Chapter 147
Aria’s POV
The light coming through the window was soft and warm, like the sun was trying to be gentle with me.
Hay there in bed, staring at the ceiling. My eyes were swollen from all the crying I did last night. I could still feel the ache in my chest. It was a strange kind of pain not sharp, not sudden, but deep and heavy, like a rock sitting on my heart. I didn’t want to move. I didn’t want to think. But I couldn’t stop the thoughts either.
My father.
My sweet, funny, soft–hearted dad.
A man who used to sing while cooking. Who told me silly bedtime stories, who held me when I had nightmares. Who brought home flowers from the market just because he saw my favorite color. I never imagined him being part of something dark. Something like the mafia. That wasn’t the man I knew.
But he had been part of it. The Russian mafia.
And he left it for me.
He gave up everything, risked everything… and still, they found him. They shot him. Right in front of me. I didn’t even understand why – until
now.
They thought I had something. Intel. Secrets.
But I didn’t. I never did.
Just memories. And grief.
A soft knock on the door made me jump a little. I didn’t answer, but the door creaked open anyway.
Dante.
He stood there for a moment, his eyes scanning me carefully. Like he was making sure I was really okay before stepping inside.
“We made breakfast,” he said simply.
–
His voice was deep but soft the kind of voice that could calm a storm if you let it. I nodded, slowly pushing the covers off my legs. My body moved like it didn’t belong to me.
I followed him down the stairs, my bare feet making no sound on the marble floors.
The kitchen smelled sweet. Cinnamon, butter, vanilla.
Matteo stood at the counter, pouring tea into a mug – the one with flowers on it. My mug. He didn’t even ask what I wanted. He just knew. Like always.
Enzo was at the stove flipping pancakes, humming a little. His hair was messy like he hadn’t slept either. But he smiled when he saw me.
“Morning, princess,” he said, a little too cheerful, but I could see the worry in his eyes.
They didn’t crowd me. They didn’t force conversation. They just handed me food and sat with me, like this was any normal day.
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Chapter 147
I didn’t eat much, but I sipped the tea. It was sweet and warm. It felt like someone wrapping a blanket around my heart.
We moved to the living room after. I curled up on the couch, hugging my knees to my chest. I stared at the carpet for a long time.
“I didn’t know,” I said suddenly.
All three of them turned to me.
“My dad… I didn’t know he was involved in that life. He was just my dad. He made the best lasagna and played terrible guitar, and he always danced in the kitchen. I didn’t know he used to kill people. Or steal secrets. I didn’t know he was running.”
My voice cracked, but I kept going.
“I didn’t know why they killed him. But now I do. And I almost wish I didn’t.”
Matteo moved first. He knelt in front of me, his warm hands gently resting on my legs.
“You’re not supposed to carry this alone,” he said. “Not anymore.”
Dante sat beside me, his strong arm wrapping around my shoulders. He smelled like cedar and rain. His hand stroked my arm slowly, like he was trying to tell me I was safe without using words.
“You don’t have to be strong right now,” he said softly. “Let us be strong for you.”
Enzo sat on the other side and took my hand. His thumb brushed against mine as he brought it to his lips, kissing my knuckles so gently it made my chest ache again.
“You’re not alone, Aria. We’re here. We’re not going anywhere.”
And just like that… I broke again.
The tears came fast, sliding down my cheeks in burning rivers. My chest heaved as sobs took over. I cried until I couldn’t breathe, until my throat hurt and my eyes felt raw. But none of them let go.
Matteo stayed on the floor, holding my legs gently. Dante’s fingers kept stroking my arm. Enzo’s lips pressed against my hand, soft and steady.
They didn’t try to fix it.
They didn’t tell me to stop crying.
They just stayed.
Whispering soft words. Stroking my hair. Loving me, in a quiet, patient way I didn’t even know I needed.
Later that evening, when the sun started to go down, they brought me to the rooftop.
The sky was painted with soft pink and gold. There was a blanket laid out and fairy lights strung all around. It looked like a secret world,
hidden above the city.
There was fruit and soft music and the scent of lavender in the air. I stared, speechless.
“This is for me?” I whispered.
“For you,” Matteo said, guiding me to the blanket.
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Chapter 147
I sat down between them. My heart felt swollen with sadness, but also something gentler. Something warm.
Enzo poured wine into little glasses. Dante handed me strawberries. Matteo leaned back on his elbows, watching the sky.
None of us said much at first.
And somehow, that silence was more comforting than any words.
I rested my head on Matteo’s shoulder. Dante’s fingers brushed up and down my arm. Enzo laced his fingers with mine.
This time, I didn’t cry.
I just… let myself be held.
We talked later about small things. Favorite books. First kisses. Songs we liked. The world felt lighter up here. Like maybe, just maybe, I could breathe again.
“You’re stronger than you think,” Matteo said quietly.
“But you don’t always have to be,” Dante added.
“You’ve got us now,” Enzo finished.
I blinked back fresh tears. These ones were different though. These ones didn’t hurt.
Enzo smirked a little, nudging my shoulder. “By the way, we’ve been planning something.”
I tilted my head. “Planning what?”
Dante winked at me. “You’ll see. Tomorrow.”
Matteo’s lips curved into a small smile. “Just… trust us.”
And for the first time in what felt like forever, I did.
My chest fluttered with something almost like excitement.
A surprise.
I didn’t know what it was.
But I knew whatever it was
Because it was from them.
And maybe that was enough.
–
it would be special.
