Piece of a puzzle

She hasn't heard from Vito since their conversation earlier, and the silence feels like a storm cloud hanging over her head. 

The sound of the phone ringing breaks the silence in the room, and Bella's pulse skips a beat.

She picks up the receiver, steadying her breath. "Yes?"

"Bella," the voice on the other end is low, almost a whisper, but there's no mistaking it.

Roberto.

Her heart thuds painfully against her chest. The voice, smooth and familiar, does nothing to reassure her. It only reminds her of the betrayal, the lies, and the distance between them that has only grown in the past weeks.

"I need to see you," Roberto says, his tone calm but insistent.

Bella is quiet for a moment, weighing her options. She wants to lash out, to scream at him for everything he's done. But instead, she takes a deep breath and steels herself. 

"Why?" she finally asks, her voice colder than she intends.

"I think we need to talk," Roberto replies, and there's a hint of urgency beneath the surface. "In person. No more games."

"Fine," she says, her voice cutting through the tension. "I'll meet you. But don't think for a second that this changes anything between us."

She hangs up before Roberto can respond, her breath shallow as she places the receiver back in its cradle. The anger inside her rises, but she forces it down. She can't afford to be emotional, not now. She needs to think clearly. Every step she takes from here on out could cost her everything.

Maria watches her closely from across the room, her face unreadable. Bella doesn't look at her as she walks to the mirror, adjusting her appearance. Her hands work quickly, almost mechanically, as she prepares to face the man who has torn her world apart.

"Are you sure about this?" Maria asks quietly, her voice tinged with concern.

Bella doesn't answer right away. Instead, she meets Maria's eyes in the reflection, "I have to be."

Maria steps closer, her hand resting briefly on Bella's shoulder. "Just be careful, Bella. He's not the same man you married. You know that."

Bella nods, the words lingering in her mind. He's not the same. No, he's worse now. Far worse.

The doorbell rings, and the sound cuts through the tension like a knife. Bella's heart races, but she takes a deep breath, forcing herself to stay calm. This is it. The moment that will either make or break her.

As she reaches the door, she hesitates for only a second. Then, with a steady hand, she opens it.

Standing on the other side is Roberto. His presence fills the doorway, his dark eyes scanning her face with an unreadable expression. He looks as powerful as ever, but there's something different in his demeanor today. A shift, something that Bella can't quite place.

"What do you want, Roberto?" Bella asks, her voice cutting through the silence.

Roberto looks at her, his jaw tightening, but he doesn't answer right away. Instead, he steps forward, as if he expects her to invite him in.

Bella stands her ground, not allowing him to cross the threshold just yet. She won't give him that power, not now. Not after everything he's done.

"I've come to explain," Roberto says after a beat, his voice low. "I know you're angry, but we need to talk. About what's coming."

Bella's pulse quickens. She's not sure if he's talking about the impending war between their families or something deeper. But either way, it's a conversation long overdue.

"I'm listening," Bella says, her words measured, but her mind is already two steps ahead, calculating the risk, wondering if she can use this meeting to her advantage.

Roberto steps inside the mansion, his presence like a shadow that follows her. He's no longer the man she once knew, but she can't deny the fire that still burns between them. It's dangerous. It's a trap. But she's already walking into it.

As Roberto begins to speak, explaining his actions, his deals with other cartels, and his plans to take control of everything, Bella listens carefully. She knows better than to trust him fully, but every word he speaks is a piece of the puzzle she's been trying to solve.

The betrayal is much deeper than she thought. And with every passing minute, she feels the walls closing in on her.