UNDER THE DON'S COMMAND

May4th

On the night of her 20th birthday, Rosa sat on her bed, her fingers tracing the sides of a photograph. A picture of her and her parents from a time when things were easy. They were smiling, she sighed, brushing her hand over the surface.

"I miss us" she whispered

The sound of raised voices echoed through her room.Her parents were arguing again, She didn't need to hear the words to know it was bad

Rosa glanced out the window, watching the

daylight fades, It was supposed to be a joyful night..a celebration of the years behind her, the woman she was becoming.

Her father had never been like this. He had once been the soft-hearted man who would joke with her at the dinner table, who would spin her around the living room in a dance whenever her favorite song came on. But that was before the business failed, before the gambling took hold, before everything unraveled. She had been sixteen when it started.

Now, it felt like her family, her home and her life was just a shadow of what it had been. She pressed the photo to her chest

Suddenly, her mother's scream cut through the

night.

Rosa's heart lurched. She knew that scream. It meant things had gone too far, she didn't think, just reacted. Her legs carried her out of the room.

When she reached the living room, her mother was laying on the floor, hands pressed against her face. Her father stood close.

Rosa's fists clenched as she moved to her mother, blocking her from view. She stood between them, her voice low but fierce "Dad, you've done enough"

He turned "Shut up, you brat.

Now you have the guts to talk back to your father?"

Rosa didn't flinch. Words with him were useless now. She bent down beside her mother, her hands gentle but urgent as she helped her up "Let's go to my room, Mom" she said, her voice steady despite the fear bubbling inside.

" where do you both, think you are going?" Fabio's voice rose

Rosa straightened, meeting his glare with a defiance that burned hotter than her fear "To a place where we don't have to see your face."

Without warning, Fabio's hand cut through the air, and a sharp sting exploded across Rosa's cheek. Her head whipped to the side, her hair flying, blocking the tears that had welled up.

"Fabio!" Hana screamed, she rushed forward, shoving him away then wrapped one arm around Rosa, pulling her close. Her other hand shot out, pointing a trembling finger at Fabio "Don't you dare lay a finger on my daughter!"

Fabio sneered "Teach your daughter some respect, then. Never speak to me like that again"

He then strode to the small couch and pulled out a cigarette.. lighting it with deliberate slowness. The thick smoke curled up in the cramped room.

"Are you okay, Rosa?" Hana's voice cracked as she leaned down, her fingers brushing Rosa's face.

Rosa nodded silently, but her eyes moved to her father and she felt a pang in her chest, before she could stop it.. the tears began to fall, hot and unstoppable.

How had it come to this? How had the man she once loved turned into a stranger she feared?

She wrapped her arms around her mother and together they turned to leave. But Fabio's next words froze them both in their tracks.

"Get your daughter ready. Tomorrow, Silvio Romano's men are coming to get her. He and I made a deal" his voice cold and detached like the words were casual as any other

Rosa and her mother turned slowly, the weight

of Fabio's words still hanging in the air, Rosa opened her mouth but the words stuck in her throat.

"What deal?"

Fabio's smile was cold, a flash of something

dark behind his eyes. "A deal that's going to

change everything for you... for us"

Hana took a step forward, her hand trembling

at her side. "What deal did you make with

that monster of a man?"

Fabio's eyes flicked to her with a sharp, calculating glance "She's been sold to him" he said, "The contract's already signed and by tomorrow, Silvio's men will be here to take her."

Rosa's stomach twisted, the ground seemed to disappear beneath her feet,

Hana's face contorted in disbelief. In a flash of rage, she lunched herself at Fabio, her fingers gripping his shirt "You are despicable."

Rosa stood frozen, she couldn't tear her eyes away from her father, the man she once trusted. She couldn't process the words he had just spoken, the cold finality in his voice. He had sold her.

Was this a nightmare? She had seen things like this happen in movies, heard about it in whispers... but this was her reality.

Her breath came in shallow gasps as the tears finally came again. She wiped them away but they kept coming, each one heavier than the last.

Fabio peeled Hana's hand from his collar with a lazy ease as if nothing had happened. He straightened his shirt, then took a long, deliberate drag from a cigarette.

"Go pack up her things" Fabio's words cut through the air like a knife "By morning, Silvio's men will be here"

Hana's knees buckled and she pressed a trembling hand to her mouth. Her eyes darted from Fabio to Rosa, disbelief freezing her in place. This couldn't be the same man she had married--the man she had fallen in love with. He was a stranger now, a monster in a man's body.

