a partner in battle, not just her protector.

A knock on the door pulled her from her thoughts. Bella stood, smoothing down her dress as she walked toward the door, her movements graceful but deliberate. When she opened it, Vito was standing there, his eyes sharp and focused.

"You came," Bella said softly, stepping aside to let him in.

Vito's expression was hard, as always, but there was something deeper in his eyes, concern, perhaps even fear. He walked into the room, his hands resting in the pockets of his coat, as though ready for a confrontation.

"You didn't give me much of a choice, Bella," Vito said, his voice low and steady. "If you think you can still control this situation, you're wrong."

Bella shut the door behind him, leaning against it as she watched her brother. "I don't need to control it," she said calmly. "I just need to survive it."

Vito's jaw tightened. "Survive? Bella, Roberto is going to destroy everything. You've been playing a dangerous game with him, and now, it's all coming back to haunt you."

Bella tilted her head slightly, her eyes narrowing. "And you think I don't know that? I'm not naïve, Vito. I know what Roberto is capable of. But I'm not the same woman I was when I married him. I've learned to play the game."

Vito crossed his arms, his expression unreadable. "And what's your next move, then? Because from where I'm standing, you're outnumbered. Roberto has Marco, Sofia, and half the city in his pocket."

Bella smiled, a small, knowing smile. "Marco won't be loyal for long. Roberto doesn't trust him anymore, and Marco knows it. He'll break, eventually. And Sofia? She's only loyal to herself. She's in this for power, just like Roberto. If she senses weakness, she'll turn on him."

Vito's eyes flickered with uncertainty, but he remained silent, watching his sister with a mixture of admiration and frustration.

Bella moved toward the window, her voice softer now. "You've always seen me as someone who needed protection, Vito. But I'm not that person anymore. I don't need you to shield me from Roberto. I need you to stand beside me, as my ally. Because when this war starts, there will be no going back."

Vito clenched his jaw, the weight of her words sinking in. He had always been Bella's protector, her shield against the dangers of their world. But now, she was asking him to be something else, to be a partner in this battle, not just her protector.

"Are you sure about this?" Vito asked, his voice quieter now. "Once you make your move, there's no turning back."

Bella met his gaze, her expression unyielding. "I'm sure. Roberto's downfall is inevitable. But I won't be caught in the crossfire. It's time for me to take control of my own fate."

There was a long silence between them, the weight of Bella's decision hanging in the air. Finally, Vito nodded, his resolve hardening.

"Alright," he said, his voice firm. "I'm with you. But we need a plan, something that can take Roberto down without him seeing it coming."

Bella smiled again, a glimmer of cold satisfaction in her eyes. "Don't worry. I've already started laying the groundwork. Roberto thinks he's invincible, but every empire falls eventually. And when his does, we'll be ready."