SHADOW

CHAPTER EIGHT

AURORA'S POV

LATER IN THE NIGHT.

The room was dim,lit only by a single swinging bulb.I could hear muffled voices behinhd the closed doors-angry,accusing.My feet moved on their own, drawing me closer.

Then i saw her. Mama stood in the center,her face shadowed but familiar.Her hands were bound behind her back,blood staining the side of her gown.But her eyes were burning with that familiar passion. she was talking to someone who i couldn't see.

"You lied to me , you said it was safe. I trusted you."

There was a masculine, evil laugh.Low, bitter.

I tried to step forward, call her name but my voice wouldn't rise.

"You framed me." she said "whyy!!"

And then it shifts, I see her again bruised and bleeding.

"Traitor"

"Liar"

Voices rose like a chorus of rage at her. She doesn't defend herself but her eyes search for mine and she muttered "Forgive me my little starlight"

And then i saw them push her-Vincent and a blurred man

Mama!!!

I screamed-

I woke with a scream caught in my throat. My cheeks wet. M y fists clenched so hard, my nails digging into my palms.I had dreamt of her again. I stare at the ceiling still wrapping around me like a fog.

He did it. Vincent,the man my mom once trusted with her everything..

My mum died with the world branding her as a traitor and reject her memory. I pull the sheet off me and walk to the window. The dawn still streching her arms across the sky.And i felt her warmth again. "Mama"

My attention got pulled towards the door, a maid came to help me get ready for the event of the day.Today was a day to celebrate all the lost members of the mafia , but no one would light a candle or even speak her name. It was a taboo-but i will.She doesn't deserve to be dishonored after her death.

The hall was glide,warm with low chatter and gold-framed potraits of past members of the mafias on the walls.It was a celebration of history of legacy but not hers.

Aurora stood quietly near the edge of the gathering,a glass of untouched champagne in her hand. She hadn't plan to stay long.Just enough to be seen, then vanish like she always did. She had worn a black silk dress today-not for fashion but for remebrance, for grief. For her mother.

No one else remebered, it was always like this.

Then the voice she despise the most rang in her ears

"You know" Vincent Morelli's voice rang out across the nearby crowd"It's always amusing when the daughter of a traitor tries to blend in like royalty".

The words struck like glass to skin-loud enough to pierce the hum of the party.

A hush rippled across the room.Aurora didn't move she didn't blink.

Her back remained straight,shoulder still,but inside her a flaming fury erupted.

"Wasn't it today she died"He said asking no one in a particular "Some anniversaries are left unacknowlegded.Like the day a so-called lady of honour handed our secrets to the enemy"

By now all eyes were on us, everyone listening on the gossip. A few glanced at her unsure whether to laugh or not.

"Do you remember" He continued, swirling his drink lazily. "How maria Castelleno wept in court? Claimed innocence and thought she had her husband support-as if mafia lord lucas would ever support a pathetic traitor like herself. She claimed being loyal till the end-until she bled out like a coward behind bars."

The sting cut through the air like a whip.Aurora's stomach twisted . She could only breathe-but her body stood motionless, hiding her internal war. But he wasn't stopping anytime soon.

"She wasn't just a traitor, she was pathetic one. Didn't even take herself out with dignity. Died a disgraced and dishonoured woman" "Now her daughter walks in here like a widow hoping we have all forgotten.

Her hand clnched her glass hard , her jaw locked. But she didn't flinch, not in front of him

Vincent finally looked at her face and said "Black suits you, my dear" He said with a smirk"It screams grief or is it guilt. Hard to tell with your bloodline"

A few guests gasped. Someone muttered from afar "Too far"

another muttered"Aren't you afraid Antonio won't let it slide"

At the mention of Antonio, Vincent scoffed and replied just because they are married doesn't mean anything,after all she's just a relplacement bride".