π π³ππππππππππ’ πππππ π
πΊπΏππππππππππππππ ππππΊ
°°πππ ππ π πππππ
πππ ππ
π»ππππ ππ °°
π₯π₯ π»πππ'π π»ππππππ’ π₯ π₯
π π±πππππππππ ππππ Β°ππππππππ πΈππππππππΒ°πππ πππππππ π
πΉπ²ππππππ 1& 2πΉ
ππππ π½πππππ πππΌπΏπππ, πππππ ππ ππ πΎπππππππ, πππΌππ πΌππΏ πΏππ'π ππππππ ππ πΎππππππ
ππππ: πππππππππππ, ππππ πΌππΏ ππππΎππππ πΌπππ'π πΎπππππππ.
πππππ ππ πΌπππΌππ πππππππππ ππ ππΌπ πΌπ½πππ πππΌπ πππ ππΌππ πππΌπΏ
REPLY TO MY COMMENTS ABEGπ
β¨ITALY β¨
She clutched the blanket tighter, pulling it over her head.
Every voice trying to wake her was like an annoying mosquito buzzing in her ears.
βCan you just go away?β her voice came out low, soft but filled with clear irritation.
βI told you, I donβt want to go to school. Can you just go tell my father that?β
She didnβt even bother peeking out from under the blanket.
Miss Michelle, the head maid, let out a breath and yanked the blanket off her.
βLook, Alessia, I canβt keep calling you. If you donβt want to wake up, your daddy will have to come on his own.β
Alessia sat up, her face crumpling in frustration.
βEtta! Why do you always try to annoy me all the time? Whatβs wrong with you always trying to piss me off every morning? Iβm trying to sleep, and youβre busy dragging me out of bed like itβs your personal mission!β
Miss Michelle stood firm, hands on her hips.
Sometimes she swore this girl needed a little slap to reality but that would cost her everything.
She wouldnβt do that.
βLook, Miss, your father told me to wake you so you can go to school with him. Heβs going to drive you today,β she said, her voice calmer now.
Alessia groaned, rolling her eyes dramatically before collapsing back into her blanket.
βThen you go to school! With him,Miss Michelle, this thing of you always shouting in the morning when Iβm clearly not in the mood... just stop!β
Her voice cracked as she added, βIβm not in the mood for nonsense. My mom is there in the hospital, trying to fight for her life, and youβre here clearly annoying me.β
Miss Michelle closed her eyes for a second to collect herself.
Her heart softened. βIβm sorry for waking you, madam. But Iβm just doing my job. Itβs almost 9 oβclock, and you know your school starts at 8. Your father told me to come and wake you. Please go and bathe. Your bath is already prepared.β
She turned to leave, bowing slightly.
βI told you not to prepare my bath!β Alessia snapped.
Miss Michelleβs hand paused on the door handle.
βWhy donβt you listen? I do my things on my own. I donβt want someone some maid ,to make my bed or pour water for me. Iβm not sick. Iβm fine. I want to do things myself. Why do I always have to explain this like Iβm some freak or something?!β
Miss Michelle turned around, trying her best to hold a soft smile.
βI heard you, Miss. But Iβm just doing my job
....β
βDoing your job?β Alessia cut her off, furious.
βYou always say that! βIβm doing my job, Iβm doing my job.β Gosh, itβs so frustrating! Why did I even have to be born into a stupid De Luca family?!β
With that, she stormed off into the bathroom.
Slamming the door behind her.
Miss Michelle just shook her head quietly and walked out of the room.
Another morning with Alessia being grumpy.
β―β―β―β―β·β·
**
Downstairs
Antonio De Luca stood downstairs in his crisp navy suit, pacing slightly with a coffee mug in hand.
The steam swirled up as he checked his watch again. 9:07.
βWhere the hell is she?β he muttered.
The sound of Miss Michelleβs careful footsteps made him turn.
βWell?β he asked, not even waiting for her to speak.
βSheβs awake, sirβ¦ but not happy.β
Antonio groaned, running a hand through his neatly styled hair.
βWhen is she ever happy?β
βShe mentioned her motherβ¦ again,β Miss Michelle said gently, glancing away.
