Chapter 128: Agony of Defeat

Chapter 128: Agony of Defeat

"Damn her!" Greta spat, slamming her fist onto the bedside table. The water pitcher rattled and threatened to spill, as with a scream of frustration she released the pent-up emotion. "That woman—she treats me like a child! A foolish child, playing some petty game!"

Brenda, who had been standing a little ways off, stepped closer; her face was calm, but guarded. "Greta, please-you really need to take it easy," she said calmly-but firmly-possible. "You'll get your revenge, but not like this.

Greta flashed at her, her eyes alive with a cold, barely contained rage. "Easy? Easy?" The word tasted bitter on her tongue as she laughed sarcastically. "Do you know how long I've been waiting for this moment, Brenda? Penelope has humiliated me, belittled me, pushed me to the margins, as though I am some sort of insignificant insect she can just brush off. And now… she dares to ignore me?

Brenda leaned forward, placing a comforting hand on Greta's shoulder. "I know, Greta, believe me. But we have to be clever. We'll get her back, but on our terms."

Just as Brenda was trying to calm her down, Greta's phone buzzed on the table. She snatched it up, her hands shaking slightly as she answered.

The tone on the other end was curt, matter-of-fact. "The message was given to Alessandro, as you requested. But there's a problem. He… he killed all of our men. Every last one."

Greta's eyes widened, and a dark fury fell across her face. She pressed the phone harder against her ear, as if that could somehow change what she'd just heard. "You mean to tell me that *every* single man was killed?" Her voice dropped, each word colder than the last.

"Si," the caller returned, his voice taut. "Alessandro and his men didn't leave a single one alive. They took our whole operation down. It was… it was brutal."

Greta's face twisted in a rage, the stomping of her foot on the cold tile floor seeming to echo throughout the room. "Incompetence! Every last one of you is useless!" The words had been spat out; her voice was almost a growl. She was seething, her mind racing with thoughts of retaliation, each one more ruthless than the last.

Brenda stepped in cautiously, trying to calm her down. "Greta, listen… we'll figure this out. It's just a setback. We have to be patient."

"Patient?" Greta sneered, venom lacing her tone. "I've waited long enough, Brenda. Every plan, every scheme, every move I've made has led to this moment, and now… Alessandro dares to fight back?" She took a deep, shaky breath, her hands curling into fists. "He'll regret this.

A low moan came from the hospital bed, cutting through her tirade like a hot knife. Both women turned, their anger momentarily set aside. Greta's son, Bruno, was stirring, his face pale, his breathing ragged as he tried to sit up, his eyes fluttering open.

"Bruno!" Greta cried running to his side, her face softening in an instant as she reached for his hand. She brushed the hair back off his forehead, the cold fury replaced with something warmer, something far more vulnerable. "Oh, my dear boy, you're awake…"

Brenda joined her, moving to the other side of the bed. "Bruno," she said softly, taking his other hand. "How do you feel?"

Bruno blinked and looked up at them-mixed confusion and fatigue etched in his face. His voice came out hoarse, no more than a whisper. "Mom. where am I?"

"You're in the hospital, sweetheart," Greta said, her voice catching. "You got hurt, but you're safe now. I'm here." She gave him a reassuring smile, her fingers tightening around his hand.

Bruno's eyes darted from his mother to Brenda, slightly furrowing his brow. "What happened?

Greta's voice caught, and her face fell as she searched for words. She wasn't going to tell him all that had happened-not tonight. He needed sleep, not the burden of their continuing fight. "There was. an incident," she said, choosing her words with care. "But you're safe now. That's all that counts."

Brenda smiled softly at him; her eyes were warm. "You gave us quite a fright, Bruno. But don't you worry-everything's been taken care of.

Bruno's eyes remained on his mother, and in his tired eyes, a spark of worry lit. "Mama, you seem. worried. Is everything all right?"

Greta forced a slight smile, though the anger continued to simmer beneath her face. "Oh, you don't have to concern yourself with me, darling," she said, shifting a tress of hair from his face. "I'm just. irritated with a few things. None of that concerns us now.

Bruno's eyes relaxed, his fingers attempted to take and squeeze her hand, though weak. "You always told me not to let people get to me… to stay focused on what matters." He released a small, tired snort. "Maybe you need to take your own advice, Mom.

The smile on Greta's face spread, and for a moment, a flicker of real warmth cut through the chill. "Perhaps you're right, Bruno," she conceded quietly. "But some battles… they're harder to ignore."

Bruno looked at her, his expression grave. "Just don't let it consume you, all right? You taught me better than that.

Brenda nodded, giving Greta a knowing look. "He's right, Greta. We have to be smart about this… patient, even. Rushing in with anger only leads to mistakes.

Greta let out a deep breath, her eyes softening as she looked down at Bruno. "Fine," she told him, defeat in her tone. "Maybe I will. reconsider some things." Yet, even as she said this, the fire in her eyes didn't entirely go away. There was one war brewing inside of her and another she knew she would have to give much-needed attention to.

The conversation was put short as a nurse entered the room; her steps softly tapping on the floor, respectful. "Mrs. Greta, I just came by to check on Bruno's vitals-he seems to be recovering well," she said with a warm smile, looking down at the machines monitoring his heart rate and oxygen levels.

Greta nodded curtly. "Thank you," she muttered, already turning her gaze to her son again, her fingers stroking his hair once more.

As the nurse left, Brenda took a deep breath, turned to Greta with a steely glint in her eyes. "You know, Greta, we'll get our chance. For the time being, let's just get Bruno back on his feet.

Greta looked at her friend, a bit of her disinclination showing in her eyes. "Fine," she said in less than a whisper. "I'll wait. But this isn't over. Alessandro and Penelope, they'll pay-every last one of them."

Bruno squeezed her hand softly and spoke in his very soft but resolute voice, "And when the time is right, Mom.I'll be with you.

Greta's heart swelled with pride as she looked down at him, her hand gently resting over his. "I know you will, Bruno," she whispered. "And together, we'll finish this.