Mercy

Judas kiss.

Feeling the need to be distracted all the time is a trauma response and fear Based distraction from what you'd be forced to acknowledge and feel if you slowed down- Crystal
                     ___________________

Judas kiss- Judas' last act before betraying Jesus
                            

                              Chapter 7

---

Memento Mori

Allesandra leaned back in her chair, staring at Agatha with an unreadable expression. "Would you be willing to testify once we find the culprits? Can you recognize their voices?" she asked, her voice measured.

Agatha's face paled slightly, but she nodded. "I'll do anything as long as my safety is guaranteed."

As Allesandra left, she glanced back at Agatha, a gnawing sense of distrust creeping in. As she reached the car, she turned to Mike. "Follow her discreetly. I need more details. I don’t trust her entirely."

Back in her hotel room, Allesandra paced restlessly, the weight of the situation pressing down on her. She ordered food but barely touched it, lost in thought. Sitting at her desk, she opened her journal, but her thoughts drifted.

"Why am I doing this? Why am I fighting for a man who never loved me, who treated me as less than human?"

She stood abruptly, her reflection catching her eye in the large mirror. Slowly, as if pulled by an invisible force, she began to undress, her fingers trembling slightly as she removed her clothes. Her eyes trailed over her body—scarred, worn, a battlefield of memories.

The woman in the mirror was a stranger. A patchwork of past traumas. Her scars stood out, stark reminders of her pain, of him. Her fingers traced the lines, lingering on the deepest ones, the ones that would never fully heal. Tears welled up, threatening to spill over.

"I loved him... and he never even saw me."

Her gaze moved to the pile of clothes on the floor—all long-sleeved shirts, skirts that grazed her ankles, dresses that hid every inch of skin. She couldn’t even bear to look at herself anymore, not with how he had made her feel—like a monster.

The tears came then, unstoppable, wracking her body in deep, painful sobs. Her reflection blurred, but the pain was all too sharp. She didn’t recognize herself anymore. Who was she, truly?

After what felt like hours, the sobs subsided. She wiped her face, taking a long, deep breath. She had her answer now.

At first, the need for revenge had been for him—for her husband. But now she understood. He wasn’t worth it. She wasn’t doing this for him anymore. Whoever had killed him was after her too, and that was a danger she couldn’t ignore. This fight was about survival now.

With newfound determination, Allesandra sat down again, opening the book. She picked up the locket that had been haunting her thoughts for days, examining it closely. She flipped it over, her eyes locking onto the engraved initials. MM.

Memento Mori.

The realization hit her like a slap. She cursed herself for not seeing it sooner. Was this a threat left by the killer? Or had Agatha stumbled upon it by accident? Her mind raced. She remembered her stolen necklace, and her heart sank. Was someone trying to send her a message? Had they tried to kill her, but settled for the necklace when she wasn’t there?

Her blood ran cold. She had let her guard down. Almost everything pointed to Beatrice —and Beatrice was dangerously close. Allesandra’s resolve hardened. She needed to tell Matteo. Now.

She picked up her phone and dialed quickly. After two rings, Matteo answered.

“Please, we need to talk. I think I’m in serious danger,” she said, her voice low, urgent.

There was rustling on the other end. “Do you want me to meet you, or will you come to me?”

“Meet me at xxx location .It’s confidential. I have important information.”

With a final word, the call disconnected. Allesandra dressed quickly, her usual long-sleeved shirt, black jeans, and a cap. She glanced at herself in the mirror. The gloves completed the look—she appeared almost dangerous. A small, bitter smile tugged at her lips.

After texting Mike her plans and sharing her location with him, she slipped the locket, the journal, and a small recorder into a bag. She had recorded Agatha’s conversation—evidence she couldn’t risk losing. Grabbing her car keys, she moved cautiously, sneaking into the parking lot.

As she unlocked her car and placed the bag inside, she heard a sudden thwack. Pain exploded in her skull, and her vision blurred. Darkness closed in, pulling her under.

---

When Allesandra awoke, everything was black. She blinked, trying to adjust her eyes to the darkness, but quickly realized a sack was covering her face. Panic rose in her chest as she struggled against the restraints binding her hands and legs.

Her heart hammered wildly, her body slick with sweat. Was she going to die?

The creak of a door opening made her freeze. Footsteps echoed, followed by a voice, cold and familiar.

“Ti ho detto che la stronza è sveglia.”
(I told you the bitch was awake)

Agatha.

Another voice followed, mocking and sinister. “Si è presa tutto il tempo necessario, non è vero?”
(She took her sweet time, didn't she?)

Alex.

Panic surged through Allesandra’s veins. She was truly trapped.

                     Authors note:
Well Agatha that's not very nice of you, and Alex? Don't you have work or something to do?
Anyways y'all thanks for 100+ reads dare I say I love you guys.