Cats have nine lives, they said. But I'm nowhere near being a cat.

After the attack last night, it was already a miracle that I survived. And I don't want to waste that. Life's too short to waste on people who are trash.

Ever felt as though the universe was trying to tell you something? This might be it.

Max made my blood boil. That man is total crap, and I'm so sorry for myself for wasting too many years, too much potential, holding myself back for him.

I remember when Victor, the second-in-command of the Red Blood Gang, approached me with an offer. I was supposed to be the next in line, the first female to ever hold such a rank in our mafia family.

He said he had seen my potential. You know, I may be a woman, but I'm a woman who could detonate bombs, extract enemy locations with precision, shoot, and kill without hesitation.

But every time, I always held back. All because I didn’t want to leave Max behind in the lower ranks. Foolish, I know. So stupid of me, blinded by a love that wasn’t even real.

But now, things are different.

I went to the Red Blood Gang’s headquarters the next morning. Victor was waiting for me in his office. He looked up as I entered, a knowing smile playing on his lips.

“Valentina,” he greeted, his voice smooth and commanding. “I heard about the attack. Glad to see you made it out alive.”

“Well, I'm glad, too. Thanks to someone unexpected,” I replied. “Not Max, by the way.”

Victor’s eyes darkened when I mentioned Max's name. This man always hated my boyfriend. I didn't get it at first, but I totally agree now.

“I warned you about him. He’s a liability.”

I nodded. That might sound harsh, but it's totally true. “I know.”

“And you think Max still deserves your consideration?” he added, his tone almost mocking.

“No,” I said firmly. “He doesn’t.”

Victor leaned back in his chair, studying me. “You know, the offer still stands. You have the skills, the potential. You could be the first female second-in-command. I might be a pain in the ass for repeating this over and over, but you’re more than ready, Val.”

I took a deep breath. "I sure am."

Victor’s smile widened. “Good. Because we need someone strong, someone who isn’t afraid to take risks and make the hard decisions.”

“I won’t let you down.”

Chuckling, Victor stood up, extending his hand. “Welcome to your new beginning, Valentina. Can't wait for you to meet the reaper.”

I stared at him, confused. “The Reaper? But our boss is Hades.”

Victor’s smile didn’t falter. “I’m not stepping down, Valentina. You are stepping up. There’s someone else who’s been interested in you for a long time.”

“What are you talking about?”

Victor crossed his arms. “I’ve been receiving secret messages from an anonymous sender for years now. At first, I thought it was some kind of sick joke. But the sender was persistent. He wants you and will reward me if I convince you to work for him.”

“And you believed him?”

“Not at first,” Victor admitted. “But then I started investigating. I wanted to know who this sender was and if he was powerful enough to back up his claims. Turns out, he is. The Reaper is a mafia boss of a family even stronger than ours. He’s the one we’ve been trying to surpass for years.”

“So, what does he want with me?”

Victor shrugged. “That’s the part I haven’t figured out yet. But he knows about you, and he wants you on his side.”

“Are you betraying the Red Blood Gang?” I asked suspiciously.

“Betraying? No,” Victor said firmly. “Not even spying. But connections are good as long as they do no harm. Besides, the Reaper’s offer is tempting, Val. He promised resources, information, and alliances that could elevate us beyond our wildest dreams. But there’s a catch. You have to join his mafia.”

I took a step back, trying to process everything. “So, you want me to leave the Red Blood Gang and work for him?”

“Not want, Valentina. It’s up to you,” Victor said, his tone serious. “This could make us more powerful, but it’s a risk, so I won’t force you.”

I fell silent then. I already had a fair share of people I can't trust, but could I trust this mysterious Reaper?

Could I leave the Red Blood Gang for a chance at something greater?

"So, are you in or not?"

"So, are you in or not?"

I locked eyes with Victor, feeling my resolve harden. “I’m in.”

He chuckled then. “You're really something else, Valentina. So decisive. No wonder the Reaper likes you.”

I took a breath, ready to ditch Max and all his drama. And maybe, just maybe, this was my chance to become something more.

Something greater than just Max’s girlfriend.

“Alright,” I said, breaking the silence. “So what’s next?”

Victor pulled out his phone and dialed a number. “We’ll see.”

The phone rang a few times before someone picked up.

“She agreed,” Victor directly announced, and I heard a man laugh.

“Good! I knew she would. Have her meet me at 9 p.m. at the old warehouse on Riverside.”

Victor hung up and turned to me. “Pack up, Valentina. Leave the Mafia house. You’re meeting him at 9 p.m.”

“What do I tell the others?”

“Don’t worry about that. I’ll handle it,” Victor said reassuringly.

I went to my room and started packing. Clothes, essentials, a few mementos. Each item in my bag felt like shedding an old skin. But I was ready.

Before leaving, I went back to Victor’s office with my bags.

“Victor,” I called. “I just wanted to say goodbye. And thank you for everything.”

He looked up. “You'll be alright, Valentina. You’ve always been stronger than you give yourself credit for.”

I nodded, feeling a lump in my throat. “I hope so. This... this is a big step.”

“It is,” he agreed, standing up and walking around his desk to stand in front of me. “But you’re ready for it. If anyone can do this, it’s you.”

“Thank you,” I whispered. “I won’t let you down.”

Victor smiled, a rare, genuine smile. “Good luck, Val. Go show them what you’re made of.”

Three hours later, as I was settling into my new, temporary hideout, my phone rang. Max’s name flashed on the screen. I answered, bracing myself for the inevitable confrontation.

“Val, where the hell are you?! What kind of drama is it this time, huh?” he demanded. “Why did you leave without a trace?”

I took a deep breath. “I’m done, Max. I’m not coming back.”

“What? You can’t just leave like this!” he shouted. “Get back here now!”

“No. Go be with Sandy. You’re happy with her anyway.”

“You’ll regret this."

“I doubt it,” I replied, my voice unwavering. “This is goodbye, Max.”

“You can’t just walk away from everything we’ve built, Val! Think about what we’ve been through together.”

I laughed. “What we’ve been through? You mean all the lies and betrayal? The nights you left me for Sandy?”

“It’s not what you think, Val!” he insisted. “I can explain.”

“I don’t need your explanations anymore, Max. I’ve waited too long for you to change. But that was never going to happen.”

“So, what? You think running away is going to solve anything?” he scoffed. “You’re making a mistake.”

“No, Max. Staying with you was the mistake. Leaving you is the best decision I’ve made in years.”

“You think you’re better off without me?” he sneered. “You’re nothing without the Red Blood Gang!”

“I’m more than just the gang! Go be with Sandy. You're happy with her anyway.”

“Val—” he started, but I cut him off.

“This conversation is over. Goodbye.”

I hung up, feeling a wave of relief. For the first time in years, I felt truly free.

This was my chance to start over, to prove myself.

The clock neared 9 p.m. and I waited. Whoever the reaper was, or whatever he wanted, I’d face him head-on.

I don't run from challenges. I embraced them. And this was just the beginning.

Soon, someone came.

"You're finally here," he said.

And I? I stepped back, shocked.

Is he really the reaper?