“Ah!” The painful cry echoed through the small room, and the heavy smell of blood quickly filled the air. Aria’s eyes widened in shock as she saw her clothes stained with blood, but to her disbelief, the blood wasn’t hers. The bullet had never reached her. Vittoria had thrown herself in front of Aria, taking the shot meant for her. Everyone stood frozen in disbelief, unable to comprehend what had just happened. No one had expected this move from Vittoria. “Vittoria!” Aria’s voice trembled with a mix of fear and sorrow as she sobbed. She rushed forward, catching Vittoria just before she collapsed. Gently, Aria lowered her to the floor, sitting on the damp ground and cradling Vittoria’s head in her lap with desperate tenderness. Emily, now awake, blinked in confusion as she took in the scene. Her eyes darted to the blood pooling around them, the heavy silence hanging in the room. The shock soon faded as understanding settled in. She had seen enough to piece together what had happened. "Someone, please help! Take her to the hospital!" Aria pleaded, her voice shaking as she looked around at the monsters in the name of humans surrounding them, their eyes cold and unmoved by the sight unfolding before them. Desperation flared in her gaze as she turned to Rafael and Vanessa, her eyes pleading, but met only silence. "Please, take her to the hospital!" she cried, her voice breaking, yet no one moved. The helplessness overwhelmed her, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Why did you do this?" she whispered, her voice choked with sorrow as she gazed at Vittoria with her teary eyes. Vittoria’s breath was shallow, her words faint and labored. "I… I didn’t want… my s…son to follow… the same ven…vengeful path hi..his father did," she murmured, pausing as her chest tightened painfully. "So I… I set an example… for him." She took a ragged breath, her voice barely a whisper. "Just… do…do me one f…favor… take care of… Lo…Lorenzo… and show him… the…the value of family… like you…you and Alessandro do." With those final words, Vittoria's eyes turned vacant, her breathing ceased, and her body fell still. Aria pressed her trembling lips together, fighting back the sob that threatened to escape as she gently closed Vittoria's eyelids with shaking hands. "So, the emotional drama is over," Vanessa sneered, her tone dripping with mockery. "And now I feel bad that no one is here to save you." Aria’s heart filled with disgust. How could someone be so heartless, to feel nothing for a person who had supported her through everything? The murder of Vittoria hadn’t affected Vanessa in the slightest. "Don’t you dare!" Emily’s fierce voice shattered the silence, drawing Aria’s attention. "Don’t think she’s alone. I’m here, and I’ll fight for her—I’d even die for her. But I’ll never let you win, you bitch." Vanessa laughed, a twisted, maniacal sound that echoed through the room. "Oh, you two are just priceless. Don’t worry," she taunted, her mocking smile never faltering. "You’ll join your friend in hell soon enough." Before Vanessa could fire, Rafael lunged forward, snatching the gun from her grip. "You crazy bitch, I won’t let you ruin my plans," he spat, glaring at her with utter contempt. Turning to his men, he barked, "Take her to the other room and lock her up until I give further orders." At his command, his goons moved in, grabbing Vanessa as she struggled against them. "You’re making a mistake, Rafael!" she shrieked. "Kill that woman before she becomes the reason for your downfall!" Her furious screams echoed through the room, fading only as Rafael’s henchmen dragged her out of sight. "So, I hear you're pregnant with Alessandro’s child," Rafael sneered, approaching Aria with a smug grin. Aria’s heart raced, still overwhelmed by the devastating loss of Vittoria. Exhaustion weighed heavily on her, and the strain of her complicated pregnancy made her feel faint. "Let me have a taste of what it is about you that turned the fearsome, monstrous don into a man so addicted to you," he taunted, grabbing her arm and yanking her up. Vittoria’s head fell lifelessly to the floor as Aria was pulled away, her heart aching as she glanced at Vittoria's fallen head rolled to a side. When she looked back at Rafael, she saw only dark, twisted lust in his eyes. "No, leave me alone!" she struggled, trying to break free from his grip. "Leave her, you monster!" Emily’s voice rang out, and she rushed to Aria’s side. But before she could reach them, Rafael's henchmen stepped forward, grabbing Emily and holding her back "Tsk! Tsk!" Rafael clicked his tongue, a malicious grin spreading across his face. "Don't fight back, bambina. You better cooperate, and I promise I'll be gentle," he laughed darkly as he pulled Aria into his arms. "Get the fuck off me!" Aria yelled, using every ounce of her strength to squirm out of his grip, but he was too strong. "Now no one can save you, bambina," Rafael taunted, his voice low and menacing. "You better accept it." With a cruel laugh, he grabbed a handful of Aria's hair, yanking her head back. Aria’s eyes widened in terror, her heart racing as she felt helpless and trapped. Her heart screamed out a name in desperate hope, and it escaped her lips in a loud, frantic cry, "Alessandro!!!" In the next moment, the world outside erupted into chaos. The sharp sound of gunshots filled the air, relentless and deafening. Rafael’s face drained of color as the gunfire continued, and panic flashed in his eyes.