That hit him.
His jaw clenched, and he sighed.
βAlright. Iβll go up.β
He walked briskly through the hall and up the stairs.
He didnβt bother knocking ,just pushed the door open.
Alessia was sitting on the bed now, still in her pajamas, hair wild, her eyes puffy but proud.
She didnβt look at him.
βYouβre late,β he said.
She scoffed. βYouβre annoying.β
βGood morning to you too, Sunshine,β he said, walking in with his usual calm authority.
Alessia folded her arms.
βI said Iβm not going.β
βAlessia. Enough. Get dressed.β
βI donβt care if the whole world is going to school. Iβm not going today.β
Antonio sat on the edge of the bed and looked at her.
βWhatβs wrong?β
She glanced at him, her lip trembling, but quickly rolled her eyes to cover it.
βNothing.β
βYou yelled at Michelle again.β
βShe wakes me like Iβm five. Iβm not five. And Iβm tired.β
βBecause of Mom?β
Silence.
He exhaled, rubbing his forehead. βI know itβs hard. But sheβs going to be okay.β
βYou donβt know that,β she snapped.
βAnd Iβm tired of pretending that everythingβs fine when itβs not!β
His eyes softened. βIβm not asking you to pretend. Iβm just asking you to keep going. For her. For me. For yourself.β
She looked at him her fierce De Luca glare mixed with all the hurt of a little teenage girl missing her mom.
Then she whispered,
βCan we just not do today?β
He stared at her for a moment, then stood up
βFine.β
Alessia blinked.
βWeβre not doing today. Get dressed. Iβm taking you out.β
Her eyes widened. βOutβ¦ where?β
βAnywhere but school,β he said with a rare smirk.
βMaybe breakfast by the lake. Maybe ice cream. Maybe something stupid and fun. But only if youβre ready in 15 minutes.β
Alessia jumped off the bed like lightning.
βDeal!β
He raised an eyebrow. βAnd wear something warm. Itβs cold out.β
She disappeared into the bathroom, already picking outfits in her head,.
Antonio smiled softly.
Before he walked out
**
β―β―β―β―β·β·
**
Antonio paced back and forth near the grand staircase.
His hands behind his back, already losing patience.
Alessia was supposed to be down in 15 minutes, but it had been almost an hour.
His jaw tightened as he glanced at the clock, then up the stairs.
βWhat is taking her so long?β he muttered, voice low and deep, face as unreadable as ever.
Miss Michelle stood nearby, hesitant to speak.
She was just about to turn and excuse herself when the sound of footsteps echoed.
They both turned.
Alessia finally appeared at the top of the stairs,a small handbag in hand.
She wore a short brown skirt, knee-high boots, and a black coat that barely reached her thighs.
Antonio raised an eyebrow immediately and crossed his arms as she descended slowly, nonchalantly.
βSunshine,β he said, voice steady but firm,
βI thought we agreed you'd wear something warm. Isnβt that what you told me?β
She smirked, then shrugged. βI am wearing something warm. Itβs not even cold outside, Papa. So I donβt think I need to walk around like Iβm a wrapped-up mummy with my legs trapped.β
Miss Michelle looked down, trying not to roll her eyes.
'God, how dramatic this girl can be,' she thought.
Antonio didnβt argue.
Instead, he gently pulled Alessia in for a hug, kissing her on the forehead and stroking her hair.
βI still think you shouldβve worn something thicker, sunshine. Itβs cold out there...β
βPapa,β she said, cutting him off.
βIβm fine. These clothes are comfortable. And Iβm a girl, remember? I need to show a little leg once in a while. Not walk around in a blanket like you.β
Antonio sighed but didnβt push.
She was already stressed enough her mother being in the hospital wasnβt easy on her, or any of them.
βOkay,β he said quietly.
βSo, are we good to go now?β
βYeah.β She turned to Miss Michelle and walked toward her.
βMiss Michelle, Iβm sorry for how I talked to you earlier,β she said, voice softer now.
Michelle blinked, surprised.
So did the other maids nearby.
βI didnβt mean to shout at you. I was just upset. That wasnβt right. Iβm sorry,β Alessia added.
