The operation

Alessandro had kept his word. The following morning, one of the maids woke Lisa in time for a quick shower. She dressed quickly and had a light breakfast before heading to the hospital.

Everyone but the servants was still asleep when she left the mansion. She wanted to ask Piero to take her to the hospital, but the housekeepers didn’t understand a word of English, and she couldn’t speak Italian. She decided to take the bus and quickly walked out of the gates. Sitting and waiting for the next bus, she worried about being late. Almost an hour later, a bus finally stopped.

When she arrived at the hospital, she hurried to Lilani’s room—only to find the bed empty.

“I should have woken someone up to take me to the hospital,” she thought sadly.

Turning around, she walked to the waiting area. Flipping through a magazine, her mind constantly returned to Lilani, who was in surgery.

“Please, God, please heal my sister,” she whispered in silent prayer.

Alessandro’s POV

“Can someone tell me how Lisa got to the hospital this morning?” Grandma asked.

“I told her yesterday that Piero would take her,” Alessandro said sternly. Why should he care?

Grandma wasn’t intimidated. “I don’t think Piero took her, Alessandro, because she can’t speak Italian well enough to have asked him.”

“Well, maybe she took the bus,” Gabriele suggested.

“Then she would have been too late to see her sister,” Sophia added.

“It would be her own fault if she was too late,” Alessandro said more harshly than intended. “She could’ve woken one of us,” he continued, glancing at Sophia.

“She wouldn’t do that because we are still strangers to her,” Grandma shouted.

“I wonder if she ever made it to the hospital. How well does she know the city?” Gabriele asked aloud.

Shit. He had forgotten that she couldn’t speak or understand Italian.

“I will go there myself,” Grandma said.

“I think Alessandro must go and support his wife in her time of need,” Sophia suddenly suggested.

“Then why aren’t you supporting her, Sophia? No one is stopping you,” he snapped.

“I’m sure your wife would appreciate it more if you supported her, Alessandro. It seems like you don’t care,” she said disapprovingly.

“I think you should leave now,” he warned coldly.

“That’s enough! Alessandro, I won’t tolerate you speaking this way. Sophia is right—you should be there supporting your wife,” Grandpa yelled. Alessandro had never heard him shout before.

“Antonio, ask Piero to get the car ready,” Alessandro instructed. He knew if he argued further, Sophia and Gabriele would suspect his marriage wasn’t going smoothly.

“Nonna, you can come with me,” he added, not wanting to be alone with Lisa. He wasn’t even married for a full day, and she was already causing chaos in his house.

“Mr. Mancini, Piero is waiting at the front,” Antonio announced.

“Thank you, Antonio. Grandpa will take me to the car. You and Leonardo can start some paperwork, and I will attend to important matters as soon as I return,” Alessandro quickly dismissed him.

“Sì, signor Mancini,” Antonio said. Grandpa took Alessandro’s arm and led him to the waiting car.

“Son, you should learn to act in front of others—they will surely sense if something is wrong with your marriage,” Grandma scolded.

“I will try, Nonna,” he replied.

The drive felt long, but when they finally arrived at the hospital, Grandpa helped him out, and together they walked inside.

“I assume we found my wife?” he thought, hearing Grandma ask, “Any news about your sister yet, Lisa?”

“Nothing yet; she’s been in surgery for almost five hours,” Lisa said sadly. Just then, a male voice called out:

“Mrs. Mancini, the operation was a success. We are keeping your sister under anesthesia for a few days to recover faster. You can visit her as soon as she returns to her room.”

“Thank you so much, Dr. Dorigo,” Lisa replied.

Alessandro was startled by Grandma’s sudden exclamation, “Lisa!” What had happened now?

“I will take her to the next room,” the doctor said again. Alessandro felt an urge to step forward and assert that she was his wife, and he would care for her himself.

“Come, son. Lisa just fainted,” Grandpa informed him. They walked into the room where Lisa lay in bed. Grandma asked, “How is she doing, Doctor?”

“She was under so much stress her body couldn’t handle it. She will be fine, but must rest and avoid overexertion,” the doctor explained. Alessandro wanted to move forward but didn’t want Grandpa to see him worried.

“Thank you, Doctor,” Grandpa said kindly, and then left.

“Oh, Lisa, my dear child. How are you feeling?” Grandma asked softly.

“I’m fine, thank you, Grandma. Can I see my sister now?” Lisa asked, her voice tired.

“Yes, we’ll take you to her. Come on; I’ll help you,” Grandma said gently. Grandpa and Alessandro followed.

“Hello, sis. The operation was a success. You fought hard. I’m proud of you. I’m sorry I wasn’t here this morning before the surgery,” Lisa said, and she sounded like she was crying. Alessandro felt an urge to hug her—maybe because of Lilani.

