Shadows of Naples: Code Lightning.

Milan was slowly handing spring over to summer. The Reyland estate smelled of jasmine that had grown around the living room windows, and the days were getting longer and warmer. At the large dining table, Sofia was having dinner with her parents — Isabella and Albert. A fine linen tablecloth, silver cutlery, glasses of red wine — everything looked peaceful, almost perfect. Yet the silence between them was tense. Isabella was slicing bread, Albert slowly sipping his wine, when Sofia finally put down her fork and quietly said: — It’s time for me to return to Naples. Isabella’s knife hung suspended in the air. — Sofia… — her mother began cautiously — are you sure? Albert just squinted, observing his daughter carefully. — It’s dangerous, — added Isabella. — You’re still on the list of the dead. If Alicia finds out… — That’s exactly why I have to go back, — Sofia interrupted, her voice calm but firm. — I can’t hide forever. That’s where I belong. And… my work isn’t finished yet. Albert set his glass aside and finally spoke: — You don’t owe anything to anyone. Stay here. Your mother and I will take care of you. — But I have to take care of everyone who believed in me, — Sofia replied. — And those I left behind. If I don’t show up, the Order will weaken. Alicia will take advantage of that. Isabella glanced at her husband, as if hoping he would stop their daughter. But Albert remained silent. He saw that the decision had already been made. — When? — he asked quietly. — Soon. Lorenzo will signal when everything is ready. Isabella sighed, hiding her emotions under her usual mask of cold composure. Only a flicker of worry shone in her eyes. — Just be careful, my daughter. Sofia nodded and picked up her wine glass again. — Always. --- A few days passed after that conversation. Sofia rarely left the house, but her thoughts constantly returned to one thing — the moment of her return. One morning, her phone vibrated. A message from Lorenzo: "Everything is clear. You can return. I’ll meet you tomorrow at the old station in Naples. Don’t be late. — L.R." Sofia stared at the screen for a long moment before putting the phone away. The time had come. That evening, she sat in the greenhouse with Isabella and Albert. The light from the lamps filtered through the leaves, creating a soft, almost homely atmosphere. She didn’t want to get sentimental, but it was hard to remain silent. — I leave tomorrow, — she said calmly. Isabella lowered her eyes; Albert, on the other hand, looked directly at his daughter. — Do you want us to accompany you? — he asked quietly. — No, — Sofia smiled. — I have to do this alone. — Then let your determination be your shield, — Albert said. — And let your mind be sharper than a bullet. Isabella stood, approached Sofia, and hugged her. — If anything happens… promise you’ll come back. — I promise, Mom. The next morning, Sofia wore dark jeans, a black shirt, a cloak, and the same cap that once saved her in Milan. On her back — a bag with documents and a new identity for inspections. She looked at the estate once more, her refuge… and stepped toward Naples. --- Naples greeted Sofia with soft dawn light. The train slowed and she stepped onto the platform, dressed modestly: long coat, glasses, scarf over her head. No one paid attention — it was still early, and the city was just waking up. At the far end of the platform, Lorenzo waited. He stood by a dark gray car with tinted windows, hands in his pockets. When he saw Sofia, he smiled slightly — not broadly, but sincerely. — You’re here, — he said as she approached. — Yes, — she replied quietly. He opened the passenger door, and she got in, glancing over her shoulder. No suspicious figures. Everything seemed safe. But inside, Sofia felt a thrill — not fear, more like anticipation. — Is everything ready? — she asked as they drove away from the station. — Yes, I checked the estate. No one has been there since your “death.” The road to the estate was quiet. Naples was waking up, along with all its dangers. As they approached the old villa surrounded by vineyards, Sofia felt at home again. Here everything had begun. And perhaps here everything would end. — Thank you, Lorenzo, — she said as she stepped out of the car. — For everything. He nodded. — I’ll stay nearby. If anything happens — call me immediately. She looked at him once more and silently entered the house. --- Sofia walked through the familiar corridors. The silence in the estate was oppressive. She stepped carefully, as if afraid to disturb the calm of this place, which just a few weeks ago had been full of life. Her room remained exactly as she had left it. The faint scent of her perfume lingered in the air; on the nightstand — a half-drunk cup of tea, turned into a memory of another life. Sofia took off her coat, hung it on the hook, and approached the window. From here, the view of the vineyards stretched far to the horizon. The silence was so deep she could hear her heartbeat. She sat at the desk, pulled out a small notebook — her old journal, where she once recorded everything: plans, thoughts, observations. Opening the first blank page, she wrote just one sentence: "I’m back." She knew the next days would be decisive. She had to plan everything: whom to call first, how to act, how to make her return a surprise for everyone except those she trusted. And at the same time — she had to keep silent. At least for now. --- The estate was quiet. Only somewhere in the corridor a clock clicked, marking another minute of her invisible confinement. Sofia sat by the window, watching the wind sway the treetops in the garden. Her thoughts drifted to the past, to voices that remained only in memory. Suddenly, someone rang the doorbell. She stood — without hurry, but with inner anxiety. Her heart suddenly beat faster. No one was supposed to come. Everyone knew she was “dead.” Approaching the door, she carefully looked through the peephole and sighed in relief. It was Lorenzo. She opened the door. — Hi, — he said, looking at her warmly. — May I come in? — Of course, come in. She stepped aside, letting him pass. Lorenzo took off his jacket, walked into the living room, and sat in the large armchair by the fireplace. — I see you still haven’t been going out, — he remarked, glancing at her cozy home clothes. — Not even to the yard. I’m still not ready, — she replied, sitting opposite him. — But I think it’s time to consider what’s next. He nodded. — That’s exactly why I came to talk. We can’t keep everything a secret forever. We need a plan. When, who, how… Sofia looked him straight in the eyes. — You’re right. I’m ready to discuss it. — I was thinking, — Sofia said slowly approaching the window, — that the first person I tell the truth to should be Luca. — Luca? — Lorenzo was a bit surprised. — Are you sure? — Yes, — she replied quietly. — He’s my best friend. If anyone should find out first — it’s him. I trust him. He won’t betray me, I know. Lorenzo nodded silently, but it was clear he still worried. — I can arrange everything. Safely, quietly, without extra eyes. — No, — she gently stopped him. — I’ll do it myself. I want Luca to see me as I am. Not as a plan or a shadow, but as a friend who returned. No warnings. That’s the right way. He looked at her seriously. — Then just be careful. But… I agree. If anyone deserves it — it’s Luca. She barely smiled. — Thank you, Lorenzo.