Miss Michelle looked touched and quickly responded, βItβs okay, Miss..β
βNo. Please. Donβt call me Miss. Iβve told you before. Just Alessia. I donβt like all this formal stuff.β
Michelle nodded. βAlrightβ¦ Alessia. And thank you. I appreciate the apology.β
Alessia smiled briefly, then turned back to Antonio and looped her arm around his.
βLetβs go, Papa. Time to show your daughter what this day holds.β
Antonio chuckled at her sass as they made their way toward the grand entrance.
The guards were already waiting outside beside the convoy of black SUVs.
βI want to go without bodyguards today,β Alessia said, her smile fading.
Antonio sighed.
βSunshine, you know thatβs not possible. Itβs too dangerous.β
βBut Papa, you know how much I hate them,β she groaned, mood instantly shifting.
βI know,β Antonio said calmly, guiding her to the car, βbut you're a De Luca. And De Lucas donβt go anywhere unprotected.β
The bodyguard opened the car door.
Alessia sighed loudly, tossing her head back like the world was ending.
Her father settled in beside her, phone in hand, already typing something to his assistant.
For a while, the silence sat between them.
Alessia finally spoke.
βWhere are we going, exactly?β
Antonio looked up.
βJust for a drive. I thought we could get breakfast together first. Thenβ¦ weβll visit your mother.β
Alessia looked down at her hands.
The moment he said βyour motherβ her chest tightened.
She nodded slowly.
βOkay.β
Outside, the city was slowly waking up.
The traffic was lighter than usual.
A cold breeze skimmed the windows, and she was suddenly grateful for the coat even if sheβd complained about it earlier.
βYouβve been strong, sunshine,β Antonia said quietly, breaking the silence again.
She didnβt answer at first.
βHave I?β she finally muttered.
βBecause I donβt feel strong. I feel like Iβmβ¦ pretending all the time.β
He turned to her, eyes soft for once.
βSometimes pretending is what gets us through the hardest days.β
She blinked fast, swallowing back the sting in her throat.
βI miss her,β she whispered.
βI do too.β
They didnβt say anything else for a moment.
The car rolled forward, smooth and silent, until it pulled up outside a quiet cafΓ©.
βJust five minutes,β Antonia said.
βYou need to eat.β
They stepped out.
The bodyguards followed behind them, careful and quiet, dressed in black.
Alessia gave them a look but didnβt argue.
She was too tired to fight anymore.
**
β―β―β―β―β·β·
The restaurant was quiet one of those exclusive places where silence was luxury, not absence.
The soft clinking of cutlery and the distant hum of conversation filled the air like background music.
Antonio De Luca sat across from his daughter, calm and composed, yet his sharp eyes never left her face.
Alessia pushed a piece of bread around her plate before finally speaking, her voice barely above a whisper.
βPapaβ¦ are we still going to see Mama?β
Antonio looked up from his untouched espresso, his expression unreadable at first.
Then his eyes softened just slightly only enough for someone really paying attention to notice.
βYes, Sunshine,β he replied with quiet assurance.
βWeβll go.β
Alessia paused.
She tilted her head, sensing the hesitation in his voice.
βBut what, Papa?β she asked, her voice a little firmer now.
βI just want to see her. To know if sheβs okay.β
Antonio leaned back in his chair, folding his hands on the table.
βItβs not that I donβt want you to see her,β he said carefully.
βI justβ¦ want to make sure youβre ready. The hospital isnβt a place for softness. And your motherβ¦ sheβs still recovering. It might not be easy.β
Alessia met his gaze directly. βI donβt care if itβs easy. Sheβs still my mom.β
He watched her, proud and cautious at once.
She was growing sharper.
Braver.
Just like her mother.
Finally, Antonio gave a slow nod. βOkay. Weβll go,β he said, his voice deep and firm.
βI promise.β
Alessia offered a small smile and returned her gaze to the window beside her, but her whole body seemed lighter now.
Antonio signaled the waiter with just a subtle lift of two fingers, then looked back at his daughter, the hint of a proud smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
She was strong.
Just like a De Luca.
