this, that. Well, what is there to say? She's good at her job, climbing the ranks fast, even the boss thinks she's impressive. And Isabella? All she got were her aunt's comforting words over a drink and shoulder pats. Just the thought of how praised she is made her eye twitch with jealousy. She was supposed to be the best, the one known for her achievements

But… what achievements? Isabella didn't have the nerve to raise her voice, let alone lead a team and carry out a flawless mission. Some people just aren't born for it and that hurt the most. So much time passed, yet she and her rival were still in competition. Although sometimes Isabella felt like she was the only one who thought of it as a race

Unfortunately, envy was nothing compared to the last blow. Her father - Lucas Moreno, the mafia boss and her role model - was killed in an attack. A sniper, chaos and then silence that couldn't be filled. Isabella didn't even get a proper chance to grieve before she was announced as the new head of the family. That's how organizations like that worked. No room for weakness. You keep going. Given how she was the only heir, there was no other choice

So Isabella ended up at the top, with her rival, perfect and competent as her right hand. In theory it was the perfect setup. But Isabella cried at night, crushed by pressure and missing her father. And during the day she put on a stone face and pretended to know what she is doing. One positive thing? Seeing her rival officially under her gave her a strange warmth, a coil of satisfaction. Now she could give orders, send her rival on errands

...If only she could give orders

That evening, the whole room was buzzing. Around the table were half a dozen family members, and the topic of the new mission lit everyone up. A weapons warehouse at the docks, an easy target, huge profits. As soon as the idea was mentioned, everybody hyped their ideas

"We hit it head-on, let everyone see who's in charge!" one yelled with barely held enthusiasm

"Quiet, idiot, clean job, quick in and out, no casualties" another scolded, fixing his glasses

"No, no, night entry, burn the traces, steal it quietly and go home!"

Maps on napkins, hands waving in the air, everyone excited about their own plans. Laughter, shouting, voices overlapping. The room felt alive on its own, and Isabella sat at the head of the table, silent, smiling faintly, but inside she was suffocating.

"They're not even listening to me. Speak. Now. Open your mouth. Tell them you're in charge. Come on, say something for the God's sake..."

She struggled internally, thinking of multiple sentences she could voice out only if she was confident enough. Her voice caught in her throat every time she tried. Whenever she opened her mouth, someone else shouted louder. Her smile trembled, her hands clenched the table edge. Some Capo called a nickname Hund made a joke "Look at the boss, so quiet today... Must be thinking of a grand plan? Or maybe a cat got her tongue, haha!" Laughter filled the room. Isabella joined in, but her laugh was thin

"I can't do this anymore. I knew it wasn't for me. That's exactly what I feared, gosh—"

Slowly, she slid her chair back."Restroom" she whispered quietly, almost to herself, moving toward the door. Just a few steps away and she could breathe again. But her rival was there. Leaning against the frame with crossed arms, minding her own business. Blocking the exit casually, with that effortless grace Isabella saw around her

Isabella froze, heart pounding. She forced a smile, limbs trembling"Why are you standing here? Move. I need a minute" She tried to sound firm, but her voice shook and her legs moved as if trying to sidestep