Chapter 45: Everything has been to protect you

Ana
I was in the room reviewing the final details of the operation against the rival mafia when Paolo entered, his expression serious and focused.
"Ana, everything is ready for tomorrow. Our team is in position," he said, approaching and taking my hand.
"Perfect," I replied, trying to calm my nerves. "We must make sure this operation is a success. We can't afford any more mistakes."
Paolo nodded and kissed me on the forehead.
"I trust you. You're stronger than you think."
That night, I had trouble sleeping. Paolo's words echoed in my mind. I had recovered my memories, but I still felt like there were pieces of the puzzle that didn't fit.
The next morning, we prepared for the mission. Paolo, Martín, my mother Luisa, and I were ready to attack the rival mafia's base. As we headed to the location, Paolo took my hand.
"Everything will be fine, Ana, or am I sensing some doubt in you?"
"You know I don't doubt, I just want things to go perfectly. Taking on the leadership of the mafia with you has raised expectations, you know? It's a heavy burden to bear, I'm afraid of failing and ruining everything at some point."
"You won't ruin anything, I'm sure of it."
"Sometimes I wish I had your confidence, Paolo."
"Let me worry about the both of us then, you put your burdens down and act like the leader I know you are, okay?" I nodded with a side smile. "Okay, by the way, are you feeling better? Martín told me you've been a bit sick."
"I wouldn't say sick, just that it must be the stress, with so much going on it seems like my body is starting to take its toll."
"If you need anything, just ask and I'll make sure you have it."
We arrived at the base and chaos erupted. Bullets flew everywhere, screams and the roar of gunfire filled the air. Paolo and I stayed together, covering each other.
At a crucial point in the mission, I had to separate from Paolo to complete our task. I ran towards the objective while Paolo and the others covered my advance. I managed to infiltrate the building and found the control room.
As I deactivated the security system, I heard voices coming from a nearby room. I recognized one of them. It was the voice of a rival mafia leader. I decided to investigate. Stealthily, I approached the slightly open door and peered inside.
What I saw took my breath away. Paolo was there, talking to the rival mafia leader. I didn't understand what I was seeing. What was Paolo doing there? Why was he talking to them?
"I can't keep covering your tracks, Paolo. If Ana finds out the truth, everything will fall apart," the leader said, his voice cold and calculating.
"Ana won't find out anything. Everything is under control. We just have to make sure this operation fails," Paolo replied, his tone equally cold.
My heart stopped. Was Paolo planning to sabotage our mission? Why?
I decided to act. I burst into the room, pointing my gun at Paolo and the rival mafia leader.
"What's going on here?" I demanded, my voice trembling with anger and confusion.
Paolo turned around, his face showing surprise and a hint of desperation.
"Ana, it's not what you think," he began, raising his hands in a gesture of peace.
"Then explain it to me, Paolo. Why are you talking to them?" I shouted, without lowering my gun.
The rival mafia leader smiled, enjoying the chaos that was unfolding.
"Ana, he's not who you think he is. Paolo has been working with us from the beginning."
"Is that true?" My hand was starting to shake with the gun.
"Ana, I needed this kind of protection for you, it's not what you think."
"There are many things you don't know about Paolo's past, dear Ana," the leader said. "You should talk to your husband."
I felt like the ground was disappearing beneath my feet. I looked at Paolo, searching for any sign of a lie, any explanation that would restore my trust in him.
"Ana, I swear it's not like that. I'm undercover here to protect you, to uncover their plans and prevent them from harming you," Paolo said, his eyes pleading.
"And how can I trust you now?" I replied, my hands shaking.
At that moment, Martín and Luisa entered the room, their guns drawn.
"What's going on here?" Martín asked, looking between Paolo and the rival mafia leader.
"It seems we have a traitor among us," Luisa said, her voice dripping with disdain.
"No! I'm not a traitor. I'm here to protect Ana. Everything I've done has been to keep her safe," Paolo exclaimed, desperate.
The situation grew even tenser. I didn't know whom to trust. Everything I had built, every decision I had made, was crumbling before my eyes.
"Ana, you have to believe me. I haven't betrayed you," Paolo insisted.
I looked at my mother, seeking some advice, some sign of what I should do.
"Sweetheart, you are the leader here. You must decide what to do," Luisa said, her voice calm but firm.
I took a deep breath and lowered the gun, my mind full of doubts and unanswered questions.
"Paolo, if you're telling the truth, then you need to prove it. We're going to complete this mission and then we'll sort this out," I said, trying to stay calm.
Paolo nodded, his face showing relief. "I will, Ana. I promise."
We returned to the apartment after the mission. Paolo and I sat in the living room, the silence between us heavy with tension.
"We can't continue with the honeymoon," I finally said, breaking the silence.
Paolo nodded, his expression serious. "I know. There's too much at stake now."
"I mean ever. If you don't tell me what's going on, this is over. Paolo, despite everything, I feel like something's off. You say we can't trust someone who disappeared from my life years ago, but now I can't even trust you," I said, my voice trembling slightly.
Paolo took my hand, looking into my eyes. "Ana, I swear everything I've done has been for you. But I understand your doubts. All I ask is for a chance to prove the truth to you."
"We'll be careful, Paolo. And I will find out the truth, whatever it is," I said, my resolve firm.
"The investigation isn't necessary," he sighed. "I'll tell you everything."