"Oftentimes, the elusive truth lies veiled in plain sight, waiting for the discerning eye to unveil its hidden beauty...."

Seven Years Ago

August 10, 2014,

Samantha's Diary                                                    Page 149

To my dear self,
I've been here at Death's place for a week now, and I have to admit, his house is quite impressive! It's big and roomy, but oddly quiet, without much activity. It's a shame that such a stunning place only has Ash living in it.

When Ash brought me here, Miguel quietly hid my weapons - my sword, dagger, and a Glock 17 9mm handgun - safely inside my suitcase. He understands me well and knew I might want to escape this place, so he made sure I had a way out. He's really smart.

During my second night here, when no one was looking, I secretly explored the entire premises. I walked carefully, making sure not to arouse any suspicion. I looked closely at every part, creating a mental blueprint of this place in my mind.

On the fourth night, I jumped out of my room's window which was on the second floor, just a level above the ground. Only two guards were patrolling at some distance in the backyard garden. I waited patiently for the right time, hiding behind a tree near the wall. I had my sword on my back, a tight grip on the gun in my hand, and daggers in my boots. I was prepared for any conceivable situation.

I quickly dashed towards the swimming pool but caught the sight of a guard. Before he could retaliate, I fired two shots-one grazing his right hand and the other piercing his chest. Thanks to the silencer fitted on my gun, not a sound escaped.

Making my way toward the main gates, I encountered five individuals closing in on me. One fired in my direction, but I deftly evaded myself. I hastily took cover behind a big oak tree, after quickly pulling a table from the garden for shielding. I was ready to withstand any onslaught.

Hidden behind the cover, I shot at my attackers using the table for protection. After twelve shots, they were lying lifeless on the ground. With only three bullets left, I moved to the fountain near the main gate where a few men were searching for me. Luckily, they didn't have guns. I hid my gun in my pants and took out my sword.

I inflicted a deep wound on the man's throat who dared to confront me directly, making a single fluid motion. Two others came from behind, but I quickly turned and swung my glaive, leaving them unable to escape my attack. Seriously what they were thinking... huh!? No one can defeat me with my sword.

After a short but intense struggle, both opponents lay motionless on the ground. Only one left, blocking my way to freedom. However, before I could approach him, an unexpected attacker struck from behind.

He twisted my left arm, and pinned it behind my back, while he seized my right hand with an iron grip, causing my sword to clatter to the ground.

"I'd heard only whispers of your sword skills, as dangerous and graceful as a ballet dancer. Today, I saw it for myself. I must say, I'm impressed," he murmured in my ear, a mischievous chuckle escaping his lips.

For a brief moment, I tried hard to break free from his hold, but it became clear that if Ash intended to kill me, he could have done it already. Realizing this, I stopped struggling. Sensing my surrender, he slowly let go of me.

"You can't keep me imprisoned forever. If not today, then maybe tomorrow, I'll find a way to escape," I said, quickly looking at my wrist and then into his eyes with hatred.

"Ah, I also don't plan to hold you forever. I killed Philip Carter, my rival in the mafia. Letting you go now would make them hunt you down, thinking I abandoned you. They'd go after your family too. Is that what you want?" he said, picking up my sword and giving it back to me. Then, he dipped his finger in the blood from the wound on my neck, put it on his tongue, and enjoyed the taste of my blood.

Reacting quickly, I pulled my dagger from my right shoe and aimed it at Ash. The blade came dangerously close to his ears, narrowly missing by a few centimetres. It struck the man behind him, piercing the heart precisely.

My sudden move caught Ash by surprise, leaving him momentarily shocked. He smirked smugly and commented, "Miss. Lewis, you've gone beyond what I expected!"

I hate to leave a fight unfinished. When I saw that he was too badly hurt to endure a lingering, painful death. I gave him a quick end. Ignoring his words, I headed toward the house.

I was taken aback when Ash dressed my wounds with... care. No one else had ever shown such concern for my injuries, except Miguel. Not even I had paid much attention to my own well-being.

As I looked into his captivating deep gray eyes, something inside me changed. A strange feeling came over me, leaving me both curious and uncertain. It was a completely new emotion, something I had never felt before, and yet, I felt strangely attracted to it.

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⁕ 𝖠𝗌𝗁𝗍𝗈𝗇 𝖣𝖾'𝖫𝖺𝗎𝗋𝖾𝗇𝗍𝗂𝗂𝗌 ⁕

Today was Matteo's fourth birthday anniversary. Denver and Felix planned a small party. The crowd was sparse, including my trusted allies from the Mafia circle like Vincent and Grace. Matteo seemed to be keeping himself busy playing with Miles and Joe. For now, he wasn't asking about his mother, which was a huge relief. But I knew I couldn't escape his questions forever.

Felix arrived with some files of our Mexico base and handed them to me that I was going to go through later. Just as I was about to question Denver's whereabouts, he appeared with the doctor I met earlier yesterday. I was beyond annoyed at this point. I had specifically asked him to gather information about her past and keep an eye on her nothing more. But why would he bring someone who could possibly upset Matt even further? I swear being a single parent is an absolute disaster.

"What the actual fuck, Denver?! Are you crazy?! First that damn Felix, now you? What were you thinking, bringing that girl here?" I backed him into a corner, boiling with rage, but I had to keep my cool for Matt's sake.

"Listen to me, and this might sound crazy, but what about letting HER get roped into this for a hot minute?"

