Page 147 of His Cursed Heart

"She lost too much. You're making her believe she's losing you two."

"She lost me a long time ago, but she found you. Finally, she's in your arms." She smiles weakly. I remain confused after her reply.

"You knew?"

Gianna just laughs.

"I know everything about my daughter, Everette. I know everything about this world we live in."

"And if you know so many, you could've saved your daughter from Hanibal's wrath and give her to her biological father." I spat at her.

Her eyes form again salty tears. She lowers her head in shame, and it gives me a strange feeling of satisfaction.

"I will always blame myself for that, Everette. Always."

"You claim to know everything, but your actions are opposite."

"I know that Keres's body is in Ivan's hands and about their love story and unborn child. I know how you killed Hanibal. And now I realize that those three men you killed were my daughter’s rapists. You'll be surprised how many things I know."

With rage and confusion, I ask roughly. "How?"

"For a great Boss as everyone calls you, you are not so smart." She mocks me and laughs.

"Why do I know everything about everyone? Why

didn't anyone find me? Why hasn't Althea told you about me?" She asks me so many questions, and in my head is only chaos.

Her eyes keep looking at her closet, and I move mine too, staring at the golden mask.

My breathing stops along with my body. I look at the mask, and the mask looks back, almost mocking me.

I look at Gianna who smiles like a snake whose prey walked right into the trap.

"You are the Empress." My throat hurts when I say the words.

"And who do you think has the throne now?"

And the answer is obvious.

The answer is pure chaos.

A lick on the face wakes me from my sleep, and I know that Anubis is the one who stares at me, waiting for some attention.

The morning sun almost blinds me and I look confused at the clock.

15:35 PM.

Holy shit, how long did I sleep?

I put my focus on the bed, seeing Vince still sleeping, sprayed on Everette's side. I search for him in our room, but there is no sight of him.

Did he already leave to meet the Famiglia?

Anubis growls for attention and I roll my eyes at his dramatic behavior. I lower to kiss his head, scratching him behind ears. He's a sucker for attention.

There is something weird about my thoughts. About the way I woke up. I feel... calm. Rested. No nightmares or memories that make my head hurt, no bad actions that make me want to throw up. I feel at peace. Like a normal married woman that wakes up looking for her husband and looking forward for the day.

For the first time in twenty-four years, I have no demons in my brain that keep me awake at night, that

---