Mafia's Embrace

**Chapter 38: The Return of Shadows**

Five months had passed since the confrontation with Viktor, and life had taken on a semblance of normalcy for Faith and Alexander. The scars of the past were still fresh, but they were healing together, navigating the complexities of their relationship amidst the chaos of Alexander's world.

Faith had been working on her own projects, focusing on her strength and independence. But one fateful morning, everything shifted.

As she brewed coffee in the kitchen, she heard the sound of a door creaking open. When she turned around, her breath caught in her throat. Standing in the doorway was a woman with striking features and a predatory smile.

"Hello, Alexander," the woman purred, her voice dripping with familiarity.

"Lana," Alexander said, stepping into the kitchen, his expression hardening. "What are you doing here?"

"I missed you," she replied, her tone coy as she approached him. Faith felt a rush of anxiety as she recognized the tension in the air.

"Lana, this isn't the time," Alexander said, but she brushed past him, her gaze landing on Faith.

"And who do we have here?" Lana asked, her smile widening as she assessed Faith like a piece of art. "The new girlfriend?"

"Faith," she said, trying to keep her composure. "And you're...?"

"Lana, Alexander's past," she interrupted, her voice honeyed with false sweetness. "I see he hasn't changed much."

Faith felt a surge of defensiveness. "He's changed for the better."

Lana laughed softly, the sound sharp and edged. "Oh, sweetie, you have no idea what you're dealing with."

"Enough," Alexander interjected, his tone low and dangerous. "You shouldn't be here. Leave."

"Why don't we talk, just the three of us?" Lana suggested, glancing between them, her smile unsettling. "I want to know how you plan to keep him."

Faith could feel the tension rising, her heart racing as she glanced at Alexander. "I think it's time for you to go."

"Is that how you really feel?" Lana challenged, her eyes gleaming. "You think you can just waltz in and take my place?"

"Your place?" Faith shot back. "You're not welcome here."

Lana stepped closer, invading Faith's space. "Be careful, darling. Alexander can be... unpredictable."

Faith met her gaze, refusing to back down. "And you think he wants you back? You're mistaken."

The two women stood locked in a silent battle, the air thick with tension. Alexander moved between them, his expression a mix of anger and frustration.

"Lana, this is your last warning. Leave now, or I'll make it very clear you're not welcome here," he said, his voice steely.

Lana's smile faltered for a moment, but then she leaned in closer to Faith, her voice a whisper. "You're only a distraction for him. You'll see."

With that, she turned on her heel and walked out, leaving Faith trembling with a mix of anger and fear. Alexander let out a breath, running a hand through his hair.

"Are you okay?" he asked, his concern palpable.

"I will be," Faith replied, trying to steady her racing heart. "But she's right about one thing: you do have a history."

"Don't listen to her," he said, stepping closer. "She's nothing but trouble."

"I get that," Faith replied, crossing her arms. "But her showing up like that... it feels like a warning."

Alexander's expression darkened. "She's trying to undermine us. I won't let her."

Faith nodded, but doubt lingered in her mind. Could she really stand against someone like Lana? The thought unsettled her, but she refused to show weakness.

As the days passed, Lana's presence lingered like a shadow, taunting Faith at every turn. She began to receive anonymous messages, insinuating that Alexander still cared for his ex and that Faith was merely a placeholder. Each message chipped away at her confidence, creating an unease that she couldn't shake.

One evening, as Faith sat in the living room, she heard a soft knock at the door. Hesitantly, she opened it to find a small envelope resting on the ground. Her heart sank as she recognized the handwriting.

Inside was a note: "You're living on borrowed time, Faith. Alexander will always come back to me."

Fury surged through her, but beneath it lay a deep-seated fear. She crumpled the note in her hand, feeling a mix of determination and vulnerability.

Later that night, as Alexander returned home, Faith confronted him. "We need to talk about Lana."

"Not this again," he said, frustration evident in his voice.

"I found this," she said, handing him the crumpled note. "She's trying to mess with my head."

Alexander's expression hardened as he read the message. "I should have known she wouldn't stop."

"Why does she keep coming back?" Faith asked, her voice wavering. "What does she want?"

"Control," he replied, his jaw set. "She wants to create chaos. But you need to understand something: you're not a placeholder for her."

Faith searched his eyes for reassurance. "I want to believe that, but it's hard when she's in your life."

"She's part of my past," Alexander insisted, stepping closer to her. "And you are my future. I won't let her ruin what we have."

"Then we need to do something about it," Faith said, her resolve hardening. "I won't let her intimidate me."

He nodded, respect shining in his gaze. "Together, we'll deal with this. She doesn't know who she's messing with."

As they joined forces against Lana, Faith felt a surge of strength. This was her battle as much as it was Alexander's, and she wouldn't back down. With each challenge, their bond grew stronger, and together, they would face whatever darkness lay ahead.