Chapter 83

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Alessandro's world was a blur of pain and darkness.

He was tied to a tree in the middle of a dense forest, Gabriel's men taking turns beating him mercilessly.

Alessandro's body was battered and bruised, his eyes swollen shut from the blows.

Francesca watched from a distance, her heart heavy with guilt.

She knew she was the cause of Alessandro's suffering, and the knowledge was tearing her apart.

Tears streamed down her face as she watched the man she loved being beaten to a pulp.

Gabriel walked over to Alessandro, a smirk on his face.

Alessandro's eyes flickered open, and he gazed up at Gabriel with a mixture of anger and pain.

"How did you find out my weak point?" Alessandro asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Gabriel just smiled, his eyes glinting with amusement.

"That's a secret I'll take to my grave," he said, his voice dripping with malice.

Alessandro's mind flashed back to a memory from many years ago.

He was ten years old, and he had confided in Francesca about his weak point.

They had been sitting in the garden, watching the sunset, and Alessandro had trusted Francesca with his secret.

Francesca's face appeared in his mind's eye, her bright smile and sparkling eyes.

Alessandro's heart ached with regret and sadness.

He had trusted Francesca with his secret by telling her his weak point, and now she had betrayed him.

Alessandro's eyes narrowed as he stared at Gabriel.

"Don't tell me it's Francesca who told you about my weak points," he growled.

Gabriel smiled, his eyes glinting with amusement.

"Of course, she is the one. Beware of those you trust most, Alessandro, because they can fail you anytime. And Francesca failed you by telling me your weak points."

Gabriel turned to leave, his men following closely behind.

"Prepare for tomorrow, Alessandro. I'll be killing you with that weak point of yours."

As soon as Gabriel and his men were out of sight, Francesca emerged from her hiding place.

She rushed over to Alessandro, who was still tied to the tree.

"Alessandro, I'm so sorry," Francesca said, tears streaming down her face. "I never meant to tell Gabriel about your weak points. Please forgive me."

Alessandro's expression was cold and unforgiving.

"I trusted you, Francesca. I trusted you with my life."

Francesca shook her head, her eyes filled with regret.

"I don't care if you don't forgive me, Alessandro. All I care about is getting you out of here."

Before Alessandro could respond, Francesca began untying the ropes that bound him to the tree.

As soon as he was free, she gently lifted him to his feet.

"We need to get out of here, now," Francesca said, her voice urgent.

Alessandro's eyes widened in shock.

"Isn't that risky?" he asked, his voice laced with concern.

Francesca grabbed Alessandro's arm, her eyes scanning the surrounding area.

"No, it's not risky," she said, her voice low and urgent. "We just need to get out of here before Gabriel comes."

Without another word, Francesca and Alessandro took off, running down the forest path.

They pounded the earth, their footsteps echoing through the trees.

As they ran, Francesca suddenly stopped, her head cocked to one side.

Alessandro skidded to a halt beside her.

"What's wrong?" he asked, his chest heaving. "Why did you stop?"

Francesca's eyes were fixed on something in the distance.

"I think Gabriel and his men are coming," she whispered.

Alessandro's eyes scanned the surrounding area, but he saw nothing.

"There's no one coming," he said, his voice skeptical.

But Francesca was insistent.

"There's someone coming," she said, her voice firm. "Alessandro, hide in the bush beside me."

Alessandro raised an eyebrow.

"Why should I hide in the bush beside you? We should hide together. Don't you care about your safety?"

Francesca's eyes flashed with urgency. "Just listen to me, Alessandro. Hide in the bush."

Alessandro quickly hid in the bush, watching as Gabriel and his gang approached Francesca.

"Francesca, where is he?" Gabriel demanded, his eyes scanning the area. "Tell me you didn't release him."

Francesca stood tall, her eyes flashing with defiance.

"Yes, I released him," she said, her voice firm. "How could you tie him down like that after I begged you to forgive him? You used his weakness against him, and I couldn't just stand by and do nothing."

Gabriel's face turned red with rage, and he slapped Francesca across the face.

"How could you, you bitch?" he spat. "Why would you release the person I put in captivity?"

Gabriel grabbed Francesca's throat, choking her.

Alessandro watched in horror from the bush, feeling helpless.

He wanted to rush out and save Francesca, but he remembered her warning to stay hidden.

Francesca struggled to free herself, her eyes bulging as she gasped for air.

"Let go of me, Gabriel," she choked out. "Please..."

Gabriel's grip only tightened. "Not so soon," he sneered. "I'm going to kill you."

Francesca's body began to slump, her eyes rolling back in her head.

Alessandro knew he had to act fast, or risk losing Francesca forever.

Gabriel pulled out a gun from his pocket and aimed it at Francesca's head.

"Rest in hell," he spat, before pulling the trigger.

Francesca's body crumpled to the ground, a pool of blood forming around her head.

Gabriel stood over her, his eyes cold and unfeeling.

"Rest in hell," he repeated. "This is what I do to those who get on my nerves."

With that, Gabriel turned and walked away, leaving Francesca's lifeless body behind.

Alessandro rushed out of the bush, his eyes fixed on Francesca's body.

He dropped to his knees beside her, shaking her gently.

"Francesca! Francesca!" he cried, his voice trembling with worry.

Francesca's eyes flickered open, and she gazed up at Alessandro with a weak smile.

"I'm glad I died for someone I love and care for," she whispered. "Take good care of Stephanie... even though she's been taken away to Germany... I know she'll be back to you."

Francesca's voice was barely audible, but Alessandro leaned in close to hear her final words.

"I want to see the both of you smile together... and be happy... without me."

As Francesca finished speaking, her eyes fluttered closed, and her body went limp.

"Noooooo"Alessandro shouted.

His scream of anguish echoed through the forest, as he burst into tears, cradling Francesca's lifeless body in his arms.