Chapter 1
Lisa’s POV
I can't wait to get off the airplane to breathe fresh air and stretch my legs. We have been on the flight for several hours now. My little sister and I are going to Rome for our vacation. I look out of the window and see Rome moving closer. Looking at Lilani, I can't help but think about my parents.
The car accident claimed both of their lives one year ago after they came back from one of their friends' weddings. I remember when I got the call from the hospital informing me to go to the emergency room, which changed our lives forever. Lilani is so young she needs our parents; when the tooth fairy comes to visit, she runs up to her mother and shouts, “Look, the tooth fairy was here.” On her first day at school, they stand watching her when she falls in love and can't wait to see Mom and tell her about the boy and the first heartbreak. Mom brings ice cream and says everything will be okay. Father wants to break the boy's neck for hurting his little girl. But now she won't get to experience any of that. Lilani is only five years old and still doesn't understand why they don't come home every night.
I planned this vacation to Rome, hoping to take my sister's thoughts away from all the sadness and from the place that reminds her of our parents every day. I asked for three weeks' leave of absence from my law firm. My boss was kind enough to grant it to me. I planned this so we could go elsewhere on Mom and Dad's first death anniversary. After their deaths, I became like a mother to Lilani. I used all my savings to make this holiday possible. Now we have reached our destination. While reaching Leonardo da Vinci International Airport, the radiant lights above gently prompted passengers to fasten their seatbelts, signaling that our arrival was close at hand.
“We arrived,” I thought as we landed.
“Excuse me, Miss, but maybe I can help?” The air hostess made an announcement. “I notice you struggling to catch a taxi. Here, let me get one.” She continues and calls a taxicab. “Thank you so much,” I said to the air hostess.
Soon we will be on our way to the hotel where we will stay. To my relief, the manager can speak English, and after we complete the formalities, a porter accompanies us to our second-floor suite.
“I think you should rest a little,” I suggest to Lilani when we are alone again. Lilani shakes her head up and down and moves towards the bed. I assisted Lilani in getting into bed. “Sleep tight; I love you,” I said, kissing her forehead. I walk over to the window where the Tibert River flows by. I wish my parents were here with us. Turning around, I notice that Lilani was still sleeping. She will not wake up soon, and I decide to lie down for a while.
I woke up when I heard my sister sing. “Lisa...”, then knocking on the nightstand, “Do you want to build a snowman? Let's go and play!” Lilani giggles as she climbs onto the bed.
“I'm awake; now stop singing.” I laugh at my sisters' silliness and feel Lilani on the bed.
“How are you feeling, Lily?” I asked as she lay down in my arms.
“Better thank you, Lizzy. Can we do something fun, please”? She asked me.
“Yes, let's walk to the park,” I said after getting off the bed.
We leave the room with the strap of my purse over my shoulder. I can no longer wait to explore this place.
We walked around the corner, toward the Tiber River, to the bridge. Here, we stand for a while and watch as the water flows past through the city.
Then we stroll on to the Villa Borghese Gardens. "I recommend that we get a bike."
“Yes, then we could eat something after that.” Lilani asked me.
“Okay, let's go grab a bicycle.” We walked over to where we could rent the bicycles. “Excuse me; I would like to hire two, please.” I requested the man and gave him the money.
Soon Lilani and I are on our way, riding through the garden.
“Let's rest for a while,” Lilani asked after we rode for half an hour.
“There is a fountain where you can make a wish,” I proposed.
I took Lilani's hand and walked over to a few people standing, ready to flip a coin. I handed Lilani the coin and said, "Take this." She took it and closed her eyes.
Two guys stand far from me, staring at me from head to toe and smirking. This caused my temper to flare.
But before I could say anything, Lilani shouted at them, “Why are you looking at my sister like that? Don't you know it's rude? She's not a meal you can eat! Stop staring at her!”
They looked at Lilani, surprised that she had just talked to them that way; they glanced at me and stepped away. I smile at Lilani, and we ride the bikes back and stroll back to the hotel together.
“Let's go for dinner in the dining area,” I suggest.
I noticed Lilani ate a little, then complained about a headache. “I have pain again,” Lilani tells me.
“Let's get you to bed,” I replied, leading her to our suite.
“Good night, Lilani,” I said, kissing her on the head. She closes her eyes and falls asleep while I play with her hair, staring at her.
