Furious, I throw the magazine across the room.

"But you told me there was an explanation behind all this ?"

"That's what Ezio claims, but he didn't tell me anything more, so I don't know if I can believe him. Since that night, all my trust in him has crumbled, and I don't know who to believe anymore. You should have seen her by his side; she looked smitten with him. She turned into a teenager again. You don't act like that if it's all fake; if it were, she should consider a career in acting."

"And how was Ezio ?"

"Tense and agitated, but that was in my presence, so it's impossible to know how he acts with her when they're alone or when I'm not around."

"Hmm, I see. Honestly, I don't want to give you false hope, but I don't believe in this story. I mean, when I called Ezio while you were unconscious to get news after your attack, I could feel his fear of losing you and his worry even over the phone. He seemed completely distraught and didn't know which way was up. That doesn't align with leading a double life."

"And yet, the evidence is there. Paola is there and very much present. I ran into her when I was leaving Ezio's place; she was going to talk to him about moving in together, for heaven's sake. If it were fake, she wouldn't be going to such lengths."

"Honestly, I doubt it. If you want to convince people that you're with Ezio and make it more credible, you'd invent such things to seem much more believable."

"I don't know. Why didn't he just tell me the truth? He's been lying to me for days, maybe weeks. He could have told me from the start, at least warned me—I just don't understand."

"Mafiosi and their secrets. Their egos push them to believe they can handle things discreetly and without arousing suspicion, but men often underestimate us."

We continue discussing when I remember the envelope Ezio gave me.

"Wait a second; I need to get something."

I rummage through one of my bags where I had slipped it before getting out of the car and find it.

"What's that ?"

"The Holy Grail. In this envelope may lie my ticket to vengeance."

Andy rubs her hands together, excited, and we take out its contents.

We find photos of each family member and recognize our two attackers. We each go through a part of the dossier.

"Damn, I think I've found something interesting !"

I discover medical reports in the name of Mario Condore. Thanks to my biology studies, I manage to decipher them and understand that Mario has pancreatic cancer, and judging by his dire condition, he must be in the terminal stage.

"Mario is in the terminal stage of pancreatic cancer. His tests are from last week, conducted in a private lab on the outskirts of the city."

"Great! Where is he hospitalized ?"

I sift through the papers but find no information on that.

"Damn, I can't find anything. Nothing mentions any hospitalization in a clinic or hospital."

"What if he's at home ? Rich as they are, they could afford home hospitalization, right ?"

"Certainly, but that really complicates things. When we did research with Ezio, I couldn't find anything on the Condore residence. It's impossible to know where they live."

"Did you talk to Ezio about it ?"

"No, we didn't bring it up since I hadn't found anything."

"And you didn't think to ask him ? If even the detective didn't mention where they live, maybe Ezio already has that information."

Feeling foolish for not thinking of it, I sigh.

"Damn, he's smart. He knows that without that information, I can't do anything without him knowing. Damn it !"

"Well, we're stuck, but I think you've found how to get your revenge."

I smile broadly.

"They'll regret underestimating me."

"Well said! I think we can't do anything else for now. The next step is finding out where they live, and only Ezio can give us that information. Our brains have worked enough for tonight! So, I suggest we put on a chick flick and stuff ourselves with ice cream all evening!"

"Perfect. That sounds great !"

We spend the evening on the couch, watching movies and pouring out our hatred on the sappy, happy couples. Then I fall asleep, dreaming of my future revenge: killing Mario Condore.