"You have to kill me first before I let my daughter live with such a man"

Fabio's cold laugh echoed through the room, but his eyes never left Hanna's. "You really think I care about your opinion? This is the moment Rosa pays me back for everything I've given her. I gave her the best life, didn't I?"

Rosa's voice tremble with a fury she could no longer contain "pay you back?" She took a shaky

step forward, her hands balled into a tight fist "I don't owe you anything. Not even Mom owes you"

Her words landed like a slap but they didn't stop Fabio. He smirked, stepping closer to Rosa with slow, strides. Hana's heart squeezed as she watched him, fear creeping up her spine

Rosa's breath hitched, waiting for the sting of his hand.But when it came, it was not a slap-it was something worse. Fabio's fingers curled in the air

His hand crashed down onto her hair, gripping it with merciless force. Rosa gasped, pain shooting through her scalp.

She struggled to pull away but he yanked her head back, forcing her to meet his gaze.

"Look at me Rosa." he growled

Rosa's vision blurred with tears, but she refused to look away.

Hana lunged forward, her hands reaching out, desperate to pull Fabio off. Before she could get close.. he shoved her aside with a force that sent her stumbling to the ground.

Fabio's eyes flickered with annoyance as he turned back to Rosa.He stood over her "I don't care what you think of me" his grip tightening in her hair "Silvio is a powerful man here in Italy. You should be grateful he's chosen you. And you should be grateful to me.

My decision is final-you're his now and You belong to him"

The words hit Rosa like a physical blow, It felt like something inside her was being ripped away. Is this how my life has become, No! no way.. I'm not letting my dad detect my life.

*****

As the first light of morning streamed through the curtains, Rosa stood by her window, already dressed in a black tank top and jeans.

Her black cap was pulled low over her long hair.

She picked up a frame of her mother from the nightstand and ran her hand gently over the frame,

"Sorry Mum but I have to leave" she whispered "I can't keep living like this.. I love you" She pressed a soft kiss to the photo, then set it down carefully.

The quiet moment was shattered as the door swung open. Rosa's heart leapt into her throat,she thought it was him-her father but then she froze

"Mom?" she gasped.

Hana stood in the doorway, her own black bag slung over her shoulder, a look of shock on her face. She stared at Rosa, her eyes scanning her daughter's appearance as if trying to understand what she was seeing.

Hana stepped into the room, her face filled with disbelief.

Without a word, Hana pulled Rosa into a tight embrace. Rosa stiffened for just a moment, then melted into her mother's arms. She buried her face in Hana's shoulder

"I'm not letting him control us anymore, Hana said quietly pulling back slightly to look into her daughter's eyes "We are leaving"

Rosa nodded, This was real and she isn't alone.

Together, they hurried through the dark, silent house, Hana's fingers brushed the door handle of the sitting room.

when suddenly, a rough force yanked her hair back. Her body froze and she spun around to see Fabio's furious face.

Rosa immediately react, grabbing Fabio's arm to pull him away from her mother but he shoved her back with a force that sent her crashing hard to the floor.

"Rosa!" Hana screamed, her voice laced with panic.

Fabio's palm immediately struck her cheek. The sound of the slap echoed through the room.

Blood trickled on her lower lips, she staggered back but before she could recover, Fabio's grab Rosa's arm, yanking her backward with brutal force.

Rosa gasped, her body jerking as she tried to break free, her fingers clawing at his hand "Let go!" she cried, twisting and kicking but his grip was merciless

"You think you can escape?" Fabio snarled "not when I'm alive"

When they reached her room, he tossed her onto the bed with such force that she bounced once

"You're never leaving this room" Fabio growled, slamming the door with a bang that rattled the walls.

Rosa stood to her feet, her hands hitting the door "Let me out of here, Dad! Please!" Her voice cracked as tears blurred her vision "I'm begging you.."

Meanwhile, Fabio reached the sitting room, his eyes scanning the empty space..He paused for a moment. There was no sign of Hana but just as he turned to walk away, a faint sound behind him made him stop.

In an instant, something heavy crashed into the side of his head.

The pricing crack of porcelain was the last thing he heard. His legs collapsed and he hit the floor with a brutal thud, his hands flying to his head as blood trickled from the gashes

The world tilted around him, pain blooming in

his skull. His breath came in jagged gasps.