“She never complained about this before three weeks ago.”
That night, I couldn't sleep. The room is different, and the noises from the window are strange.
It was past midnight when I fell asleep.
The following day, when I woke up, I noticed my sister missing from bed. I sat up and glanced around the room, only to find Lilani drawing at the table and smiling. “You seem better today,” I remarked.
“It's because I don't have pain today, Lizzy.” Lilani smiled happily.
“I'm glad you feel better,” I said.
“So tell me, do you want to go on an outing this morning?”
“Yes, can we go to the park again, please?” Lilani asked me with puppy eyes.
“Looks like she enjoyed the park yesterday,” I thought.
We got ready for our outing to the park.
We walked around the garden when Lilani started complaining about a headache again.
I picked her up and walked back to our room. “That's it; I'm taking you to the doctor,” I said sternly.
“Go and take a bath.”
A few minutes later, I heard something in the bathroom, became worried, and investigated. As soon as I entered, I found my sister unconscious on the floor.
Shocked, I kneeled beside her and sighed aloud, relieved when I realized she still had a pulse.
I will have to call a doctor immediately. I got up to contact the manager. “Please help me; we need to get a doctor for my sister,” I requested in English.
“I will phone a doctor immediately,” The manager said and hung up.
While I was sponging my sister's face with a damp cloth, the hotel manager knocked on the door and walked into the room at my invitation.
“I called Doctor Rossi,” he informed me.
I put the damp cloth on the bedside table and said, thankfully, “Thank you so much for calling the doctor, Mr. Romano.” I said. Thankfully, he can speak English. Just as the manager wanted to leave, I stopped him.
“Wait, how will the doctor and I communicate? Does he speak English?” I suddenly asked worriedly.
“You do not have to worry about the doctor, Signorina,” the manager assured.
“The doctor can speak English very well.”
“I honestly don't know how to thank you for your help, Mr. Romano,” I said gratefully.
“I just hope this isn't serious.”
“I understand, Signorina. I'll be in my office if you need my help,” the manager said. “Meanwhile, I hope your sister will recover quickly.” With those words, the manager left the room and left me alone again.
I gently stroked the pale face of my sister. I have no idea why she's unconscious. “I hope it's nothing serious,” I whispered.
Tears welled up in my eyes, but I quickly wiped them with my hand. “I need to be strong,” I told myself.
Then there's a knock on the door. I quickly got up and opened the door.
“I'm Dr. Rossi, and you're the patient's mother?” I heard the doctor ask in English with a heavy Italian accent.
“I'm Lisa Saunders, her older sister, Dr. Rossi,” I said, standing aside to let him in. He walked over to where Lilani lay. The doctor examines Lilani and asks, “How is her health, Miss Saunders?” He asked me.
“As far as I know, excellent doctor. She had just started complaining about the headache a few weeks ago, but I thought it was because she was missing out on her parents”. I told him truthfully.
“I told her to get ready to take her to a doctor and found her on the bathroom floor unconscious.”
The doctor struggles for almost fifteen minutes to bring Lilani around. “Your sister will have to be admitted to the hospital, Miss Saunders.” The doctor announces this as he carefully places his stethoscope in his suitcase.
“Your sister is in a coma, not just unconscious.” The words shocked me.
“Is My sister's condition serious, Doctor?” I asked with a lump in my throat.
The doctor looked at me with sadness and said, “Yes, I fear your sister's condition is serious, Miss. But exactly how serious it is, I do not know. I will get an ambulance to come immediately.”
I suddenly became concerned about her, and after the doctor's departure, I quickly got an overnight bag for her.
Just as I was done, the ambulance stopped in front of the hotel. The paramedic helped Lilani and asked, “Do you want to ride with your sister, Miss?” I nodded and followed them to the waiting ambulance.
I have been waiting all night for the doctors to come out with some news about Lilani.
I can't even ask one of the nurses; I can only flip through the magazines and look at the pictures while constantly thinking about my sister.
Dr. Rossi finally makes his appearance at the waiting room door.
I quickly stood up from the chair and walked towards him. “Doctor, do you know what is wrong with my sister? Is she still in a coma?”
