Out of the Fog and Into the Sun

On the night the family manor was set on fire, my husband Don Luciano Cacciola whisked Loretta Peri away.

"Be a good girl and wait for me here, Tati. I'll send my men over to pick you up soon."

As soon as he left, the explosions buried around the villa were set off instantly.

That's when I sent Luciano one last text. "Luciano, we're even now."

Rumors had it that Luciano had gone mad after that incident. As he gripped the burned ring, he purged the entire mafia family on his own. After that, he kneeled before my grave for three long days.

When Luciano found out that there was a possibility of my surviving the explosion, he decided to give away half of his family fortune just so he could track me down.

Three years later, Luciano stares at the woman, who's toying with a pistol, with red-rimmed eyes at the family's negotiation table.

"Tati… Is that you?"

I pull the trigger in response, causing a bullet to ricochet past Luciano's ear.

"You got the wrong person, Mr. Cacciola. I'm here to take your life."

As I watch Luciano kneel by my feet and press a kiss onto the tip of my high heel, I can't help but laugh.

This time, it's my turn to choose.

I, Tatiana Buzzelli, looked in the mirror and slowly fastened the ruby necklace around my neck.

A gunshot sounded as Luciano Cacciola kicked the door open.

Clad in a black trench coat, he appeared disheveled. His hair was messy, his clothes smeared with dust and blood.

However, Loretta Peri, whom he was holding, was spotless.

Loretta was his mentor's daughter. She hid behind him, trembling profusely.

Her voice was as gentle as usual, but her gaze directed at me held a hint of defiance.

"Carlo made his move. The manor's defense system has been destroyed." Luciano's voice was icy, but he dared not look at me.

Carlo Cacciola was Luciano's uncle, who wanted him dead.

"They've breached the outer defenses. This is the last line of defense. The helicopter's waiting outside, but I can only take one of you with me."

I stared at myself in the mirror, anxiously clutching the hem of the wine-red gown I'd changed into for our wedding anniversary.

I turned to look at Luciano, then my gaze fell on his hand holding Loretta's.

And I waited for him to make his choice.

"Come with me," he told Loretta.

No surprise there.

I couldn't help but ask, "What about me?"

"Tati, don't do this." He swallowed hard.

"Loretta has a heart condition and cannot get agitated. I promised Mr. Peri to protect her."

Sobbing softly, Loretta peeked out behind him, her eyes brimming with tears. "Sorry, Tatiana. It's all my fault. I'm useless, not like you, quick with a gun and skilled at fighting…"

Every word she said reminded Luciano that she needed his protection.

He strode over and gripped my wrist.

"There's a safe room behind the study