"Hana... you won't get away with this" he growled

Hana stood over him, calm and composed. She didn't flinch as she looked down at him, her expression cold.

She reached into his pocket, taking his keys.She crouched down slightly, meeting his gaze "I already did my dear husband" she said quietly "you are pathetic"

She turned and walked swiftly toward Rosa's room, not looking back. The door swung open and there stood Rosa, huddled at the edge of the bed. Her face was puffy and tear stained. The instant Rosa saw her mother, she rushed into her arms..sobbing without a word.

Hana wrapped her arms around her, feeling the tremble in Rosa's small frame "it's okay sweetheart" she whispered, pressing a kiss to her daughter's hair "Mommy will always protect you"

Rosa pulled back slightly, her hands clutching at Hana's arms as she nodded quickly

"Let's go" Hana said firmly, her fingers tightening on Rosa's shoulder. Without waiting for an answer, she guided her out of the room

When they reached the sitting room, Hana's gaze flicked to Fabio. He lay crumpled on the floor, blood spreading slowly around him. The sight stopped Rosa in her tracks, her stomach churned as she quickly turned away.. her hand clutching at her mother's sleeve.

"Don't look" Hana said, her voice tight as she gently tugged Rosa toward the door. They stepped outside, the cool morning air sharp against their skin

The car was parked outside the house, they both got in.

The engine roared to life and they pulled onto the road. For a moment, the world outside felt unreal. Rosa couldn't help but stare at the open road stretching ahead of them, they were free.

Rosa's face lit up with a soft smile as she turned to her mother "Thank you, Mom"

Hana's fingers reached out, her hand finding

Rosa's and holding it tightly. "Don't thank me"

she said softly "It's mommy's job to protect you"

Suddenly, a brutal impact from behind slammed into their car. Rosa's breath caught in her throat.

"What's happening?"

Hana's eyes flicked to the rearview mirror, her jaw tightening "We're being followed"

Rosa's gaze darted to the side mirror and color drained from her face as two black vans loomed just behind them, closing the gap with terrifying speed.

Another crash hit their bumper, sending Rosa's body forward, her head slamming into the seatbelt. The impact left her dizzy, her vision swirling.

"Rosa, are you okay?" Hana asked, her voice laced with panic

Rosa blinked, nodding weakly even though blood trickled down her forehead. The sound

of the engine revved as Hana pushed the pedal

to the floor.

From one of the vans, a voice yelled.. The window rolled down and a man in dark sunglasses leaned out, his tone sharp "Miss, I suggest you stop the car and hand over your daughter"

"Never!" Hana screamed, her grip tightening on the wheel.

Silvio's men. The words buzzed in her head like a wasp, the panic rising as she clutched the seatbelt

Without warning, the car lurched again and Rosa's body slammed into the door as Hana swerved to avoid the impact. But it was too late.

A truck appeared from nowhere, charging toward them and in an instant, their car was thrown sideways, tumbling with the sickening sound of glass shattering and the world spinning out of control.

TEN DAYS LATER

Rosa's head throbbed, the lines of her vision unclear, Her eyelids twitched and Slowly, she forced her eyes open but the sight before her froze her to the spot.

Hana's body was slumped over the steering wheel, blood dripping beneath her.

"Mom!" Rosa screamed, her voice raw but it sounded distant, as if someone else was shouting.

Her vision blurred again and when she opened her eyes this time, the world around her had shifted.A

white ceiling stretched above her and a sparkling chandelier.

What is this place?

Her heart raced wildly and she struggled to sit up, but the room spun around her.

A voice broke through her confusion "How do you feel, miss?"

Rosa turned her head toward the sound. A woman in a white coat stood by her, administering something through an IV, her face cold and impersonal.

"Who are you?" Rosa rasped, her throat dry.

"Where's my mom?"

the woman seemed to hear the question, but she didn't answer right away. Instead, her gaze flicked briefly to Rosa and then back to the IV, as if the question didn't warrant an immediate response.

"I'm Dr Mira" she said flatly "I have been assigned to care for you"

A sharp pain shot through Rosa's head, and her hand instinctively went to her head, where a bandage was wrapped tightly.

Dr. Mira sighed, her fingers quick and efficient as she gently removed Rosa's hand from her head. "Don't touch it" she said

She helped Rosa sit up slowly, and the world tilted, forcing Rosa to steady herself. She glanced around, the room was massive, stretching farther than she could make out. Large windows opened to the outside, where curtains swished in the breeze that smelled faintly of saltwater.

