Library

Maghanap

Home / Mafia Maikling Kwento / The Silenced Songbird Sings Again / Kabanata 1 - Kabanata 10

Lahat ng Kabanata ng The Silenced Songbird Sings Again: Kabanata 1 - Kabanata 10

22 Kabanata

Chapter 1

Seven years later."Irene, once you're out, make sure you live well. Don't look back."I took my faded backpack from the prison guard, bowed slightly, and limped out of Palemore Prison.A black Maserati Quattroporte was already waiting outside.As the window rolled down, my fiancé Salvatore Vitale came into view, his sharp, handsome features exactly as I remembered."Irene."Seven years, and he had not changed at all.I lowered my head without thinking and got into the car. I caught sight of my own reflection in the rearview mirror. My face was gaunt and sallow, as if all the life had been drained out of me."You've suffered for the past seven years. I'll keep my promise and marry you."Salvatore reached for my thin, bony hand. I looked at the hollow version of myself reflected in his eyes, then slowly pulled my hand away, my interest fading."Mhm."Seven years. 2,557 days and nights spent behind bars. That was more than enough time to see Salvatore and my family for what th

Chapter 2

Only ten days left.I closed my eyes again.Just ten more days to endure before I could leave this loveless home for good.The next morning, the noise from the living room woke me up. I blinked awake, still half asleep, washed up, and stepped out of my room.Sophia was back.She sat on the couch in a flowing white dress, looking like a regal principessa.Vincent, Natalie, Christina, and Salvatore were all gathered around her.The butler brought out a cake. Everyone sang in unison, "Sophia, happy birthday!"Sophia's eyes shone with happiness. "Thank you, Dad, Mom, Christina, Salvatore!"Then, she added, "I just got out of the hospital. Did you all get me any presents?"My parents and Christina each handed her their gifts. Salvatore was just about to give his when he noticed me stepping out of the storage room."Irene, you're up. Come here and celebrate Sophia's birthday with us."He waved me over, not noticing the change in my parents' and sister's expressions.Sophia smile

Chapter 3

After leaving the Moretti estate, I took the city loop bus to downtown Palemore.With a criminal record, erased academic credentials, and a physical disability, there was not much I could do.I found a part-time job at a restaurant, doing odd chores, just to get through the next ten days.It was almost laughable.After I was brought back to the Moretti family at fifteen, they gave me only €100 for living expenses during my first month.After that, they decided I was not as good as Sophia and stopped caring about me altogether, even though I was their biological daughter.I worked while studying, paying for my own tuition and living expenses.At 11:30 PM that night, after washing the last dish, I walked out of the restaurant alone. That was when I saw Salvatore stepping out of a black Lamborghini.He walked straight toward me."Irene, why have you been out so long?"Before I could answer, he took my hand and led me to the car.He opened the door. On the passenger seat was a b

Chapter 4

The main building of the Moretti estate was only two stories high. It was barely thirty feet from the rooftop to the ground.However, the moment Sophia jumped, my parents, my sister, and even Salvatore all rushed toward her.That night, the sound of ambulances echoed through the estate.After they all left for the hospital, I limped back to the storage room that passed for my bedroom, the silence settling in behind me. I sank onto the bed and pulled out my phone. It was December 2nd, 12:13 AM.Salvatore had broken his promise. He had not stayed to celebrate my birthday. Somehow, it did not hurt the way it used to.With that dull realization lingering in my chest, I closed my eyes and let sleep take me.Eight days left.In eight days, Joseph would come and take me away from there.…For the next five days, I went to work as usual.My parents and Christina stayed at the hospital to take care of Sophia, and none of them came home.That day, the restaurant TV was playing the new

Chapter 5

The living room fell into a dead silence.No one spoke. They clearly had not expected me, the girl who always gave in and agreed to everything, to suddenly say something like that.I did not want to argue with them anymore, so I turned and limped back to my room.Late that night, lying on my bed, I opened my phone and looked at the calendar.December 7th.Only three days left.Just then, my phone vibrated.Salvatore was calling.I answered. "What is it?""Irene." His familiar, low voice came through the line. "Sophia once saved my life. She gave me her kidney, so even if you don't agree, I'm still going to have the wedding with her."Lying there, I felt like something heavy was crushing my chest.Back then, I was the one who saved him by giving him my kidney.How did it suddenly become Sophia?"When you were injured, it was me who saved you. I was the one who gave you my kidney."I could not hold it in anymore. The truth slipped out.There was a brief silence on the othe

