I swear I wrote this chapter just a day after the previous chapter but then I got stuck at the end of the chapter and couldn't decide on so many things. (mentions of killing and death)

Victor's POV:

Staring into the abyss of a gut-wrenching dilemma, I grappled with the choice laid before me. On one side stood the mafia- my father's hard work for which he gave his life. On the other, the twisted game Ivan played- my youngest sibling lives. But I refused to let my mafia become Ivan's marionette.

I won't surrender our legacy willingly, my resolve is firm. This blood runs deep, and I won't forsake it for Ivan's cruel urges.

I squared my shoulders, meeting Ivan's furious gaze with determination. "I won't hand over my empire to the likes of you. The La Cosa Nostra is not a pawn in your game, Ivan."

A malicious grin crept onto Ivan's face as he leaned forward, elbows resting on the table. "Victor, my friend, you underestimate the consequences of your choices. Your refusal has far-reaching implications, not just for you but for everyone you hold dear."

I scoffed, unyielding. "I've faced consequences before, Ivan. This won't be any different. The D'Angelo name won't be tarnished by submission."

Sergey, Ivan's sinister right-hand man, moved closer, his presence adding weight to Ivan's threats. "Victor, you're pushing your luck. The boss has a proposition, and it's in your best interest to listen."

I shot back, my voice unwavering. "I won't negotiate with the likes of you. I built this empire, and I won't let it crumble at the whims of Ivan Pavlov."

Ivan's eyes narrowed, the pretence of calm slipping away. "You're a stubborn one, Victor. But let's not forget, your stubbornness could cost you more than you're willing to lose."

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Isabella's POV:

what the hell was happening here? oh god, where are Sandy and the others?

Ivan's rage simmered a malicious fire in his eyes. "Your brother has made his play, Isabella," he growled. "But this is a game, and every move has consequences. Chess, my dear, is a game of strategy, and I always have a backup plan." the poison had numbed me completely, I couldn't fight anymore.

The room plunged into a tense silence as Ivan's furious statement echoed, the weight of his words settling over us like a suffocating cloak. Suddenly, a shadow emerged behind Victor, and the cold muzzle of a gun pressed against his temple.

Victor tensed, a primal instinct coursing through him, but Ivan's chilling command sliced through the air. "Kneel," he sneered, the satisfaction evident in his voice.

A man, exerted pressure on Victor's shoulders, forcing him down. The clatter of weapons hitting the floor punctuated the room's stillness as a collective gasp escaped my family members, their eyes widening in shock and fury, even I was shocked how is this possible?"One wrong move and it's your last."

Ivan's laughter cut through the silence, a taunting melody. "Ah, Victor D'Angelo, on your knees where you belong."

Victor's jaw clenched, the struggle evident in his eyes, but the gun's unyielding pressure kept him subdued. The tension in the room was more than just real; it seemed like storm clouds gathering to swallow us all.

Amidst the subdued chaos, Sergey came closer. The glint of the gun in his hand mirrored the coldness in his eyes. "Don't make a sound," he hissed, his breath sending a shiver down my spine.

Edward. My heart screamed his name, but the alarming threat held my voice captive.

Sergey, with a cruel smirk, snatched Edward from my trembling arms. The little boy thrashed and squirmed, tears streaking down his terrified face. My own desperation mirrored in his innocent eyes.

"Sergey," I pleaded, the anguish raw in my voice, "please, don't hurt him." I wanted to fall down and just fall into a sleep. I was forcing myself so as to prevent myself from falling to the ground.

Sergey's grip tightened on Edward, and a gun pressed against the back of his head, silencing his cries. The room once filled with voices, now echoed with the cries of a child caught in the crossfire.

Amidst the heart-wrenching situation, Ivan's voice rang out. "Isabella, the game is afoot. A choice awaits you."

I'd tell you what. The original deal was, I kill your brothers and take you into my mafia as well as capture their mafias. How about I take you and kill just one of your brothers as a gift and keep the boy with us? He is too adorable." Ivan says. His speech is hazy, and I have to concentrate to understand what he's saying.

