Chapter 3 What She Became

• The Lady Mafia was a name whispered in dark corners and behind closed doors. Rumors of her ruthless and merciless ways were only rivaled by the fear she instilled in those who spoke of her. No one knew her face or her true identity, and that was precisely how she wanted it. To the world, she was a shadow—a cold, heartless woman without weakness, without emotion. But after the brutal scene in the conference room, the whispers began to circulate, louder and more frequent than before. Who was she really?
• The meeting had ended abruptly, the stench of fear still hanging in the air. Tara, the woman everyone feared, had made her exit, leaving behind an aura of blood and dread. The room, once filled with murmurs of uncertainty, had gone completely silent. No one dared to speak ill of her, not even in hushed tones. Fear lingered like a heavy fog.
• An hour later, the old man who had led the meeting called everyone back to resume their discussion. His voice, though calm, carried an unmistakable hint of unease.
• “Let’s continue from where we left off, gentlemen,” he said softly, almost apologetically. “I know what you witnessed earlier wasn’t something you expected. Unfortunately, mercy isn’t a word that girl seems to understand. But please, let’s get back to the matter at hand.”
• Nervous smiles appeared on a few faces, but none dared to challenge the gravity of the situation. There was a deep, unspoken understanding between them all—they were at the mercy of a woman who had none.
• Half an Hour Later
• In the dimly lit room, the only sound was the sharp click of a knife as it tapped against the table. Tara sat in silence, her focus on the blade as she twirled it absentmindedly between her fingers. Her expression was a mask of cold detachment, but the tension in the air was palpable. It wasn’t just the knife that kept everyone at bay; it was her presence—unyielding, implacable.
• James entered cautiously, his footsteps slow and deliberate.
• “Hey, sis,” he called out, his voice soft. “I’m here, like you asked. But why is it so dark? Should I turn on the lights? It's way to dark in here so I can't even see you how would I see anything else?”
• Tara didn’t acknowledge him at first, continuing to idly tap the knife on the table. After a long pause, she spoke, her voice a chilling calmness.
• “No need. Leave it as it is. You doesn't need to see me neither I want to see you.” And saying this the room again went silent.
• James shifted uneasily, his fingers nervously flipping through his phone. He wasn’t sure whether he was more uncomfortable in the silence or with the weight of what had just happened in that meeting.
• “Well, I did some digging,” he finally said, his voice breaking the silence. “He’s got a son and a daughter. Killed his wife, left the kids with their grandmother…”
• Tara’s eyes flickered briefly toward him in the darkness, but her expression remained unreadable it was already way to dark in the room to see her face but her eyes flickered were more terrifying than the darkness itself. Tara questioned “And?”
• James hesitated, the pressure of her gaze like a physical weight. “Uh… Well, nothing much else, sis. He was a criminal. Just a typical lowlife.”
• Tara raised an eyebrow, her tone sharp as a blade. “Are you sure?”
• James let out a nervous chuckle, avoiding her gaze. “I mean… there’s more, but it’s not important right now.” His words felt hollow as he desperately tried to shift the conversation.
• But Tara was not so easily deflected. “Tell me, James.”
• Sighing in defeat, James dropped his phone on the table and met her gaze. “He had a mistress. A woman in her twenties… and she’s pregnant.”
• Tara’s eyes remained cold, but something flickered briefly within them—a flash of calculation.
• “Hire her,” she said, her voice emotionless.
• James with mixed emotion said in loud and denying voice, " what the hell ? what do you mean by hire her? why would you hire her?
• Tara again said with a cold tone, “Give her a job at the company. As for the kids, I’ll cover their schooling expenses. Make sure the grandmother has everything she needs until they’re settled. And as per the rules I made never ask me what and why? Got it?? ”
• James stared at her, confused and slightly in awe of her calm efficiency. “Sis… who are you really?”
• Tara’s lips curled into a bitter, humorless smile. “Don’t you know? I’m the cold, heartless mafia.”
• James shook his head, frustration creeping into his voice. “No, I’m not talking about what people call you. I’m asking—who are you, really?”
• Her smile faded, her eyes hardening. She stood up from the table, her movements deliberate and calculated. “Your work here is done. Go, and get it settled.”
