The grand double doors of Imara's mansion swung open with force as she stormed inside, her long coat dripping with rain, her wound still bleeding. The moment she stepped in, the guards stiffened, sensing the storm of rage surrounding their Boss, she didn't stop didn't acknowledge anyone, didn't even glance when the butler rushed forward with concern expression, but she was just kept walking, straight to the training room.

Her footsteps echoed in the massive hallway, her breathing was sharp and controlled, the moment she entered the gym, she shrugged off her coat, revealing the blood-stained shirt clinging to her body, the pain in her shoulder was sharp, but her fury was more sharper, she walked up to the punching bag, flexing her fingers, then, without hesitation.....

Boom!

Her fist slammed into the bag hard. Alex, who had followed her inside shook his head in disbelief

"Boss, you need to....."

Boom! Another punch.

"Let the doctor...."

Boom! Another.

"Fix your shoulder..."

BOOM!!!!

This time, the chains holding the bag rattled loudly, Imara's knuckles throbbed, but she didn't care, all she could see was Rafael his smirk, his betrayal. His audacity to shoot her and think he could walk away alive, her teeth clenched, breaths coming out in sharp exhales. The pain in her shoulder burned, but it fueled her. Alex sighed heavily and crossed his arms as he watched her.

"Boss, this isn't helping."

Boom!

"I know."

She snapped, her voice cold, sharp, filled with unspoken emotions, she knew punching a damn bag wouldn't change what happened, wouldn't erase the fact that Rafael was still alive, wouldn't erase the fact that she had to retreat and above all, wouldn't erase the fact that she couldn't go home, the home beside Taehyung because she knew she was angry and frustrated and she couldn't afford to go there.

His face flashed in her mind for a second, and that made her punch the bag even harder because she was angry, angry at Rafael, angry at herself and angry at the stupid way her heart had hesitated for even a second when she thought of him.

Boom!

Her fist slammed into the bag again, her breath ragged, her shoulder screaming in protest, Alex sighed heavily, he had seen Imara here in many times punching bag like this because she took out her anger and frustration like this.

"Boss, you're bleeding."

He reminded her, his voice calm but firm but she ignored him and he ran a hand down his face in frustration.

"For God's sake, Imara, do you want to pass out?"

Alex snapped and walked towards her Imara exhaled sharply, her knuckles throbbing, her wounded shoulder pulsing with pain, but she didn't stop.

Boom!

Another hit.

Her vision blurred for a second, but she refused to let weakness win Alex cursed under his breath before stepping forward, grabbing her wrist mid-punch.

"Enough."

He said, his tone leaving no room for argument, Imara's chest rose and fell heavily, for a moment, she looked like she might yank her hand away and continue, but the way Alex's grip tightened told her he wouldn't let her.

"Let me go."

"No."

She glared at him, but Alex didn't back down she pulled her wrist from his grip and took a slow step back, her body was trembling slightly, not from fear, not from exhaustion, but from the storm of emotions she couldn't control, the room was silent for a moment, only the sound of her heavy breathing filling the space. Then, she turned on her heel and walked out, leaving a concerned Alex behind, she didn't stop until she reached her bedroom and the moment she shut the door behind her, the weight of everything crashed down.

The pain.

The anger.

And Taehyung.

She clenched her jaw, hating how his face kept intruding into her thoughts.

✧◍✧◍✧

The soft glow of morning seeped through the heavy curtains, casting a dim light across the lavish bedroom. Imara stirred, her body aching from the previous night's brutality, her head felt heavy, her limbs sore, but as she shifted slightly, a sharp sting in her shoulder made her hiss, slowly, she turned her head and blinked away the sleep, her gaze landing on her shoulder, it was carefully bandaged.

Imara's lips pressed into a thin line, she didn't remember tending to her own wound. In fact, she barely remembered walking to her room before exhaustion had pulled her under, she sighed, running a hand through her short hair as her gaze lingered on the neatly wrapped bandage she knew who had done this. Alex. Of course, it was him, the only one stubborn enough to take care of her, even when she refused to take care of herself, her eyes shifted to the small tray beside her bed, painkillers and a glass of water, placed carefully as if he knew she would wake up sore and angry, she exhaled sharply and leaned back against the pillows.

She was thinking about last night chaos when suddenly her body froze when she remembered yesterday's rainy night with Taehyung, the way she had stood in his arms, her body pressed against his the gentle way his fingers had brushed against her cheek, as if memorizing her face through touch alone his warmth, his steady presence, the way the rain had soaked through both of them but she hadn't cared, not when he was that close, her heart skipped a beat, she shook her head and pressed her palms against the silk bedsheet.

"What the hell is wrong with me?"

She was the Mafia Queen she had enemies to eliminate, power to maintain, a life built on blood and dominance, yet here she was remembering a man who had no place in her world, with a sigh, she reached for the painkillers, popping them into her mouth before downing the water in one go, then, she pushed the blanket off, determined to shake off last night's storm, she had business to handle and a certain blind florist she couldn't afford to think about.

