꧁༺ 𝓦𝓮𝓪𝓵𝓽𝓱 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓦𝓱𝓲𝓶𝓼𝔂 ༻꧂

CHAPTER 10: The Aftermath

 As the crimson pool on the floor spreads, Asadi's gaze follows his sister, his eyes never leaving the terrified girl until she's out of sight. He watches as the men in the room exchange glances, the unspoken question hanging in the air. What is she to him? He clears his throat, the sound grating like shattered glass. "Take care of this," he says, gesturing to Milo's body with the blood-stained letter opener, his voice a thunderclap in the silence. He doesn't bother to wipe the blood from his hand as he heads to the office, the heavy door closing with a finality that echoes through the penthouse.

 The room's energy shifts from chaos to a tense efficiency as the loyal soldiers of Asadi's empire jump into action. They move with the precision of a well-oiled machine, cleaning up the grisly scene before them. Whispers of "the girl" and "the boss's new pet" flutter among them as they work. The curiosity is palpable, but none dare to voice the question that lingers in the air: why didn't he just silence her? They know better than to challenge the decisions of the capo di tutti capi, especially when it involves something as personal as this. They've seen his capacity for cruelty, his willingness to eliminate threats without mercy. Yet, she lives. The girl with the crayons and the shattered world. They wonder if she holds some kind of power over their feared leader, or if there's a soft spot beneath the impenetrable armor. A secret that even they, his most trusted, are not privy to. They work swiftly, erasing the evidence of Milo's treachery, their movements a silent ballet of loyalty and fear.

Antonia's heels clack urgently against the floor as she catches up to Nori, who has retreated into a corner of the penthouse, her eyes wide with shock, her voice regressing into a trembling whisper. The men, busy with their grim task, cast curious glances at the little girl dressed in oversized clothes. Antonia's expression is a blend of compassion and determination as she gently scoops Nori into her arms. "It's okay, piccolo," she whispers, her voice a soothing balm. "Vieni qui, ti porterò via da qui(Come here, I'll take you away from here)." She carries Nori through the hallway, her heart breaking at the sight of the splintered door to the room that was supposed to be her sanctuary. She doesn't dare look at Asadi as they pass his office, fearing what she might see in his eyes. The room's door is open, she takes nori in the living room

 With a sniffle, Nori's eyes peek out from the cocoon of Antonia's embrace, her voice small and trembling. "M-Milo... he... he scared me," she stammers, her eyes still wide with fear. She clutches at the material of Antonia's dress, her tiny fists burying themselves into the fabric as she tries to find the words to describe her terror. "I don't like it when people scream," she says, her voice taking on a childlike lilt, despite the mature understanding of the gravity of the situation.

Antonia's eyes narrow as she glances back towards Asadi's office, the protective instincts of a mother bear flaring to life. She smooths Nori's hair back gently. "Don't you worry about Milo anymore," she says, her voice soft but firm. "Your Daddy took care of him. You're safe now." She sets Nori down on the plush couch, her movements gentle but firm. "Let's get you cleaned up," she says, her voice soothing despite the turmoil in her own heart.

Nori nods solemnly, her eyes wide and understanding despite her trembling voice.* "Daddy is strong," she says, her voice small and shaky. She clutches her knees to her chest, her thumb finding its way to her mouth as she sits on the couch. "But why did Milo want to hurt me?" she asks, her question filled with the innocence of a three-year-old, but with a knowing that cuts much deeper. Antonia sighs, her heart heavy with the weight of the world. "Some people are just not nice," she says, her voice gentle. "But your Daddy won't let anyone hurt you again, I promise."