Chapter 7 - THE WOMAN IN RED
The woman in red appeared two nights later.
Irene saw her through the restaurant window.
She stood across the street beneath a streetlamp.
A crimson coat.
Dark sunglasses.
Even though it was nearly midnight.
Irene stopped.
The woman lifted one hand.
A small gesture.
Familiar.
Irene's mother used to greet her that way.
Irene ran outside.
“Wait!”
The woman turned.
For one terrible second, Irene saw her face.
Lucia Corvino.
Older.
Thinner.
But unmistakable.
“Mom?”
The woman froze.
Irene stepped forward.
“Mom!”
Lucia's eyes filled.
Then she turned and walked quickly toward a waiting car.
Irene ran after her.
“Please!”
The car door opened.
Lucia looked back.
Her lips moved.
One word.
Run.
Then the car pulled away.
Irene stood in the street, shaking.
Aleandro arrived minutes later.
Rocco had alerted him.
He found Irene standing beneath the rain.
She was crying.
Aleandro approached slowly.
“Bella.”
She looked up.
“My mother.”
His expression changed.
“She was here?”
Irene nodded.
“She told me to run.”
Aleandro looked toward the empty street.
Then back at her.
“From whom?”
Irene shook her head.
“I don't know.”
Aleandro removed his coat and placed it around her shoulders.
For a moment, Irene leaned against him.
Not because she trusted him completely.
But because she was tired.
Tired of running.
Tired of hiding.
Tired of losing people.
Aleandro looked down at her.
“I won't let them take you.”
Irene closed her eyes.
“You can't promise that.”
He was silent.
Then said:
“No.”
She looked up.
May you like
He continued.
“But I can promise I won't stop trying.”
