Chapter 13 The explosion ripped through the ballroom like thunder cracking open the sky . Glass shattered . Screams pierced the air , raw and high . The marble floor split under the pressure , throwing chunks and debris into the air as a fireball engulfed the far end of the venue . The shockwave hit like a hurricane , flipping chairs , tables - people - into the air like rag dolls . Flames curled along . the edges of priceless tapestries , dancing like demons set free . Chaos was instant . Complete . Guests screamed , voices sharp with panic . Mafiosi barked orders over the chaos , trying to restore control . Reporters shoved past one another in a frantic dash for the exits , trampling equipment and dignity alike . Bodyguards drew their weapons , scanning for threats . Even the orchestra had abandoned their instruments mid - note , fleeing in the same direction as the press , tuxedos flapping behind them . And me ? I didn't move . I didn't flinch . I stood at the center of the storm , still and unshaken - because all eyes were on me now . Don Matteo's voice rose over the chaos like a beast roaring from its throne . " WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING ?! STOP THIS AT ONCE ! " I stepped forward , slow and deliberate , smoke curling around my heels . My heart pounded in my chest , but my voice was steady . Cold . Unforgiving . " No , " I said , slipping the gun from beneath my blazer . The weight of it felt righteous . " I'm not here to make peace , Father . I'm here to burn everything you ever loved . Everything you built on lies ." His face went pale . That was the moment he knew . And I meant every word . Darling 1 Remember 1/5 7:07 Mon , Sep 15 ( 0 70 My hand didn't tremble . Not this time . I turned to Rupert . He stood frozen , a few steps behind Don Matteo , confusion written across his face . And something else - recognition . His eyes met mine . " I - Ivanna ... ? " " Goodbye , Rupert ," I said . His mouth opened . " No - Ivanna , wait- ! " BANG . BANG . BANG . The shots echoed like judgment bells . Blood blossomed across his chest in vivid red blooms , and he stumbled backward , eyes wide , lips parting - but not words came . He collapsed to the ground , his body limp and twitching . The room held its breath . There was pain in me . I won't lie . I had loved him once . Maybe I still did , in some broken corner of myself I'd already buried . But I buried that love right alongside my innocence . This was my mercy . He didn't deserve to suffer like the rest . But Marian ? Don Matteo ? They would beg for death before I even considered giving it . Shouts rang out . Guns clicked . Orders barked . " Take her down ! " someone yelled . Too late . Because that's when the real chaos began . Gunfire erupted from the balconies - not aimed at me , but at them . Don Sebastian's men . Mr. Kim's snipers . Even Don Roberto's guards , long neutral , dropped their act and began shooting Rossi men point - blank . The families they'd bribed , bought , and trusted turned like wolves . Chapter 13 215 7:07 Mon , Sep 15 Their empire was crumbling in real time . Jd Blood sprayed across white linen tablecloths . Screams turned feral . The scent of gunpowder , blood , and burning silk filled the air . Marian screamed Rupert's name , tried to run to him , but her guards pulled her back . Don Matteo grabbed her arm and yanked her behind a crumbling column . They disappeared toward the side hallway , dragging what was left of their dignity behind them . I raised my gun again , but- Figures moved toward me through the smoke - cloaked , masked , dressed in black . My people . Trained . Silent . They nodded once . Then sprinted after Matteo and Marian without a word . I let them go . I had another role to play . I stepped over Rupert's body , my boots quiet on the marble . I paused , looking down . His eyes were already glassy . His mouth still open in some final protest that would never leave his lips . I gave him one last bullet - clean , through the head . No suffering . He got the kindest ending I had to give . That was when I felt the hand on my shoulder . I spun around , gun raised - ready to kill whoever it was . But I stopped . It was him . Don Sebastian Lothario Dmitriev . He looked at me like the storm didn't touch him . As if none of the fire , bullets , or screams mattered . And when our eyes met , something inside me - the ache I carried , the love I lost , the weight of Rupert's death - went quiet . " I trust everything's going to plan ? " he asked calmly . I exhaled . For the first time , I felt the power I carried . Chapter 13 3/5 26.8 %%% 7:07 Mon , Sep 15 " Shall we start here ? " he asked again . I smirked , the smallest tilt of my lips , and nodded . Meanwhile ... Marian and Don Matteo 70 The back corridors of the estate rang with alarms . Gunfire echoed like footsteps of death . Lights flickered . Smoke bled through cracks in the walls . Marian clutched her father's arm , heels slipping on the marble as they ran . Her breath came in short , panicked sobs . Her hands were slick with blood- Rupert's blood . She couldn't stop seeing it . Don Matteo barked at his phone as they turned a corner . " Where the hell is my backup ?! " Static . Then a gruff voice on the line : " Don Matteo - we're under siege . Seal routes are blocked . Pirates , most likely . The warehouse was hit an hour ago , and there's intel of mafia hunters near the city edge . Sir... they planned this . " " FUCK ! " He smashed the phone against the wall , shards skittering across the floor . Marian staggered , still reeling . " H - How is she alive ? " she whispered . " We buried her ... we buried her ! " Blood still smeared her face from when she'd held Rupert's body . Her fingers trembled as she touched her cheek - trying to wipe it away , but only smearing it further . A squad leader rushed in , eyes wild . " Don Matteo , we have to move . Recommend retreating to HQ - immediately ." He nodded , jaw clenched . " Go . Now . " They fled into the estate's underground tunnels - corridors of stone and steel carved decades ago for exactly this kind of escape . The echoes of the massacre above chased them . Marian bit her nail furiously . " This can't be happening ... my territory ... my name ... Rupert's dead ... " Don Matteo tried to keep her upright . " I'll fix this , " he growled . " Daddy's gonna find a way . " Chapter 13 . 4/5 27.25 7:07 Mon , Sep 15 But even he looked haunted . Like a man staring at the edge of hell and realizing he was already inside it . He turned to his remaining guards . " Contact the Fiore family . Tell them to send- " " We've tried , Don Matteo , " one of the men cut in . " They're compromised . Someone leaked intel . They're under attack too . They've gone silent ." Matteo's fists clenched , veins bulging . " It's a goddamn trap ," he whispered . Then , slowly ... he looked around . Where's Chris ? " The squad leader answered , " Still at headquarters , sir ." Marian's eyes widened with sudden clarity . She turned to her father , shaking with fear - but something else burned behind her gaze now . Don Matteo brows furrowed . " Then tell him to- " " Father ... " she interrupted , stepping in close , her voice low . " Do you trust me ? " He blinked . " What are you talking about ? " " I have a plan , " she whispered . " A way to kill that bitch . " Her voice was calm . Deadly calm . " We already kill her once , we can kill her again . " Matteo narrowed his eyes . Marian smiled , just slightly . " Trust me , Father . We can kill her . You just have to let me do it ... my way . " He stared at her . Saw the daughter he made in his own image . Then he nodded once . " Tell me everything ." Chapter 13 Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!