One week. An entire week had passed since that horrifying night. Yet for the Romano family, it felt like time had stopped completely. The hospital room has become their whole world now. The once cheerful private suite now carried a heavy silence day and night. Machines beeped softly in the background while pale morning sunlight entered through the large glass windows every day, only to disappear again into another long sleepless night.

And through all those days, Elena still had not opened her eyes. Physically, she was healing. The bruises covering her body had started fading slowly. The injury on her stomach was recovering better than expected. The bandages around her head had become smaller now. Even the doctors admitted that her body was responding strongly.

But mentally, She was still trapped somewhere deep inside herself. And no one knew how long it would take for her to return.The doctors explained carefully that Elena's mind had shut itself down after enduring extreme trauma. "She is fighting a battle inside her own mind now," doctor had told them quietly. "You need to keep talking to her constantly. Make her feel safe. Make her believe she still has reasons to wake up."

And since that Day, that was exactly what the family had been doing. Every single day. Every single hour. Donato and Kiara visited daily without fail. Sometimes they stayed the entire night beside her. Albert and Kavya came too. Sofia sat near Elena while crying quietly and talking about random things just so Elena would hear familiar voices. Aravi prayed beside her daughter for hours.

Nonna held her hand and whispered old childhood stories. Everyone tried. Everyone waited. But among all of them, There was one person who refused to leave Elena's side even for a second. Enzo. The moment Elena had been admitted into the hospital, something inside him had completely changed. He barely slept. Barely ate. Barely spoke.

For the first three days, he did not even leave the room once. Not once. He sat beside Elena's bed continuously, holding her hand while staring at her unconscious face for hours like he was terrified she would disappear the moment he looked away. At first Donato tried to force him to go home.

"Enzo," he had said firmly one night, exhaustion visible even in his own tired eyes, "I'm staying here. Go home and rest." But Enzo denied immediately. "No." His answer had been cold. Final. "I'm not leaving her." And he truly meant it. No matter how much they tried convincing him, he refused to move from that room.

Eventually Donato stopped arguing and simply brought Enzo's belongings to the hospital instead. Fresh clothes. His laptop. Everything. But even then, it became obvious Enzo could not continue like this forever. His eyes had become bloodshot from lack of sleep. His beard started growing messily. He looked pale, exhausted, mentally shattered.

Finally on the fourth day, Donato practically begged him. "For God's sake, Enzo," he said tiredly, standing beside him near Elena's bed, "go home for a few hours." Enzo instantly shook his head. "No."

"I'm here. Kiara is here. Elena won't be alone." Still no response. "Take a shower."
Silence. "Sleep for two hours." Nothing. Donato finally lost patience. "You collapsing beside her bed won't help her wake up." That finally made Enzo look up.His eyes looked hollow. Broken. Like he had aged years in just one week.

After a long silence He finally agreed. But even then, he stayed home barely a few hours before returning immediately to the hospital again. And since then he has practically lived there. Currently, the room remains quiet except for the soft sound of machines. Elena lay peacefully on the bed beneath the dim evening light. And beside her, Enzo sat exactly where he always did.

One hand holding hers carefully. The other rested against his forehead tiredly. He looked exhausted beyond words. Yet even now His eyes never left her face for long. Donato quietly entered the room with Kiara carrying coffee in her hands. The moment Kiara saw Enzo still sitting in the same position as earlier, her chest tightened painfully.

"He still hasn't slept properly, has he?" she whispered softly. Donato sighed heavily. "No." Enzo didn't even react to their arrival. His attention remained completely fixed on Elena. Slowly, he rubbed his thumb gently across her knuckles. "You know" he whispered softly to her unconscious form, "everyone's getting tired of my face now."

Kiara's eyes filled slightly hearing the weakness in his voice. "But you still haven't opened your eyes to save them from me." A faint broken smile appeared briefly on his lips. Then disappeared instantly. "You're selfish, Eli." Silence. Enzo lowered his head slightly closer to her hand. "Wake up now." His voice cracked softly. "I'm tired." That sentence alone shattered the atmosphere completely.

