Page 49 of Scar

My heart breaks for Scar and his brothers; losing their brother and learning that their own mother was responsible must have been devastating.

“Do you think she's capable of hurting them?” I ask, barely able to speak.

My father looks solemn. “Benita is a dangerous woman, Allegra. She won't hesitate to do whatever it takes to get what she wants.”

I sit in silence, absorbing my father's words. I know I need to be careful around Benita; she's not someone to underestimate. And her sudden return is too suspicious to ignore. It can't just be a coincidence.

“What about her family? Do they support her?”

My father scoffs and shakes his head, a distant look in his eyes.

“Her family was almost completely wiped out in the cartel wars ten years ago. They destroyed themselves with their thirst for power. She was the only one who survived, and that's only because she was exiled.”

I let out a heavy sigh and sink back into my chair. It's a lot of information to process.

“And what about you and Salvatore Gatti? What happened between the two of you?”

“That,” my father begins, then hesitates. “That is a story for another time, Allegra.”

CHAPTER 42 – ALLEGRA

A burning pain shoots through my entire body, like a firework about to explode. The pain consumes me, making it hard to distinguish between the present and the past.

The migraines are still relentless. The grief continues to weigh heavy on my heart. And now I can't even keep anything down. Some days, I struggle just to stand up. I'm so weak and drained that it feels like life itself is slipping away from me.

But it's not until I see the faint spotting on my underwear that reality hits me like a ton of bricks. Two missed periods. In all the chaos and turmoil, I hadn’t even noticed. But now that everything has calmed down and I'm experiencing strange symptoms, I can't ignore the question that should have been asked weeks ago.

I sit on the edge of my childhood bed, staring blankly at the bright lights outside as time passes slowly by. My heart races, each beat echoing in my ears like a war drum. In my hand, I hold a pregnancy test strip, its results changing the course of my life forever. Two bold pink lines stare back at me, confirming my fears. How could an 18-year-old girl possibly handle bringing a child into this world?

Overcome with emotions, tears stream silently down my cheeks like rivers. I grip the test strip tightly, as if holding onto itcould somehow anchor me in this moment of profound sadness. I am pregnant... with Scar's baby.

My emotions are in turmoil, with joy and sorrow battling for dominance. My mind recalls memories of Scar, his piercing grey eyes, his comforting embrace, and how he made me feel secure even amid all the chaos around us. But now he's gone, taken from me in a senseless act of violence. The man I loved despite all odds is no longer here to share in this moment, to experience the wonder of creating new life together.

My hand instinctively rests on my stomach, still flat and unchanged. Inside me, a precious life is beginning to form - a piece of Scar that will always be a part of me. This thought brings forth a mixture of bittersweet smiles and tears. This child is not only mine but also a continuation of Scar's legacy, the only thing left that will carry on the Gatti name in this world. It's the only piece of him that I have left. Yet, the thought of raising this baby alone without his strength and guidance serves as a painful reminder of what I've lost.

I slowly stand up from the bed and make my way to the window, gazing out at the perfectly manicured gardens that my mother still insists on professionally maintaining. In this moment, I am grateful for her efforts because these gardens will one day be where little Scar or Scarlett will play and bring happiness into our lives.

Placing my palm on my stomach, I feel a deep connection to the life growing inside of me and find myself smiling. This unborn baby is the last remaining reminder that Scar Gatti was once a part of my life.

The truth of my pregnancy stays locked inside, hidden from the rest of the world. I must keep this secret to myself,swallowing back the pain and selfishness that comes with it. If anyone found out, my parents would surely send me away for my own protection and the baby's. The thought alone makes me shudder. This is a dangerous game I'm playing, keeping my enemies close so I can watch their every move. But I won't let their betrayal go unpunished; someone will have to pay.

I am grateful for the loyal soldiers who now guard our family home. They have defected from other families to protect us and avenge the memory of my husband and brothers. Their presence allows me to maintain my daily exercise routine, keeping me strong in both body and mind. And despite the weight I have lost, I still retain enough muscle to prevent people from asking too many questions.

During tea by the pool with my father, I mention the increased number of guards around our house.

“How can we afford to sustain them?” I ask.

“It has been taken care of,” he replies cryptically.

Confused, I press for more information. My father sighs, knowing that my intelligence and curiosity can often be a burden on him.

“Dante Accardi insisted on added security until things are settled between all the families.”

His words give me pause. It seems that the war did not end with the massacre of my family.

“Dante Accardi is the most powerful don,” my father explains. While not officially documented, everyone knows that he is the leader of all mafia families. Without him, chaos and mayhem would reign supreme amongst the families.

“So what does this mean?” I ask.

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