β―β―β―β―β·β·
Alessia stood still at the edge of the hospital bed, swallowing the lump in her throat.
Her eyes burned as she looked at her mother,so small, so fragile, like life was slipping through her fingers.
She coughed lightly, trying to push down the knot of grief rising in her chest.
She turned to her father.
Antonio stood beside her, tall and composed as always.
But Alessia could see it, beneath the calm mask, his eyes carried the storm.
Pain. Fear.
A silent heartbreak he didnβt want anyone to see.
βLook at her,β Alessia said, her voice hoarse and trembling.
βShe looks so tiny... so skinny. Itβs scary. Sheβs dying, Papa. Why did they have to cut her hair like that?β
Antonio clenched his jaw.
He had seen the change too.
He just didnβt want his daughter to see him break.
βSunshine,β he said gently, βMamaβs going to be fine. Weβre doing everything we can, I promise you that.β
Alessia shook her head, her voice rising.
βYouβve been saying that for months. Everyone keeps saying that. But nothingβs working, Papa. Nothing. Look at her! Sheβs hooked up to all these machines, she can barely breathe... what am I supposed to do if I lose her?β
Her voice cracked.
Antonio pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly.
She sobbed against his chest, shaking.
βI know, I know,β he whispered into her hair.
βBut you have to trust me. We havenβt given up. Thereβs still hope.β
Alessia pulled back, wiping her eyes with the sleeve of her coat.
βThen take her somewhere else,β she pleaded.
βAnywhere. China, Korea,I heard they have better doctors. Please, Papa. We can't just sit here and watch her die. Please.β
Antonio didnβt reply right away.
His fists were clenched at his sides.
He stared at the machines,the beeping, the wires, the oxygen tube running to his wifeβs nose.
Her body so still, her head bare where soft hair used to be.
He wanted to fix it.
But this time, it wasnβt a fight he could win with money or power.
Finally, he exhaled, voice low and tight. βLetβs go home.β
Alessia stared at him in disbelief.
βNow?β she asked, voice flat.
π.π ±.π ²
π ²π Ύπ Όπ Όπ ΄π ½π, π »π Έπ Ίπ ΄ π °π ½π ³ ππ ·π °ππ ΄
πΊπΏππππππππππππππ ππππΊ
°°πππ ππ π πππππ
πππ ππ
π»ππππ ππ °°
π₯π₯ π»πππ'π π»ππππππ’ π₯ π₯
π π±πππππππππ ππππ Β°ππππππππ πΈππππππππΒ°πππ πππππππ π
πΉπ²ππππππ 1& 2πΉ
ππππ π½πππππ πππΌπΏπππ, πππππ ππ ππ πΎπππππππ, πππΌππ πΌππΏ πΏππ'π ππππππ ππ πΎππππππ
ππππ: πππππππππππ, ππππ πΌππΏ ππππΎππππ πΌπππ'π πΎπππππππ.
πππππ ππ πΌπππΌππ πππππππππ ππ ππΌπ πΌπ½πππ πππΌπ πππ ππΌππ πππΌπΏ
REPLY TO MY COMMENTS ABEGπ
β¨ITALY β¨
She clutched the blanket tighter, pulling it over her head.
Every voice trying to wake her was like an annoying mosquito buzzing in her ears.
βCan you just go away?β her voice came out low, soft but filled with clear irritation.
βI told you, I donβt want to go to school. Can you just go tell my father that?β
She didnβt even bother peeking out from under the blanket.
Miss Michelle, the head maid, let out a breath and yanked the blanket off her.
βLook, Alessia, I canβt keep calling you. If you donβt want to wake up, your daddy will have to come on his own.β
Alessia sat up, her face crumpling in frustration.
βEtta! Why do you always try to annoy me all the time? Whatβs wrong with you always trying to piss me off every morning? Iβm trying to sleep, and youβre busy dragging me out of bed like itβs your personal mission!β
Miss Michelle stood firm, hands on her hips.
Sometimes she swore this girl needed a little slap to reality but that would cost her everything.
She wouldnβt do that.
βLook, Miss, your father told me to wake you so you can go to school with him. Heβs going to drive you today,β she said, her voice calmer now.