Because everyone knew He did not mean physical exhaustion. He meant his soul was tired. His heart was tired. He was fighting fear every second. Fear that Elena might never return to him. Suddenly Elena's eyelashes moved faintly. Very slightly.
Everyone froze instantly. Enzo straightened immediately. "Eli?"

Her fingers twitched weakly for one second inside his hand. Then stillness again.
The monitor continued beeping normally. Kiara looked toward Donato hopefully Donato immediately pressed the emergency button for the doctor. Within minutes the doctor arrived and carefully checked Elena again. After examining her, he finally looked toward them with a small hopeful expression.

"This is good." Enzo immediately stood up. "What happened?" The doctor looked toward Elena. "She's trying to come back." Hope filled the room instantly. "She can hear you," the doctor continued softly. "Her mind is slowly responding now." Enzo looked back at Elena like the world had suddenly returned color again. "So" his voice came out shaky, "she'll wake up?"

The doctor nodded slowly. "Soon." That one word alone felt enough to make everyone breathe again after an entire week of drowning in fear.

______

The soft golden light of the hospital room dimly illuminated Elena's pale face as silence wrapped around the space. The rhythmic beeping of the monitor echoed quietly, almost painfully, inside the room. Outside the large glass window, the evening sky had already darkened into deep blue, rain tapping gently against the glass as if even the weather mourned with them.

Enzo sat beside Elena exactly where he had been for the past week. Beside her. Always beside her. His chair remained pulled so close to the hospital bed that his knees almost touched the mattress. One of his hands rested carefully around her fragile fingers while the other supported his forehead.

His eyes looked exhausted beyond words dark circles beneath them, sleeplessness carved deeply into his face. His beard had grown slightly messy. His clothes were changed, yes, but he still looked like a man who had forgotten how to live properly after that day. He had barely eaten. Barely slept. Barely spoken.Because the only thing keeping him breathing right now was Elena. His thumb slowly brushed over her knuckles.

"You know," he whispered softly, voice hoarse from exhaustion, "everyone keeps saying you're strong." His lips trembled faintly. "But I'm not, baby." Silence. Only the machine answered him. Enzo lowered his gaze to their joined hands and let out a broken laugh. "You made me this weak."

His voice cracked. "You know that?" A tear slipped from his eye and landed on Elena's hand. "I used to think I could handle anything. Guns. Blood. Enemies. Death." He swallowed hard. "But this?" He looked at her unconscious face painfully. "Seeing you like this is killing me slowly." The room remained quiet.

But then again that tiny movement. So faint that anyone else would have missed it. Enzo froze instantly. His entire body stiffened. Slowly His eyes lifted toward Elena's face. Her fingers. They moved. Just slightly. Enzo's breathing stopped. "Elena?" His voice came out trembling. He leaned forward immediately. "Baby?" Another tiny twitch. This time her eyelashes trembled faintly.

Enzo stood up so abruptly the chair behind him scraped harshly against the floor. "Elena."His voice shook violently now. "Eli... come on, baby... open your eyes." His hand moved to her face carefully, almost fearfully, like he was terrified she would disappear if he touched her too hard. And then Very slowly Her brows frowned weakly.

A faint painful expression crossed her face. Like she was fighting something deep inside her mind. Enzo's heart nearly stopped. "She's waking up," he whispered brokenly. Then louder this time "DONATO!" His voice echoed through the hallway. Within seconds the door burst open.

Donato and Kiara rushed inside immediately. Behind them came Albert and Kavya. "What happened?" Donato asked quickly. Then he saw Elena's trembling eyelids. And froze. Kiara covered her mouth instantly, tears filling her eyes. "Oh my God" Enzo sat beside Elena again immediately, holding her hand tightly.

"Come on, baby," he whispered desperately. "You're safe now. Please open your eyes." Elena's breathing suddenly became uneven. Her head moved weakly side to side. "No..." she whispered faintly. Everyone froze. Her voice was barely audible. "No... don't touch me..."Enzo's face shattered instantly.

"No one's touching you," he said quickly, voice trembling. "No one will ever touch you again, baby. I promise." Her body suddenly started shaking. Fear. Pure fear. Tears slipped from her closed eyes. "Please" The word came out broken. Enzo immediately leaned closer. "It's me," he whispered desperately. "It's Enzo. Look at me, baby. You're safe."