Ivan leaned back, a twisted smile playing on his lips. "Now, Isabella, make your move. Choose between your eldest brother and your youngest brother. The clock is ticking, and every decision has its price." The room echoed with the malevolent resonance of his voice, setting the scene for the devastating choice ahead.

Tears blurred my vision as Ivan's words hung heavy in the air. "Ivan, you sadistic bastard. What kind of monster forces such a choice?" I spat, my voice laced with a mix of rage and desperation.

He chuckled, revelling in the chaos he'd orchestrated. "Life is a series of choices, Isabella. This is just another move in our grand game. Isabella, somebody must die."

Grand game? More like a nightmare.

Daaniel's and Niccolo's eyes met mine, a silent understanding passing between us. We can't let him win. Uncle was not even able to look at Victor or Edward. Gio's eyes were closed in agony, Maximo shook his head, Romeo closed his eyes, Antonio clasped his fingers, Leo balled his fists, and the twins gazed at the ground. Nobody could look at us.

But as I looked at Victor, vulnerable on his knees, and Edward, a pawn in this twisted game, the weight of the decision threatened to crush me. The tears I fought back blurred the faces of those I loved. I couldn't even fight the poison was becoming stronger.

"I won't play your sick game, Ivan," I declared, defiance warring with vulnerability.

Isabella, When will you realise that my deals are never negotiable? Okay, let's balance it out. You get to pick who lives and the others go after giving me the mafia. All your brothers even this boy.

"Then the choice is made," Ivan smirked, "Edward or Victor, who lives, and who dies? Decide, Isabella."Given how rapidly that poison acts, I advise you to make a prompt decision."

Victor's eyes met mine, desperate yet resolute. "Isabella, choose Edward. Save him."

I couldn't tear my gaze away from the gun pointed at Victor's head. A sudden, chilling realization struck me - Ivan had forced us into his twisted game solely because he desired me.

Ivan's laughter echoed through the room. "Ah, the youngest sister, caught between her precious brothers. How lyrical."

My family erupted in protests. Dante spat at Ivan. "You sick bastard! This isn't a game."

Ivan grinned, undeterred. "Oh, but it is. Life and death, the ultimate game."

Victor's voice cut through the chaos. "Isabella, please."

Sergey, holding Edward with a cruel grip, sneered. "Make a choice, princess. Time's ticking."

Tension thickened as I felt Ivan's gaze pierce through me. "Choose, Isabella. Victor or Edward?"

"I, I'm unable to. I reply, feeling more hot tears well up from my eyes and a cold sweat clinging to my brow. "You can't expect me to just pick one of them." It may be the poison or the terrible realisation that after everything, I'm shivering again. I've to confront the near-impossible problem of picking one of these two brothers over the other after learning to care for them all.

Uncle Leander's anger flared. "You won't ruin us, Ivan."

Ivan ignored him, his eyes locked on mine. "I am growing impatient. someone has to die Isabella."

Victor's plea tore at my resolve. "Isabella, I can't lose you both. Choose Edward."

I couldn't bear to see the agony in his eyes. "I won't play your sick game, Ivan."

Sergey pressed the gun harder against Victor's temple. "Make a damn choice!"

The room seemed to close in, voices merging into a dissonant symphony of desperation and defiance. The weight of my decision felt suffocating. With such hatred, I turn to face the man who tortured me- destroyed my childhood. I can see two of him, the poisons getting stronger. Selecting who survives will be the end of me. And all I'll know will be unending pain. That will be the final strike I can bear. I will have to have the blood of my brother on my hands. I had killed numerous people but to stain my hands with the same blood as mine..?

Victor's strained voice reached me. "Save Edward."

My voice shook. "I won't let you dictate—"

Sergey tightened his grip on Edward, who whimpered in fear. "Last chance, Isabella. If you cannot choose, I'll just kill both," who should I pick? I had a choice to make now - to bleed or to make others bleed?

Tears blurred my vision as I whispered, "Edward." My soul is splitting at the choice I've made. How selfish and wicked am I for playing god in who's life matters most?

