Entangled with the Mafia Don novel Chapter 3

Davina's POV:

As I stumbled out of the dimly lit room and into the brighter hallway, a figure emerged from the shadows near the nurses' station. My father's wife, Federica. Her face, usually carefully composed, was a mask of cold fury. Her eyes, sharp and unforgiving, locked onto mine.

"Well, well," she sneered, her voice low and venomous. "Look what the cat dragged in. Back to pick over the bones, are you?"

My own emotions, raw and exposed from my encounter with my father, flared into anger. "What are you talking about, Federica? Your husband is the one beaten half to death! Instead of talking nonesense, maybe you should take better care of my father."

"What do you imply you little viper?" she hissed, taking a step closer. "Your reappearance can only bring trouble. You were better off staying away, just like your precious sister."

Her words were like a dagger in my heart, each syllable laced with years of resentment. "Don't you dare talk about my sister!" I retorted, my voice rising. "I came to see my father, because I was told he had a heart attacked and he wanted to see me. "

"Lies!" Federica spat, her face inches from mine. "You're nothing but a bad omen, Davina. Always have been. Your father would neverr want to speak to you. "

"You are one to speak, stepmother. If it wasn't of your loose morals, my parents would still be with my mother. His real wife." I said with all the rage I've been holding inside me for years.

Her hand shot out, catching me off guard. The force of the slap rocked my head, a sharp sting blooming on my cheek. Federica's slap landed with a sickening thwack, the force of it sending a jolt through my skull. The immediate sting was nothing compared to the burning humiliation of being assaulted in a public hallway, the shocked faces of strangers a blur in my vision.

"You venomous little leech!" Federica snarled, her breath hot and laced with years of pent-up hatred. "You think you can just waltz back in here after all this time and accuse me? No wonder your father left your mother. She couldn't raise her daughter to keep her mouth shut!"

"Don't you dare bring my mother into this!" My own anger, simmering since my father's brutal rejection, finally boiled over. "This has nothing to do with her! Your husband is lying in there, beaten! Shouldn't you be more concerned about that than slinging insults?"

"Concerned?" Federica's laugh was sharp and brittle. "This is probably your fault somehow! You always were trouble, a dark cloud hanging over this family from the moment you were born!"

Before I could react, two figures appeared as if from nowhere. Cecilia, Federica's daughter from her previous marriage, grabbed her mother's arm, her face etched with embarrassment. "Mama, please! This is a hospital."Cecilia's grip on her mother's arm tightened, her face pale with distress. "People are watching!" Her voice was a desperate plea, but Federica seemed beyond reason, her fury a raging inferno.

"Let me go, Cecilia!" Federica shrieked, trying to wrench her arm free. "She needs to know her place! She doesn't belong here!"

It was Nathan, my younger half brother, who finally managed to create some distance. His hand on my arm was firm but gentle, pulling me steadily away from the volatile scene. His expression was a mixture of apology and a quiet understanding of the toxic dynamic I was caught in.

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