Dante's voice cut through the silence of the warehouse, sharp and heavy.
"No, Isabella. It's not that easy to forget everything. You left us without a word, without a reason. Do you think it was easy for us to not know where you were? What you were doing? You were our sister—the heart of this family. You were the reason we all stayed together. But you chose to leave. You chose to face the world alone. That was not our promise. That was not the way. What if one of us had done the same? Would you have let us walk away, to suffer alone? You have to tell us, Isabella. Why did you leave? Why didn't you trust us enough to know the truth? And now you're back, asking us to follow you as if nothing happened. It's not that simple. Not for any of us."
The words cut deep, but before she could respond, Rafael leaned forward, his tone sharp with resentment.
"Or maybe you left because we're not blood. Maybe you thought we didn't matter to you. That's why we're standing here facing this chaos now. You always chose yourself, Isabella. Maybe this time wasn't any different."
Anger flared in Isabella's chest. She stepped closer, her voice rising.
"That is not how I treat you—not then, not now, not ever. From the beginning, since childhood, you have been my brothers. Nothing can change that truth. I left because I had to. Because it was my burden, my problem, and I didn't want any of you to suffer for it. Maybe it was selfish. Maybe it looked like I didn't want anyone around me. But the truth is, I wanted to protect you. I needed answers—answers only I could find. And yes, I did it alone. But that doesn't mean I ever stopped being your sister."
Her eyes swept across the room, locking with each of theirs.
"I know trust isn't something I can rebuild in a single night. But for the sake of our past—for the family we've always been—you need to trust me now. We have to stand together. Because if we don't, we will lose everything. Blood or not, you are my brothers. My family. And I will never let anyone take that away."
The warehouse fell silent. Then Avila shook his head, a small grin tugging at his lips.
"Guys… she's as hard as a rock. She won't back down."
For a moment no one moved. Then, unexpectedly, laughter broke out. Isabella blinked in confusion.
"What's going on?" she demanded, crossing her arms. "You—" She groaned. "Oh crap. I hate you all."
Dante stepped forward, his stern expression softening into a rare smile. He pulled her into a hug.
"I'm sorry, Isa. We were just messing with you. We missed you. That's all."
One by one, the brothers joined, pulling her into a rough, warm group hug. Laughter and relief filled the air, and for the first time since she returned, Isabella felt it—the feeling of home. Her brothers were still hers. They were whole again.
They were the Seven Shadows + One. The name had been given by others, a reminder that Isabella was the only woman among them, but also the one who made them complete. They had carried the title like a badge, and now it meant more than ever.
When the embrace broke, Fabio tugged her hand, pulling her deeper into the warehouse.
"Come on. There's something you need to see."
She followed, surprised as he led her into a transformed space. What had once been bare concrete and metal tables had been rebuilt into a place of life and energy. Racing cars gleamed under hanging lights. Motorbikes lined one wall, polished and ready. A massive plastic ball pit glowed in the corner, filling the air with color and laughter from old memories.
The warehouse wasn't just a meeting ground anymore—it was their sanctuary.
After walking through, they gathered once more around the long table. Plans were laid out, voices sharp with determination. They spoke of tomorrow's shareholder conference, where their uncle planned to replace their father and seize the business.
"He thinks Isabella is dead," Luca growled. "That's why he dared to make his move. But tomorrow, he'll find out the truth."
Isabella's eyes hardened. "Tomorrow, he'll realize he underestimated us."
Then Dante spoke, his tone grave.
"And about the Mask… that's a storm waiting. His men wear chains marked with a strange symbol. We tried capturing them, but whenever they feel cornered, they end their lives before speaking. They're trained, ruthless. If we chase them now, it will drain us. We must first secure our power, then go after him. One step at a time."
Isabella nodded. "Agreed. But tonight, let's stop here. We'll face the Mask soon enough—but first, we win back what's ours."
Rafael jumped to his feet, excitement flashing in his eyes.
"Finally! We're going home with Isabella. It's been too long."
The others laughed—some eager to keep planning, others insisting they needed rest. In the end, Isabella's word held: they would return home, eat, sleep, and prepare for tomorrow.
But first, they all agreed on one thing—they would visit their father.
The car ride was silent, anticipation thick in the air as they pulled up to the hospital. Isabella's pulse raced, hope and dread colliding inside her chest.
But when she pushed open the door to her father's room, her blood ran cold.
The bed was empty.
Her father was gone.