The sky was ash - gray above the Rossi estate , a looming shadow of the empire it once represented . The gates hung half open , scorched and bent from the earlier siege . Black smoke curled from broken windows . The walls that had raised me now stood cracked and bleeding . This was my home once . Now it was just a tomb . I stepped through the gates without flinching , my boots crunching over broken glass and bullet casings . Around me , my allies in black moved like shadows - silently dismantling the last line of resistance . The loyalists of Don Matteo fired from balconies and behind overturned furniture , but it was pointless . We were too many . Lothario walked on my right , blood on his sleeves . Sam followed close behind , loading his gun with cold focus . I didn't look at them . My eyes were locked on the grand double doors at the front of the mansion . This was where it began . This is where it ends . " MARIAN ! DON MATTEO ! " I shouted , my voice like thunder cracking through the burning air . " Are you really going to keep hiding behind your men like cowards ? " A Rossi guard lunged at me from the shadows . I didn't hesitate - l sidestepped , pivoted , and fired . Bang . He dropped before he even hit the ground . Gunfire cracked above - another sniper . Before I could aim , Lothario raised a struggling Rossi man in front of him like a shield . The bullet tore through the man's back . Lothario tossed the corpse aside like trash . " Cowards ! " I yelled again , my voice echoing through the marble halls . " Your 1/4 28.2 % 7:08 Mon , Sep 15 ruined my mother's life - my life ! Now you're afraid to face me ?! COME OUT ! " Then , from the central hall , I saw him . Don Matteo . He stepped out with his usual calm arrogance , dressed in a suit too clean for the chaos around him . His eyes met mine , and instead of fear , I saw a familiar performance in his gaze . He smiled gently - like a father . " Ivanna , " he said , voice smooth like poisoned honey . " You poor , broken girl . Look at what you've become . You think this is justice ? Shooting your way into your own home ? Your mother would cry if she saw you like this ." I almost laughed . I stepped forward , eyes locked with his , gun still in hand . " You're still pretending ? After all this time ? " He raised his arms , as if to calm me . " Whatever lies you were told- " BANG . I shot the floor inches from his feet . He flinched , finally . " Enough , " I said . " Stop acting like you didn't know . I know the truth . I have the proof . Do you really think I was unconscious when you and Chris planned my downfall ? I heard everything . I remember everything . And now- " I reached into my coat , pulled out a phone , and held it up . " -all your dirty secrets are in here . Bank records . Illicit deals . Bribed politicians . Trafficking logs . Your empire is already gone . The only thing left .... is for the public to see what their beloved Don Matteo truly is . " He went still . " You ," he snarled . I glared back . " Eye for an eye , Matteo . You made me lose my dignity , my mother , my life . Now it's your turn ." I thumbed the screen . " I make one call , and this city will bury you . " But then- A slow , mocking clap broke through the air . Chapter 14 7:08 Mon , Sep 15 And a voice - sharp , venomous - rang out behind the columns . " Well said , sister . " Marian . She stepped forward , dragging Chris by the collar . He was gagged , hands . bound behind his back , blood smeared across his temple . One of her guards held a pistol pressed to his temple , steady as a guillotine . She smiled like the devil in pearls . " Well , well , " she purred . " Look at you . All grown up , all vengeful . But still soft . I knew you'd come for us , and I knew you'd hesitate . You always had that bleeding heart , Ivanna . " I didn't blink . Marian tilted her head . " Still pretending , huh ? I saw your face . When you saw him , you paused . That's all I needed to know . " She waved her hand lazily . " Lower your gun , little sister , " she ordered . " Or I'll have his brains painted across this marble . And while you're at it , call off your men . Tell them to stand down . " I didn't move . My grip on the gun didn't loosen . But I didn't shoot either . Chris looked at me - bruised , bleeding , defeated . There was no anger in his eyes now . Only something hollow ... and heavy . Marian pulled the gag down , expecting him to beg . But his voice came out soft . Tired . " Ivanna ... " He met my eyes . " I know you don't believe me . And maybe ... maybe you shouldn't . But I need to say this . " He struggled to lift his head . His voice was shaking . " I failed you . I failed her . Our mother . I let myself get swept into their lies . I knew things felt wrong . I knew she didn't deserve what happened . But I was ... weak . And scared . And I let it happen . " Chapter 14 7:08 Mon , Sep 15 I stayed still , my gun unwavering . 70 Chris gave a broken laugh . " You always looked up to me . Even when I didn't deserve it . And I ruined that . I ruined you . " Tears welled in his eyes . " If I could trade places with her , I would . I mean that . I don't care what happens to me anymore - I just needed to tell you I'm sorry . For everything . For not fighting harder . For being a coward . For being your brother in name ... but never in truth . " His chest heaved . " I'm sorry , Ivi . " And then- He moved . So fast , Marian barely had time to react . Chris grabbed the wrist of the guard holding the gun to his head . He yanked it downward , twisted the grip - and for a split second , turned the weapon toward himself . BANG ! The shot rang out . Blood sprayed . Marian screamed . And everything froze . Phooter 14 Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!