REBORN AS A MAFIA PATRIARCH

THE BETRAYAL

Richard stared at the document, his mind racing.

Clara. She saved my life in my past life. She pulled me from a fire, carried me to safety, and I never thanked her.

Richard looked up at Nyla, his voice barely above a whisper. "Where is she? Where can I find her?"

Nyla met his gaze. "She's living in a small town in the mountains. She's been there for years, living a quiet life. She doesn't know who you are—doesn't know that you've been reincarnated."

Richard was silent for a long moment. Then he spoke, his voice quiet but firm.

"Then I need to go to her. I need to thank her."

Nyla nodded slowly. "I'll get you the address."

---

The journey to the mountain town was long and winding.

Richard drove through the narrow roads, the mountains rising around him like dark sentinels. The town was small and remote, nestled in a valley surrounded by forests and streams.

He found Clara's house at the end of a quiet street—a small cottage with a garden filled with flowers. Richard parked the car and walked to the front door.

He knocked. The door swung open, revealing a woman in her late fifties, her face lined with age and wisdom.

"Can I help you?" she asked.

Richard met her gaze. "My name is Richard DeLuca. I was told that you saved my life—a long time ago. I'm here to thank you."

Clara stared at him. For a long moment, she didn't speak. Then she let out a long, shuddering breath.

"I remember you," she said quietly. "I remember pulling you from that fire. I remember thinking you were dead."

Richard nodded slowly. "I was dead. But I was given a second chance. And I wanted you to know that I've never forgotten what you did."

Clara was silent for a long moment. Then she spoke, her voice barely above a whisper.

"I never thought I'd see you again. I never thought I'd hear your voice."

Richard reached out and took her hand. "I'm sorry I didn't come sooner. I'm sorry I never thanked you."

Clara squeezed his hand. "You're here now. That's what matters."

---

The hours passed as Clara told Richard about her life.

She'd been a young woman when she'd saved him, working as a nurse in a small clinic. She'd seen him in the fire, pulled him to safety, and then watched him disappear into the night.

"I never knew what happened to you," she said. "I always wondered if you made it."

Richard nodded slowly. "I made it. I lived. And I've spent my whole life trying to make things right."

Clara smiled—a warm, genuine expression. "It sounds like you've succeeded."

Richard shook his head. "I'm still trying. But I'm getting there."

---

Richard returned to the city as the sun was setting.

He found Sable in the Velvet Cage, standing behind the bar, a glass of wine in her hand.

"Sable," he said as he approached. "I found Clara. I thanked her for saving my life."

Sable set down the glass and walked around the bar. "And how did it feel?"

Richard reached out and took her hand. "It felt... right. Like I was finally closing a chapter that had been open for too long."

Sable squeezed his hand. "I'm proud of you, Richard. I'm so proud of you."

---

Richard found Elena in the garden, sitting by the fountain, her face peaceful and serene.

"Elena," he said as he approached. "I found Clara. I thanked her for saving my life."

Elena looked up at him. "And how did it feel?"

Richard sat down beside her. "It felt right. Like I was finally making things right."

Elena reached out and took his hand. "I'm proud of you, Richard. I'm so proud of you."

---

Richard stood at the window of his bedroom, looking out at the city.

The night was clear, the stars scattered across the sky like diamonds on black velvet. The city was quiet, the streets empty, the darkness finally lifting.

I found Clara. I thanked her for saving my life. And I'm finally making things right.

I have allies. I have a purpose. And I have a future.

Richard turned from the window and walked to his desk.

The work was just beginning.

---

His phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen—a message from Nyla.

"Richard, I found something. Something I think you should see. Come to the Velvet Cage."

Richard grabbed his coat and walked out the door.

---

The Velvet Cage was quiet when Richard arrived.

Nyla was in her office, her face pale and drawn. She was holding a document in her hand, her eyes filled with something that looked like fear.

"Richard," she said. "I found this in the old files—a record of a betrayal. Someone close to you has been working against you all along."

Richard walked to the desk and took the document from her.

His eyes scanned the words—a story he'd never known, a betrayal he'd never suspected. Someone he trusted had been feeding information to the old guard, sabotaging his efforts, undermining everything he'd built.

Richard looked up at Nyla, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Who is it? Who betrayed me?"

Nyla met his gaze. "It's Troy."