. And so did I.

For the next two days, I went dark while the extraction orders processed. I packed only what belonged to me and Enea, leaving Corrado's suits, weapons, and files untouched. The fortress was massive, yet there was barely any sign he lived there.

Once my exit was approved, I went to headquarters to return my keys and met Corrado outside the elevator.

He smiled and pulled a wrapped box from his coat. "Got this for the kid. Figured a five-year-old would go crazy for it".

I opened the lid. Resting inside was a heavy replica revolver.

I stared at it. He was utterly clueless. Enea was terrified of loud noises and hated guns. He loved the piano, chess, and quiet gardens. Yet his father was casually handing him a weapon.

I left the box on the reception desk. "Sure. He'll put it to good use".

Confusion crossed Corrado's face, but he quickly moved on. "Listen. Alba's spot isn't secure anymore. I need to stash her here for the week. Take Enea and check into the Plaza on the Family dime until things cool off".

My lips curved. "Don't worry about it. We were already leaving".

He blinked. "Wait. You're fine with this?"

"Does it matter?" I tapped my dossiers against the desk. "My name isn't on the deed".

I walked away as his voice echoed behind me. "Mara, come on, I'll owe you one".

I didn't turn back. The bullet had already left the chamber.

Back at the estate, I took our bags. Enea hugged his stuffed bear, his backpack on his shoulders, as I opened the front door.

Corrado was standing on the porch, Alba by his side. He carried her suitcase in one hand, the other resting possessively on her waist.

Our eyes met, and for a split second, sheer panic washed over his hardened face.

Alba gasped. "Mara? Did you forget something?"