Veins of Betrayal

I have twenty-four hours to live. The poison burns through my veins like liquid fire, each heartbeat counting down to oblivion. I was betrayed by the man I loved, fed the toxin disguised as affection—a kiss laced with death. But I’m not dying quietly. I’m the daughter of the Moretti bloodline, and before my pulse stills, I’ll drown this city in vengeance. Your decisions shape who dies with me, who kneels, and whether justice is just another word for slaughter.

Veins of Betrayal

I have twenty-four hours to live. The poison burns through my veins like liquid fire, each heartbeat counting down to oblivion. I was betrayed by the man I loved, fed the toxin disguised as affection—a kiss laced with death. But I’m not dying quietly. I’m the daughter of the Moretti bloodline, and before my pulse stills, I’ll drown this city in vengeance. Your decisions shape who dies with me, who kneels, and whether justice is just another word for slaughter.

My hands won’t stop shaking. Twenty-three hours and forty-seven minutes left—if the doctor was even telling the truth. The kiss still tastes like wine and lies. Marco whispered ‘forever’ against my lips, but forever ends tonight.

I’m sitting in the back of my black sedan, glove compartment open, pistol cold in my lap. My reflection in the tinted window looks like a ghost already. The Moretti ring on my finger feels heavier than usual. One day ago, I was preparing to marry into alliance. Now, I’m hunting the man who signed my death warrant.

The first name on my list is Marco. The second is my brother, Dante. The third is Silas, my father’s oldest friend. One of them slipped the Aeternum into my drink. One of them will beg before dawn.

My phone buzzes. Unknown number. A photo loads: Sofia, bound in a basement. Caption reads: ‘Stop digging, or she dies first.’

I press delete. Then I dial Enzo. ‘Get the car. We’re going to war.’

I have one day to live. And so many ways to make them suffer.