82: Despair

I clutched the thick folder in my hand tightly, feeling the weight of the decision I had just made. My signature and the drop of my blood sealed the agreement that bound me deeper to the Cosa Nostra. The agreement was not just a piece of paper but a symbol of the immense responsibility now resting on my shoulders. As I entered Rikkard's office, anxiety and tension wrapped around my heart.

Rikkard looked at me from behind his desk, his sharp eyes as always, but this time there was a hint of softness in them. "Isabella, you have taken a very important step," he said with a voice that was heavy yet understanding.

I swallowed hard, trying to steady myself. "I signed the agreement," I said, handing him the folder. He opened it, examining the document filled with my signature and blood seal.

Rikkard nodded slowly, his eyes meeting mine with deep meaning. "With this, you are officially the Donna of the Cosa Nostra. You have vast power and great responsibility. Just like your great-grandmothe