More determined than ever, I return to the ground floor and find Andy and Andrea. As soon as they see me, an expression of surprise lights up their faces.

"Dear executioners, it is finally time for me to say goodbye to the old May and to build the new one together. It's been almost a year that I've been in this vegetative state between the hospital bed and my bed here. I need to move on and take control of my life. And if I'm here today, it's thanks to you. You have been my greatest support, my nurses, my punching bags, but most importantly, when it was finally time, you didn't hold back, all for my own good. Know that I am extremely grateful to you and that without you, I would be six feet under by now. Sincerely, thank you for not abandoning me and staying by my side despite my moods and behavior."

Andy jumps into my arms the moment I finish speaking, then hugs me tightly.

"Finally ! There's my May ! Goodbye starfish, hello badass!"

"What makes you think I want to become a badass ?" I laugh.

"The spark in your eyes is the same as when you were planning to get revenge on the Condore family. So I suppose that behind this blatant enthusiasm to start living again, there's a darker reason."

Impressed by her deductive spirit and the fact that she knows me better than I know myself, I smile and reveal my decision.

"Indeed, you are right."

" Ah ! I knew it !"

Like a child, she takes her place next to Andrea and waits impatiently for what comes next, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. I sit down in front of them, and under Andrea's attentive gaze, I dive in.

"So here it is: I want to find Ezio's murderer and bring the Sicilian mafia to its knees."

Andrea tenses up at my revelation.

"And by Sicilian mafia, which family exactly do you mean ?" he asks, dreading my answer.

"All of them, without exception, " I clarify, serious and determined.

" Are you crazy ?!" he exclaims.

"We're not going through this again. I know what I'm saying. I know it's reckless in some people's eyes. I know I'll succeed, but for that, I need your help, Andrea. You need to teach me what you know about the mafia, train me to become formidable and excel in combat. I want to be feared, dreaded, and ruthless. Obviously, I don't want anyone to know what I'm preparing, and that's why, Andy, I've decided to put my singing career on hold. I know what it represents, but I also know that fans and people in general will understand my decision to step back from the spotlight for a while. Still in mourning, no one expects me to return right away, and that will give me the necessary time and shadow to carry out my plan. I will be off the radar, allowing me to fully focus on my revenge because I am aware that a long and perilous journey awaits me. I want to put all the odds in my favor to succeed. Do you understand ?"

They exchange a stunned look, absorbing what they've just heard, then fix their eyes on me and respond in unison:

"Count on us !"

I smile at them and start to get up when Andrea catches my attention.

"One last detail before anything, May."

I look at him, puzzled.

"The file that Raphael's notary brought you a few months ago. Have you looked at it ?"

"No, it completely slipped my mind, why ?"

"You should take a look at it; he wants to sell the house."

"What ? But he has no legitimacy over the manor."

"Well, think again. Ezio might not have mentioned it, but Raphael, whether for Giuseppe or Ezio, was financially involved in every property acquisition since he remains the baron and thus becomes the rightful heir in case of death."

"What kind of joke is this ? If that's the case, why does he need my permission ?"

"Because Ezio thwarted his plan and made both of you beneficiaries of the house if he died. He didn't want Raphael to have the power to put you out on the street overnight, and believe me, this decision caused quite a scandal during the reading of the will."

"You were there ?"

"Yes, I was summoned. Ezio appointed me as the head of his men upon his death. There were details to discuss with the notary."

I digest what I just heard and decide to review the file.

I go upstairs to retrieve it from the bedroom and find it on my nightstand, where Andy had placed it after gathering all the scattered papers. Once the file is in my hands, I head back down to study it more thoroughly.

I isolate myself in Ezio's old office and open it.

Empty, one might think no one ever worked here. I swallow hard to loosen the knot in my stomach and sit in a corner. The absence of any memories allows me to quickly concentrate on the file.

I discover a copy of his will and the minutes of the opening meeting. I find what Andrea told me earlier about Raphael's reaction when he learned that half of the house belonged to me. I also learn that I am the heir to Ezio's fortune as well as all his material possessions, including cars and furniture. All his real estate properties, including restaurants, nightclubs, and hotels, rightfully belong to his father.

I continue reading and come across the papers Raphael wanted me to review. It explains that the manor belongs to both of us. Following this is his proposal to sell. Being a co-owner, he cannot sell without my authorization, and that's his problem. I take a step back from the situation and think about what I want and how I see the future. It doesn't take me long to make my decision. I get up and join Andrea, who is still sitting with Andy, cuddling in front of the TV.

"Get dressed, we're going out. Andrea, do you have the notary's contact information ? I'd like to arrange a meeting with him."

He hands me his phone with the notary's number already dialed. I press call, and he answers quickly.

"Sir Mauditone speaking."

"Hello, this is May Madini. I'd like to meet to discuss the file you brought me a few months ago."

"Oh, hello Madame Madini. Yes, we can meet tomorrow at 3 PM at the manor if that suits you."

"You misunderstood. I want us to meet in thirty minutes at Don Madini's manor."

I hear him stammer and start an excuse, but I don't give him time to finish before hanging up. I hand the phone back to Andrea, who looks at me intrigued.

"I told you, goodbye old May," I say, smiling.