Chapter 62

Before I had the chance to say anything another thought suddenly popped into my mind. This thought made my heart feel tight with worry. I realized that there was one more important thing I needed to do before I could completely enjoy my freedom. I had to make sure to warn Raf. I could not just leave him behind to deal with whatever kind of danger was waiting for him.

“Luiza” I called out to her my voice filled with urgency and a sense of desperation as I reached out and grabbed her arm firmly almost begging her to listen to me.

“You need to tell him the truth. Please I’m asking you to promise me that you will. There is a plan in place to kill him. I found out about it just a couple of days ago when I was at the club—some of the capos were talking about it in quiet voices and I overheard their conversation.”

Luiza's face noticeably lost its color and her smile disappeared as the seriousness of what I said started to hit her. She looked at me with deep concern and asked “Are you completely certain about this?“ Her worry was written all over her face.

“Yes, I am sure,” I said firmly really emphasizing my point. I kept my eyes focused on hers trying to find any indication that she understood how important this was to me even though I was feeling a tight knot of fear in my stomach.

“Please Luiza you need to warn him. It is very very important!” I urged her allowing my voice to become a bit louder as I felt a growing sense of urgency.

Her eyes relaxed a little and I noticed a brief moment where both fear and strong determination shone in the deep pools of her gaze. It was clear that she understood just how important my request was.

“Alright,” she said at last her voice soft and almost like a whisper yet filled with a firm resolve. “I will do it. But you have to leave right now Iris. You need to run. I will make sure that Raf is informed about everything I promise you that.”

With great hesitation, I let go of her arm. I quickly turned around and started to run into the thick dark shadows that surrounded me. My heart was racing wildly in my chest beating so fast that it felt like it was going to burst through my ribs.

Each beat reminded me just how urgently I needed to get away from this place. As I ran I couldn't help but think about what Luiza had told me. Her words kept echoing in my mind mixing into something that both frightened and motivated me “Run. Get as far away as you can. And whatever you do don't look back.”

As I took each step forward my legs pushed me farther and farther away from that house. It was a place full of memories that felt heavy and suffocating memories that had been like shadows following me for such a long time.

I was trying my best to get away from the nightmare that my life had become a life I desperately wanted to escape. I ran as fast as I could my breath coming out in quick uneven gasps and my lungs felt like they were on fire from the effort. But even though it was hard I told myself that I could not stop now I simply wouldn’t allow myself to stop.

With every step I took, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude well up inside me like a powerful wave that washed over me cleansing my thoughts and emotions. I found myself thinking about Luiza—she had stepped in to save me during a time when I least expected anyone to come to my aid.

Despite the doubts and suspicions that had previously clouded my judgment, she had never betrayed me. She had shown faith in me at a time when I was feeling completely lost and alone. The distrust I had initially harbored began to crumble away like old rocks disintegrating making space for a new understanding to grow. This understanding formed a fresh bond between us one strengthened by our shared fears and the dangers that surrounded us.

I couldn’t help but reflect on how different things could have been if Luiza hadn’t come to my rescue. Just the thought of it sent chills down my spine as I considered what kind of fate might have awaited me.

However, even amidst this relief, troubling questions continued to gnaw at me. I wondered about who could truly want me dead aside from Raf. I couldn’t shake the feeling that there might be others out there who had reasons to silence me as well.

Maria! She was the older maid who always seemed to have an endless supply of kindness and warmth. Throughout all the time I spent with Raf she was always there quietly serving him without hesitation. Even during those tense moments when it felt like my very presence was a source of danger or discomfort there she was standing close by.

Her gentle way of treating me felt almost too comforting too perfect to be real. I couldn’t help but wonder if there was something more beneath the surface. Was she hiding her true feelings about me? Did she have secret plans all along?

Maria was in a prime position to do something terrible if she wanted to she had glided smoothly through the background of Raf's life always adorned with a polite smile seemingly always watching and waiting.

Feeling extremely anxious and overwhelmed I quickly called for a taxi. I was eager to get as far away as I could from the house. I wanted to escape not just from the physical place but also from the painful memories that felt like they were sticking to me just like shadows that would not let go.

“Could you please take me to the subway station?” I asked the driver my voice shaking a little because I was feeling both scared and excited at the same time. With every turn of the car’s tires on the road it felt like I was getting closer to freedom but at the same time, it felt like I was approaching something mysterious and uncertain.

When I arrived at the train station I found myself surrounded by a large number of people. The crowds were lively and active creating a whirlwind of activity all around me. This overwhelming scene filled me with a mix of emotions it was a little too much for me to handle and strangely enough it made me feel somewhat at ease.

I felt a little vulnerable and exposed as if everyone could see me and I was completely open to the world around me. However, I discovered that being among so many strangers and blending into the crowd gave me a strange sense of comfort.

Even though I was surrounded by unfamiliar faces the fact that no one noticed me made me feel safer in a way that I needed at that moment.

I was standing at the train station ready to get on the next train that would take me to a new place. I was feeling excited because I wanted to start a new life and have a fresh beginning far away from all the fear and darkness that I had been experiencing.

Just at that moment, something unexpected happened. A hand suddenly reached out and grabbed my arm tightly pulling me back and surprising me.

“Where are you going little bird?” the voice gently asked sounding as soft and smooth as fine silk. However, there was something deeper and darker in that voice something unsettling that made me feel a chill run down my spine.

I suddenly turned around quickly and I felt my breath get stuck in my throat. It was as if the entire world around me was becoming smaller and more intense making everything feel very frightening and clear at the same time.

Don Campani!

As soon as I laid my eyes on him the fear that I had been trying so hard to keep under control came bursting out just like a volcano that had been asleep for a long time. It was powerful and unrestrained completely overwhelming me….