Donato quickly called the doctor while Kiara softly wiped Elena's tears. "Eli..." Kiara cried quietly. "Please wake up." Then finally Very slowly Elena's eyes opened. Only slightly. Blurred. Lost. Confused. For a few seconds she stared ahead blankly like she didn't understand where she was.

Then her eyes landed on Enzo. And instantly Fear disappeared. A broken sob escaped her lips. "En...zo..." That single word completely broke him.

He grabbed her hand and pressed it against his forehead as tears finally fell uncontrollably from his eyes. "I'm here," he whispered shakily. "I'm here, baby." And for the first time in an entire week Hope returned to the room.

_____

Silence settled heavily inside the hospital room after the doctor left. The soft beep of the monitors filled the air while everyone stood frozen in their places, trying to process the doctor's words. The relief of seeing Elena awake after an entire week mixed painfully with fear. Fear of saying the wrong thing. Fear of touching her too suddenly. Fear of watching her break again.

On the hospital bed, Elena looked painfully fragile. Her face had lost its usual glow. Dark shadows rested beneath her swollen eyes from endless crying. The bandage near her forehead peeked through her messy hair while another injury rested hidden beneath the blanket covering her stomach. Even breathing seemed to exhaust her.

Kiara sat beside her carefully, still holding her trembling hand softly between both of hers. Elena's fingers clung tightly to Kiara's hand like she was terrified that if she let go, she would drown again. Donato stood near the bed silently.

His jaw remained clenched tightly, but his eyes had softened completely while looking at his little sister. The same sister who once filled the mansion with endless noise, arguments, laughter, and stubbornness now looked terrified of even existing.

Albert quietly pulled a chair closer and sat near the bed too, his eyes red from holding back emotions. Meanwhile Enzo stood slightly farther away near the wall. He had not moved. Not even once. His eyes remained locked on Elena like he was scared she would disappear if he blinked.

Elena slowly looked around the room again. Her gaze stopped on Enzo for a brief second before instantly lowering. That single movement shattered him. Because he noticed it. The hesitation. The fear. The guilt. She was avoiding his eyes. As if she blamed herself. As if she thought she had become ruined. Enzo felt his chest tighten violently.

Kiara gently brushed Elena's hair away from her face. "Do you want water, Eli?" she asked softly. Elena nodded weakly. Albert immediately stood and carefully helped her drink water while supporting her head gently. Her hands trembled the entire time.

The moment Albert moved away, Elena curled slightly into herself beneath the blanket unconsciously, like she was trying to hide. And everyone noticed it. Donato's fists clenched instantly. Enzo looked away for a second because he physically could not bear watching her like this. A girl who once walked fearlessly through the Romano mansion now looked frightened by her own breathing.

Kiara's eyes filled again, but she quickly wiped them before Elena could notice. "No crying," she whispered softly while forcing a tiny smile. "The doctor said only happy things around you now." Elena's lips trembled slightly. "I caused trouble..." she whispered brokenly.

"No," Albert spoke immediately. His voice was firm. Dangerously firm. "You did nothing wrong." Elena slowly looked at him. "You hear me?" he said quietly this time. "Nothing was your fault." Tears slipped from Elena's eyes again. "But if I listened-"

"No." Albert cut her off instantly. His voice cracked slightly this time. "If someone commits a crime, the criminal is guilty. Not the victim." The room fell silent again. Elena stared at her brother silently while tears rolled down her cheeks one after another.

Albert swallowed hard before continuing softly, "You trusted someone. That is not a sin." Kavya nodded immediately. "Exactly. You are not the one who should feel ashamed, Eli." Kiara gently squeezed her hand. "You are home now. Safe. And nobody will ever hurt you again."

Elena's breathing shook. Then suddenly. A nurse entered quietly with medicine. The moment the nurse touched Elena's arm unexpectedly Elena flinched violently. A terrified gasp escaped her mouth as she jerked backward instantly. "Don't touch me!" The entire room froze.

The nurse stepped back immediately in shock. "I-I'm sorry-" Elena's breathing turned uneven instantly. Panic filled her eyes while her body began trembling uncontrollably. Enzo moved before anyone else. "Eli..." His voice came impossibly soft.

