Trust issues

At the penthouse, the atmosphere was thick with tension. His mind was working, but there was a gnawing distraction. Sofia's words from earlier still rang in his ears: "Loyalty is a fragile thing."

He glanced over at Sofia, who was lounging on the couch, casually flipping through a magazine as if the world outside wasn't on the verge of collapse. The ease with which she moved through chaos unnerved him at times, but it was also what made her irresistible.

"You think Marco would turn?" Roberto asked, his voice flat, devoid of emotion.

Sofia looked up, her dark eyes meeting his, a sly smile curling her lips. "Anyone can turn, Roberto. It all depends on the offer."

Roberto's jaw clenched. Marco had been his most trusted man, his right hand in every way. The thought of him betraying that trust was hard to swallow, but he couldn't ignore the signs. Marco had been distant lately, more hesitant in his responses, as if he were weighing each decision too carefully. And in their world, hesitation was often the first step toward betrayal.

"I'll deal with it," Roberto said, more to himself than to Sofia.

Sofia watched him for a moment, her smile fading into something more calculating. "Just remember, Roberto. Trust is a luxury you can't afford anymore. Not with Bella and her family making moves against you."

Roberto's eyes narrowed, his thoughts shifting to Bella. She had always been strong-willed, but he had underestimated just how much. Now she was working with Vito, scheming against him, and every day brought them closer to an all-out war.

Meanwhile, in his penthouse, Roberto paced. He had just spoken with Sofia, and though she had reassured him that everything was going according to plan, a gnawing sense of dread gripped him. The walls felt like they were closing in, and every whisper seemed to carry the weight of conspiracy.

He stopped at the large window, looking out at the rain-soaked streets below. The city he ruled over felt distant, like a fading memory of a past life. The empire he built, the alliances he forged, were unraveling. And at the center of it all was Bella.

He didn't want to believe Marco could betray him, but the signs were all there. He had sent Marco on a mission tonight, a test of loyalty. Roberto would know soon enough where Marco stood, and the consequences would be severe.

Sofia's soft footsteps brought him out of his thoughts. She moved gracefully across the room, her dark eyes never leaving his. "You're restless," she said, her voice smooth as silk.

Roberto didn't respond immediately. He continued to stare out the window, his mind racing. Finally, he turned to her, his face hard. "It's all falling apart."

Sofia approached him, her hand resting lightly on his shoulder. "Not if you stay ahead of them. Bella and her family, they're moving against you, but you've always been smarter than them. Stronger."

He studied her face, searching for any sign of deceit, but as always, Sofia was an enigma. She had been a source of comfort, a distraction from the storm brewing around him. But even she had her own motivations. And he couldn't afford to trust anyone fully, not anymore.

"I need you to keep an eye on Bella," Roberto said, his voice firm. "She's planning something. I can feel it."

Sofia's lips curled into a smile. "Consider it done."

Roberto received Marco's report later that day. The mission had been a success, but something about it didn't sit right with him. Marco's loyalty was still in question, and Roberto couldn't afford any more risks.

As he sat in his office, staring at the city below, he made a decision. If Marco couldn't be trusted, he would need to be eliminated. And if Bella was behind any of this, he would deal with her personally.