Chapter 6

Salvatore loved me forever?I stared up at the drones in the sky, lost in a daze.Salvatore walked toward me. "Irene, about yesterday… I was wrong."Under the glow of the city lights, his voice was soft, almost gentle. "But you have to believe me. Even if Sophia was the one who saved me, you’re still the woman I love, so you don't need to lie."For a moment, I almost felt like crying, not because I was touched, but because of what he said. How could he stand there, hurting me again and again alongside my own family, and still say he loved me? "What's wrong?" When I did not answer, Salvatore reached out and lightly pinched my cheek. "You're way too thin. Why don't you eat more?"I finally looked at him. "I spent seven years in prison just trying to stay alive. Do you really think I had the chance to gain weight?"The moment our eyes met, he flinched.Maybe only then did he remember that he was the one who had sent me there.He opened his mouth as if to say something, but befor

Chapter 7

Salvatore had no answer.Sophia’s breathing suddenly quickened. She gasped for air, her voice shaking. "I'm sorry… It's my fault… Don't blame my sister, Salvatore…"The moment he saw her condition, panic took over his face."Driver, get to the hospital! Now!"Then, he glanced at me, still sitting in the car. "Irene, you've gone too far. Get out. You can head back on your own."He left me on the side of the road.The car sped off.I stood there, but I did not feel sad anymore. I looked up at the night sky. At some point, snow had begun to fall.It was snowing in Sicelia.I did not expect to see the first snow of the year before I left.I walked all the way back to the Moretti estate. The entire place was brightly decorated and filled with excitement. My parents were busy preparing for Sophia's wedding."The wedding is set for the day after tomorrow. It's the perfect date. We have to make Sophia's wedding grand and flawless," Natalie said with a smile.Vincent sighed. "Time r

Chapter 8

That day, the entire Moretti estate was alive with excitement. The wealthy guests surrounded Sophia and Salvatore, showering them with praise."Sophia, you and Salvatore are perfect together. Remember how he used to pick you up and drive you home all the time back in high school?""I remember when he beat up a group of street punks and shielded you during that car accident. He never thinks about his own safety when you’re involved. He only cares about protecting you. You're the only person who can sway his judgment."One of Sophia's best friends chimed in, "Salvatore treats our Sophia so well, and Sophia has always been just as devoted. Years ago, when Salvatore was injured, she even gave him her kidney!""Wow, that's real love!""They both love each other so much!"In high society, in families like mine and Salvatore’s, love was a luxury. It was rare and almost unheard of.I sat quietly in my small corner and almost laughed.Everything they were talking about Salvatore doing f

Chapter 9

After I finished writing everything, I put the notebook back on the table. Then, I took out the medical report from my time in prison and set it on top of the notebook.The report clearly showed that I only had one kidney.When everything was done, it was already 9 PM.I gave the storage room one last look.I had lived here for twelve years.The pipes in the corner made a faint gurgling sound there and then, like it was the house’s heartbeat. However, that heartbeat had nothing to do with me. I was just a vestigial organ here. Even if I were cut away, no one would feel a thing.I picked up my faded cloth backpack. Inside were only a few changes of clothes, a book I had hidden for seven years, and a photograph.In the photograph, I was five years old, standing beside Joseph in the orphanage. He stood behind me, his hand resting on my shoulder, like a tree sheltering me.I held the bag close and limped out of the room.The hallway was long and dimly lit.As I passed the living

Chapter 10

The Moretti estate was still brightly lit.Laughter filled every corner.The next morning, the sound of ceremonial cannons echoed through the sky.Sophia and Salvatore's wedding had begun.Vincent and Natalie were glowing with joy, delicate roses pinned to the chests of their custom-tailored outfits. Christina was busy whispering with the bridesmaids, planning how to hide Sophia until she walked down the aisle to Salvatore.Just then, Natalie glanced around, a slight frown forming on her face. "Christina, where is your older sister? Why hasn't she shown up yet? Is she really going to be late to her own sister's wedding? Who taught her manners like this?"Christina answered casually, "She probably doesn't want to see Salvatore marry Sophia. After all, she liked him for so many years."That only made Natalie more annoyed. "Janet, go call Irene to come out. If she's not here, people will start talking about our family and Sophia again."The servant nodded and was about to leave, b

PREV

NEXT

I-scan ang code para mabasa sa App

DMCA.com Protection Status