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I don’t know what to say, or what to do, but I can’t look away from her.
“That is—”
Alessandro doesn’t allow Francesco to continue.
“It’s the only way.” He reassures him. “Don’t you want to protect your daughter, and her future? Don’t act like you weren’t happy with this very same thing only three days ago when your daughter lost consciousness, Francesco.”
Francesco slowly rises from the bed, his voice furious.
“You cannot be serious!” He shouts, his hands curling into fists at his sides. “She ismydaughter, myonlydaughter! Chiara has suffered enough, and now you want to force her into this madness?!”
Alessandro simply raises an eyebrow, a quiet show of authority that stops the older man in his tracks.
Nikolai swallows hard beside me, though I pretend not to notice.
I won’t admit it either, but Alessandro has a way of unsettling me, of making the room feel colder and heavier too.
It’s the way that he carries himself, like he already knows the ending toeverythingbefore it’s even had a chance to happen.
I guess it’s something he’s learnt with his many years of experience as the Don.
When he finally speaks again, his voice is much calmer this time, but there’s no mistaking the authority in his tone.
“I am the Don of the famiglia, and my word—it is law. Do we have an understanding, Francesco? Or has it been a mistake to allow you to keep breathing?”
For the longest time, nobody speaks.
It almost feels like we’re all holding onto our own breaths, eager to see how this will play out.
Finally, Francesco’s head drops down as he accepts defeat.
“Sì, Don Alessandro. If my daughter agrees, I am happy.”
The room falls silent again.
The weight of her father’s acceptance seems to smother every sound, every protest that’s waiting to be voiced.
The tension snaps when Dario, now pacing beside his sister’s bed, growls impatiently.
He spits the words out like venom, like he can’t bear to hold back on his tongue any longer.
“You can’t force my sister to be with these madmen!”
Somehow, Alessandro is able to remain composed.
“I’m not forcing her to be with anybody.” Dario doesn’t so much asblink.“Your father forced me to send the sister of thesemadmenaway. Perhaps this is a way to make it even for everybody, considering the complex history both families share.”
Dario’s face twists with rage, his movements quick and sharp as he takes a step towards Alessandro, looking like he’s about to lunge at him. The room practically vibrates with the force of his rage. But before he can take another step forward, Francesco shouts.
“Dario!”
Dario freezes, his jaw tight, his fists shaking at his sides as he glares at Alessandro.
Francesco’s tone leaves no room for argument, and slowly, reluctantly, Dario steps back slowly, his breathing ragged with barely restrained anger.
The room feels like it’s on the verge of imploding, every glaze flickering between Alessandro, Francesco, and Dario.
I glance over to Chiara, spotting her sitting quietly on the bed, her hands clutching her lap. Her eyes are wide as they dart from one face to another, uncertainty washed all over her.