Ghosts of the Past
“You’re alive.”
I gazed at her—Aurora. Face pallid, eyes troubled, cradling a baby.
“Who is she?” Dante’s voice trembled.
“Our daughter.” Aurora murmured.
Moments Earlier – On the Opera Stage Dante and I drew aside as Aurora appeared from the shadows. She carried a little swaddled kid.
“I never wanted this war,” she continued, voice shaking. “But I had to protect her. She’s yours… if you'll accept her.”
Dante’s rifle remained aimed at her.
“Let me see her,” I responded.
Aurora shook her head.
“Not here.”
Valentina lay dead behind us—forgotten in the commotion.
I knelt to cut Dante off.
“We need answers.”
Backstage – Explosive Confrontation
We followed Aurora through shadowy passageways to a rear door.
“This isn’t yours to claim,” Dante spa