Alessia groaned, rolling her eyes dramatically before collapsing back into her blanket.
βThen you go to school! With him,Miss Michelle, this thing of you always shouting in the morning when Iβm clearly not in the mood... just stop!β
Her voice cracked as she added, βIβm not in the mood for nonsense. My mom is there in the hospital, trying to fight for her life, and youβre here clearly annoying me.β
Miss Michelle closed her eyes for a second to collect herself.
Her heart softened. βIβm sorry for waking you, madam. But Iβm just doing my job. Itβs almost 9 oβclock, and you know your school starts at 8. Your father told me to come and wake you. Please go and bathe. Your bath is already prepared.β
She turned to leave, bowing slightly.
βI told you not to prepare my bath!β Alessia snapped.
Miss Michelleβs hand paused on the door handle.
βWhy donβt you listen? I do my things on my own. I donβt want someone some maid ,to make my bed or pour water for me. Iβm not sick. Iβm fine. I want to do things myself. Why do I always have to explain this like Iβm some freak or something?!β
Miss Michelle turned around, trying her best to hold a soft smile.
βI heard you, Miss. But Iβm just doing my job
....β
βDoing your job?β Alessia cut her off, furious.
βYou always say that! βIβm doing my job, Iβm doing my job.β Gosh, itβs so frustrating! Why did I even have to be born into a stupid De Luca family?!β
With that, she stormed off into the bathroom.
Slamming the door behind her.
Miss Michelle just shook her head quietly and walked out of the room.
Another morning with Alessia being grumpy.
β―β―β―β―β·β·
**
Downstairs
Antonio De Luca stood downstairs in his crisp navy suit, pacing slightly with a coffee mug in hand.
The steam swirled up as he checked his watch again. 9:07.
βWhere the hell is she?β he muttered.
The sound of Miss Michelleβs careful footsteps made him turn.
βWell?β he asked, not even waiting for her to speak.
βSheβs awake, sirβ¦ but not happy.β
Antonio groaned, running a hand through his neatly styled hair.
βWhen is she ever happy?β
βShe mentioned her motherβ¦ again,β Miss Michelle said gently, glancing away.
That hit him.
His jaw clenched, and he sighed.
βAlright. Iβll go up.β
He walked briskly through the hall and up the stairs.
He didnβt bother knocking ,just pushed the door open.
Alessia was sitting on the bed now, still in her pajamas, hair wild, her eyes puffy but proud.
She didnβt look at him.
βYouβre late,β he said.
She scoffed. βYouβre annoying.β
βGood morning to you too, Sunshine,β he said, walking in with his usual calm authority.
Alessia folded her arms.
βI said Iβm not going.β
βAlessia. Enough. Get dressed.β
βI donβt care if the whole world is going to school. Iβm not going today.β
Antonio sat on the edge of the bed and looked at her.
βWhatβs wrong?β
She glanced at him, her lip trembling, but quickly rolled her eyes to cover it.
βNothing.β
βYou yelled at Michelle again.β
βShe wakes me like Iβm five. Iβm not five. And Iβm tired.β
βBecause of Mom?β
Silence.
He exhaled, rubbing his forehead. βI know itβs hard. But sheβs going to be okay.β
βYou donβt know that,β she snapped.
βAnd Iβm tired of pretending that everythingβs fine when itβs not!β
His eyes softened. βIβm not asking you to pretend. Iβm just asking you to keep going. For her. For me. For yourself.β
She looked at him her fierce De Luca glare mixed with all the hurt of a little teenage girl missing her mom.
Then she whispered,
βCan we just not do today?β
He stared at her for a moment, then stood up
βFine.β
Alessia blinked.
βWeβre not doing today. Get dressed. Iβm taking you out.β
Her eyes widened. βOutβ¦ where?β
βAnywhere but school,β he said with a rare smirk.
βMaybe breakfast by the lake. Maybe ice cream. Maybe something stupid and fun. But only if youβre ready in 15 minutes.β
Alessia jumped off the bed like lightning.
βDeal!β
He raised an eyebrow. βAnd wear something warm. Itβs cold out.β
She disappeared into the bathroom, already picking outfits in her head,.
