The Mafia's Undoing-Chapter 162: Survival Mode

We waited for a few seconds. Then - a kick. It was a strong one.

"She’s strong, just like her mother."

We were quiet, just sitting with his hand on my belly and our daughter moving between us.

"Names," he said. "Have you thought about any?"

"A few. Emma, Grace, or Sophia."

"What about Rose? After Rose Fisher. She helped us, you know. She risked a lot to give us information on Charles."

Rose. I considered it. "Rose Katherine Marvin."

Tony smiled. "Perfect."

Wait, I’m thinking out loud. "Marvin? She’ll have your last name?"

"She’s my daughter. Of course, she’ll have my name."

"I didn’t agree to that-"

"Katherine, she’s a Marvin. That’s reality, whether you like it or not."

I stood up, angry. "This is exactly what I was afraid of. You making decisions without me!"

"It’s her last name, not a life-altering decision!"

"It ties her to your family, your legacy, and your enemies. Every person who has a grudge against the Marvins will know she’s one of you!"

"She’s already tied to it for God’s sake, she’s my daughter, and that’s not changing, no matter what her last name is!"

"But giving her your name makes it official. It makes her a target."

"She’s already a target. You heard that phone call! They know about her, they’re coming for her, and the last name doesn’t matter!"

I was already crying from frustration, seemingly overwhelmed. "I need space."

"You’re in a mansion with twenty rooms. Take all the space you want."

I left, went to my room, and locked the door.

I sat on the bed with my hands on my stomach, feeling Rose kicking.

"I’m sorry, baby girl. Your parents are a mess."

Bella found me an hour later, knocking softly.

"Can I come in?" 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

"Sure."

She sat beside me. "Heard you and Tony fighting again."

"He’s impossible," I said. "Making decisions without me. Assuming things."

"He’s terrified. Just like you."

"He’s controlling-"

"He’s trying to protect his family. That’s his way, which seems controlling, but yes, it comes from love."

"I can’t live like this, Bella. Hiding, fighting, never knowing if we’re safe or if Rose will be safe."

Bella smiled sadly. "Rose is a beautiful name. So, what’s your alternative?"

That was the problem, I didn’t have one.

"I don’t know. Maybe... maybe I should leave. You know, take Rose somewhere far away in a different country with a new identity. Somewhere, the Marvin name doesn’t reach."

Bella was quiet, then she said. "You’d take Rose away from Tony? Permanently?"

"To keep her safe? Yes."

"Katherine, running doesn’t solve this. You tried that, and they still found you."

She’s right. I knew she was right, but I don’t know what else to do.

Against my better judgment, I video call Pete.

He answered immediately. "Katherine! Where are you? I’ve been so worried-"

"I’m with family. Dealing with... complications."

"Complications? With the baby?"

"No. The baby’s fine. Growing and healthy."

"Then what complications?"

How do I explain this? "Tony’s world is complicated. It’s dangerous, and we’re being careful."

Pete’s face hardened. "Are you in danger? Is someone threatening you?"

"We’re being precautionary. That’s all."

"Katherine, be honest with me. Are you safe?"

"Yes. I’m safe for now."

His expression shifted to concern and frustration. "Mandy asks about you every day. She made you a card."

He held it up. It was a crayon drawing of a stick-figure Katherine wearing a crown. "I miss Miss Katherine. Love, Mandy."

I cried, probably from the hormones, stress, and everything going on.

"Tell her I miss her too. So much."

"When are you coming home?"

"I don’t know."

"Katherine..." Pete’s voice was soft and sad. "Are you ever coming home?"

I went silent because, honestly, I didn’t know.

Maybe. Maybe not, which depends on threats I couldn’t control.

"I hope so," I finally said. "I really hope so."

It was now twenty weeks, and we were at a halfway point.

I was five months pregnant and couldn’t hide it anymore. I’m now showing obviously.

I stood in front of the mirror in my room, my hand on my belly, which was now round and prominent.

Rose was moving inside like a constant companion.

"I’m going to be a mother in four months. Whether I’m ready or not."

Tony appeared in the doorway. "You’ll be great. I know it."

"How do you know?" I stared at his reflection through the mirror.

"Because you fight for people you love, and you’ll fight for her. Our Rose."

Rose. The name stuck despite our fight. It just felt right.

"Rose," I whispered, my hand still on my belly. "Hi, baby girl. We’re trying to keep you safe. I promise."

In the middle of the night, by 2 AM.

A loud alarm sounded, jarring everyone awake.

I woke instantly, my heart pounding.

There was a breach, and the guards began mobilizing and shouting, and I could hear gunshots in the distance.

My door burst open, and I saw Tony armed.

"Get up. We need to move. Now."

"What’s happening?"

"Someone breached the perimeter. We’re under attack."

I felt instant pure terror. I’m five months pregnant and can’t run or fight.

My hands were instantly on my stomach, protecting Rose.

Tony pulled me out of bed gently into the hallway.

"This way, into the panic room. Come on."

We ran as fast as I could manage - pregnant and terrified.

Into the panic room, there were reinforced walls, supplies, and security monitors.

Luca, Bella, Elliot, Susan, and Thomas were all there... waiting.

"Is this happening again?" I asked, my voice sounding broken. "Is this our life now?"

Before Tony could answer, an explosion. It was muffled but close.

The building shook, and the walls trembled.

Rose kicks frantically inside me. She could feel the terror and my fear.

"I’ve got you," Tony whispered, his arms around me. "Both of you. I’ve got you."

But as the gunfire continued outside, I knew.

This was never-ending. Charles Sterling’s legacy is endless.

There would be more students, more enemies, and more threats.

Forever.

My daughter, our Rose, will be born into this war.

Unless I make an impossible choice.

Leave Tony, disappear, and protect Rose the only way I can.

And this would be by cutting her father out of her life completely.