Chapter 6 Slave To Shadows

Alessia's heart pounded as she peered into the hospital room through a small window. Her mom laid on a bed, pale and motionless, and surrounded by many monitors and IVs. The sight almost made her collapse; this was the woman she had worked tirelessly for, only to see her fade so fast.

Suddenly, the doctor's voice pulled her from her thoughts. "Miss Alessia?"

"YE.S?" she had tried to steady her voice but failed miserably.

"Your mother's condition is... severe."

"How..bad, doc?" She asked gulping series of imaginary lumps down her throat.

"She needs full chemotherapy as soon as possible if she's to have a chance."

Alessia looked at the doctor. Full chemotherapy? That would cost a lot.

"How.....how much?" She asked as her breath slowly became unsteady.

"Three million euros."

Alessia froze, her mind barely processing the number. Three million euros. It was almost exactly what she'd taken from Tony's office. Was this fate? Without thinking, she nodded quickly.

"I'll... I'll pay," she stammered.

"Are you sure? It's a hefty sum." The doctor raised a brow, surprised by her quick response.

"Please, just save her. I'll bring the money right now."

An hour later, Alessia returned to the hospital with the duffel bag, still heavy with the money she had stolen. Her hands shook as she handed it over to the hospital staff, her heart pounding with a mix of fear and relief. She didn't care where the money came from-she just wanted her mother safe.

After the payment was settled, the doctor nodded approvingly. "Your mother will be admitted for the treatment immediately."

Six hours ticked by painfully slow as Alessia waited. She sat alone in the waiting room, her mind racing and her body heavy with exhaustion. Finally, a nurse appeared.

"You can see her now," the nurse said softly.

Alessia walked in, her legs feeling like they might give out. Isabella lay still, eyes closed, looking fragile against the white hospital sheets. Alessia's heart twisted as she slid down beside the door, pressing her back against it as despair washed over her.

Time seemed to blur. She didn't know how long she stayed there, but eventually, her stomach growled, pulling her back to reality. She realized she hadn't eaten all day and, reluctantly, stood up.

The sky had turned dark by the time Alessia stepped out of the hospital, her mind lost in worry. She walked slowly, heading to any nearby stall, hugging herself as the chill of the evening settled in. That's when she noticed him-Tony, striding toward her with an angry expression.

"You!" he shouted, pointing at her from across the street. "Alessia!"

Panic seized her. She couldn't face him now-not with everything she had done. Without a second thought, she turned and ran, her feet pounding against the pavement as she ran.

"Stop right there!" Tony's voice echoed, angrily. But Alessia didn't look back. She ran as fast as her legs could carry her.

"Stop that little thief"

"Oh no" She could hear his voice behind her. At this rate, everyone might join in the chase. She took a sharp turn, running all the way home, heart racing, lungs burning, only slowing down when she reached her front door.

As Alessia burst into the house, and ran into a wall almost immediately. Her breath caught as she looked up. 'How did the wall shift so close' she thought inwardly as she slowly lifted her head to look into Dante's cold, piercing eyes. The moment she saw him, she felt time stop. Her heart into her stomach. She had completely forgotten about the debt to him.

"Dante..." she breathed, her voice a whisper of dread.

Alessia noticed his brows furrowing and his expression becoming colder.

He crossed his arms, his gaze hard as steel. "The money?" Another voice said. It was then her eye scanned the room. Marco and two other men, probably mobsters from the empire.

She swallowed, struggling to find words. "I... I was... my mother is sick, and she needed-"

Marco cut her off, his tone as icy as his stare. "Your mother's sickness isn't our concern. Do you have the money?"

"Please, Dante...aarh" her sharp scream of pain rang in the room as the crashing of the only plastic chair in the apartment.

"That's the third and last time my name would escape those lips of yours" came his cold emotionless voice.

Something flowed down her cheeks. Tears.

"Do you have the money" Marco asked again

"I... I.... I need more time. I'll work harder, I promise. I'll repay every single euro. Just... give me more time." Alessia pleaded shakingly clasping both hands as her knees wobbled in a begging posture.

Marco let out a bitter laugh. "Do you think your pleas mean anything to us?"

"Please," she whispered again, her voice barely holding steady while avoiding their gaze. "I'll do whatever it takes, just..."

Dante took a step closer, his gaze cold and merciless. "I don't care what you wanted. You think I'm going to show mercy? I'm not that kind of man. I don't deal in pity. And I don't give second chances. From this point on, you're nothing but a slave to the empire."

"No... No, you don't understand," she cried, desperation clawing at her throat. "I didn't take it. It was Leo! He's the one who took your money, not me. Why do I have to suffer for something I didn't do?" Dante's gaze turned colder still, if that were even possible. A slight smirk twisted his lips, as though her words amused him in some dark, terrible way. "You started paying for his sins from the day you came to this world as siblings. You're nothing but a slave to the empire now." Her knees gave way, and she slumped to the floor, her body wracked with silent sobs as she shook her head. "Please... I'm begging you..." But Dante didn't respond. Instead, he raised his hand, signaling to the men behind him. Marco stepped forward, holding a small syringe, the liquid inside gleaming ominously in the dim light.

"No... please, no..." she whimpered, scrambling back against the wall, trying to put as much distance as she could between herself and the needle.

Dante's expression was merciless as he nodded, and Marco advanced, grabbing her arm in a vice-like grip. She struggled, but it was no use. The prick of the needle bit into her skin, and a rush of cold spread through her veins.

Her vision blurred, darkness creeping in at the edges, and she felt herself slipping away. The last thing she saw was Dante's cold gaze as he watched her collapse to the floor.

And then, there was only darkness.