Antonio smiled softly.
Before he walked out
**
β―β―β―β―β·β·
**
Antonio paced back and forth near the grand staircase.
His hands behind his back, already losing patience.
Alessia was supposed to be down in 15 minutes, but it had been almost an hour.
His jaw tightened as he glanced at the clock, then up the stairs.
βWhat is taking her so long?β he muttered, voice low and deep, face as unreadable as ever.
Miss Michelle stood nearby, hesitant to speak.
She was just about to turn and excuse herself when the sound of footsteps echoed.
They both turned.
Alessia finally appeared at the top of the stairs,a small handbag in hand.
She wore a short brown skirt, knee-high boots, and a black coat that barely reached her thighs.
Antonio raised an eyebrow immediately and crossed his arms as she descended slowly, nonchalantly.
βSunshine,β he said, voice steady but firm,
βI thought we agreed you'd wear something warm. Isnβt that what you told me?β
She smirked, then shrugged. βI am wearing something warm. Itβs not even cold outside, Papa. So I donβt think I need to walk around like Iβm a wrapped-up mummy with my legs trapped.β
Miss Michelle looked down, trying not to roll her eyes.
'God, how dramatic this girl can be,' she thought.
Antonio didnβt argue.
Instead, he gently pulled Alessia in for a hug, kissing her on the forehead and stroking her hair.
βI still think you shouldβve worn something thicker, sunshine. Itβs cold out there...β
βPapa,β she said, cutting him off.
βIβm fine. These clothes are comfortable. And Iβm a girl, remember? I need to show a little leg once in a while. Not walk around in a blanket like you.β
Antonio sighed but didnβt push.
She was already stressed enough her mother being in the hospital wasnβt easy on her, or any of them.
βOkay,β he said quietly.
βSo, are we good to go now?β
βYeah.β She turned to Miss Michelle and walked toward her.
βMiss Michelle, Iβm sorry for how I talked to you earlier,β she said, voice softer now.
Michelle blinked, surprised.
So did the other maids nearby.
βI didnβt mean to shout at you. I was just upset. That wasnβt right. Iβm sorry,β Alessia added.
Miss Michelle looked touched and quickly responded, βItβs okay, Miss..β
βNo. Please. Donβt call me Miss. Iβve told you before. Just Alessia. I donβt like all this formal stuff.β
Michelle nodded. βAlrightβ¦ Alessia. And thank you. I appreciate the apology.β
Alessia smiled briefly, then turned back to Antonio and looped her arm around his.
βLetβs go, Papa. Time to show your daughter what this day holds.β
Antonio chuckled at her sass as they made their way toward the grand entrance.
The guards were already waiting outside beside the convoy of black SUVs.
βI want to go without bodyguards today,β Alessia said, her smile fading.
Antonio sighed.
βSunshine, you know thatβs not possible. Itβs too dangerous.β
βBut Papa, you know how much I hate them,β she groaned, mood instantly shifting.
βI know,β Antonio said calmly, guiding her to the car, βbut you're a De Luca. And De Lucas donβt go anywhere unprotected.β
The bodyguard opened the car door.
Alessia sighed loudly, tossing her head back like the world was ending.
Her father settled in beside her, phone in hand, already typing something to his assistant.
For a while, the silence sat between them.
Alessia finally spoke.
βWhere are we going, exactly?β
Antonio looked up.
βJust for a drive. I thought we could get breakfast together first. Thenβ¦ weβll visit your mother.β
Alessia looked down at her hands.
The moment he said βyour motherβ her chest tightened.
She nodded slowly.
βOkay.β
Outside, the city was slowly waking up.
The traffic was lighter than usual.
A cold breeze skimmed the windows, and she was suddenly grateful for the coat even if sheβd complained about it earlier.
βYouβve been strong, sunshine,β Antonia said quietly, breaking the silence again.
She didnβt answer at first.
βHave I?β she finally muttered.
βBecause I donβt feel strong. I feel like Iβmβ¦ pretending all the time.β
He turned to her, eyes soft for once.
βSometimes pretending is what gets us through the hardest days.β
She blinked fast, swallowing back the sting in her throat.
