3. GIULIANNA

“Is it now, dolcezza?”

Matteo Ricci. I can't be mistaken. He looked at me the same way he looked at me three years ago. I didn't recognize him.

He’d gotten bigger. Broader. His black shirt hangtightly to his chest. Which made his muscles more visible. His arms had new tattoos. His jaw more defined and beard trimmed tighter. But behind that scary form, he stood in front of me full of regret

He put his helmet on the counter top beside him. When I sensed him about to move forward, I quickly picked up the wrench I droped earlier and grabbed it tightly.

“Don’t you dare.” I warned and raised the wrench. He stopped mid way. “Don’t even think about it.” I repeated.

But he took another step. Then one more. He was only six feet away now.

“Baby—”

“What are you doing here?” I cut him off, voice louder, sharper, more deseperate.

His brows furrowed like it physically hurt him to hear me speak to him like that. “I just wanna talk. Please?”

“There’s nothing to explain.” I snapped at him. “I have a new life now. A quiet one.”

He stepped forward again, and I backed away. His eyes softened. “Dolcezza…”

“Don’t call me like that as if you didn't *cheated* on me.” I said with a heart pounding.

“I am sorry,” he said, voice hoarse. “I thought I lost you. I was angry. I was stupid. I paid the price of that, dolcezza, when I lost you.”

I shook my head. “You don’t get to walk back in here and say sorry and think that’ll fix... everything.”

He reached out his hand. “Please, just listen. I never stopped loving you.”

“Don’t!” I screamed while stepping backwards

I did what my fear demanded. I swung the wrench. He moved quickly and shielding himself using his arm. He hit the ground and he winced in pain. I didn’t even know if I hit his head or not. God!

My body moved on instinct, I dropped the wrench. I ran past him through the back of the shop. My keys were already in my apron pocket so I quickly drove off with my pick up truck. Thank god.

Don’t look back, Giuli.

But even as I left him behind. A part of my heart felt like it had just broken it all over again.

When I arrive at my house I went straight to my Sofia's bedroom. She just got to sleep after Signora Rossi read her a bedtime story.

I sat down at the other side of the bed. I brushed a few of Sofia's dark hair on her forehead. I smiled seeing her comfortably sleep. My baby girl.

“I’m sorry." I whispered to Sofia. “Something happened at the shop.” I said and looked at Signora Rossi.

“Why? What's wrong?” she asked. Her tone full of concern.

My fingers stopped caressing Sofia's hair before speaking. “It's Sofia’s father.” I began. My voice low and shaky. “He found me.”

“How is that even possible? I was careful, I even changed my name. Our peaceful life is all gone in a blink because he stepped into my shop.”

She looked at me with brows furrowed like nothings making any sense.

“My real name… it’s not Diana.” I looked at Signora Rossi before continuing. “It’s Giuliana Bianchi.”

There. I said it.

Daughter of the Bianchi family. An heir to an empire of guns, drugs, and fear. But Signora Rossi didn’t blink. Now, I’m the confused one.

“I know." she said calmly. She setts her tea cup on the table beside her..

I stared at her. “What?”

“I’ve known since you moved here.” She smiled gently. “We all have.”

My heart skipped. “We all have? What do you mean, you all have?”

“I’m sorry, dear. But I can't tell you that now. Soon. I promise.” She said calmly, like it was obvious or something.

“I don't understand. How is this even possible?” I asked, voice breaking.

“We saw who you were with your daughter. You wanted to start a new life. We respected that and gave you that,” she said, finally calling me by my real name. “Soon. You’ll know why we did that.”

I swallowed, taken aback. “I—I don’t even know what to say…”

“You’ve earned this life. Not because you ran, but because you chose to build something better than the world you came from. We see that. Sofia sees that.”

Tears welled in my eyes, and I turned away, ashamed of the relief pouring through me.

“But I'm tired. Tired of running away from her father. Matteo—”

“No—wait,” she said quickly, lifting her hand. Her eyes darted to the floor, then back to mine. “It might not be… Never mind.”

I narrowed my eyes. “What? What do you mean might not be? Who did you think I was talking about?”

She hesitated. “Nothing, dear. I just thought maybe you meant someone else. Matteo Ricci. But… never mind.”

Her voice dropped on the last word like it burned her mouth.

“Yes. It is Matteo Ricci.” I said, confused.

She gasped softly, hand flying to her chest. “Oh my god,”

“You know him?” I asked

“My brother… Franco. He’s part of Matteo’s biker gang,” she admitted. “The Diavoli Scuri Motor Club. That man… he’s not the type to give up once he sets his eyes on something.” I nodded and listened. Somehow realizing she's right.

“Giuliana… you need to listen to me. Now that he knows where you are, he won’t stop. Especially once he finds out the truth.”

My heart beats uncontrollably. “Sofia's condition.” she said gently. 

“I doubt he gives a care about us.” I said quietly.

She gave me a look so fierce like I know there's an obvious answer to my question.

“Giuliana, that man would move heaven and hell if it meant saving his little girl. That’s the kind of man he is."

I felt my heart beating rapidly again after remembering the look he gave me. It scared me. It was no ordinary look. He looked at me with full need.

“He has every right to take his daughter.” Signora Rossa added. She was right. After all, Sofia is still an heir to both different empires. And if Matteo finds out about her, I'm sure he'll take Sofia. Leaving me with no choice but to come too.