• James didn’t move immediately. His gaze lingered on her as if he could find some crack in her armor, some sign that the real Tara was still there. “Sis…” His voice softened, full of concern. “One day, all your walls will fall. And when that happens… the real you will come out.”
• The words hung in the air as he left the room, but Tara didn’t react. Her fingers brushed over a photo frame on the table—a photograph of a much younger Tara and few other people in it, smiling with a warmth she hadn’t shown in years. The smile didn’t quite reach her eyes anymore.
• “That day will never come,” she whispered to herself. Her words were empty, as if she was trying to convince herself more than anyone else and put that frame upside down as to hide a lot of things.
• She pulled her phone from her pocket and dialed a number, her hand steady despite the restlessness inside her. After three rings, the call was answered.
• “I’m coming today,” Tara said, her voice firm but calm. “Don’t let anyone visit them until I get there.”
• A woman’s voice responded, confused but obedient. “Sara, today???? I thought you were out of town.”
• “I was,” Tara replied without explanation. “But I’m back now. Tell them I’m coming.”
• The call ended without any further words. Tara took a deep breath, her hand lingering on the knife that lay still on the table, gleaming in the dim light. She wiped it clean before she slipped it into her jacket. Slowly, almost as if it was instinctual, she removed her hoodie and goggles. Each piece of clothing felt like she was shedding another layer of herself—yet, the mask, the cold exterior, remained.
• As she grabbed her bike keys and put on her helmet, she glanced back at the room, the room where she had spent too many hours hiding from herself. This was who she was now, and there was no turning back.
• James came back to The Old Man office where he told him everything he smiled faintly and said do as she ordered.
• As he commanded that, the old man watched from his office window, his eyes clouded with sorrow. He didn’t know how many more days or years he could watch her from a distance without being consumed by guilt. As he saw Tara going out of the building.
• “I never wanted her to be like this…” he muttered, his voice thick with grief. “She wasn’t meant for this… alas… my poor girl.”
• He rubbed his temples, his mind racing through memories of a younger Tara—bright, full of life, and full of hope. The woman she had become, this untamed beast of rage and cold calculation, was someone he didn’t recognize anymore. She had once been the light in his life, but now she was a wildfire, burning everything in her path even herself.
• Tara had become the very thing he had tried to protect her from. But He had failed.
• “She used to be such a loving girl…” he whispered, tears welling in his eyes. “Full of life. Now they’ve turned her into this… this thing. She’s not just a monster, James. She’s something worse. She’s… she’s forgotten how to be human anymore.”
• James stood beside him, his eyes conflicted. He didn’t understand his sister’s darkness, but he understood the love that lay buried beneath it. “Grandpa…” he said softly, “I don’t understand either of you. She locks herself in that dark world, never letting me or Lyon in. And you… you never tell me anything about her past. But I see how it troubles you after you meet her. Why won’t you tell me? I don’t know how to help her if I don’t know what happened.”
• The old man sighed, his gaze distant as he stared at the empty horizon. “Do you ever listen to her, James? Do you ever listen to what she says, or do you just ignore the warning signs? She won’t forgive you if she finds out what you’re doing. No one—no one—will be safe from her wrath.”
• James gave him a wry, sad smile, but there was an edge to it. “We never knew our mother, Grandpa. But we know what it’s like to be loved, to be protected. She’s always been like a mother to us. And don’t worry… if we ever get caught, I’ll count on Lyon and his innocent face to get us out of trouble. And I know a mother and sister can do anything but can't be angry for a long time. Moreover I can’t leave her alone in that world. I won’t.”
• The old man placed a hand on James’ shoulder, his voice grave. “Remember, James, the world thinks she has nothing to lose. But we both know that you and Lyon mean everything to her. Don’t push her too far. Because if one of you gets hurt… she won’t hesitate to burn the world down to get you back. And there will be no going back once that happens.”
• James nodded, his expression unreadable. “Aye, aye, Captain. I’ll keep that in mind.” He forced a smile that didn’t reach his eyes, but deep down, fear gnawed at him. Not for himself, but for his sister. For what she was becoming.
• At Tara’s Apartment
• Tara arrived at her apartment, the door ajar. Her instincts flared, the familiar discomfort of intrusion settling in her chest. She kicked the door open with a swift, deliberate motion, her voice ringing out as she stepped inside.