Chapter 24
Camilla’s mother ran toward her, tears streaming down her face, her cries barely audible over the chaos around them.
“Camilla!” she sobbed, collapsing into her daughter‘ s arms. “I’m so sorry. He didn’t make it… your father… he‘ s
gone.
99
Camilla’s knees buckled, her mother‘ s words hitting her like a bullet. “No… no, this can’t be real!” she wailed, pulling away and rushing to where her father‘ s lifeless body lay.
Carlo’s bloodied form was crumpled on the ground, his face pale and lifeless. The air around them was thick with smoke and despair as screams and shouts echoed through the once–secure Silver Bullets estate. Camilla fell to her knees beside him, her trembling hands reaching for his cold face. “Dad… no, you can’t leave me,” she whispered, tears streaming
55% 12:42
1/7
12:42
Chapter 24
down her cheeks. “You promised you‘ d always be here. You promised!”
Behind her, Don Colen approached, his face grim as he surveyed the carnage. His protective instincts over Camilla flared, but he said nothing, letting her grieve. Around them, the estate was in ruins—fires burning, bodies littering the ground, and survivors tending to the wounded.
Her mother knelt beside her, placing a shaking hand on her shoulder. “He saved me, Camilla,” she choked out. “He told me to run. He shielded me from the bullets. He… he died for me.
Camilla’s heart twisted in anguish, but it quickly morphed into rage. She clenched her fists, her grief boiling over as her mind raced. “Where were they?” she growled through gritted teeth. “Where were Jackson and Ridge? Why weren’t they here?”
As if on cue, Jackson and Ridge emerged from the chaos, their suits disheveled, but
55% 12:42
2/7
Chapter 24
otherwise unharmed. Jackson’s face was
taut with discomfort, and Ridge kept glancing away as if avoiding her gaze.
Before either could speak, Camilla stormed toward them, her fury erupting like a volcano. “Where the hell were you?” she screamed, her voice cutting through the air.
Jackson raised a hand in defense.
“Camilla, listen-”
“No, you listen!” she snapped, her voice shaking with both rage and pain. “My father is dead! Do you understand that? Dead! And where were you? You were supposed to be here, protecting your people!”
Ridge finally spoke, his voice defensive.
“We didn’t know it would escalate like this. Katie was in trouble. We thought-”
“You thought wrong!” she interrupted, stepping closer, her eyes blazing with fury.
“While my father was dying, you were
55% 12:42
3/7
Chapter 24
with Katie! It’s always Katie, isn’t it? She calls, and suddenly nothing else matters! My father gave his life for this family, and you abandoned him for her!”
As if summoned, Katie approached hesitantly, her face pale and streaked with tears. “Camilla, I… I’m so sorry,” she said, her voice trembling. I didn’t mean for this to happen. I didn’t know they‘ d
وو
“Stop!” Camilla shouted, her voice
spiteful as she rounded on Katie. “Don’t you dare apologize to me. This isn‘ t about you! It’s never been about you, but somehow, you always make it about
yourself. My father is dead because of your selfishness!”
Katie’s lips quivered, tears spilling down her cheeks. “I didn’t mean for anyone to get hurt. I swear-”
“You didn’t mean to?” Camilla laughed bitterly, her voice laced with venom.
“That’s all you ever say. But guess what,
55% 12:42
4/7
12:42
Chapter 24
Katie? Your apologies don’t mean a damn thing. My father is gone, and it’s because Jackson and Ridge chose you over him. I hate you for it. I hate all of you!”
Jackson stepped forward, his expression a mixture of guilt and frustration. “Camilla, we didn’t abandon him. We didn’t know
وو
“You didn’t know because you didn’t care!” she spat. “You’ve always been selfish, Jackson. You and Ridge both. You don’t deserve to call yourselves the heirs to this family. You‘ re nothing but cowards. And I will never, never forgive you for this.”
Her words hung in the air like a heavy cloud, silencing everyone around them. Katie sobbed quietly, and Jackson and Ridge stood frozen, unable to meet Camilla‘ s piercing glare.
Don Colen stepped forward, placing a firm hand on Camilla‘ s shoulder. “Camilla,‘
he said softly, though his tone carried
55% 12:42
517
Chapter 24
weight, “we need to focus. This isn’t over yet. The ones who did this will pay. I promise you that.”
Camilla turned back toward her father‘ s
body, fresh tears streaming down her face. Her voice softened, but her words carried the same steel. “They‘ Il pay, Colen. But so will they.” She cast one last glare at Jackson and Ridge before kneeling by her father’s side once more,
The chaos began to settle as the wounded were tended to, and the fires were
extinguished. Don Victorio, the head of the Silver Bullets, finally arrived, his face pale and stricken as he surveyed the devastation.
“They planned this,” he muttered, his voice heavy with regret. “They knew I was out of town. They knew we’d be
vulnerable.”
He turned to Don Colen, desperation etched into his features. “My family is in
ruins. My men are dead. My territory is
Chapter 24
lost. I have nothing left. Please, help me get revenge. I’ll do whatever it takes.”
Don Colen’s gaze was steely, his voice unwavering. “We’ll make them pay for what they’ve done. For Carlo, for your family, and for Camilla. This isn’t over.”
Camilla stood silently, her grief and fury burning inside her like a fire that wouldn’t be extinguished. She looked toward Jackson and Ridge one last time, her hatred searing into them like a brand.
“This family doesn‘ t deserve him,” she said quietly, her voice trembling with pain. “But I’ll make sure the ones responsible suffer. And I’ll make sure you remember this moment for the rest of your lives.”
55% 12:42
