Her empire, her choices, her consequences.

The door opens again, this time with a sharpness that makes Bella's heart race. Vito steps into the room, his usual confidence shadowed by something else, something colder.

"I need to talk to you about Roberto." Her pulse quickens. The weight of Vito's words feels heavier than ever now, Bella wonders just how much he knows about her thoughts, her doubts, her growing distance from Roberto.

"What about him?" she asks, her voice betraying none of the anxiety she feels inside.

"He's slipping," Vito says bluntly. "I've been watching him, and he's not the same. He's become careless, and he's letting Sofia pull him in deeper. We can't ignore this any longer." 

Bella crosses her arms, her mind racing. It's not just Sofia's influence that bothers her, it's Roberto's disconnection. He's been more distant, more secretive, and she feels like she's losing him piece by piece. But hearing Vito put it so plainly, without any room for doubt, makes it all the more real.

 "I know," Bella admits, her voice softer now. "I've seen it too."

 Vito looks at her, his gaze sharpening. "Then what are you going to do about it?"

 As she stands there, her eyes flicking between Vito and Maria, a quiet realization settles over her, she doesn't have to make this decision alone.

"What do you suggest?" she asks, the words tasting foreign on her tongue.

 Vito's lips curl into a cold smile. "We need to make a statement. Sofia's cartel needs to be crushed. Roberto needs to see that you're not just his wife, you're the queen of this empire. He either falls in line, or he's out."

Bella takes a deep breath. She turns to Maria, then back to Vito.

"This is the cost of loyalty, isn't it?" she says softly.

Vito gives a sharp nod. "And it's the price you'll pay for power."

"I don't know yet, but I'll figure it out and it won't take me long to do so"

Vito studies her for a long moment before nodding. "Just make sure you act before he drags us all down with him."

Her empire, her choices, her consequences.

The weight of it all presses down on her, Bella doesn't feel entirely powerless.

She has a decision to make. And she's not going to let anyone else decide it for her.