At the Edge of Chaos

*Evangeline's POV*

The soft creak of rosary beads sliding against each other was the only sound in the car. My fingers clutched the ivory crucifix tightly, the worn metal edges digging into my palm as I fidgeted mindlessly. The window next to me blurred as we sped along the road, but I kept my head turned, letting the gray sky fill my vision.

Your father is dead.

Your father is dead.

Your father is dead.

The words replayed to me,each time adding grim severity to the situation. My numbness wouldn't let me cry.

My chest tightened again, and I forced down the sad lump rising in my throat. The air felt suffocating, heavy with unspoken tension. I blinked quickly, trying to hold back the burning tears as I felt the weight of his gaze on me.

It only lasted for a second but it felt like he had sent heat waves to my cheek for at least an hour.

Why does he always have to look at me like that? The thought barely had time to form before I pushed it away. There were more pressing matters than my dislike for Vincenzo's presence.

I squeezed the rosary harder, my knuckles whitening.

The memories came flooding back, breaking through the numb fog that had settled around me since we left. My father's voice from our last conversation echoed in my mind.

"What more do you want to lose before you stop this madness?"

I had asked him that, standing in his office while we argued about the path he was still choosing to walk. His illegal activities, his alliances.The things that had gotten me sold in the first place. I had screamed at him and never made peace. 

The last memory I gave him was me scolding him,even though he had tried all his life to shield and exclude me from his life in the mafia–I still selfishly stood and judged him.

And now he was gone. His life, his choices, his love,his protection.And I hadn't even had the chance to say goodbye.

Now all I had was my seven aunts and Gabriel to look after me,and Gabriel had always scorned at the favouritism I received from our father and I don't know what will become of our relationship now. I can only pray that the lessons of family my father had so long preached had found a way to crack into that stubborn skull of his.

"Evangeline."

The sudden grunt from Vincenzo startled me back to the present,his index was gently tapping the wheelchair.

"We're here."

I turned, blinking as the large gates of my father's estate came into view. My stomach churned. I wasn't ready for this,but I couldn't cower away either.

 Stepping out of the car, the air outside was no less suffocating. My aunt, her face lined with grief, rushed towards me the moment I was on the driveway, her hands wringing nervously. But instead of enveloping me in a comforting embrace, she stopped, her sharp eyes flitting to Vincenzo with scorn.

"Why did you bring him here?" she hissed in a low voice, though it was loud enough for him to catch. "This is a private family matter."

Before I could respond, my brother stepped in, his tone firm. "Aunt Cecilia, Vincenzo is also part of this family. Don't be disrespectful."

His words startled me, My gaze flicked toward him, but before I could dwell on the oddity of his defense, I was ushered inside by Aunt Cecilia mumbling profanities in Spanish. 

 The somber halls of my father's house closed in around me, and soon, I was standing in his bedroom,along with my aunts and a few of my cousins who didn't even like him.

"We will bury him before the weekend"Aunt Cecilia announced to the room.

No objection came.

"Press?"she asked. "I think its best we dont have a lot of people involved in this,its best of people think he is still alive,Gabriel isnt exactly the best…representative."

By representative,she meant Don. Aunt Clara took off her dark glasses and smacked her lips.

"Evangeline,you brought your husband?"

"Yes."

"I already scolded her."Aunt Cecilia chirped,wrapping her hands around my shoulders.

"Don't."Aunt Clara objected. "With Gabriel ahead of us,we might actually need to kiss that ego maniac's ass.So to everyone in this room,you better flash your pearly whites at him each chance you get."

The room mumbled a defeated agreement and sighed collectively.

"We are the Hidalgos"Aunt Cecilia huffed angrily, "We dont need to suck up to anyone for our survival."

"Cecilia–"Aunt Clara began. "You have to be reasonable…"

In the midst of all the commotion,I let my eyes go to the bed,and felt something within me sink when I saw his face. 

It looked so-unlike him,the man I knew was a burst of audacious life and energy,whatever was on the bed didn't resemble anything close to my father–at all.

 My knees buckled, and I clutched the rosary tighter, letting the tears fall freely now.

 A small sob escaped me and before I could muster any form of decorum into my skin,I was wailing like a child at the foot of the bed.