Slowly, carefully, he approached the bed like someone approaching an injured bird. "It's okay," he whispered. "No one will touch you without your permission. Look at me, Eli." Elena's panicked eyes slowly shifted toward him.

Enzo knelt beside the bed carefully. "You're safe," he whispered again. "we're here." Her trembling slowly eased hearing his voice. Everyone noticed it. Even in this broken state She trusted Enzo the most. Enzo gently held the edge of the blanket instead of touching her directly. "Can I hold your hand?" he asked softly.

Elena stared at him for a few seconds. Then weakly nodded. Only then did Enzo carefully hold her hand. And the moment their hands touched Elena broke down crying again. Enzo lowered his head immediately, pressing her trembling hand against his forehead while his own eyes filled helplessly. "I'm sorry," he whispered shakily. "I'm so sorry, Eli." he assure her that she is safe here."

Once she feel okay the nurse check her and leave, in the mean time the family member also come. donato stood all the time silently, elana look at him, like she is saying come here seat with me, and donato understand he go towards her. The moment Donato sat beside her bed, the entire room seemed to fall silent again.

The steady sound of the heart monitor echoed softly through the space while the pale morning light filtered through the hospital curtains, wrapping the room in a fragile stillness. Elana looked heartbreakingly weak sitting against the raised bed, her face pale, eyes swollen from crying, lips trembling uncontrollably. Yet the moment Donato came close, her fingers immediately reached for his hand like a frightened child searching for safety.

Her cold trembling fingers wrapped around his tightly. "Brother..." she whispered weakly. Donato's jaw clenched instantly. For one whole week he had stayed strong for everyone. For his mother. For Nonna. For Sofia. For Kiara. For the entire Romano family. He had buried every emotion inside himself because he believed he could not afford to break. Not now. Not when everyone depended on him.

But looking at his little sister sitting there shattered in front of him He felt something inside him crack. Elana suddenly burst into tears again. "I-I am so sorry..." she cried painfully, unable to even breathe properly between sobs. "I didn't listen to you... I lied to you... I broke your trust..." Her grip around his hand tightened desperately. "I-I'm a horrible sister..."

Every word stabbed Donato straight through the chest. He stared at her silently for a few seconds, his own eyes slowly filling with tears he had been suppressing since that horrifying night. Seeing her blame herself after everything she had endured made his heart ache in a way he had never experienced before.

Slowly, Donato lifted his free hand and touched her hair gently. "No..." he whispered hoarsely. His voice cracked immediately. Elana froze hearing it. That was the first time since the incident that anyone had heard Donato's voice break. The powerful man who ruled fearlessly over the entire underworld... sounded shattered.

Donato lowered his head slightly, his thumb trembling against her hand. "I'm sorry," he whispered again, this time more brokenly. "I failed you, princess." Elana's eyes widened instantly. "It was my duty to protect you," he continued painfully, tears finally escaping his eyes. "And I failed."

The moment those words left his mouth, Elana broke completely. "No-no brother..." she cried loudly. Ignoring the pain in her body, she immediately leaned forward and wrapped her arms around him tightly. Donato caught her instantly before she could hurt herself further, holding her carefully against his chest. "You never failed me," she sobbed desperately into his shoulder. "Never... never..."

And just like that Both of them broke. Donato buried his face against her hair while holding her like he was terrified she would disappear again if he loosened his grip even slightly. His shoulders trembled silently as weeks of protectiveness, guilt, fear, helplessness, and pain finally spilled out of him.

Elana cried uncontrollably in his arms, clutching his shirt tightly with weak fingers while apologizing again and again between sobs. Kiara turned her face away instantly, tears streaming down her cheeks at the heartbreaking sight.

Albert lowered his head while standing near the window, his own eyes red. Sofia silently cried against Kavya's shoulder. Even Enzo, standing near the corner of the room, looked completely destroyed watching the siblings hold onto each other like they were trying to heal each other's broken souls.

Because everyone in that room knew Donato Romano loved his sister more than his own life. And for the first time in his life He could not save her from pain. The room filled only with the sound of their crying while Donato continued stroking Elana's hair gently like he used to when she was little and frightened after nightmares.

