For several minutes, I stand like an outsider in the midst of the ensuing chaos, my mind blank while my head tries so hard to process what just happened. I remember hearing the gunshot but I didn’t got hit. Marco stands still for a moment, his face as white as chalk, then he falls to the ground clutching his arm. Understanding reverberates through me, Marco is hit."Marco!" I scream, rushing to his side just as blood slowly stains his shirt, a crimson river flowing from the wound in his arm. Panic grips me as I frantically search for a way to staunch the bleeding, to save the man who took the bullet meant from me. But even as I fight to stop the bleeding, I could see the color fading from his eyes, he’s losing so much blood. I blink back the tears threatening to fall in torrents.“I’ll be fine Valentina, it’s just a flesh wound.”“It’s a gunshot wound, you need medical care right now.”A group of men dressed in black crash into the room joining our rescuer, relief evident in their fa
Navigating the path to recovery alongside Marco has been a source of solace for me, each day bringing us closer to healing. Yet, amidst the progress, a pang of guilt tugs at my conscience for the brief moments I spent with my family before coming down here to ensure his recovery knowing the ordeal they've been through in my absence. I know in no time, we will all recover from this fully, however , the mere sight of burger now triggers memories I’d rather forget, serving as a stark reminder of the trauma we endured.Russell’s once formidable power now seems futile in the face of justice. The weight of his crimes has caught up with him, and he’s facing the full force of the law for his heinous acts. Attempted murder and kidnapping charges now loom over him, ensuring he’ll pay the price for his atrocities, a sentence I’m determined to see through to the end.The depth of Marco’s commitment, evidenced by his arranging our release and his willingness to take a bullet on my behalf, fills m
The sound of the door opening wakes me up from one of the most restful sleep I’ve ever had since the shooting, it’s the first sleep I’ve had in recent nights that isn’t med-induced. Without opening my eyes, I hear the faint footsteps of someone coming into my room, the lightness of the steps are obviously Valentina’s. I smile at her image that pops up in my head, I can imagine her walking on tip-toe to avoid waking me up. It is now a daily routine for me to wake up to her by my side and that reduces the pain of my wound and the grogginess of my medicines by a greater percent. I lie perfectly still as she pull the blinds off the window to let in the morning sun.“You know I can tell you’re awake right?” She says while walking towards me from the window. I open my eyes and smile at her knowing my ruse is up.“How are you able to tell?”“Because you’re a bad pretender.”I sigh.“You know me too well.”I sit up gently on the bed trying to avoid my injured arm, she walks quickly to
I continue my movement towards the dining table,when I got to Becca’s side, she flashes me a smile that looks full of an emotion I can’t place my hands on. I stare back at her trying to figure out what’s going on but she is already focused on the setting the table. Valentina, on the other hand, resolutely avoids my eyes.I take my seat on the chair directly opposite my father’s with my injured arm in an awkward position, ready to start asking my father a boatload of question but his voice stops me.“Everything smells nice,” father says while pulling his empty plate closer to himself, ready for the food. “It was becoming difficult to wait for you before eating.”Maybe I should focus on breakfast too, my questions can wait.“I’m sorry to have kept you guys waiting, it’s sometimes difficult to get dressed without help.” I raise my injured arm as a form of explanation.“It’s fine Marco”, it is Becca who replies this time. “It’s great to see you up and about the house already.”I smile
I walk towards Valentina's door, the air still feeling charged with the unresolved tension from earlier. Father's sudden appearance has thrown everything off balance. If I knew he was coming, I would have prepared mentally, physically and financially.Just before I knock, Father appears behind me.“Father, not now,”I say, my tone sharper than intended.“Can you at least hear me out?” he pleads, and I begrudgingly agree, leading him to a more private corner of the hallway.“Make it quick,” I say, my patience wearing thin.Father takes a deep breath “Marco, I'm sorry for how I acted earlier at the table, that was insensitive of me. I don't know what came over me. That wasn't fair to you, and I want to make things right.”I sigh knowing Becca must have put him up to this. I really need to have a word with him. There's no way I'm going to have my previous life play a repeat, not with everything I've been through. “You are not saying anything.”“Father, if we’re going to build any father
"I want all the juicy details. Are you two getting back together? Does his father still glare at you with contempt? And what about his mother, is she back in the picture?" Chiara rattles off questions in rapid succession."Can I at least catch my breath? I just walked in, Chiara. The least you can do is help me unpack," I reply, half-teasingly.She rolls her eyes, opening my box. "Girl, spill the tea. I saw you blushing the minute you stepped out of your car. I knew something was up.""How did you even know I was arriving today?""You sound like you're not happy to see me," she says, pouting."I am, it's just that I wasn't expecting to be ambushed.""Quit the drama. I'm being helpful. I came to check up on your mom, and she mentioned you'd be coming in today, so I stayed back.""Well, I think Marco and I are back together," I announce, fanning my cheeks."No way! Now this is what I've been waiting to hear. It's about time. Tell me everything!"I recount the morning's events and our co
I check my reflection out in the full-length mirror on the wall of my room, my look was satisfying enough considering I had to do it with one hand. I can hear Giovanni’s car horn in my driveway, Mother’s flying into Italy and I need him to drive me to the airport. “Hold on to your pants, I’m coming!” I yell through the window towards the driveway, even though I know he can’t hear me from here but the yell relieves my burden a bit.The thought of my parents fully back in my life weighs heavy on my mind and has been keeping me awake since the realization. I know I have to take firm steps as soon as possible to avoid their undue influence over my life once again, not after everything I’ve been through.With a resolute sigh, I step away from the window, I exit my room and head downstairs.“Becca!” I call out once downstairs.She pokes her head into the room. “Yes?”“I’m headed to the airport to pick mom up.”“Are you supposed to be driving already with your injury?” “Of course not, G
A long moment of silence follows Giovanni’s departure, my parents still stand in the same position in anticipation of what I want to say to them.I motion for them to take their seats, from my seat I watch them shuffle awkwardly till they finally sit down.“Mom, I’m glad to see you again. It’s been a while.” I start mildly in an attempt to not come on heavy.She huffs at me before replying.“Don’t give me that Marco, you could have seen me at any time, you could have facilitated me coming back to Italy all these while but you didn’t.”“What do you mean Mom?”“Judging by the looks of this, you’ve managed to make a great comeback for yourself but you left me in California. You forgot who taught you everything you know about business. It was so easy for you to move on as if you don’t have parents.” My eyes turn red at her words, how dare she?“I can’t believe you’re saying this, you guys totally ruined me and my career. Should I remind you all of these was all your husband’s doing?”