The biggest Mistake

The Moretti mansion was unusually quiet as Robin stepped through the front doors.

For the first time in three years, he didn't expect to see Regina waiting in the foyer with a warm smile or hear her soft voice asking if he had eaten.

Instead, there was only silence.

Oddly enough, he found it refreshing.

A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips as he loosened his tie.

He was finally free.

No arranged marriage.

No obligations.

No pretending.

He had his life back.

As he walked into the living room, his steps came to an abrupt stop.

His grandfather, Giovanni Moretti, sat in his favorite armchair with his silver cane resting across his knees.

The elderly patriarch's face was unreadable.

"Grandfather," Robin greeted respectfully.

Giovanni slowly rose to his feet.

"I've been waiting for you."

Robin frowned.

"For me?"

"Yes."

Without another word, Giovanni crossed the room.

Before Robin could react—

Slap!

The sharp sound echoed through the mansion.

Robin's head snapped to the side.

He slowly turned back, disbelief written across his face.

"Grandfather..."

"You deserve that."

Robin touched his burning cheek.

"I don't understand."

"No," Giovanni replied coldly. "You never tried to."

The commotion drew Isabella into the room.

She froze.

"Father! What are you doing?"

Giovanni ignored her, his eyes fixed on Robin.

"You threw away the best thing that ever happened to you."

Robin's expression hardened.

"If this is about the divorce, I've already made my decision."

"And it was the worst decision of your life."

"I don't think so."

Giovanni's grip tightened around his cane.

"You will."

Robin sighed.

"Our marriage never worked."

"Because you never gave it a chance!"

Robin remained silent.

"For three years," Giovanni continued, "that girl loved you with everything she had."

"I never asked her to."

Giovanni looked at his grandson with profound disappointment.

"Exactly."

Robin met his gaze without flinching.

"I won't apologize for ending a marriage that neither of us wanted."

Giovanni's voice grew quieter.

"She wanted it."

Robin looked away.

"That doesn't change how I felt."

"No," Giovanni replied. "It doesn't."

The old man took a slow breath.

"But one day, you'll remember every kindness she showed you."

Robin said nothing.

"You'll remember the meals she prepared."

Silence.

"The nights she waited for you."

Silence.

"The way she cared for this family even when no one cared for her."

Robin's jaw tightened.

"I've moved on."

Giovanni shook his head sadly.

"No."

"You've simply convinced yourself that you have."

Before Robin could answer, Isabella stepped between them.

"That's enough."

She placed a comforting hand on her son's shoulder.

"Robin doesn't need to be lectured."

Giovanni looked at his daughter-in-law.

"And you."

She raised an eyebrow.

"What about me?"

"You encouraged this."

"I protected my son."

"You poisoned his marriage."

Isabella laughed dismissively.

"That girl was never suitable for this family."

Giovanni's eyes flashed with anger.

"You never even tried to know her."

"I didn't need to."

"You judged her because she wasn't born into wealth."

"So?"

Giovanni let out a long sigh.

"One day you'll regret those words."

"I highly doubt it."

She turned toward Robin and gently straightened his collar.

"Don't pay attention to your grandfather."

Robin looked uncertain.

"Mother..."

"He'll get over it."

Giovanni stared at them both in silence.

"You've both made a terrible mistake."

Isabella waved a dismissive hand.

"Mistake?"

"Yes."

She smiled confidently.

"The only mistake would have been forcing Robin to stay in a loveless marriage."

Robin nodded.

"I agree."

Giovanni closed his eyes briefly.

"I hope you remember saying that."

Without another word, he picked up his cane and slowly walked toward the staircase.

Halfway up, he paused.

Still facing away from them, he said quietly,

"There are losses in life that money cannot replace."

Then he disappeared upstairs.

The living room fell silent.

A few seconds later, Isabella scoffed.

"Your grandfather has become far too sentimental."

Robin rubbed the side of his face where he'd been slapped.

"I've never seen him so angry."

"He'll calm down."

She smiled reassuringly.

"Besides, what does his opinion matter?"

Robin gave a small shrug.

"I suppose you're right."

"Of course I am."

Her smile widened.

"Now..."

She linked her arm through his.

"Tell me."

"How are things with Scarlett?"

Robin's expression softened slightly.

"We had lunch today."

"And?"

"We talked."

"Did she seem happy to be back?"

"She did."

Isabella beamed.

"I've always known Scarlett was the woman meant for you."

Robin smiled faintly.

"She's changed."

"So have you."

Isabella gently squeezed his arm.

"You should invite her over for dinner."

Robin considered the idea.

"I'll ask her."

"Good."

Isabella smiled with satisfaction.

"It's about time this house welcomed the right woman."

Neither of them noticed Giovanni standing silently at the top of the staircase.

He had heard every word.

His heart sank as he realized neither Robin nor Isabella understood the magnitude of what they had lost.