CHAPTER 23

**AVA**
Sitting on the bed, I type "Richard Carter" into the computer, the name of the man who accused Pietro. The page loads, and I'm faced with numerous news stories and images related to him. With a racing heart, I click on the first images that appear, all of Richard Carter dressed in elegant suits. He appears to be a very wealthy businessman, which makes the media's story not quite fit. A man so successful wouldn't have a reason to try to rob someone else.
I keep browsing, looking at photos of Richard next to a beautiful Black woman with short hair. They make a handsome and happy couple, which contrasts with the image of a man who would try to kill someone. My suspicions grow. I click on the news stories associated with Richard Carter's name, and suddenly, my eyes widen as I read the headline: "Richard Carter's Wife Found Dead in Their Mansion, Cause Ruled as Suicide."
My heart beats faster as I read the news. The woman was found dead with her wrists slit in the couple's mansion. There is no mention of the reason for the suicide, but the image of Richard Carter crying while talking to the police strikes me. She killed herself, but how could this be Pietro's fault? My curiosity intensifies.
I decided to dig deeper. I type "Richard Carter and Pietro Mazzoni" into the search field. Several images appear, showing Pietro next to Richard, both in suits. I read an article about a brief partnership between their companies. This confirms that the two men have worked together.
My searches now focus on Richard's wife. I find many pictures of her, always elegant and beautiful. One image in particular catches my attention. It's a photo where Pietro is posing with Richard, but the woman's eyes are fixed on Pietro. A premonition hits me. Maybe the woman and Pietro had some kind of relationship, and this could have caused many problems, leading to her death.
I close the computer and grab my phone. I think about calling Pietro but stop. Not only that, but I know he'll pull back again if I try to ask about what happened. I decide that I need to confront him in person. I get up, quickly change clothes, and leave the apartment, calling an Uber to Pietro's place. I need answers.
During the ride, anxiety grows within me. The city flashes by through the car windows, but my mind is focused on the possible revelations awaiting me. I arrive at Pietro's building and take a deep breath before getting out of the Uber. I enter the lobby and ask the doorman to announce me. He recognizes me and makes a quick call. In a few minutes, I'm riding up the elevator, feeling each second stretch into an eternity.
When the elevator door opens, I walk down the silent hallway to Pietro's apartment door. I knock, trying to stay calm. He opens the door, and the surprise on his face quickly turns to concern.
"Ava, what are you doing here?", he asks, quickly pulling me inside.
"We need to talk, Pietro.", I say, my voice firm despite the turmoil inside me.
He leads me to the living room and sits next to me on the couch.
"About what exactly?"
"All of this.", I say, showing him the news I found about Richard Carter and his wife.
"What really happened between the three of you?"
Pietro sighs, running a hand over his face. He looks older and more tired.
"Ava, I didn't want to involve you in this."
"But I'm involved. I need to know the truth, Pietro."
He is silent for a moment, as if gathering the strength to speak.
"Richard and I were business partners, but there were problems. His wife, Clara, and I... we got close. It wasn't something planned; it just happened, and it was before their marriage. I met her first. We had a brief relationship, but it didn't work out, and when I pulled away, she couldn't accept it. She couldn't accept the end of what we had together. Clara was troubled, and shortly after, she killed herself. Richard never forgave me. He blames me for her death."
Pietro's words hit me like a punch in the stomach. The truth is painful, but I finally have an explanation.
"So Richard was seeking revenge? Is that why he tried to kill us?"
"Yes. He wanted to make me pay for what happened to Clara.", Pietro admits.
I sit in silence, processing everything. The story is tragic and complicated, but it now makes sense.
"She was in love with you?", I ask, and he nods with a sigh.
"Yes, she always made that very clear to me, Ava."
"Was she one of your submissives?", I ask, my voice lower this time, and he fixes his blue eyes on my face.
"Yes, she was my submissive, but she fell in love with me, and I couldn't give her what she wanted, Ava. Clara was a beautiful and intelligent woman, but her feelings for me killed her."
"My God...", I whisper as he continues.
"Months later, she met Richard, and years later, they got married, and I thought she had finally gotten over me, but I was wrong. Richard believes I caused her death."
"And you didn't tell me any of this because...?"
"Because I wanted to protect you. I didn't want you to get hurt because of my mistakes.", he replies, looking into my eyes.
I sigh, feeling a mix of relief and sadness.
"I can't say I understand everything, Pietro, but thank you for telling me the truth."
He takes my hand.
"Ava, I never wanted you to get involved in this. Forgive me."
"It's not that simple. But at least now we know what we're dealing with."
I keep thinking about everything he told me, about Clara being one of his submissives. I try to imagine how she felt after Pietro rejected her so much. She killed herself because the man she truly loved couldn't give her the love she needed. It's all very sad and drastic. I think again about Richard, who tried to avenge the death of the woman he loved. For a moment, I can understand how he must have felt seeking revenge, and I sigh before looking at Pietro again.
"Had he tried to kill you before?", I ask, remembering Pietro's words to Richard.
"Yes, that happened a few years ago."
I blink as I see Pietro stand before me, removing the shirt he is wearing. He points to a scar on his body, and I gasp at the mark.
"He tried to kill me once; he almost succeeded. But the bullet didn't kill me, Ava."