And in a way, that was true. That afternoon, while Mariana was getting Alessio ready for his nap, Renzo entered the nursery. “Miss Torres,” he greeted her with that mixture of respect and distance that characterized him.
I need to talk to you for a moment. Mariana felt the air shift. She turned around. Is something wrong? Renzo exchanged a quick glance with Alessandro, who was also there. Not necessarily bad, but important, Renzo said.
There’s something you should know about our world, about him. She pointed at Alessandro. Mariana frowned. I already know who he is. I figured it out at the airport. Renzo shook his head.
No, miss, he doesn’t know everything. Alessandro walked slowly toward her, but there was no aggression in his steps. There was weight, tradition, responsibility. “Sit down, Mariana,” he asked. She obeyed, though anxiety pressed against her chest.
Alessandro took a breath. What you did for my son in my world has a profound meaning. It’s not just a noble act; it has a name, a tradition, a weight. Mariana felt a chill.
What does it mean? Alessandro looked directly at her. That you’ve become sacred to this family, to my son and to me. Mariana blinked. Sacred. What? What does that mean? Renzo crossed his arms.
Any rival family might try to harm you to hurt the don. What you did for the Manceli heir is something no one will overlook. Old traditions say that a woman who nurses a don’s child becomes part of the family, with or without ceremony.
An impossible figure to touch. Mariana felt the floor disappear beneath her feet. I didn’t know. I was just trying to help the baby. I know, Alessandro said softly. But others won’t see it that way.
Mariana stood up abruptly. “I don’t want to interfere in your world. I don’t want to be a part of any of this. I only came for a week, Mr. Manceli. One week. And then I’m leaving.”
Renzo muttered something under his breath. That’ll be complicated. Complicated? Why? Mariana said, raising her voice. Alessandro took a slow step toward her, like someone approaching a wounded animal.
Because they already asked about you. Mariana froze. Who? Renzo answered. The hospital. A shiver of fear ran down her spine. Who? Who are they? A family that has been competing with us for generations, Alessandro explained.
My oldest enemy. Their leader, Salvatore Vital, is obsessed with weakening me, and now he believes you’re the perfect target. Mariana felt nauseous. And what do they expect me to do?
That I should be locked up here. I can’t live like this. Alessandro wasn’t bothered by her tone; on the contrary, he moved closer with a sincerity that disarmed her. I don’t want you to live locked up.
I don’t want you to live in fear. I want to protect you because now you’re part of something you didn’t ask for, but that I can’t ignore. She hugged his arms, trembling. I didn’t ask for any of this.
“I know,” Alessandro said. “That’s why I signed the contract. That’s why I promised you a week, and I’ll keep my promise.” Mariana looked up, her eyes filled with doubt. “Would you really let me go, even if it puts Alessandro at risk?”
Alessandro’s face broke for just a second. “If you leave, my son will suffer. He’s formed a bond with you, a bond I never imagined possible. But if you still decide to leave,” he took a deep breath, “I won’t stop you.”
Mariana felt a lump in her throat. She hadn’t expected that answer. She hadn’t expected to find humanity in a man like him. But then Renzo added, “Even if he lets her go, the vital ones won’t.”
Mariana felt a deep vertigo. “So, what do I do?” Alessandro approached without touching her, but his presence was so solid that it enveloped her. “Will you stay with me?” “With us, at least until we find a way to protect you outside.”
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