Chapter 1: The Funeral That Changed Everything

Rain fell without mercy, drumming against rows of black umbrellas scattered across the old cemetery on the outskirts of Milan. Dark clouds swallowed the afternoon sky, turning daylight into a dull gray haze. It was as though the heavens themselves had chosen to mourn.

Aria Romano stood at the edge of the freshly dug grave, her fingers gripping a single white rose so tightly that its stem snapped, leaving tiny drops of blood on her palm.

She didn't notice.

The pain in her hand was nothing compared to the ache in her heart.

Three days ago, she had been studying for her final medical examinations. Her biggest concern had been whether she would pass anatomy with distinction.

Now she was burying her father.

The polished mahogany coffin slowly descended into the earth.

Father...

The word echoed painfully in her mind.

Antonio Romano had been more than a father. He had been her protector, her greatest supporter, and the only family she had left after her mother's death years earlier.

The police had called it a gang-related shooting.

Three bullets.

One execution.

No witnesses.

No suspects.

But everyone in the city whispered the same name.

Lorenzo De Luca.

The Mafia King.

The ruler of an empire built on fear, loyalty, and blood.

Aria refused to believe there could be another explanation. Her father had done business with powerful people, and everyone knew the De Luca family controlled the city's underworld.

If someone wanted Antonio Romano dead, only one man had the power to make it happen.

The priest closed his Bible.

"May his soul rest in eternal peace."

A handful of dirt struck the coffin with a dull thud.

Then another.

And another.

Each sound felt like another piece of Aria's heart being buried forever.

As mourners slowly drifted away, she remained where she was, unable to move.

Her eyes settled on the silver cross hanging around her neck.

It had been her father's final gift.

The night before he died, he had clasped it around her neck with trembling hands.

"Promise me you'll never take this off."

She had laughed at the time.

"It's just a necklace, Dad."

He had smiled sadly.

"No... one day you'll understand."

She hadn't understood then.

Now, his words haunted her.

A cold wind swept across the cemetery.

Then came the low growl of powerful engines.

Everyone turned toward the cemetery entrance.

Five black luxury SUVs rolled through the iron gates in perfect formation.

The vehicles stopped.

The doors opened almost simultaneously.

Bodyguards in tailored black suits stepped out first, scanning every corner with disciplined precision.

Silence spread through the cemetery.

Even the rain seemed quieter.

Finally, the rear door of the center vehicle opened.

A tall man stepped onto the wet pavement.

His polished black shoes reflected in the puddles as he walked.

He wore an expensive black suit without a tie, the top button of his shirt undone. His dark hair was neatly combed back, and his sharp features carried the calm confidence of a man who had never lost control.

His gray eyes were unreadable.

Cold.

Calculating.

Dangerous.

Lorenzo De Luca had arrived.

Whispers erupted among the remaining guests.

"What is he doing here?"

"Has he come to threaten the family?"

"I heard he never attends funerals."

"They say he's never lost a war."

Every instinct told Aria to walk away.

Instead, she marched toward him.

Each step burned with anger.

Each heartbeat screamed for revenge.

She stopped only a few feet away.

"You shouldn't be here."

Lorenzo looked at her for several silent seconds before answering.

"I came to pay my respects."

His calm voice only fueled her rage.

"My father is dead because of you."

Behind him, several bodyguards subtly reached toward their concealed weapons.

Lorenzo lifted one finger.

They immediately stopped.

His attention never left Aria.

"I did not order your father's death."

"Liar."

The word escaped her lips before she could stop it.

Then, acting on pure emotion, she raised her hand.

The slap echoed across the cemetery.

Every face froze.

No one dared breathe.

No one dared move.

The most feared man in Italy had just been slapped by an ordinary woman.

Slowly, Lorenzo turned his face back toward her.

There was no anger.

No shouting.

No retaliation.

Only a strange expression she couldn't understand.

"You have courage," he said quietly.

"I have nothing left to lose."

For the first time, something almost resembling respect flickered in his eyes.

Before either of them could speak again, one of Lorenzo's men hurried over, his face pale.

"Boss..."

Lorenzo didn't look away from Aria.

"What is it?"

"We found another body."

His expression hardened instantly.

"Where?"

"At the Romano estate."

Aria's heart skipped a beat.

Another body?

Who?

Before she could ask, Lorenzo turned toward his convoy.

Just before entering the vehicle, he glanced back at her.

"This is only the beginning."

The convoy disappeared into the rain.

Seconds later, Aria's phone vibrated.

Unknown Number.

With shaking hands, she answered.

A frightened male voice whispered,

"Miss Romano... don't go home."

Her pulse quickened.

"Who is this?"

"They're still inside the mansion..."

A loud crash echoed through the call.

Then a gunshot.

The line went dead.

Aria stared at the silent phone, her blood turning to ice.

Someone was waiting for her.

And whoever they were...

They weren't finished with the Romano family.