Elena arrived early because waiting felt safer than being late.
The café sat on a polished corner of the city, all glass and white stone, the kind of place where people spoke softly and trusted appearances. Elena chose a table near the window and wrapped both hands around her phone, not because she needed it, but because it gave her something to hold onto.
She kept telling herself this was temporary. One conversation. One warning. Then it would be over.
She had texted Adrian five minutes ago.
I am inside. Please stay close.
No reply yet, but she knew him. He would be there. Watching. Pretending not to be afraid.
The bell above the door chimed.
Caterina Moretti walked in like the room had been waiting for her.
The café went quieter, though no one could have explained why. Caterina wore cream and black, expensive and simple, her dark hair pulled back, her face calm in a way that felt deliberate. She saw Elena immediately.
She stopped at the table and looked down at her.
"You look tired," Caterina said.
Elena stood, her legs stiff. "You said we should talk."
"Yes," Caterina replied. "Sit."
Elena sat.
Caterina did the same, crossing her legs slowly, deliberately. A waiter appeared as if summoned by instinct.
"Coffee," Caterina said. "Strong."
"For me too," Elena said quickly, needing something normal.
The waiter nodded and left.
Caterina studied Elena's face. "You did not sleep well."
Elena swallowed. "Why am I here."
Caterina smiled faintly. "You accepted money from my husband."
"I did not know who he was," Elena said.
"I did not even know he was married."
"That is irrelevant," Caterina said.
"Ignorance does not protect you."
Elena felt her chest tighten. "Nothing happened. He was drunk. He told me to leave."
"That," Caterina said quietly, "is exactly why we are having this conversation."
Elena blinked. "I do not understand."
Caterina leaned forward. "My husband does not show mercy. He takes what he wants. When he does not, people notice."
Elena shook her head. "I am not special."
Caterina laughed once, sharp and humorless. "Do not insult me."
The waiter returned. Caterina stirred her coffee slowly, the spoon tapping porcelain.
"He fucked someone before you,"
Caterina said casually.
Elena flinched.
"He was drunk," Caterina continued.
"Angry. He broke a glass in our bedroom. Then he left. They brought you in after."
Elena's throat closed. "I did not ask for that."
"No," Caterina agreed. "But you survived it."
Elena pushed her chair back slightly. "I want nothing to do with him. Or you."
Caterina's eyes lifted, cold. "You already do."
Elena glanced toward the window.
Across the street, Adrian leaned against a lamppost, pretending to scroll on his phone. Their eyes met for half a second.
Relief flooded her.
Caterina followed her gaze.
"You brought company," Caterina said. "How sweet."
"Leave him alone," Elena said.
Caterina tilted her head. "You care."
"He is my friend."
"That makes him expendable."
Elena stood abruptly. "This is insane."
Caterina remained seated. "Sit down."
"I am leaving."
Caterina sighed, then looked at her watch. "Count with me."
Elena froze. "What?"
"One," Caterina said.
Elena's heart slammed. "Stop this."
"Two."
The sound came before Elena could move.
A crack. Sharp and loud.
Glass exploded behind her.
Screams filled the café.
Elena turned toward the window just in time to see Adrian stumble backward. His phone hit the ground. He grabbed his side, red blooming through his jacket, and collapsed onto the pavement.
"No," Elena screamed.
She ran for the door.
Hands grabbed her arms.
She fought, kicking, screaming his name, but two men blocked her path.
Caterina stood, her expression unchanged.
"You fucking shot him," Elena cried.
"I warned you," Caterina said. "Sit down."
Sirens began to wail somewhere nearby.
"They will kill him," Elena sobbed.
"They will not," Caterina replied. "I told them where to aim."
Elena stared at her in horror. "You are a monster."
"Yes," Caterina said. "And now you understand."
They moved fast after that.
Outside, chaos erupted. Someone was shouting for help. Someone else was calling the police. Elena tried to look back, but Caterina pulled her toward a black car waiting at the curb.
Inside, Elena shook violently.
"I will give the money back," she begged. "All of it. Please."
Caterina did not look at her. "Money is irrelevant now."
The car sped through the city.
Elena wiped her face with trembling hands. "Why are you doing this to me."
Caterina finally turned. "Because my husband looked at you like he wanted something else. And I do not share."
Elena whispered, "I did not touch him."
"That is the problem."
The car slowed in front of iron gates.
Elena's stomach dropped.
The Moretti estate loomed behind them, dark and silent, lights glowing behind tall windows like watchful eyes.
They stepped inside.
The house smelled of polish and power.
Bianca stood in the hallway, her face pale. "Caterina. What happened."
"I solved a problem," Caterina said.
Elena collapsed onto the marble floor.
Bianca rushed to her side. "Shit! Oh God."
"They shot my friend," Elena cried.
Bianca's eyes widened. "What?"
Footsteps thundered from above.
Enzo appeared at the top of the stairs, shirt half open, eyes bloodshot.
"What the fuck is going on? " he demanded.
Caterina turned to him. "I protected our family."
Enzo saw Elena on the floor. His expression changed. "What did you do."
"They shot Adrian," Elena said through tears. "Because of me."
Enzo went still. "Who gave the order?"
Caterina met his gaze. "I did."
The room went silent.
"You crossed a line," Enzo said quietly.
"And you crossed one first," Caterina snapped. "You embarrassed me."
Enzo's fists clenched. "Get out."
Caterina laughed. "You do not get to command me."
Elena's phone buzzed.
Unknown number.
She opened the message.
Your mother is on her way home.
Her breath caught.
Another message followed.
If you disobey me again, she dies.
Elena screamed.
Caterina leaned close and whispered, "Now you belong to us."
Elena's vision went dark.