Giulietta was busy baking in the kitchen when her restless cat meowed loudly. She sighed and poured some cat food into its bowl before kneeling to say her evening prayer while the cake baked.
"Lord, I'm thankful for my first day in school. It was wonderful... I had fun," she whispered softly.
"Lord, I'm thankful for the safety."
"Lord, I'm thankful for..."
His face suddenly flashed through her mind. Her breath hitched, and she gasped. "F-Forgive me, Lord. I didn't mean... forgive me, for I have sinned."
A soft knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. She blinked and looked toward the sound. "Who could that be?" she wondered aloud, just as the oven dinged. Wiping her hands on her apron, she walked over and peered through the peephole.
Her blood ran cold. Gemma stood outside with a group of men, all dressed in dark, intimidating clothes and holding clubs.
"I know you're in there, bitch!" Gemma yelled. "Open the damn door, or I'll break it down!"
Giulietta took a deep breath to calm herself. "I must be overthinking. Maybe she's just here to say hi." She forced a nervous smile and opened the door.
Gemma sneered, stepping into the house with her gang following close behind. "Visit?" Gemma repeated mockingly.
"Yes," Giulietta said with forced cheerfulness. "I wasn't expecting you, but I could save a slice of cake. Are you staying for dinner?"
Gemma burst out laughing, her voice filled with venom. "You must be the dumbest bitch in history."
Giulietta flinched at the crude words but tried to maintain her composure. "That's not a very nice thing to say," she murmured. "Why don't you have a seat?" She gestured to the floral-printed couch.
Gemma lit a cigarette, deliberately blowing the smoke into Giulietta's face.
"Oh no, please don't smoke," Giulietta said politely. "My cat is sensitive."
Gemma's response was swift and cruel. She grabbed Giulietta by the hair, yanking her down to her knees. Giulietta winced in pain as Gemma leaned closer, her voice low and venomous. "You think I came here for dinner?"
"Gemma, please," Giulietta pleaded.
"You think you can touch what's mine and get away with it?"
"I didn't touch him! It was an accident!" Giulietta protested, her voice trembling.
Gemma laughed coldly. "Don't worry. This will mess you up." She signaled to her men, who grabbed Giulietta as she thrashed and screamed in protest.
"Stop! Don't do this!" she cried as they began cutting her clothes with a knife. Tears streamed down her face as Gemma lifted her phone, ready to record the humiliation.
"Look at the pretend-innocent slut now, playing with four men. How gross..." Gemma sneered, angling the camera.
"Everybody down!" A deep voice boomed, and the sharp crack of a gunshot echoed through the small house.
Giulietta froze, trembling, as she stood there in her underwear, humiliated and vulnerable. Gemma jumped back, her bravado fading the moment she saw Davil enter the room.
"Davil?" Gemma stammered, her voice quaking.
"Does your brother know you're out here causing trouble?" Davil asked coldly, his jaw clenched in frustration.
Gemma whimpered. "I-I... that bitch tried to steal my man!"
Davil's expression darkened. "What proof do you have?"
"She bumped into him at school today!" Gemma whined, her voice rising in indignation.
Davil groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. "You're doing all this because she bumped into your man at school?"
Gemma crossed her arms, her defiance crumbling.
"Go home now, Gemma," Davil said, his voice sharp and final.
"Are you taking her side?" she shrieked.
"No. I'm saving your family's honor. Now leave."
Gemma stomped out of the house, her heels clicking angrily against the floor. "I'll kill you, you fucking bitch!" she hissed before slamming the door behind her.
Davil turned to his men. "Leave us."
The gang silently exited the house, leaving Giulietta and Davil alone.
His cold hand touched her shoulder, and she gasped, her entire body trembling.