The sound of distant waves flooded her senses, but it felt wrong, out of place.

Rosa's stomach twisted. Her anxiety grew with every breath. "Where is my mom?" she repeated, her voice breaking "And where am I?"

Before Dr. Mira could respond, the door creaked open and a maid entered, Rosa barely glanced at her; her focus was on the doctor.

Dr. Mira hesitated for a moment, her gaze shifting to the maid and back to Rosa. "You're in Silvio Romano's mansion" she said flatly.

"Silvio?" Rosa repeated, her voice thin with disbelief.

Dr Mira nodded

Rosa's chest tightened "This can't be... I can't be here!" she screamed, the words tearing out of her

Her eyes snapped to Dr Mira, then to the maid who stood motionless by the door.

"My mom... where is she?" Rosa's voice

trembled "I need to see my mom." Tears blurred her vision

"Miss... your mom didn't survive the accident,"

Dr. Mira said

The words hit Rosa's chest like a heavy blow, she gasped "No...no.. no, this isn't true" she whispered hoarsely

Dr. Mira's gaze remained fixed on Rosa's and the silence felt suffocating.

"It's true, miss" the maid's voice cut through the silence

"No!" Rosa screamed, her hands flew to her hair

tugging at it as if she could rip away the pain. "You're lying! You both are lying!"

Dr. Mira stepped forward, her hands reaching out in an attempt to calm Rosa "Miss, you have to calm down"

But Rosa's body jerked away from her touch.

Her arm shot out, shoving Dr. Mira aside with a force she didn't know she had. Dr. Mira stumbled back, landing hard on the floor with a sharp grunt.

Rosa's breath came in ragged gasps as She pointed a shaking finger at Dr. Mira, her voice rising with fury. "Did Silvio tell you to lie to me? Did he?"

Dr. Mira's eyes narrowed, and her patience snapped. "Enough. Your mom is already dead, so accept it and stop making a fuss."

Rosa's blood ran hot with rage. "Shut up!"she yelled. Without second thoughts, she pulled the drip needle from her hand and threw her legs over the side of the bed, her body unsteady as she tried to stand.

Before she could take another step, Mira's hand

shot out, seizing her wrist. "Where the hell are you going?"

"To go look for my mom," Rosa said, her eyes locking onto Mira's

Mira smirked, her lips curling with cold amusement. "Go then," she sneered, loosening her grip.

Rosa didn't waste a second. She pushed past

Dr. Mira and strode toward the door,. As she reached for the door handle, the maid stepped in her way, her figure stiff "You can't go out, miss," the maid said,

Rosa's heart pounded in her chest as she took a step forward, her hands trembling with the urge to shove the maid aside. But before she could act, Dr. Mira's voice rang out,

"Let her pass. Don't stop her."

The maid hesitated but nodded, stepping aside slowly, her gaze never leaving Rosa.

Rosa's bare feet hit the cold tile of the house as she rushed down the hall.Her pulse raced in her ears, her breath shallow as she moved like a woman possessed, desperate for something.

Finally, she reached the front door. She flung it open, only to freeze in shock at what lay beyond. There was no land, no familiar sight-just water, stretching to the horizon in every direction. The sea crashed against the shore in waves

She stumbled back, her legs giving way

beneath her. She collapsed to her knees in the

soft, wet sand. Tears flooded her eyes, burning

her skin as they spilled down her cheeks.

Then, the sound of heavy footsteps reached her ears, snapping her back to reality. Her head shot up, eyes wild. Five men in black moved toward her,

Dr. Mira stood behind them, her expression cold and unreadable.

Rosa's chest heaved as she struggled to rise, her body weak. She had to get away-she couldn't stay here. She repeated the words to herself as she staggered to her feet, tears blurring her sight.

She sprinted toward the blue sea, her feet dug into the wet sand

"I can't stay here..." she whispered again, her legs aching with each step.

But before she could reach the water, a hand closed around her shoulder, wrenching her back. She gasped, twisting in panic, only to find one of the men gripping her firmly.

Her heart skipped as she saw Dr. Mira

approach, a syringe glinting in her hand. Rosa's pulse quickened. "Let go of me!" her voice breaking as she struggled to break free.

Dr Mira stepped up to Rosa and before Rosa could react, she felt the sharp prick of the needle in her neck. Her body froze.

For a moment, the world blurred.. her limbs heavy and unresponsive. Her body slumped, and her vision faded, swallowed by the blackness.