Chapter 29 My eyes welled up as Lorenzo said his story . The raw pain in his voice echoed my own grief , memories of my parents flooding back . I understand , I whispered , reaching for his hand . That helplessness , watching someone you love slip away … My voice cracked . With my parents , it wasnt even a chance to say goodbye . Just a phone call in the middle of the night about an accident . Tears spilled down my cheeks . Even now , the word accident tasted bitter on my tongue , knowing what I knew now about Dominics involvement . Lorenzos thumb brushed across my cheek , wiping away the tears . His touch was gentle , grounding . Its alright , he said , a soft smile crossing his face . It happened years ago . Ive made my peace with it . His hand lingered on my face , warm and reassuring . Though I know your wounds are still fresh . I leaned into his touch , drawing comfort from his steady presence . There was something about sharing grief that made it feel lighter , less lonely . For the first time since my parents death , I felt truly understood . I leaned forward , pressing my lips softly against Lorenzos forehead . His skin was warm beneath my touch , and I felt him exhale deeply . Theres more , Lorenzos voice dropped lower , his eyes distant . Lorenzos POV My fathers cold fingers were firm as I pried that letter from his hands . If you dont kill yourself , well go after your family and destroy everything . This is what happens if you try to cross us . My voice caught . And there at the bottom was a signature , Carlos Angelo . The name still burned in my throat . Id memorized every curve of those letters , every flourish of that signature . My fingers curled into fists at the memory . The bastards had made it look like suicide , but theyd forced his hand . Pushed him into a corner where death seemed like the only way to protect us . They didnt just kill my father , they made him choose . The words came 12:02 Sun , 2 Mar 0 My hands shook as I remembered that moment . 94 % The letters edges had cut into my palms , the paper crumpling under my grip . Then footsteps . Heavy boots against marble floors . I dropped the letter , my heart pounding against my ribs . The closet was right there , and I dove inside , pulling the door almost shut . Just a crack . remained , enough to see through . Three men in black suits entered my fathers office . Their faces were blank , emotionless as they approached his body . One of them tall , with a scar across his jaw knelt beside my fathers slumped form . His fingers pressed against my fathers neck , checking for a pulse . Hes done it , Scar Face says . Get the letter . Another one snatched up the fallen paper from the floor . He folded it carefully , tucking it into his breast pocket . My breath catches in my throat as I watch the third man step forward . His polished shoe connects with my fathers lifeless body , kicking him onto his side . The thud of flesh against floor echoes in my ears . Fire burned through my veins . My fingers curled into fists . Every muscle in my body screamed to burst out , to make them pay for that disrespect . But I forced myself to stay still , to keep watching . They left as quietly as they came , taking the evidence with them . Only when their footsteps fade completely did I allow myself to breathe again . I stumbled out of that office , my legs barely holding me up . The world blurred past as I ran through streets Id known all my life , but now felt foreign and hostile . My lungs burned , but I couldnt stop . Not until I reached home . Mom was in the kitchen when I burst through the door . One look at my face and the coffee mug slipped from her fingers , shattering on the floor . Lorenzo ? Her voice trembled . I collapsed into her arms , my whole body shaking . Dad … they killed him . Made it look like … The words caught in my throat . We sank to the kitchen floor together , coffee seeping into our clothes . I told her everything through broken sobs the letter , the men , how theyd treated him like garbage . Moms fingers dug into my shoulders as she held me , her tears mixing with mine . The next few days passed in a haze . Headlines screamed about the tracio Chapter 29 12:03 Sun , 2 Mar 94 % The next few days passed in a haze . Headlines screamed about the tragic suicide of the Constantine patriarch . Reporters camped outside our gate , spinning tales about depression and financial troubles . The company Dads lifes work was shutting down . Then the money appeared . A massive sum , transferred from an untraceable account . Blood money . Their way of buying our silence . I stared at the bank statement , rage burning through my grief . They thought they could put a price on my fathers life ? On what theyd stolen from US ? Thats when I knew . This wasnt over . Id make them pay every single one of them . Carlos Angelo and his entire organization would learn what it meant to create their own worst enemy . Id become their nightmare , their shadow . Theyd taken everything from me , but theyd given me something in return , purpose . Pure , cold , deadly purpose . Mom must have seen it in my eyes . She gripped my hand tight , and I knew she understood . Wed lost Dad , but they hadnt broken us . They hadnt broken me . Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!