SEHNSUCHT NACH ISABELLA

At my words, my mom was busy rewriting the invite, my dad breathing easy for the first time in six years. "Nicolo's a good choice. We told you Adrian wasn't worth it. You're finally awake."

I'd hit the wall. It was time to let go.

Adrian called right after I finalized the gown details.

"I pulled some family strings to book that top master chef you’ve been begging to try for months. Meet me at the restaurant noon."

I almost refused, but we needed a clean break for both ourselves and our families.

When I was back, Adrian was already waiting at the door. He tried to reach for my hand. I turned sideways to avoid his touch, walking straight to the restaurant.

He stared at his hand frozen in mid-air, speaking impatiently. “Don’t be childish. Torino struck without warning. Bianca had no one else to turn to. You do remember I swore to protect them after Rico died in that shootout, don’t you?”

I said nothing and sat down, reaching for the custom menu the chef had prepared. He tugged his tie in frustration. "A family lives by its word. I won't break my promise." I kept flipping through the menu, ignoring him.

He waited, and when I stayed silent, he let out a heavy sigh. "Alright, stop being mad. Next time, the wedding comes first. I promised you Sicily’s grandest coronation wedding. I’ll keep it.” But his promises were only for Bianca and Lia. I always stepped back.

The butler entered. "My lady, apologies for the interruption. Miss Bianca has already pre-ordered the dishes that will be served up soon. Would you like to select something else?"

Before I could respond, a familiar voice sounded behind me. "Sorry to keep you waiting, Seraphina. I was just talking to the chef about the menu." Bianca walked in with Lia, sitting down smoothly on Adrian's other side, while Lia wedged herself right between Adrian and me.

Adrian opened his mouth to explain, but Bianca cut him off first. "It's all Adrian's fault. I mentioned offhand I’d been craving the chef’s signature dishes, and he remembered. He even had the chef fly in early just for us. Oh, perhaps you also like the chef? Sorry, Seraphina, I already locked in the full menu with him. I didn’t think to ask what you liked, you can pick a few extra sides if you want, though."

I laughed. I'd thought he was blind to her games. Now I knew he just enjoyed the thrill of being fought over. I looked at the butler beside me. "No need. I've lost my appetite." Then I prepared to get up and leave, but accidentally touched Lia lightly.

"Daddy! Aunt Seraphina pushed me so hard!" Lia screamed, falling with a gash on her arm, sobbing hysterically.

"Seraphina, it's just a lunch menu. Why would you hurt a child? She's innocent!" Bianca's eyes filled with tears. Her gaze was wide and helpless as she looked at Adrian. "Adrian, thank you for taking care of us all these years. I had no idea Seraphina hated us this much. We won't bother you anymore."

She took Lia's hand to leave, but Lia clung tight to Adrian's coat, refusing to let go. "I don't want to leave Daddy! I want Mommy and Daddy to stay together forever! Aunt Seraphina is a bad person, she wants to take my Daddy away!"

The commotion drew the attention of the other guests at the restaurant. A few troublemakers even held up their phones, pointing the cameras straight at my face.

"This is the future Donna of the Moretti family? Abusing the orphaned daughter of a fallen member right in front of his eyes? Is this what the Bellini family's heiress is really like?"

"Poor kid. If Seraphina becomes Donna, will Bianca and Lia even survive?"

The butler also turned cold at once.

"My lady, this restaurant is not your family's property. Please watch your behavior."

The situation spiraled out of control. I looked to Adrian for help. But he only shot me a cold glance.

"Seraphina, Lia's just a child. How could you do this?"

"I didn't push her, Adrian." I pointed to the security camera in the corner of the tasting room. "We'll pull the footage right now."

No sooner had the words left my mouth than Lia went rigid with convulsions and passed out. "Adrian, Lia fainted! Get your private doctor, now!" Bianca screamed. Adrian swept Lia up into his arms and sprinted for the door, only to pause for a split second and look back at me.