HER REVENGE

47.

Luca's eyes flew open. He saw Lillian on the floor, blood pooling around her body.

Then he noticed Alessandro, standing over Lillian, holding a gun. He had shot her twice in the back.

"luica!" Luca cried, rushing to Luica's side. "are you okay?"

"I... I'm not sure I'm okay," Luica said, her voice fading. Then she passed out.

Luca scooped her up in his arms and carried her to the car. He sped to the hospital

Alessandro bent down beside Lillian and felt for a pulse. There was still a faint beat. He looked up at his men.

"She's still breathing, Take her to the hospital."

The men obeyed, lifting Lillian gently and carrying her to the car.
★★★
"Have you heard the news?" Claudia asked.

"What news?" Rosalba asked

"Lillian was shot," Claudia said

"Is she... is she...?" Rosalba couldn't finish the sentence.

Claudia hesitated, then said, "I don't know."

"Okay,"

"I think we should go to the hospital right away,"

"You can go ahead," Rosalba said. "I need a few minutes to prepare myself."

"No, no, no," Claudia said. "We'll go together. You shouldn't be alone right now."

"I appreciate that, But I really need some time alone right now. If and when I'm ready to go see her, I'll go. But for now, I'm not."

"Okay," Claudia said "Just let me know if you need anything. I'm here for you."

"Thank you," Rosalba said. "I'll be in touch."

Claudia gave her a quick hug, then headed out the door.

Rosalba wiped away a fake tear and allowed herself a small smile.

She thought to herself, "I pray you die. That's what you get for betraying me. You thought you could take down Luca by yourself? What a fool."

★★★
Luica opened her eyes and saw Chiara standing over her.
"Hey," Chiara said

"Are you... are you crying?" Luica asked, her voice weak.

"No, I'm not," Chiara said, wiping her eyes. "I'm just so happy that you're alive."

"I'm not going to die yet," Luica said, managing a smile. "I still have a mansion to build and a dream man to meet."

"You're such a goofball," Chiara said, laughing. "But I'm glad you're feeling better."

Gabriel stepped into the room, his eyes downcast. "I'm so sorry, I should have driven you two to the mall. If I had, none of this would have happened."

"It's not your fault," she said. "Please, don't blame yourself."

"Come on, stop crying," Chiara said. "It's not your fault. We're all okay now, and that's what matters. So stop blaming yourself."

Gabriel looked at her, his eyes red-rimmed. "I just... I feel like I could have done more, I feel like I let you both down."

"You didn't let us down," Chiara said, taking his hand. "You saved us both. Without you, we wouldn't be here right now."

"You're right," Gabriel said

"What about Luca?" Luica asked
~°~°~°
"How is she?" Luca asked the doctor.

"Well, the bullet penetrated her spine," the doctor said. "It's affecting her spinal cord, so she won't be able to walk again." and he left

"But at least she's not dead," Luca said