Chapter 2

Matteo chased me to the door and blocked my way.

"You think registering means someone will actually come pick you up?"

He waved his canceled registration confirmation in my face and grinned smugly.

"What Viola's giving me is a real chance to survive."

The man in front of me felt like a stranger.

Three years ago, Matteo and I had met at the Bellini family's training compound.

My marksmanship and combat scores were always near the top.

Whenever he fell behind in training, I was the one who stayed late to practice with him.

When he messed up his first escort job, I lured the pursuers away by myself and kept him from getting kicked out.

I even took a bullet in the shoulder for him.

He sat by my hospital bed and swore he'd never let me risk my life for him again.

We agreed that once he passed his assessment, we'd announce our engagement.

But six months ago, Viola showed up and everything changed.

She kept dropping hints about her special status and even took Matteo to the Commission building once.

Matteo only made it as far as the lobby, but he posted the photos in every group chat, acting as if he'd been welcomed into the Commission's inner circle.

From then on, he followed Viola everywhere. He even got other people to cover his armory shifts for him.

I warned him not to take chances with Family business, but he shook off my hand.

"One little favor from Viola is worth more than three years of your hard work on the training compound.

"If you can't help me move up the ladder, stay out of my way."

Now I understood. Viola had never really fooled him.

He had simply decided she could help him climb higher, so he was willing to do anything for her.

The people from the council chamber followed us out.

"An outsider like you doesn't understand real power."

"We don't need to stand in line. We're getting on the priority convoy anyway."

"What good is hard work? In the end, it's all about who your parents are."

Matteo shoved his phone against my shoulder.

"Train all you want. You'll still just be hired muscle for people with real status."

I smiled.

Power does open certain doors.

But this time, the Commission required everyone to register in person. Even my father was no exception.

"Then enjoy the ride."

I stepped around Matteo and walked out of the base.

Two blocks away, a black Bugatti was waiting for me.

I got in and headed back to the Moretti estate.

My father stood in the great hall with the newly issued evacuation name list in his hand.

The moment he saw me, his stern expression softened.

"Your three-year assessment is over. Welcome home."

For those three years, he had never once pulled any strings for me.

To the Bellini family, I was nothing but the adopted daughter of a low-level associate.

Every assignment I completed and every victory I earned was recorded under my name alone.

My father handed me the badge for the Moretti strike team.

"You stood on your own two feet. You earned this position."

The image of him lying in a pool of blood flashed through my mind.

I threw myself into his arms.

I didn't dare believe I'd really come back in time until I heard his heartbeat.

He didn't ask what was wrong. He simply patted my back in a slow, steady rhythm.

At last, I choked out the words I'd never gotten to say in my first life.

"Dad, I'm home."