ログインDante’s POVRumors of Luciano and Mariella being cousins were all over the place. And at first, I expected them to die down. But they didn't. Hell, they seemed to be getting even worse.I recalled my visit to the St. Jude's Convent five years ago, when I was digging into Mariella's past. That was when I found out about her gift and about the true story of her origins. The rumors of Luciano and Mariella being cousins were founded on two pillars.One of which was the revelation that the late (or not so late) Marcello was the half-brother of Antonio Santini. And the other was the now well-known fact that Mariella was Santini's daughter. Putting these two together, it didn't take a genius to see the connection.However, what no one seemed to know was that Mariella was not the biological child of Antonio Santini. Her actual parents died in an accident while she was an infant, and she was rescued by Antonio Santini, who happened to pass by when it happened.Till date, I didn't even know why
Mariella’s POVEver since breakfast yesterday, I hadn't really been myself. The fact that the Commission suspected that Luciano and I were cousins scared the shit out of me. I strolled around the house, wondering what would happen next. With the recent chain of events, I couldn't really tell what the future held. I couldn't even tell what today held. Walking around the house made me feel uncomfortable. Especially because I had gotten so accustomed to this way of life that I feared losing it. The thought of letting go of the peaceful and happy life I'd built here scared the shit out of me.While strolling, I walked into the west living room and right into a private meeting. Luciano stood near the window, speaking in a low voice with two of the Commission heads. He didn't turn when I entered, though he knew I was there. The conversation didn't stop. It continued as if I wasn't there, which was new. Normally, they would stop once I entered. Or at least, try to be more discreet in their
Mariella’s POVThe classy clinks of fancy cutlery filled the dining room as we had lunch. Luciano had invited some members of the Commission over. I couldn't exactly tell why, but everyone seemed to be acting rather strangely. I noticed some of the Commission members throwing furtive glances at me, which was weird since it wasn't their first time seeing me. I sat at the head of the table, munching on my food. Across from me, Luciano spoke with his usual calm authority, outlining logistics for the upcoming Commission meeting. I still felt uneasy. I could tell something was wrong, but I didn't know what. So I just assumed it was because of the recent series of events surrounding the rumor of Marcello being alive.As Luciano spoke, the room kept feeling more and more uneasy, like it had something to say but didn't know if it should. My eyes scanned everyone. On the surface, they seemed to be listening to what Luciano was saying but then again…their expressions. They looked worried. A
Luciano’s POVThe report was late. That alone was enough to irritate me. I didn’t look up as the door to my office opened. I already knew who it was. “You’re behind schedule,” I said calmly. There was a pause before he spoke.“My apologies, sir.”This was Rossi, one of the older men. Not original blood, though, but close enough. Loyal long before I took control.I finally lifted my gaze and found him standing. That was the first sign something was off. He always sat down after greeting.“What is it?” I asked. He hesitated. Just slightly. But I noticed. I always did. “It’s about Moretti,” he responded. I leaned back slowly. Moretti. Now that was a name I hadn’t heard in a while. “Explain.”Rossi exhaled quietly. “He didn’t report in this morning.”“That’s not unusual,” I said. “The men get careless every now and then.”He shook his head. “Not him.”That made me pause. Moretti was old guard, disciplined, and very predictable. He was the kind of man who survived years in this life be
Mariella’s POVWith the current series of events, I was rather confused. I felt like Luciano was hiding stuff from me. I didn't like the feeling of not knowing what was happening around me. My kids seemed to have returned to normal, though, thank goodness. I stood on the balcony, overlooking the entire estate. The guards and their dogs patrolled the perimeter outside. Even without being too observant, anyone could see a sharp increase in the number of CCTV cameras. Yet despite all this, I felt uneasy. I hadn't felt this uneasy since the last time I was at the convent. I desperately wanted to know what was going on. Was Marcello alive or not? There was one way for me to find out, a way I had promised myself to stop using. I stared at my gloved hands. Visions were rare occurrences for me now, not because I had lost my powers. But because I had determined not to use them. All those accidental brushes and touches? Gone for the most part. Luciano had bought me gloves so that I could int
Luciano’s POVBy morning…Marcello De Luca was dead again. At least, that’s what I was about to tell the world. The Commission chamber was full. Every seat was occupied, and every pair of eyes watched me, waiting. They had all heard something, not everything. But enough. In our world, rumors move fast. Really fast.I sat at the head of the table, calm and composed as ever. I needed to be. I couldn't let them see doubt or hesitation in me. It would cause a panic. For me to keep them under control, I needed to radiate an air of certainty and power even in the midst of the rumors. “Let's address the nonsense first,” I said, the room going silent. Greco leaned forward slightly.“There are whispers,” he said carefully.“Of course there are,” I shrugged. Ricci spoke next. “They say Marcello is alive,” he said, pausing and gauging my reaction. I gave him nothing, and then he continued. “They say he's back.”A heavy silence followed, filled with expectancy. I let it sit for a moment, leanin