βI miss her,β she whispered.
βI do too.β
They didnβt say anything else for a moment.
The car rolled forward, smooth and silent, until it pulled up outside a quiet cafΓ©.
βJust five minutes,β Antonia said.
βYou need to eat.β
They stepped out.
The bodyguards followed behind them, careful and quiet, dressed in black.
Alessia gave them a look but didnβt argue.
She was too tired to fight anymore.
**
β―β―β―β―β·β·
The restaurant was quiet one of those exclusive places where silence was luxury, not absence.
The soft clinking of cutlery and the distant hum of conversation filled the air like background music.
Antonio De Luca sat across from his daughter, calm and composed, yet his sharp eyes never left her face.
Alessia pushed a piece of bread around her plate before finally speaking, her voice barely above a whisper.
βPapaβ¦ are we still going to see Mama?β
Antonio looked up from his untouched espresso, his expression unreadable at first.
Then his eyes softened just slightly only enough for someone really paying attention to notice.
βYes, Sunshine,β he replied with quiet assurance.
βWeβll go.β
Alessia paused.
She tilted her head, sensing the hesitation in his voice.
βBut what, Papa?β she asked, her voice a little firmer now.
βI just want to see her. To know if sheβs okay.β
Antonio leaned back in his chair, folding his hands on the table.
βItβs not that I donβt want you to see her,β he said carefully.
βI justβ¦ want to make sure youβre ready. The hospital isnβt a place for softness. And your motherβ¦ sheβs still recovering. It might not be easy.β
Alessia met his gaze directly. βI donβt care if itβs easy. Sheβs still my mom.β
He watched her, proud and cautious at once.
She was growing sharper.
Braver.
Just like her mother.
Finally, Antonio gave a slow nod. βOkay. Weβll go,β he said, his voice deep and firm.
βI promise.β
Alessia offered a small smile and returned her gaze to the window beside her, but her whole body seemed lighter now.
Antonio signaled the waiter with just a subtle lift of two fingers, then looked back at his daughter, the hint of a proud smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
She was strong.
Just like a De Luca.
β―β―β―β―β·β·
Alessia stood still at the edge of the hospital bed, swallowing the lump in her throat.
Her eyes burned as she looked at her mother,so small, so fragile, like life was slipping through her fingers.
She coughed lightly, trying to push down the knot of grief rising in her chest.
She turned to her father.
Antonio stood beside her, tall and composed as always.
But Alessia could see it, beneath the calm mask, his eyes carried the storm.
Pain. Fear.
A silent heartbreak he didnβt want anyone to see.
βLook at her,β Alessia said, her voice hoarse and trembling.
βShe looks so tiny... so skinny. Itβs scary. Sheβs dying, Papa. Why did they have to cut her hair like that?β
Antonio clenched his jaw.
He had seen the change too.
He just didnβt want his daughter to see him break.
βSunshine,β he said gently, βMamaβs going to be fine. Weβre doing everything we can, I promise you that.β
Alessia shook her head, her voice rising.
βYouβve been saying that for months. Everyone keeps saying that. But nothingβs working, Papa. Nothing. Look at her! Sheβs hooked up to all these machines, she can barely breathe... what am I supposed to do if I lose her?β
Her voice cracked.
Antonio pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly.
She sobbed against his chest, shaking.
βI know, I know,β he whispered into her hair.
βBut you have to trust me. We havenβt given up. Thereβs still hope.β
Alessia pulled back, wiping her eyes with the sleeve of her coat.
βThen take her somewhere else,β she pleaded.
βAnywhere. China, Korea,I heard they have better doctors. Please, Papa. We can't just sit here and watch her die. Please.β
Antonio didnβt reply right away.
His fists were clenched at his sides.
He stared at the machines,the beeping, the wires, the oxygen tube running to his wifeβs nose.
Her body so still, her head bare where soft hair used to be.
He wanted to fix it.
But this time, it wasnβt a fight he could win with money or power.
Finally, he exhaled, voice low and tight. βLetβs go home.β
Alessia stared at him in disbelief.
βNow?β she asked, voice flat.
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