Sylvia’s eyes were red as she limped toward the exit. She thought she could end everything with just a few simple words. It was far too easy. So, I lifted my chin slightly and my bodyguard immediately blocked her path.
Matteo shot me a cold, cutting glance. After so many years, we could read each other with just a look. Then, he curved his lips into a soft smile and called out to Sylvia, “Come here and apologize to Victoria before you leave.”
Sylvia froze, resentment and grievance swirling in her eyes. But she still obeyed, walking stiffly toward me and dropping to her knees.
She said, her voice trembling, “Miss Morelli, I acted on impulse. I came here without knowing the full truth.”
“It was wrong of me to hurt you … but you’ve also lost a child yourself. You should understand how I feel, shouldn’t you?”
“A mother who can’t even protect her own child is nothing but trash.”
Though it sounded like an apology, her words were cruel. I raised my hand and slapped her across the face with a loud crack.
“The last person who dared speak to me like that is nothing but dust now,” I hissed.
“How many lives do you think you have? How dare you defy me?”
Sylvia covered her face, sobbing like a cornered animal. I sneered and struck her again, the slap echoing through the room. She managed to stay upright, but I staggered and fell to the floor.
Before I could move, Matteo’s foot came down on my hand, pinning me to the ground. His cold indifference was like a stranger’s face.
“I warned you not to touch her!” he shouted.
“Victoria, why must you target someone innocent?”
My cheek throbbed, while the metallic taste of blood filled my mouth. My lips curved into a bloodstained smile. Over the years, I had sent at least a hundred souls to their graves without hesitation because of Matteo.
And yet here I was, struck down by the man who had ordered to kill those men for me.
Matteo understood well that I wasn’t someone who surrendered easily, yet he also knew I would never hurt someone truly innocent. Still, he didn’t give me the chance to explain. With a swift kick, he knocked me aside and scooped Sylvia into his arms before storming out.
My bodyguard hurried over to lift me, but my entire body trembled with pain. When I caught his confused gaze, I forced a small, bitter smile. As I turned, he noticed the dagger lodged deep in my back.