"Are you out of your fucking mind? She doesn't know shit!"

"Exactly! Look, it's the kid's birthday, and if he thinks that his momma came back for him then let him think that way. He's a kid for Christ's sake, enable his delusions enough for him to calm down."

I knew he was full of crap, but damn, he had a point. It's Matt's fucking birthday!

He continued, "Her name is Jane Walker. She's new here and doesn't know anything about our dark side. I told her about Matt and how she looks like his late mother who died before he was born. And you won't believe it, she actually agreed to come to this party! I know I fibbed about Samantha's death, but I can't tell her about our mafia stuff. So, don't screw this up now!" he warned, before trying to saunter off to where Matteo and Jane were surprisingly enough--already bonding.

"Denver, get back here!" I whisper-yelled, making him turn around.

"What?"

I beckoned for him to come closer. Once he's within earshot, I scoff. "Jane Walker, huh? Are you out of your damn mind, Denver?" I look at 'Jane' as she smiles at something Matteo's showing her. She was wearing a pale blue dress that was up to her knee length and sleeves were off-shoulder. She was playing the role of a mother figure that I could never fulfill, and it stung. I focus my attention back on the idiot standing in front of me. "Do you realize the danger you're potentially putting us in? We can't just trust any random person, esp...."

"Relax." He interrupts, rolling his eyes before heading in their direction again.

Fuck! he was not even listening. I puff out my cheeks, trying to keep a lid on my steadily growing frustration.

I couldn't let him jeopardize our safety and Matteo's well-being. I marched towards where Matt was playing with Jane, determined to put an end to this.

"Heyy, look! Dada is here. Are we gonna slice the cake now?!" she mimicked a toddler's voice, hoping to bring a smile to my son's face. He nodded with glee.

I swear, if anyone had asked me to serve my own thumping heart on a silver platter to make my kid happy, I would have done it in a heartbeat. I haven't seen him this content in years, Jane seems to have a special effect on him.

After the cake-cutting, Matteo wanted to bust some moves on the dance floor, and there was no way I was going to rain on his parade. He's the only ray of sunshine in my bleak sky.

Hey, turn up the music while you read this. It'll set the mood, can you feel it?

https://youtu.be/x9EoXWJ_cWM

Grace and I were swaying to the beat while Denver was twirling Jane around. Felix was grooving with Matt, and Vincent was shuffling with some stranger. Miles and Joe were fighting like cats and dogs, over God-knows-what and I couldn't care less about their petty drama.

"She's like a mirror image of Samantha, Ash. The same brown eyes, hair, body... everything. I swear, for a second there, I thought it was her," she paused as I shot her a warning look, letting her know I didn't want to talk about it. "Fine, I won't push it. But you gotta see how happy Matt is tonight. Just think about it, even if it's not for you, at least do it for him."

And as she finished talking, I spun her around to change. I was not in the mood to dance anymore, so I turned to leave. As I was about to make my exit, Jane came crashing into me like a meteorite hitting Earth, it felt like a bolt of lightning ran down my veins.

The song had been playing in the background for a while, but suddenly the lyrics hit me hard:

If you go, I'll stay
You come back, I'll be right here
Like a barge at sea
In the storm, I stay clear

'Cause I've got my mind on you
I've got my mind on you...

Her face was almost buried in my chest. She reminded me of Sam, but I quickly shook off the thought and held her. She was trembling, and I could feel her weight, light as a feather, just like Samantha.

Damn, why do I have to compare everything to her?

Frustrated, I stormed upstairs, leaving Jane alone in the middle of the dance.

_________________________

As the clock struck 10:00 p.m., I trudged downstairs, my heart heavy with worry for Matt's well-being. When I reached the living room, everyone had already hauled ass. Only Vincent and his family, Denver, Felix, and... Jane, were left. Matt was snuggled up in Jane's lap, his little fingers delicately scooping up the last of the cake she was feeding him.

"Hey there, little man! Time to hit the hay," I said, scooping Matteo up into my arms.

But he scrunched up his face and protested, "Nooo, Matt wants Mommy!" He buried himself deeper into Jane's arms.

"No worries, if he wants to stay here, I'm cool with it," she offered with a smile, but her words hit me like a ton of bricks. I didn't want to cause any drama so I replied, "Thanks, but no thanks," trying to keep calm despite feeling frustrated. "He needs rest and he's used to going to bed early."

She seemed surprised and annoyed, but I didn't care as I took him from her arms. I could feel her gaze on my back as I walked and headed upstairs.

_________________________

It took me a damn hour to put Matt to sleep. He was bawling his eyes out, demanding to be with Jane. But I couldn't just let him go. I've been this kid's dad for four fucking years, and just because she's got his mom's face doesn't mean she can take care of him better. No way in hell that's happening. Plus, what if Matt gets too used to Jane? She can't be around him all the time. She's not his real mother.

"I still can't believe you're gone, Sam. I wish I could switch places with you. After all, that...that bullet was meant for me, not you. I miss you so damn much," I mumbled with a deep sigh.

I snatched the diary from the drawer and flipped it open.

To my dear self,
I'm so excited to tell you this. Today was my first sonography and oh my god, it was a rollercoaster........

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Heyy, Don't be impatience I'm gonna reveal every secret but for now, enjoy the story❤️ I'll try to give you regular updates on the story, until then keep reading and falling in love.

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Happy reading🌸∽Nisha