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Chapter 5

Author: Forest
Vito laughed lightly and tried to reassure him. “What could possibly happen to her?

“I’ve spoiled her. The smallest thing sets her off. She wants every thought in my head to be about her.

“Besides, all of my people would protect her.”

The old Don tapped the arm of his wheelchair. His face was grave. “At that party, weren’t you deep in conversation with Vivian? You never noticed what state Antonia was in.

“She had just received a death threat. Think about it. A young girl gets a threat on her life. How could she not be afraid?

“I wasn’t at the party either. I only heard it later from a friend of hers. She was so frightened she curled up under the covers and cried all night.”

The old Don’s face was heavy with worry, and he didn’t notice that Vito had gone rigid. “Antonia is a good girl. She loses her temper with you because she cares too much.

“But the moment you show her even a little impatience, her mind runs in circles and she decides she doesn’t matter to you.”

Vito’s voice came out hoarse. “And then?”

The old Don looked up and held his gaze. “Do you remember, the last time you two fought, I was the one who went to her.

“She saw me and threw herself into my arms crying.”

He lowered his voice near Vito’s ear. “She asked me whether she was worth nothing to this Family, and whether that was why you chose Vivian.

“She said that if something ever happened to her, she didn’t want you grieving over her. She didn’t want any of us to grieve.

“She said that if you ever missed her, you could look up and find the brightest star.”

The old Don raised a hand and wiped his eyes. “She is far stronger than you think. Stop treating her like an ornament!”

I stood there listening quietly, wanting so badly to throw myself into his arms one last time.

In all the years I lived in that house, he had looked after me constantly, and that was why I didn’t want him grieving over my death.

But even a wish that simple was out of my reach now.

I wrapped my arms around the old Don in a ghost of an embrace and didn’t look to see how Vito had taken it.

I used to envy Vivian. Her background matched Vito’s so perfectly, and her parents backed her unconditionally.

As the Colombo princess, she had the full weight of the Family behind her. To clear me—the fiancée—out of her path, she went so far as to send killers.

Vito was silent for a long time. His eyes were cold. “She did contact me. She’s probably short of money.”

The old Don snapped, “She was never with you for your money!

“I gave her a credit card once. She wouldn’t take it, and she wouldn’t even wear the clothes we bought for her.

“How could she suddenly be calling you because she’s broke?”

Vito was unmoved. “Calm down, Father. Her own father is ill. That’s why she came to us for money.”

The old Don’s face darkened further. “She didn’t need to ask you for that. I already gave it.

“Her father saved my life. Do you think I would look the other way?”

Only then did Vito’s expression change. “Really? Then why did she call me...”

The old Don let out a breath. “You young people just need to clear the air.

“Call Antonia. Ask her where she is and coax her home.

“Tell her I want to see her. She’s a good girl. She’ll soften and come back with you.”

I looked at the old Don’s face and thought how lucky and how unlucky I was.

He had been so good to me. If only I weren’t dead...

Vito took out his phone and called me. I watched, unable to say whether I was sad or not.

Just when I thought the call would never connect, it went through after all.
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