The doctor looked at me and said, “Your sister is still in a coma, Miss Saunders, and I am afraid her condition is critical. She will most likely have to have surgery. But we will only know tomorrow after the brain specialist has studied the X-ray plates again. You see, the plates showed a tumor on the brain.”
I looked at the doctor as if he had just grown two heads.
“Thank you, doctor,” I said and left the hospital.
I quickly went to my room to think about this situation. I cannot believe that this is happening to us. How will I pay for the surgery? I did not budget for medical expenses such as an operation. After thinking about all this, I finally arrived at the hotel.
The following day, I woke up early to get ready for the hospital. I wait for the doctor, and after what feels like forever, he finally comes over to me and says, “Good morning, Miss Saunders; please follow me.” I heard him say:
I quickly followed him to a room.
Dr. Rossi introduced me to the brain specialist, and I became tense.
“Please sit down, Miss Saunders.” He invited me to sit down and begin to speak.
“Unfortunately, the result of my examination is not good, Signorina. Signorina will have to get an operation as soon as possible; her life depends on it. He explained everything about the operation, but I didn't understand all the medical terms he used.
“Your parents must be notified about the operation immediately, Signorina. The operation can only be postponed for a few days.”
“I am sorry, but my parents died in a car accident a year ago. I told the doctor. I am her legal guardian."
“I am sorry to hear about your family.” He replied.
“We need your answer by tonight to make the necessary arrangements.” Doctor Rossi informed me.
I thanked the doctor and walked out of the hospital toward the park.
I'm thinking about my sister's operation and don't notice the older man sitting near me.
The thought that I would also lose my sister breaks my heart. I wish our parents were here to tell me what to do.
I'm so sad that I don't notice the man watching me.
Chapter 2: Mr. Mancini's POV I watched the lady from a distance. “I wonder why she's sad?” I wondered out loud. “Maybe a heartbreak.” Maria, my wife, said, “Then the man must be stupid.” My wife laughed at me. “Why don't you go to her and find out what's wrong? Maybe we can help?” I heard Maria say, “What makes you so sure she will tell me her problems?” I asked. “I can see she's got trouble, and maybe she will open up to you.” I looked at the young girl as well. “Alright, I will talk to her. I hope she doesn't think I'm some kind of pervert.” I said it out loud, only for Maria to laugh at me. I stand up and walk over to the brunette. Lisa's POV. I was so caught up in my grief that I didn't notice when an older man came to sit next to me on the bench. I sob, but then hear a male voice next to me asking, “Ti fa molto male, Signori ta?” Do you feel sick? I shook my head and wiped away my tears. “I'm sorry, but I don't understand your language, Sir, and I don't talk to
Chapter 3:Lisa's POVI wondered what it could be. Maria mentioned something about hiring and then firing nurses. I hope they know I'm not qualified to be a nurse. I'm so lost in my thoughts that I've forgotten everything around me.As I stepped into the hospital's main entrance, I realized how lost I was in my thoughts.I looked at my watch and discovered there was still time for me to visit Lilani.A nurse greets me, “Buongiorno, Signorina.” I nod, wave, and go to my sister.I entered the room and felt happy at the sight in front of me.I walked closer to Lilani, said, “I'm so glad you're awake,” and kissed her on the head.A faint smile appeared on Lilani's lips.She hugged me and replied, “There was a doctor here with me. He said they needed to heal my brain, but I told him I didn't want to be here. I want to be with you. ““I know, Lily; I also want you to be with me, but first, we have to get you better so that you don't get headaches anymore,” I said.“Promise me that as soon as
Chapter 4Lisa's POVI have just finished packing our bags. In a few minutes, new life with Alessandro begins. I'm tired from all the work, but I can't even nap because Piero will be here any minute now. I just lay on the bed and thought about my marriage to Alessandro. He is so arrogant, bitter, and heartless. I wonder if he will ever be satisfied with my service. O, and his lifestyle, UGG, don't get me started.Will I ever adapt to that lifestyle? I'm used to a simple life. Not this life with money and all the fancy Patsy stuff I saw last night. We have such different personalities and have nothing in common. We don't even speak the same language, for the love of all things good! Numerous questions flash through my mind, questions to which I can't get an answer. I am trying to understand why the wedding should occur so late in the evening. I can understand just as little why there are gold diggers in the world who want to make life difficult for others. Now that I think about it agai
