My enemy daughter

The aroma of freshly brewed coffee drifted through the restaurant as soft jazz played from hidden speakers. Sunlight spilled through the large windows, painting warm patches across the polished wooden floor. It was just another ordinary Saturday afternoon. At least, that was what everyone believed. Maria Rossi sat across from her mother, absentmindedly stirring whipped cream into her hot chocolate. The spoon clinked softly against the mug while she pouted. "I still don't understand why you always order coffee," she complained. "It tastes bitter." Her mother laughed, the familiar sound warming Maria's heart more than the drink ever could. "You'll understand when you're older." "I've heard that excuse a hundred times." "And one day you'll admit I was right." Maria rolled her eyes dramatically. "I seriously doubt it." "You doubt everything." "I don't." "You doubted your math professor." "He deserved it." "You doubted the weather forecast." "It rained after they said it wouldn't." Her mother covered her mouth, trying not to laugh. "You're impossible." "I learned from the best." That earned Maria a playful flick on the forehead. "Ow!" Maria rubbed the spot dramatically. "Violence? In public?" "You'll survive." "I don't know..." Maria slumped in her chair like she had suffered a life-threatening injury. "I think my brain is damaged." Her mother smiled so brightly that even nearby customers couldn't help smiling with her. "You should become an actress." "I've thought about it." "Liar." "Okay... maybe not." Both of them burst into laughter. It was a routine they had repeated countless times over the years. Whenever life became overwhelming, they came here. The restaurant wasn't expensive. It wasn't famous. It was simply theirs. The owner, Mr. Chen, walked over carrying two slices of cheesecake. "You didn't order these," Maria said. "I know." He smiled kindly. "They're on the house." Maria's mother shook her head. "You spoil her too much." Mr. Chen chuckled. "She's been coming here since she was little. She's practically family." Maria grinned proudly. "See? Somebody appreciates me." "I regret saying that already," Mr. Chen joked. The three of them laughed together before he returned behind the counter. Maria looked around the restaurant. Children laughed near the window. A young couple argued over which dessert to order. An elderly man quietly read today's newspaper. Everything felt peaceful. Safe. Her mother wrapped both hands around her coffee mug before speaking softly. "You know..." Maria looked up. "One day, you'll come here with someone important." Maria frowned. "What do you mean?" "The person you fall in love with." Maria nearly choked on her drink. "Mom!" "What?" "I'm not dating anyone." "Not yet." "And I don't plan to." Her mother tilted her head. "Really?" "Really." "So you'll stay single forever?" Maria nodded confidently. "Exactly." Her mother smiled knowingly. "I'll believe that when I see it." Maria sighed dramatically. "If I ever date someone, he has to be kind." "Good." "He has to be funny." "Reasonable." "He has to make better pancakes than you." Her mother gasped, pretending to be offended. "I raised an ungrateful daughter." Maria laughed. "And he definitely can't be some dangerous troublemaker." Her mother's expression softened. "I hope not." Maria reached across the table and squeezed her mother's hand. "I'll be fine." "I know." Neither of them knew those would become the last words they shared. Across the restaurant, the entrance bell chimed. A man stepped inside wearing a dark hoodie pulled low over his face. His movements were tense. His eyes constantly searched the room. He chose a table near the back without ordering anything. His fingers tapped nervously against the surface. Every few seconds he checked the entrance again. Maria barely noticed him. To her, he looked like any other customer waiting for someone. Outside... A black sedan slowly rolled past the restaurant. Then another. Then another. Three luxury SUVs stopped across the street. Inside the first vehicle sat Leonardo Moretti. Calm. Silent. Beside him sat Victor Romano. Victor studied the restaurant through the tinted window. "Our information says Marco is inside," one of the men said. Leonardo nodded once. "No shooting unless absolutely necessary." The men exchanged quick glances. Leonardo continued. "This is a public place." Victor smiled faintly. "Of course." Leonardo looked directly at every man in the vehicle. "I want Marco alive." No one argued. Leonardo stepped out first. The other men followed. People walking along the sidewalk instinctively moved aside. Something about them felt dangerous. Inside the restaurant, Marco saw them through the window. His face turned white. "No..." His chair scraped loudly against the floor. Several customers turned toward him. Marco hurried toward the emergency exit. The front doors burst open. Leonardo entered first. His voice was calm. "Marco." Silence swallowed the restaurant. Marco froze beside the emergency exit. Leonardo took one slow step forward. "You've been running long enough." "I didn't betray you," Marco shouted. "You have to listen to me." Leonardo's expression remained unreadable. "Come with me." "I can't." "You still have a chance to explain." Marco shook his head violently. "No..." His frightened eyes shifted toward Victor. For a brief second... Victor smiled. It wasn't warm. It wasn't friendly. It was the smile of someone watching a plan unfold exactly as expected. Marco's breathing became uneven. "You..." Before he could finish... A loud c***k echoed through the restaurant. A gunshot. Then another. Glass exploded across the dining room. Customers screamed. Tables overturned. Someone shouted for everyone to get down. Maria instinctively grabbed her mother's hand. "Mom!" People rushed toward every exit at once. Another burst of gunfire shattered the windows. The room descended into complete chaos. Leonardo spun toward the sound. "I said hold your fire!" But his voice disappeared beneath the deafening explosions of automatic weapons. Victor slowly stepped backward. His face remained terrifyingly calm. Maria dropped to the floor as dishes shattered around her. She could hear crying. Screaming. Praying. Someone crashed into her table. Her heart pounded so hard she thought it would burst. She reached for her mother's hand again. Their fingers touched. Then another shot rang out. Her mother's grip suddenly loosened. "Mom?" No answer. "Mom?" Her mother slowly collapsed beside the table. A dark red stain spread across her white blouse. Maria stared. Her mind refused to understand what her eyes were seeing. "No..." She crawled toward her. "Mom..." Her trembling hands pressed desperately against the wound. "Stay with me..." Tears blurred her vision. "Please..." Around her, the restaurant had become a battlefield. But Maria couldn't hear the gunfire anymore. She could only hear her own desperate voice. "Mom..." "Please don't leave me..."