Not guilty, why run?

Not guilty, why run?
Luca's POV

Lina.

So the stupid maid added something to the soup just because Viola slapped her?

The younger maid in front nodded again. “She… she added something to the soup after she finished making it. Ms Viola didn’t see. She had left to get something.”

The truth settled slowly, heavily.

I had guessed this from their explanation already.

I held the gun so tight, a tiny part of me feared that it would break into pieces.

I could tell I wasn't the only one angry at the dumb explanation.

The room back even colder, the temperature dropping quickly... Marcus.

He was fuming beside me.

I slowly dropped the gun down. “So you’re telling me,” I said quietly, “that one of you poisoned Aria… and the poison was meant for Viola?”

If they could only deny this accusation.

“Boss, we...”

“Are you all stupid?!” The words ripped out of me, raw and sharp. The maid baked their head again, hitting it hard on the cold floor.

"We are so sorry." They apologized in unison.

The younger maid knees became weak, she fell bringing the older one down with her. "We are so sorry boss."

It was confirmed. It wasn’t Viola.

Not directly.

And yet nothing added up.

Why ask about food for a pregnant woman? How did she know Aria was pregnant? Did she suspect something? Or was she innocent... and running for another reason entirely?

Everything was just messed up.

I brushed my hair back in frustration, taking a few steps back.

So... Viola had to know Aria was pregnant... But she wasn't such a nice person just give Aria food.

But she didn't poison it now... Argh!

Just then Payson arrived. He glanced at the crying maids before walking up to me and bowing his head. “Boss…”

He greeted.

“Where is she?” I asked without looking towards him.

I had sent him to find Viola. She was the only person who could possibly explain what exactly was going on. And I was going to get an explanation from her... And I would have to be the bloody truth!

“The men outside reported that she left a few hours ago,” Payson said sounding a bit guilty. “She was in a hurry.”

She left.

If she wasn’t guilty, why run?

Everything just felt so fucking off.

I would have to deal with her later, but right now...

“You had no right,” I said coldly, turning back to the servants, “to even think about touching Viola. No matter what she does.”

This was the problem here.

How dare they even think about rebelling against Viola? Even if I turned a blind eye towards it, did they think her family would too?

My voice dropped further as I stared at them with disappointment.

But they thinking about Viola wasn't exactly what hurt me... It was the fact that Viola was smarter than them and turned the tables.

“And because of your stupidity, Aria... my woman, is in the hospital fighting for her life.”

How could they have been so stupid to try to poison a mafia heiress for fuck sake?!

“We are sorry.” they begged.

“Please forgive us.”

Forgive?

How could I forgive?

I had less than 26 days now to live... I wanted to spend those days with Aria, but now because of their stupidity, Aria was in the hospital, and I now have to deal with the others.

She might not be awake on time.

The fear of that possiblity...

It made me hate the maids even more.

“No.” I shook my head slowly, my eyes red with anger. “You don’t get forgiveness.”

Their sobs grew louder.

"Please... Please..."

"Spare us..."

They all deserved to be punished severally for their crime. But I had to take care of the stupid maid first who had the guts to put poison in the food.

Then Viola...

“But before that…” I continued, “who knows where Lina lives? Her family? Friends? Anyone?”

That bitch and her family wouldn't last a day more. Not when Aria was still at the hospital.

The servants went quiet, each of them staring at their selves again.

I noticed the younger and older maid again, the older maid was glaring at the younger as though forcing her not to say anything, but she spoke up nonetheless.

“I...I do.” she said suddenly shifting away from the older maid. Then she sniffled and nodded. “I know where her mother lives.”

My lips curled into a smirk “Good.”

I then turned to Marcus.

“Deal with them as you deem fit. They are the reason Aria is battling for her life.”

He hated them as much as I did. He would be the best to punish them.

Marcus nodded at me before sweeping his eyes past them.

I could see the anger in his eyes... He would do a fine job.

“Please...”

“Mr. Morretti, please have mercy.”

Their crying increased and they begged.

Marcus didn’t flinch.

“Yes, boss.”

I turned away, my attention settling on the young maid who had spoken.

“You,” I said softly, pointing at her.

She trembled violently.

And I smiled.

Then I gestured to Payson... "Both of you, with me. We are you to where that Lina girl lives."