After get ready she descended the grand staircase, her butler was standing at the end of the steps, bowed respectfully she gave a slight nod and made her way toward the dining hall, the moment she entered, the long dining table stretched before her, filled with an variety of spread, freshly baked breads, exotic fruits, eggs cooked in multiple styles, pastries, steaming hot coffee, and freshly squeezed juices. Every dish was carefully prepared, arranged elegantly, just for her.

Just like always.

Yet, as she stood there, staring at the luxurious meal, something inside her paused, she thought of the mornings at Taehyung's house simple and warm a cup of tea, pancakes on some days sometimes a cupcake, sometimes a croissant small meals, nothing grand, her fingers lightly traced the rim of the porcelain teacup placed before her, but she felt no appetite back there, breakfast wasn't just food on a table it was the Taehyung's quiet presence, his grandfather's kind laughter, the peaceful air of a world far removed from hers and for the first time, the grand feast before her felt empty and suddenly her mind drifted back to a conversation she once had with Taehyung's grandfather.

"Rich people waste food without a second thought, while so many go hungry. Instead of piling their tables with dishes they can't even finish, they should give it to those who actually need it."

And something broke inside her, her grip on the teacup tightened, a strange ache settling in her chest she had never cared about things like this before her entire life, but now... now she couldn't shake the thought of all the untouched food sitting before her, going to waste when it could fill the stomachs of those who had nothing.

Just then, the dining room door opened, and Alex walked in with a file but stopped when he saw her standing motionless at the table.

"Boss any problem?"

He asked cautiously and glanced ay her shoulder which was covered with scarf and without looking at him, Imara spoke, her voice steady but firm.

"Call the head chef."

Alex frowned slightly but he didn't question it and just nodded.

"Understood."

As he left to fetch the chef, Imara took a slow breath, her fingers brushing over the edge of the plate, she wasn't sure why, but for the first time, she wanted to do something differently.

When the head chef arrived, he stood before Imara with a polite bow, awaiting her command, Alex was also standing nearby, watching his boss with curiosity.

Imara who was still standing by the dining table, lifted her gaze to the chef, her expression was unreadable, but her voice was calm and firm when she spoke.

"There is no need to make this much breakfast from now on."

A heavy silence settled in the room, the chef blinked, clearly taken aback.

"M...Madam?"

Alex, too straightened slightly he had known Imara for years, he had seen her demand nothing but perfection, excess was simply a part of her lifestyle.

"Half of this food isn't even touched it is a waste from now on, make something simple. Enough for one person."

She said sternly, leaving no room for argument the chef hesitated and glanced at Alex as if asking he heard right or not but Alex was just too stunned.

"As you wish, Madam."

The head chef said with a bowed and left, Alex glanced at her who was still standing.

"Since when do you care about wasting food?"

He asked in suspicious tone but instead of answering, she sat down on chair and took a sip of tea, when she didn't answered he sighed heavily because he understood the assignment that she didn't want to talk about it.

"Won't you go to your other home?"

He asked, referring to the house she had bought beside Taehyung's, Imara didn't even look up she simply took another sip of her tea with unreadable expression.

"No."

"Why?"

"Because I don't want to."

She said calmly yet firmly and finally met his gaze, Alex narrowed his eyes slightly he had known Imara long enough to understand that when she avoided something, it meant something, but for now, he didn't push.

After finished the tea Imara placed her teacup down with a quiet clink, her eyes now void of the softness that had there some seconds ago, the warmth, the memories of quiet breakfasts had gone she turned her gaze to Alex, sharp and cold.

"I want Rafael in my basement."

Alex straightened slightly, instantly alert he had been waiting for this order, for his boss to return to the Imara he knew.

"And his empire?"

He asked with a smirk, though he already knew the answer and her lips also curled into a smirk, but there was no humor in it, only ice, only vengeance.

"Burn it to the ground."

"Consider it done Boss."

Alex said cunningly and left the dining hall, already dialing numbers, his voice sharp as he issued orders, and Imara sat still for a moment, tapping her fingers against the table her expression was unreadable, but inside, a fire was raging. The wound on her shoulder throbbed faintly, a painful reminder of Rafael's betrayal, she exhaled slowly and stood up and walked towards the large windows of her mansion, gazing out at the world she controlled.

A world where fear and respect were two sides of the same coin and she held both in her hands, but amidst the cold calculations and vengeance, a different thought whispered in the back of her mind.

Taehyung.

She clenched her jaw, no there was no space for weakness not now she turned away from the window and grabbed her coat and walked out she had work to do, and the work was to burn Rafael's world tonight.

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...ᴄᴏɴᴛɪɴᴜᴇᴅ...

(Hey friends I hope you would like the today episode if yes then share your reviews and also don't forget to press star, I will post next chapter soon, see you in next chapter)

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