"It's over now," he whispered shakily against her forehead. "You're safe now, princess... I swear on my life... no one will ever hurt you again." Elana closed her eyes tightly and cried harder in his arms. For the first time since waking up She finally felt safe enough to break completely.

_____

The evening sunlight filtered softly through the large hospital window, painting the white room in shades of pale gold and orange. The warmth of the light should have made the room feel comforting, alive even but instead, silence lingered there like an invisible shadow no one could chase away.

It had been another week since Elena woke up. Physically, she looked far better now. The bruises on her face had begun fading into lighter shades. The bandages around her stomach had become smaller. The cuts on her hands were healing slowly. The doctors finally approved her discharge for this evening.

But the real wounds were the ones no medicine could reach. Elena had changed. The lively girl whose laughter once echoed through the Romano mansion now barely spoke above a whisper. The girl who used to dance around the house, tease everyone endlessly, and cling to her brothers like sunshine itself now spent most of her time staring silently into space, lost somewhere no one could follow.

Even her eyes looked different. Empty. As if something inside her had gone quiet forever. Aravi sat beside her daughter carefully brushing her fingers through Elena's hair while Sofia rested near the edge of the bed talking softly about random things, desperately trying to keep the atmosphere normal. Sometimes Rose joined them too whenever Donato brought her along. She would make terrible jokes on purpose just to see Elena smile even a little.

And sometimes...It worked. A tiny smile. A weak one. Gone within seconds. But even that small reaction made everyone hold onto hope desperately. Still, there was one absence Elena noticed every single day. Enzo. At first she thought maybe he was busy. Then maybe Donato had forced him to work.

Then maybe he was resting. But days passed. And Enzo never stayed. He came only once after she woke up. Just once. He stood near the door silently, staring at her with bloodshot eyes as though merely seeing her alive was enough to destroy him all over again. He had asked softly if she needed anything. She had shaken her head. And after a few minutes, he left.

Since then...Nothing. No late-night visits. No sitting beside her bed. No soft teasing voice calling her "Eli baby." No gentle hand fixing her blanket. Nothing. And Elena's broken heart slowly created the answer her terrified mind feared most. Maybe he cannot even look at me anymore.

The thought poisoned her quietly every night. Maybe he feels disgusted. Maybe I ruined everything. Maybe I ruined myself. Twoday, as the room dimmed into soft evening shadows, Elena lay silently against the raised hospital bed staring blankly at the ceiling. Aravi and Sofia had stepped outside for discharge paperwork while the nurses prepared her medicines.

The room was finally quiet. Too quiet. Slowly, Elena lifted her trembling hand and touched the edge of the blanket near her stomach. Her breathing became uneven. The memories tried to crawl back instantly. Hands. Laughter. That room. Those voices. She shut her eyes tightly. "No..." she whispered weakly to herself.

A tear slipped silently from the corner of her eye and disappeared into her hairline. Then another. And another. Maybe Enzo cannot bear to stay beside someone like me now. The thought shattered something inside her completely. Because she knew him.

If Enzo wanted to come...He would have. No one could stop Enzo from reaching her if he truly wanted to. So why didn't he come? Why did he stay away? Her chest tightened painfully. She turned her face toward the window quickly, hiding her tears from no one in particular. Outside, the sky had take dark orange shade while city turn into sun shade.

Life outside continued normally. Cars moved. People laughed. The world kept breathing. But Elena felt stuck in that abandoned room still. Broken. Dirty. Ruined. A soft sob escaped her lips before she covered her mouth immediately, trying not to cry loudly. Because she was tired of crying. So tired. Yet the tears would not stop.

And somewhere far away from that hospital room. Enzo sat alone inside his apartment gripping a glass so tightly his knuckles had turned white. He had not stayed away because he stopped loving her. He stayed away because every single time he looked at Elena He remembered her blood-covered body in his arms.

He remembered her trembling. Her broken screams. The way she clutched his shirt begging silently for safety. And every time he saw her now, guilt ripped him apart so violently he could barely breathe. He was terrified. Terrified that if he stayed near her longer He would break down completely.

Terrified that he would confess everything while she was still fragile. Terrified that his love would become another burden she had to carry. So he stayed away. Thinking he was protecting her. While Elena slowly destroyed herself believing he no longer wanted her.