***

The sun had long set by the time I found a quiet corner on the balcony. The cool night air did little to calm the turmoil inside me. My still blurry gaze went down at my phone—multiple missed calls from Luca.

I hesitated before finally pressing the call button. When his voice came through, it was a sharp contrast to the silence around me.

"Are you okay?" Luca asked quickly.

"I'm...safe," I whispered, my voice exhausted from crying too much. "I'm at my father's house."

"Oh–what did he call you for?"

"He's dead."

There was a long three second pause. "I'm so sorry."

Hot tears ran down my cheeks and I didn't attempt to stop them. I pinched hard into my palm and sniffed.

"Are you okay?"he asked next."Should I come over?"

I cleared my throat. "No,no-my husband is here–"

 It was only after I said 'my husband' that I realised how blasphemous it sounded on my tongue,and especially to Luca,of all people.

 "I'm sorry."I whispered,collecting myself.

 "Lets focus on the plan for now."He suggested. "Are you still going to be available tomorrow?"

I frowned. " Luca, my father just died."

"I know you are grieving right now but think about this–the timing of it.His death could be directly linked to Vincenzo."

His words hit me like a bucket of cold water. "What are you saying?"

Luca's voice hardened. "With nothing in his way,that man could do anything to you without repracuations and I have no doubt he will abuse the power,You are no longer safe–and who is to say he isnt the one behind it in the first place."

My head suddenly turned heavy and the railing was doing little to support my weight.

 I glanced around the balcony in a daze,my chest heaving as I remember the cold monotone of when he told me my father was dead. The thought wasn't far-fetched,they were practically enemies,it might actually be him.

Luca's voice cut through my thoughts. "If I cant be there,you need to promise to update me every two hours. I'm not joking, Evangeline. We can't take chances. Your life could be at stake."

I opened my mouth to respond, but the sound of footsteps approaching made my heart skip a beat. I hurriedly hung up and deleted the call log, my fingers trembling. When I turned, my breath caught in my throat.

Cameron.

He stood there, swaying slightly, clearly drunk. His eyes raked over me with a disturbing intensity. "Evangeline..."

My stomach flipped. "Are you drunk?"

Cameron was one of my father's many business associates and second highest bidder for my hand in marriage,he possessed the strong delusion that he and I were meant to be.

 He just arrived here a few hours ago and from the little I could make out his dim lit face,he was either drunk or high.

"My Evangeline."He took a step closer, ignoring my question. "How are you darling? Oh you sweet little thing–it must be so hard on you."

I took a step back, trying to put distance between us. "I think you should go."

But before I could move further, his hand shot out, gripping my wrist tightly. He yanked me towards him, his breath hot against my skin. "Come on, princess. You cant be all alone in this big jungle, Let me take care of you."

Panic surged through me,and I fought to claw my way out of his grip. "Get your filthy hands off me!"

"Filthy?"His black pupils dilated at me. "You never change do you? A sweet perfect Evangeline Hidalgo can't stain her perfect white conscience huh?"

"Don't let me repeat myself."I say firmly and his eyes glinted,grazing over the v-cut on my silk dress.

"Quite hypocritical now that you are married to the biggest filth in the game isn't it?"

His hands grabbed my chin and I sent my leg to kick his groin but he grabbed it,raising it over his hip.

"Just like that love,"he laughed,pining my hands down. "Tell me,is this how he treats you?"

"Cameron!"I screamed as he licked my neck. "Get off me!"

His grip on one hand loosened and I scratched his face with my nails,leaving a bloody trail that I'm sure will leave a scar.

He bit his lower lip and smirked,looking turned on by my resistance..

Before I could form another scream,a deafening crack split the air.

I barely had time to register what the sound was before I realized that Cameron's grip on me had loosened. I stumbled back,my heart thundering in my chest.

It was then that I looked up.

Vincenzo stood on the floor above us,his silhouette sharp and commanding against the yellow dim lit house behind him. The gun lowered,but a murderous stare still set in his clear eyes.

How long has he been there?

 "What the fuck is wrong with you?!" Cameron screamed at him,grabbing his shoulder blade,red tint beginning to pour out of his hand already,littering his crispy white dress shirt.

Saying nothing,Vincenzo calmly raised the gun to him again.

"No!!" I screamed,my voice blending with another blood curling sound of Vincenzo's bullet hitting Cameron.