Chapter 5
512words
Alessandro's birthday arrived.
The Moretti Estate blazed with lights.
Family members gathered in celebration.
But the Godfather was a ghost at his own party.
Irina had vanished five days ago.
He'd mobilized every resource.
Every snitch in the underworld.
Every cop on his payroll.
Even the best hackers money could buy.
Nothing.
She'd disappeared like smoke.
"Boss," a lieutenant approached cautiously.
"The guests are waiting."
"They can wait."
"But sir, your mother—"
"I said they can fucking wait."
He stared at the entrance, willing her to appear.
Hoping against hope she'd walk through that door.
That she'd laugh and say it was all a test.
That she'd just wanted to teach him a lesson.
But the doorway remained empty.
"Sir," the butler approached hesitantly.
"A package arrived for you."
"Throw it out."
"But… it's from Madam."
Alessandro whirled around.
"GIVE IT TO ME!"
He tore into the package.
Inside: a medical report.
Title: Miscarriage Report.
Patient: Irina Moretti.
Gestation: Four weeks.
Cause: Trauma, hemorrhage.
His hands shook violently.
Pregnant.
She had been pregnant.
His child.
Their baby.
And now…
A photograph fell out.
The dock shootout aftermath.
Blood everywhere.
Bodies strewn about.
Pure chaos.
Finally, a letter.
One sentence.
More devastating than any bullet.
Alessandro collapsed to his knees.
Papers scattered across the marble floor.
"No… God, no…"
His voice broke.
"This can't be happening…"
"Sir?" The butler stared in shock.
"EVERYONE OUT!"
Alessandro bellowed.
"GET OUT! ALL OF YOU!"
Guests scattered like startled birds.
Alone in his massive estate.
He clutched his head in his hands.
That final night replayed in his mind.
Irina saying she was leaving.
His threats.
Her walking out.
If he'd just followed her.
If he'd just apologized.
If he'd just protected her.
She wouldn't have been at that dock.
Wouldn't have been caught in crossfire.
Wouldn't have lost their child.
"My fault… all my fault…"
He pulled at his hair.
"I did this… I did this…"
The door swung open.
Jessica sauntered in.
"Alex, baby, what's wrong—"
She spotted the papers on the floor.
Her expression shifted.
"So… the ice queen was pregnant?"
Alessandro raised his head slowly.
His eyes bloodshot and wild.
"You."
"What?"
"You tipped off the Riveras, didn't you?"
"I don't know what you're talking about—"
"THE DOCK AMBUSH!" He lunged to his feet.
"What a fucking coincidence!"
"She just happens to be there?"
"They just happen to attack?"
"TELL ME!"
His hand closed around her throat.
"WAS IT YOU?!"
"I… I just…" Jessica clawed at his hand.
"I just wanted to scare her a little…"
"I didn't know she'd get hurt…"
"Die?"
His voice dropped to a deadly whisper.
"You wanted my wife dead?"
"No! I swear, I just—"
CRACK!
His hand connected with her face.
Jessica crumpled to the floor.
"Get out."
"Alex, please—"
"I SAID GET OUT!"
He drew his gun.
Aimed at her head.
Jessica scrambled away, screaming.
Alessandro collapsed onto the sofa.
Staring at the medical report in his trembling hand.
"Irina…"
"I'm so sorry…"
"Forgive me…"
But it was too late.
Far too late.