_____

It was late afternoon. The golden sunlight pouring through the massive glass windows of Enzo's office painted the room in warm light blue and orange shades, yet the atmosphere inside remained cold and heavy. Files lay scattered across the desk untouched. The laptop screen in front of him had gone dim long ago from inactivity. Even the untouched coffee near his hand had turned cold.

Enzo sat in his chair silently, completely lost somewhere far away inside his own thoughts. His eyes remained fixed in one direction, unfocused. But he was not truly seeing the office. Not the walls. Not the city outside the window. Not anything around him.

All he could see was Elena. Her pale face on the hospital bed. Her trembling hands. Her broken eyes. And the thought that perhaps she hated him now. The office door opened quietly. Donato entered calmly, closing the door behind him before walking toward the chair in front of Enzo's desk.

But Enzo did not react. Not even slightly. Donato sat down slowly while watching him carefully for a few seconds. His brows frowned faintly seeing the dark circles under Enzo's eyes and the lifeless exhaustion on his face. The man looked completely drained. Like he had not truly rested in weeks.

Still No reaction. Enzo remained frozen in his thoughts. Donato sighed softly. Then casually picked up a pen lying on the table. Without warning He threw it directly at Enzo's forehead. Thak.

"Ouch" Enzo flinched instantly, grabbing his forehead while glaring up angrily. "What the fuck!" he shouted reflexively. Then finally his eyes focused properly. And he noticed who was sitting in front of him. His expression immediately calmed. "Oh," he muttered while dropping his hand from his forehead. "It's you."

"Yeah," Donato replied dryly while leaning back in the chair. "It's me." He crossed his arms over his chest and continued staring at Enzo carefully. "And where exactly are you lost this deeply?" he asked quietly.

Enzo looked away instantly. That alone gave Donato his answer. Enzo straightened properly in his chair, rubbing his face tiredly before finally speaking what had been eating him alive for days. "Donato..." His voice came out low and uneasy. "I was wondering... what if Elena sees something online?"

Donato stayed silent, listening. "In the hospital she didn't even touch her phone. She didn't look at television, social media nothing." Enzo swallowed hard, anxiety visible on his exhausted face. "But after going home..." He looked down at his hands. "What if she sees something that triggers her?"

His jaw clenched painfully. "What if those pictures appear somewhere again? What if people talk? What if she reads comments?" His breathing became uneven just imagining it. "She's already barely holding herself together."

For a few seconds, Donato simply watched him quietly. Then he suddenly asked calmly, "Since when have you been with me?" Enzo frowned immediately at the unexpected question. "What kind of question is that?"

"Answer me." Enzo sighed softly before muttering, "Since I didn't even know how to wear slippers on the right feet." A faint smile appeared on Donato's lips. "Exactly." He leaned back in his chair slowly. "You grew up with me," he said quietly. "I practically raised you, baby."

Enzo rolled his eyes lightly hearing the nickname but stayed silent. "And after all these years..." Donato continued, raising an eyebrow at him, "you still doubt me?" Enzo blinked in confusion. "Huh?" He frowned deeper. "I didn't understand." Donato sighed dramatically like he was disappointed. "Use your brain sometimes, Enzo."

"Fuck off."

Donato ignored him completely. "You really think I would leave even a single picture alive on the internet?" His voice turned colder now. "You think I would let the world even whisper my sister's name like that?" Enzo froze slightly. Donato leaned forward slowly, resting his elbows on the table. His voice calm. Cold. Controlled.

"I meant what I said that night." Enzo lifted his eyes toward him. Donato leaned slightly back in the chair, one arm resting on the armrest while the other tapped slowly against the desk. "When I ordered my team to erase everything from the internet..." he said slowly, dangerously, "I meant everything."

His dark eyes hardened. "Everything means everything." The room suddenly felt colder. "There is not a single photo left," Donato continued quietly. "Not a single video. Not a single article. Not even comments." Enzo listened silently. "All those local media pages that tried to make Elena some disgusting gossip topic?" Donato's jaw clenched. "Gone."

