Diana’s POV
I was frozen, staring at the small, lifeless body inside the box.
Fina.
She was the only thing I had been allowed to bring into the Ricci estate eight years ago. While everything else in my life had been stripped away, Eduardo had permitted me to keep the tiny white kitten I had rescued years before.
And just like Lucan…
I had raised her with care.
Fed her myself. Slept with her curled against my chest during lonely nights. She was the only creature in this mansion that loved me without conditions.
“Don’t mess with me,” Lucan snapped coldly. “And don’t get my father upset with me again.”
I watched him turn and walk away, his small figure disappearing down the corridor guarded by black-suited men.
My gaze dropped back to the arrow embedded in Fina’s body.
A bitter smile tugged at my lips.
Fate really had a twisted sense of humor.
I was the one who taught Lucan how to use a crossbow.
In mafia families, children were trained early—shooting, self-defense, reading people, understanding power. Eduardo had ordered the instructors, but it was me who stayed beside Lucan during his lessons.
I taught him how to steady his breathing.
How to aim.
How to pull the trigger.
I taught him everything.
And now… he was using it against me.
I hugged the box to my chest, staring at Fina’s tiny body as a tear slipped quietly down my cheek.
“Why are you standing out here in the cold, Diana? Don’t get sick on me.”
Eduardo’s voice came from behind me.
He walked up and draped his expensive suit jacket over my shoulders, the scent of gunpowder and cologne lingering on the fabric.
I shrugged it off.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
Then he saw inside the box.
His brows knitted together slightly, his expression turning faintly displeased.
“Your son came to apologize,” I said quietly.
Eduardo frowned.
“He’s your son too.”
I let out a soft scoff.
“He hates me, Eduardo. He killed my cat.”
Eduardo exhaled, as if I was being unreasonable.
“Come inside. I’ll talk to him in the morning. You can bury the cat tomorrow. I’m sure he was just messing around. A childish prank.”
A prank.
My fingers tightened around the box.
Without another word, I turned and walked toward the garden.
I wasn’t going to leave Fina outside all night for the guard dogs or stray animals to tear apart.
Eduardo followed behind me, muttering about how stubborn I was, but he didn’t leave.
The garden lights flickered softly as I dug the soil beneath the old olive tree. My hands trembled, the cold night air biting against my burned skin.
Eduardo stood nearby, arms crossed, silently watching.
After a while, I placed Fina into the ground.
“Goodbye,” I whispered softly.
When I finished covering the soil, I stood up quietly.
The party had already ended. The luxury cars were gone, the guards returning to their usual silent patrols.
The night had grown colder.
I sneezed.
Before I could step away, Eduardo pulled me into his arms.
We walked back to my room.
Once inside, he sat down and pulled me onto his lap.
I stiffened.
“What do you want?” I asked coldly.
Eduardo sighed, resting his chin lightly against my shoulder.
“What’s wrong, Diana? I’ll get you another cat.”
I shook my head.
“I want to leave, Eduardo. Tomorrow.”
His body tensed beneath me.
“Lucan is still a child,” he said after a moment. “I don’t trust anyone else to take care of him. Besides… where will you go? You don’t have anyone else.”
I shrugged.
“I’ll figure it out. I don’t belong here anymore. You refused to marry me even after eight years.”
Eduardo sighed again.
“I told you before… I can’t take another wife.”
In the mafia world, marriage wasn’t just about love. It meant alliances, territory, and power balance.
And I was never part of his plans.
“I’m not asking you to,” I replied calmly. “I don’t even want to marry you anymore. I just want to leave.”
Eduardo fell silent.
Then he said quietly, “Then have a child for me.”
I froze.
“That way I can secure your future… and your child’s,” he continued. “If you have my child, no one in the underworld will dare disrespect you. Lucan will also have a sibling.”
A sad smile curved my lips.
Eight years.
I had abandoned my pride, my dignity, my self-respect.
And yet, after everything…
He still wanted me to stay as nothing more than a woman who bore his illegitimate child.
All just to keep me trapped in this house… for Lucan.
“I’ve already instructed the maid about Lucan’s routine,” I said quietly. “He’s homeschooled. You can hire better tutors… or send him to a private academy. He doesn’t need me anymore.”
Eduardo leaned down and kissed my forehead.
“Sleep on it,” he murmured. “Tell me in the morning.”
But that night…
I didn’t sleep.
I packed my luggage quietly.
Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Fina’s lifeless body.
Morning came faster than I expected.
After a quick shower, I dragged my suitcases downstairs.
The courtyard looked the same as always—guards at every corner, black luxury cars parked near the gate.
It was finally happening.
I was leaving.
But of course… nothing in this house ever ended peacefully.
A slow clap echoed across the courtyard.
“Well, well, well.”
Cassia leaned against a marble pillar, a mocking smile on her lips.
Eduardo’s mistress.
Lucan’s favorite.
“Have you finally come to your senses?” she drawled.
I ignored her and continued walking.
But she stepped in front of me.
“Eight years, Diana,” she said, folding her arms. “Eight years of waiting for a man who never loved you. You’ve been nothing but a useless concubine.”
I met her eyes calmly.
“Enjoy it then,” I replied. “None of this concerns me anymore.”
Her smile widened.
“Oh, I will. Soon, I’ll move in and take your place.”
Before I could respond, the mansion doors opened.
Eduardo walked out.
Lucan followed behind him.
And instantly, Cassia dropped to her knees.
“Diana, please!” she sobbed, clutching my dress. “Don’t leave! Lucan needs you!”
I stared down at her blankly.
“Lucan loves you… he’s just a child… please don’t go…”
Eduardo sighed impatiently.
“Enough. Stop creating a scene,” he said coldly. “I’ll get you another cat. Stop stressing Cassia.”
Before I could speak, Lucan ran toward Cassia and hugged her.
“Don’t cry, Cassia,” he whispered gently.
Then he looked at me.
“You killed my mother,” he spat. “Now you’re hurting Cassia too.”
His expression softened again as he turned back to Cassia.
“You should stay. You should be my mother. You should marry my father.”
Then he looked at me again.
“You’re wicked. That’s why my father never loved you. I’m happy you’re leaving.”
My chest tightened.
I looked at the boy I had raised for eight years.
“Then… there’s really no reason for me to stay,” I said softly.
I turned and walked toward the gate.
Just as I reached the driveway—
A sharp metallic click sounded behind me.
Instinct made me turn.
Lucan was holding a small crossbow.
And before anyone could react—
He pulled the trigger.
The arrow shot straight toward my head.