Victor's face contorted in despair, and the room echoed with Ivan's triumphant laughter. and I could barely see as Sergey pushed Edward into Uncle Lorenzo's hands who swiftly picked him up and tried to calm him down. Before the weight of her choice could settle, Ivan, in a fit of rage, fired at Victor.

I'm leaping for Ivan - blocking Victor as the trigger gets squeezed. Ivan and I hit the ground, as a loud shot resonated throughout the residence. My ears are ringing, yet all of a sudden, I feel satisfied. As if I've at last made the correct decision. I hadn't even realised I'd been shot. I was forced to glance down at my body by the screams and shrieks from my elder siblings.

Pain exploded through me, each bullet tearing into my flesh. The room spun, and Victor's arms became my only anchor as he picked me up and tried to stop the blood from flowing. The metallic tang of blood filled my senses, and I struggled to focus on the faces around me.

"What have you done?" Ivan's shocked voice pierced through the haze of agony. His disbelief mirrored my own.

Victor's eyes, wide with panic, implored me to hold on. "Isabella, stay with us. Stay conscious."

The chorus of desperate voices surrounded me, a symphony of concern and love. Dante's urgency cut through the haze. "Isabella, you have to fight."

"Why did you do this? Why?" Victor sobbed. I can't tell if the twirling spots in my eyesight are due to the poison or the blood loss.

"Somebody had to die and I chose- me. I will die without any regrets." Ivan failed, his game will never work."The line between good and evil was not as clear-cut as I once believed."Today I had made the right choice for once I was proud of my decision.

Uncle Leander, his face etched with a mix of sorrow and regret, spoke with a heavy heart. "Your father would be disappointed in me. I failed to protect his only daughter"

Romeo, frantically urged Victor, "Pick her up, Victor. We need to get her to the hospital."

Uncle Leander, clenching his fists, vowed, "Ivan will pay for this."

As the room erupted in gunfire, my body convulsed with pain. Antonio and Maximo, lunged at Ivan, with knives and daggers.

The chaos unfolded around me, a muffled backdrop to the searing pain in my body. Ivan, outnumbered yet agile, easily dealt with the attacks. He would escape that's what he always does when he is outnumbered he runs.

Lying on the cold floor, I felt the sting of reality. I chose this path. The pursuit of revenge had led me to this moment of agony. I never thought it would end like this.

In the midst of the skirmish, my focus blurred into the haze of my own thoughts. The fight became a distant echo, drowned out by the weight of my decisions.

The path of revenge, the choices I made... they led me here. I could feel myself being lifted up but I didn't have the energy to open my eyes anymore. I could hear running, screaming, shouting, crying and the tyres screeching.

At that moment, I felt undeserving of the sacrifice, unworthy of the love enveloping me. The brothers I once resented were now fighting to keep me alive.

Amidst the agony, a strange warmth blossomed within. The family I believed I hated had become my lifeline. In this moment, I discovered a profound relationship – an undeniable truth. my family loved me, even when I couldn't find it in myself to love them back.

Pain scorched me as I lay in Victor's arms, his sobs echoing in the car. all my other brothers in the car were silently sobbing as well. The air was heavy with regret and my pain intensified, not just from the physical wounds but from the regret that gnawed at my soul.

There were unnerving questions all around me as my hearing and sense became blurry. Truth and lies had merged, and innocent blood was spilt. The room echoed with the metallic scent of spilled blood, blurring the boundaries between truth and lies and I caught in the crossfire, became the canvas upon which the repercussions were painted.

The searing pain in my abdomen felt like a cruel reminder. As I lay in my eldest brother's arms, the metallic scent of blood lingered in the air, mixing with the pleas and sobs of my family. As I teetered on the edge of consciousness, the question lingered. Who is right and who is wrong? My life was a game where I had to either kill or be killed. The pain was intense, a sharp reminder of the choices I made. The room reeked of blood, and at that moment, it felt like I was at the mercy of those choices I made and all I wanted was to just be free of my choice of my decision and of my sins.

I just want to sleep and never wake up again for this life was a nightmare-My nightmare

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