Chapter 5Lisa's POVAlessandro kept his word because the following morning, one of the maids woke me up in time to take a quick shower. I quickly got dressed and had breakfast before going to the hospital.Everyone but the servants was still asleep when I left the mansion. I wanted to ask Piero if he could take me to the hospital, but the housekeepers didn't understand a word of English, and I couldn't speak Italian. I decide to take the bus and quickly walk out of the gates. I sit here waiting for the next bus. At this rate, I'm going to be late. Almost an hour later, a bus stops. When I arrived at the hospital, I quickly went to Lilani's room, only to find the bed empty.“I should have to wake someone up to take me to the hospital.” I think, sadly.Turning around, I walked to the waiting area. As I flip through a magazine, I constantly think about Lilani, who is in theater now.“Please, God, please heal my sister.” I begin to pray silently.Alessandro's POV“Can someone tell me how
Chapter 6:Alessandro's POVGabriele, Antonio, and I worked all night to find out who was responsible for the assault on Lisa. After three in the morning, Gabriele says he will call it a night and that it's better to continue the following day after we get some sleep. "He's right, Mr. Mancini. Let's sleep, and then we can investigate further tomorrow." Antonio tells me, but I didn’t think it was a good idea. I was not convinced until Antonio persuaded me otherwise: "Alright, let's go to bed; we will continue this investigation first thing in the morning.” I dismissed everyone. Antonio takes me up to my room after I said goodnight to Gabriele.I was lying awake thinking how I could've prevented all of this had I just listened to Nonna, but my pride got in the way. Look where my arrogant attitude got her. Dammit, I should have asked Piero to return to the hospital to fetch my wife. What if something terrible had happened? What would I have told Lilani? My thoughts were interrupted by som
Chapter 7Lisa's POVIt's been three days since the operation. Everything has been going well with Lilani. The biopsy came back negative, which I'm thankful for. The guy responsible for the attack has received a life sentence after more women came forward.Sophia told Gabriele that they were expecting, Gabriele was over the moon when he heard the news, and now Sophia's not allowed to do anything. Lately, he has been distant and treating me with unnecessary rudeness. They are leaving one of these days, then it's just me, Alessandro, and his grandparents. I can't wait to go to the hospital; I got up early to shower and dress. Walking down, I notice Alessandro standing at the bottom of the stairs. I can't help but admire my handsome husband; he looks hot, even in a black shirt and blue jeans. I have never seen him in something other than his suits. When I reach the bottom, I greet Alessandro. "I'm going with you to see your sister," Alessandro says. I took him by the arm and led him to t
Chapter 8Lisa's POVA few days have passed since Lilani came home. I help her with bathing and try to keep her in bed as much as possible. She needs to rest a lot and must try not to do any running or activities that can cause her to go back to the hospital. It seems that Lilani is getting better day by day. After breakfast, I take Lilani back to her room, give her medication, and tuck her into bed. “Can you please read me a story?” Lilani asked me. "Shall we delve into the enchanting tale of Cinderella?" I suggest. Lilani nods and lays down; soon she falls fast asleep. I decided to go and look for Sophia. As I walk down the stairs, Viola suddenly talks behind me, “Oh, hi, Mrs. Mancini, do you know where I can find Mr. Mancini?” She asks sweetly. “He's usually in his office,” I told her with a frown. Viola nods and skips the stairs one by one. That's weird? Why does she need to talk to him? I wonder and continue to walk downstairs.“I am glad your sister is back home; she's such a l
Chapter 9Lisa's POVThe next few days went by fast. Viola was making things very difficult for me. I found her in Alessandro's room one day going through his wardrobe, taking a shirt. I asked her what she was doing, and she simply shrugged and walked past me bumping me with her shoulder. I took Lilani to her first chemo session, which made her feel queasy. I have been by her side, ensuring her well-being at all times. Unfortunately, the nurse we hired has been quite unhelpful, to say the least.I was busy reading to Lilani when Alessandro walked into the room. “Hello Lisa, how is Lilani doing today?” He asks with concern. I can tell that Lilani took a place in his heart from the first day he met her and when I told him the other day that Lilani feels sick after the chemo he was worried. “She seems better today, she just fell asleep,” I whisper as I get up and walk towards Alessandro. Oh, how much I have missed him these past few days. Alessandro takes my hand and walks out of the room