“Here are some people I’d like to introduce to you,” Lisa continued.

“Lilly, this is Grandma and Grandpa. Alessandro is here as well,” she said.

“Hey, Lilani, I’m glad you fought so hard. Your sister is worried about you. Once you’re stronger, the three of us will go shopping together,” Grandma added kindly.

After sitting with Lilani for a while, Grandma asked Lisa if she had eaten anything.

“I only had a light breakfast. My mind was so consumed with worry about Lilani that I forgot to eat or drink,” she admitted.

“I know a nice little restaurant nearby,” Grandma said. Alessandro silently thought, “Can’t we leave?” We’ve done our part.

“I am sorry no one was here during the operation, Lisa,” Grandma continued.

“It’s okay, Grandma; you shouldn’t feel guilty. Besides, I’m still a stranger to you,” Lisa reassured her.

“Still, it was rude and unkind of us,” Grandma kept apologizing. They chatted a while longer, then Grandpa asked for the bill. After paying, they headed back to Lilani’s room.

Dr. Dorigo approached Lisa. “Can I explain what will happen once Lilani wakes?”

“It’s okay, Doctor. You can talk in front of them—they are family,” Lisa replied.

“We will start waking her in the next three days. She will remain here for another six days so we can monitor her. She will then have weekly radiology for at least six months. The biopsy results will arrive in a few days; I’ll inform you immediately,” the doctor explained.

“Thank you so much, Dr. Rossi, for saving my sister’s life,” Lisa said sincerely.

“Lisa, dear, we will leave now if you want to come with us,” Grandma said.

“I think I’ll stay a while longer, Grandma, but thank you,” Lisa replied. Alessandro assumed she was staying for the doctor. Not that he cared—he had married her to save her sister and ensure someone cared for him.

“Alright, dear. I’ll see you later,” Grandma said, and they finally left.

“Has Lisa returned from the hospital?” Grandma asked, and Alessandro almost rolled his eyes.

“Mrs. Mancini is not home yet,” the housekeeper replied.

Alessandro scowled. Maybe she went with the doctor.

“Leonardo, phone the hospital and ask if my wife is still there,” he ordered, annoyed she hadn’t informed them of her delay.

“Buonasera, good evening. I just want to know if Mrs. Mancini is still at the hospital,” Leonardo asked.

“Grazie,” Leonardo said after a few seconds.

“Mrs. Mancini left the hospital two hours ago after visiting her sister, Mr. Mancini,” Leonardo reported.

“Then she should be home by now!” Alessandro yelled.

“She may have taken a bus,” Sophia suggested.

“Then she should already be here,” he snapped. He began regretting marrying her. She was probably enjoying herself with the doctor.

“Lisa, Piccina!” Sophia screamed suddenly.

“What happened? You are pale,” Alessandro interrupted rudely.

“Let her tell us where she’s been and why she just got here,” he demanded coldly.

“Now is not the time for your rude behavior, Alessandro. Lisa looks really sick!” Sophia scolded.

“If Lisa needs medical help, I’ll call a doctor. But I cannot see why she only shows up now! She left the hospital two hours ago! Or did she meet up with the doctor?” He yelled.

“I’m waiting for your answer, Lisa!” he yelled again.

“Lisa! Quick, someone summon a doctor!” Grandpa shouted.

“I will take her to her room,” Gabriele offered.

“I will wait for the doctor; you can go with Gabriele,” Grandpa said.

“Alessandro Mason Mancini! You are one heartless bastard! You don’t love your wife, do you?” Sophia screamed.

“Sophia!” Gabriele called.

“Come with me,” he told Sophia. They walked away, and Alessandro instructed Antonio to take him to his office. He thought about Sophia’s accusation—how could he love a woman he had just met? He didn’t believe in love anymore.

“Good evening, doctor. Come through this way,” Grandpa said. After what felt like forever, footsteps approached.

“Mr. Mancini, may I speak with you? It seems your wife was attacked. I saw bruises, and it looks like she fell. The tension today may have been too much for her, especially after someone tried to harm her,” the doctor explained.

“Thank you, Dr. Rossi. Are the injuries serious? Was she sexually assaulted?” Alessandro asked worriedly.

“No, she wasn’t assaulted. Just bruised ribs from a kick, which will heal, and a head bruise from the fall. She may have nightmares. I’ll prescribe pain medicine and help her sleep. You should find out what happened—the person responsible is still out there,” the doctor said. Alessandro cursed himself for not letting Lisa explain.

Gabriele burst into the office. “Who could have done this? How could such a small girl escape?” he asked anxiously.

“I want you and Antonio to find out who did this to my wife and bring the bastard to me. When I’m done with him, he’ll wish he’d never met her,” Alessandro said, balling his fists.