ASHES DON'T LIE
961 Words
Sophia POV
The drive to my uncle's house took a long time. It felt longer than the journey from the church to the De Luca mansion.
Nobody said a word.
The silence in the car was really heavy. It was like it was going to suffocate me.
I stared out the window as Palermo disappeared behind us. My thoughts kept replaying Vincent's words.
Antonio Rossi is missing.
Then Rosa called minutes later. She told me he had been found.
Found dead.
Another Rossi.
Another funeral.
Another body.
I clenched my hands into fists.
How much more?
How many people with my family's name had to die before this nightmare ended?
The car finally slowed down outside my aunts home.
The whole street was crowded with mourners dressed in black.
Women cried openly. Elderly men stood in groups whispering prayers.
The moment the De Luca convoy entered the street every conversation stopped.
People turned their heads.
Eyes followed the vehicles.
The crowd got angry instantly.
I opened the door before anyone could do it for me.
Soon as my feet touched the ground I heard someone spit onto the road.
"The De Lucas have no shame."
"They kill him. Still come here."
"They should have stayed away."
I tried to ignore them.
Luca stepped out of the vehicle moments later.
His dark suit was perfect. His expression was unreadable.
Several armed guards positioned themselves around the street without saying a word.
My jaw tightened.
"You brought an army."
"They're here for your protection."
"My family doesn't see it that way."
"I didn't ask what they think."
I turned to face him.
"They're mourning."
"So are people waiting for another chance to finish what they started."
I wanted to argue.
Instead I walked away.
The front door opened before I reached it.
Rosa rushed toward me. She wrapped her arms around me tightly.
She was shaking.
Her eyes were swollen from crying.
"My child."
I hugged her back.
"I'm sorry."
She pulled away. She held my face in both hands.
"I told you not to come."
Her voice cracked.
"I begged you."
"I know."
"Look what has happened since you returned."
I couldn't answer.
Because part of me had started asking the question.
Inside the house Antonio's coffin was in the living room.
Candles surrounded it.
Fresh white lilies covered the wood.
I walked slowly.
He looked peaceful.
Too peaceful.
Like a man sleeping after a day. Not like someone whose life had been stolen.
A lump formed in my throat.
I remembered visiting him as a girl.
He always slipped chocolates into my pockets. He laughed louder than anyone at family dinners.
Now he was gone.
Just like my parents.
Just like everyone
Matteo stood beside the coffin. He didn't move.
His eyes never left Antonio's face.
He looked smaller.
As though grief had taken pieces of him overnight.
I walked over quietly.
"Matteo."
He didn't respond.
I touched his shoulder.
He finally looked at me.
"They're disappearing."
His voice was above a whisper.
"One after another."
I swallowed hard.
"They won't take us."
His lips trembled.
"I don't want to die, Sophia."
The words pierced me.
I pulled him into my arms.
"You won't."
"What if..."
"You won't."
I held him tighter.
"I promise."
Behind me Rosa suddenly raised her voice.
"This is their fault."
The room fell silent.
She wasn't looking at me.
She was looking past me.
At Luca.
He had entered the house alone.
None of his guards followed him inside.
"I know why you're here, " Rosa said bitterly. "You came to see what your family has done."
Some mourners nodded in agreement.
Luca remained calm.
"I came because my wife is here."
"You have no wife."
"I do."
"You forced her."
Nobody interrupted them.
Rosa stepped closer.
"First my brother."
"Now Antonio."
"How many Rossis have to die before your family's satisfied?"
Luca met her gaze.
"My family didn't kill Antonio."
"You expect us to believe that?"
"I don't care what you believe."
His voice stayed level.
"I care about the truth."
Rosa laughed bitterly.
"The truth died years ago."
The room grew tense.
I stepped between them.
"Enough."
Rosa looked at me in disbelief.
"You're defending him?"
"I'm stopping this from becoming another battlefield."
Her expression softened for a second. Then she looked away.
The funeral procession began after.
Men lifted the coffin onto their shoulders. Prayers echoed through the streets.
I walked beside Matteo. I held his hand.
Luca stayed behind us.
The guards spread themselves quietly around the procession.
People stared at us.
Some whispered.
Some glared at Luca.
Others looked at me with pity.
The cemetery overlooked the sea.
Dark clouds covered the sky.
Rain threatened but never came.
The priest finished the prayers. Antonio's coffin was lowered slowly into the ground.
Each sound of dirt hitting the wood felt like another goodbye.
Rosa broke down.
Matteo lowered his head.
I couldn't cry.
Grief had become harder.
Colder.
I looked at Luca.
He stood with his hands behind his back. He watched the burial in silence.
No emotion crossed his face.
To everyone he looked heartless.
To me… He looked like someone carrying a burden. He refused to show it.
I hated myself for thinking it.
My family was dying.
His family was untouched.
That was enough.
I would never trust him.
Never.
As the mourners left something caught my attention.
Movement.
Far, beyond the graves.
Near cypress trees.
A man stood there.
Dressed entirely in black.
Far away for me to see his face.
He wasn't praying.
He wasn't mourning.
He was watching.
Watching us.
Our eyes seemed to meet. He. Disappeared.
My heart skipped.
"Who was that?"
No one answered.
Because by the time I looked again… He was gone.
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