Page 50 of Scar

“It means...that the war is far from over.” He pauses before continuing, “And it's happening right in our own backyard.”

CHAPTER 43 – ALLEGRA

A knock on the door interrupts the peaceful afternoon as the sun sets behind the horizon. I hesitate, a feeling of unease settling in my stomach. When I see who it is, my heart races with surprise. We may need to tighten our security if it's that simple for Benita Gatti to gain entry.

“Benita.” My voice is tense with apprehension. “What brings you here?”

Scar's mother stands on my doorstep, exuding sophistication in her tailored suit and designer sunglasses. Her smile is pleasant, but there's a glint in her eyes that makes me uneasy. It doesn't seem convincing, her sudden return after all these years. I can't ignore the fact that she stuck around even after burying her sons. And now, she has taken over the house that used to be mine and Scar's.

“I was in the neighborhood,” Benita says smoothly. “Just thought I'd stop by and check on you.”

I force a smile and step aside to let Benita inside. But I can't shake off this nagging feeling that her visit is anything but casual.

As we settle into our seats, Benita's gaze wanders around the living room, taking in every detail. I try to keep the conversation light, though we don’t have much in common foreither of us to be interested enough in each other's lives. But Benita is not easily deterred.

“I must admit, Allegra, I'm surprised to see that you're still here,” Benita says casually but with an underlying edge. “After everything that's happened, I would have expected you to distance yourself from the Gatti name.”

My muscles tense as I pick up on the underlying threat in her words. I know not to underestimate Scar's mother; she is a formidable force. And it's clear that she sees me as a potential threat and wants me as far away from her as possible. At first, she was content with me moving out and back to my parents' home, but now she wants me gone completely. But why?

“This has been my family home for years,” I reply calmly, meeting her gaze head-on. I am not one to back down easily. “This is where I belong.”

Her smile is like fragile ice. “Of course, dear. Family means everything, doesn't it?”

“Yes, it does,” I agree firmly. “Which leads me to my next question: what brought you back here after so many years?”

Benita's expression tightens, clearly caught off guard by my question that she didn't think concerned me. She underestimates me, but she opened this door herself.

“What do you mean?” She tries to act shocked, but it falls short. “I came back to be with my sons.”

“You have impeccable timing,” I say pointedly, standing up to signal the end of our conversation. “If only you had returned fourteen years earlier.”

My father's warning echoes in my mind, and I can't deny the truth behind his words. Just being in the same room asBenita sets me on edge, but I can't bring myself to stay away. I need to know what happened, and why. I want to understand the woman who gave birth to four remarkable sons and then abandoned them without a second thought. I am determined to uncover her motives and intentions, no matter the cost. I will not rest until I find out who killed my husband and his brothers, even if it means risking my own life. My unborn child is a constant reminder of the man I loved and lost, and I cannot afford any slip-ups that could put his or her safety at risk.

My father reminds me to think about leaving once again before he wheels himself away. He has been trying to convince me ever since the funeral, but he understands my need for closure.

I know he’s worried about the constant threat from Benita Gatti. We have buried our dead, but the struggle for power within the Gatti empire continues. There are rumors of who will take control, with my name being thrown around as a potential candidate - much to Benita's displeasure. She has already taken on the role and will do whatever it takes to keep it.

I close my eyes and let tears fall that I no longer have the strength to hold back. Memories flood my mind; Scar's touch, his tender gaze reserved only for me, and the nights we spent together in a fragile truce - now all gone, replaced by a void that seems impossible to fill. Gripping my abdomen, I feel a spark of determination ignite within me, cutting through the fog of grief. I will find out who is responsible for taking away everything that mattered to me, who mercilessly ended four promising lives. And when I do, they will pay dearly for their crimes.

With a steely resolve and fire in my eyes, I make a silent vow to uncover the truth, even if it costs me my life. Even in my last dying breath, I will not rest until justice is served for my husband and his brothers.

CHAPTER 44 – ALLEGRA

I stand at the gate, waiting for the guards to allow me into my former home. When they finally do, I confront Benita Gatti over the intercom. She has assigned guards to protect her “fortress” and my protectors are too scared to do anything about it. I threaten to call the police if she doesn't let me in.

As the gate slides open, I smirk at the guards and get back into my car. The driver takes us up the winding driveway, and Benita is waiting for me at the door with her arms crossed. She's clearly angry, but I don't care.

“What are you doing here, Allegra?” she demands.

“Just passing by,” I reply, throwing her own words back at her from two days ago. I push past her and head towards Scar's office, which she has taken over as her own.

“What are you looking for?” she asks, suspicious.

I try to control the panic that rises within me as I see how she has changed the office.

“Where are my husband's things?” I ask, my voice shaking slightly.

She flinches at the mention of Scar and gestures towards a box in the corner. A wave of fury washes over me as I see she wasted no time in packing up his belongings and hiding them away. It's as though he never even existed to her.

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