Chapter 79: It's Time

Ana
The dawn was just beginning to break on the horizon when we gathered in Nick’s office. The atmosphere was charged with tension and determination. This was the day we had been waiting for. The day Luisa would finally pay for all the pain she had caused.
Nick spread a map across the table, pointing to several strategic points.
“This is the plan. Carol and I will handle the first lines of defense. Ana, you and Martin will lead the main attack.”
Carol nodded, her face serious.
“We’ve gathered the best men. They’re ready for anything. We can’t afford to fail.”
Martin, beside me, held a phone in his hand.
“Paolo will be safe. I’ve coordinated with our men to keep him protected at all times.”
I felt a mix of relief and sadness thinking about my little boy. But I knew this was necessary. We couldn’t continue living under Luisa’s shadow.
“Let’s do this. For Dante, for Paolo, for all of us.”
We moved with military precision, each of us knowing exactly what our role was. Luisa’s mansion loomed large, but we were ready to face whatever lay ahead. Carol and Nick led the initial charge, taking down the guards patrolling the perimeter.
Martin and I advanced quickly, using the distraction to our advantage. We entered the mansion, moving through the hallways with stealth. We knew Luisa would be in her office, the place from where she had orchestrated so much pain and suffering. Finally, we reached a large wooden door.
Martin looked at me, nodding silently. We were ready. I kicked the door open, entering with my gun raised. Luisa was there, sitting behind her desk, a malicious smile on her face.
“So, you’ve finally come for me, Ana.”
I felt the rage burning in my chest. I couldn’t let her destabilize me.
“This ends today, Luisa. You can’t keep hurting the people I love.”
Luisa stood up slowly, her gaze full of disdain.
“Do you really think you can stop me? I’ll always be one step ahead.”
Without giving her time to react, Martin and I opened fire, forcing her to take cover behind her desk. The confrontation was fierce. Luisa fought with the ferocity of a cornered lioness, but we had the advantage of numbers and determination. Finally, I managed to get close to her, disarming her with a precise strike.
The rage in her eyes turned to fear as she realized her time was up.
“Please…”
But there was no room for mercy. Luisa had destroyed too many lives, caused too much pain. I couldn’t allow her to continue.
“This is for Dante. For Paolo. For everyone you’ve hurt.”
With one final shot, I ended her life.
The silence that followed was deafening, a void that filled the room. Martin came up to me, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder.
“It’s done.” I felt a mix of relief and sadness. The battle was over, but the cost had been high. “Let’s go back to Paolo.”
We left the mansion, leaving behind the place that had been the scene of so much suffering. When we arrived back at our base, I found Paolo asleep, safe and protected. I took him in my arms, feeling a surge of love and relief.
“We’re safe, my love. It’s all over.”
Martin stayed by my side, his presence a constant source of support.
“We did the right thing. Dante would be proud.” I looked at my son, feeling a renewed sense of hope.
The journey had been long and painful, but finally, we had found peace.
“Yes, he would. And now, we can start anew. Together.”
With Luisa out of the way, a new determination settled in my heart. I knew the next step was to rescue Dante, or Raphael, as he was now called. I couldn’t leave him under Luisa’s influence, not after everything we had been through.
Martin and I meticulously planned every detail of the operation. We knew Luisa had kept him in a well-guarded, secret facility. The mission wouldn't be easy, but we were prepared for anything.
At dawn the next day, Martin and I set out for the place where we believed Dante was being held. The tension was palpable, but the hope of getting him back gave me strength.
We arrived at the facility and moved stealthily, taking out the guards one by one. We knew time was crucial; any delay could jeopardize our mission.
Finally, we reached a room protected by a thick steel door. Martin connected a device to hack the security system and, after a few minutes that felt like an eternity, the door opened with a soft buzz.
We entered, and there he was. Raphael. Dante. He was sitting in a chair, a vacant expression on his face. Seeing him like that, without the spark that had always defined his gaze, broke my heart.
I approached slowly, my steps echoing in the room. “Dante...”
He looked up, but there was no recognition in his eyes. I knew this wouldn't be easy. Martin handed me a small bottle with a clear liquid. “Drink this before you try talking to him. It should help recover his memories.”
I took the bottle and drank its contents. It was bitter, but I didn't care. I knelt in front of Dante, taking his hands in mine. “Dante, it's me, Ana. I know you're in there, somewhere. Please, come back to me.”
He frowned, as if something in my words had struck a chord in his mind. “Ana...”
“Yes, love. It's me. Remember everything we've been through, everything we've shared.”
I brought my face close to his, whispering words of love and shared memories. Finally, I kissed him, pouring all my heart into that kiss, hoping it would be enough to break the barriers imposed on him.
I felt a change in him, a tremor running through his body. When we parted, I saw a spark of recognition in his eyes. “Ana... what's happening?”
A tear of relief rolled down my cheek. I had done it. I had brought Dante back.
“They hurt you, love. They turned you into someone else. But I’m here. I’ll always be here.”
He hugged me, his strong arms wrapping around me with a familiarity I had feared losing forever.
“I’m so sorry, Ana. I couldn’t…”
“It doesn’t matter. What matters is that you’re here now. Together, we can overcome anything.”
Martin watched us, his face serious but relieved. “
We need to get out of here. We’re not safe yet.” I nodded, helping Dante to his feet.
We left the room, moving quickly through the hallways. I knew the fight wasn’t over yet, but having Dante by my side gave me renewed strength. When we reached the vehicle, I turned to Dante, his face now filled with determination.
“Let’s go home. Together.”
The ride back was quiet but charged with emotions. Dante and I stayed close, our hands intertwined. When we arrived at our base, I took him to a safe place where we could talk without interruptions.
“They manipulated you, Dante. They tried to turn you into someone you’re not. But we made it through.” He nodded, his eyes full of pain and resolve.
“I won’t let them separate us again. I promise.”
I caressed his face, feeling the warmth of his skin under my fingers.
“I know. And now, more than ever, we have to stay united.”