"The accounts disappeared overnight." "The articles vanished." "The discussions stopped." "The reporters learned very quickly that Romano is not a family they can play with." There was no pride in his voice. Only deadly certainty. Donato slowly interlocked his fingers together while continuing. "I personally sent warnings to every media house, every online page, every journalist, and every account that even attempted to post Elena's name."

His eyes darkened further. "And I made one thing very clear." A dangerous silence followed. "If anyone dares to speak about my sister again" he whispered coldly, "they will not live long enough to see another sunrise." Even after years of knowing Donato Romano, That voice still sent chills down Enzo's spine.

Because this was not Donato the businessman. Not Donato the brother. This was the Donato the entire Italian underworld feared. The ruthless mafia king. The man whose anger destroyed bloodlines. Donato looked away briefly toward the city outside the window.

"Lucas wanted this to become entertainment for the world," he said bitterly. "He wanted people talking about Elena everywhere. He wanted the Romano name dragged through filth." His fists tightened slowly. "He wanted my sister to become a headline." "But he failed." The words came out sharp. "Miserably."

A heavy silence settled again. Then suddenly A faint smirk appeared on Enzo's exhausted face for the first time in days. He leaned back slightly and shook his head. "Oh right" he muttered dramatically. "How could I forget?" Donato glanced at him. Enzo smirked faintly despite the pain still visible in his eyes. "My darling happens to be the most feared mafia leader in all of Italy."

That finally made Donato scoff softly. A tiny sound. Barely there. But after weeks of darkness Even that felt rare. Enzo stared at him for a second before his expression softened again. Because beneath all the fear, violence, and power Donato had done all of this for one reason only.

To protect his sister's dignity. To make sure Elena never had to see the world looking at her with cruelty. And for the first time since the incident Enzo felt slightly relieved knowing that at least one burden had been removed from Elena's shoulders.

Silence settled between them again The office felt unusually quiet. The fading afternoon sunlight streamed through the glass walls, casting long shadows across the floor. Neither man spoke for almost a minute. Donato sat back in his chair, studying Enzo carefully.

Enzo looked exhausted. Not physically. Emotionally. Like someone who had not truly slept in weeks. Then finally, Donato broke the silence. "Since when?"

Enzo frowned. "Huh?" He genuinely did not understand the question.

Donato's expression remained unreadable. "Since when do you have feelings for Elena?" The question hit Enzo like a bullet. His entire body stiffened instantly. His heartbeat accelerated. Of all the topics he expected today This was the one he had been avoiding. His eyes immediately dropped to the desk.

A knot formed in his throat. "I- he swallowed hard. "I'm sorry, Donato."

Donato frowned slightly. "Why are you apologizing?"

Enzo laughed bitterly. His fingers tightened around the armrest of his chair. "I didn't mean for things to go this far." His voice came out rough. "I really didn't." He shook his head. "I know you probably wouldn't appreciate it. I know I should have controlled myself. I thought if I stayed away long enough it would disappear."

He laughed weakly. "It didn't." The confession finally began pouring out. "I tried avoiding her." "I tried treating her like nothing more than your little sister." "I tried putting distance between us." His voice grew lower. "But I couldn't." His eyes burned. "Even if you disapproved, I couldn't stay away from her." The words began tumbling out faster and faster.

"I know I should've told you earlier." "I know I should've-

"Enzo."

"I never wanted to betray-

"Enzo."

"I swear I never planned-

"ENZO." The shout echoed through the office. Bang. Donato's palm slammed violently against the desk. Enzo flinched so hard he nearly stood up from his chair. The room instantly fell silent. His mouth snapped shut. For a moment he looked exactly like a guilty teenager caught doing something wrong. His eyes lowered immediately. His chest tightened.

He thought Donato was angry. Furious. And honestly He would have understood. Because if someone looked at Sofia the way he looked at Elena. He would probably react the same way. The silence stretched. Then Donato spoke. His voice was calm now. Dangerously calm. "Are you sorry for loving my sister?"

The question caught Enzo completely off guard. His head snapped upward.

"What?" Donato repeated it. Slowly. "Are you sorry for loving Elena?"

This time the answer came instantly. Without hesitation. Without thought. Without fear. "No." The word was firm. Absolute. His eyes hardened for the first time. "Never." His voice shook with emotion. "I will never be sorry for loving her." He looked away briefly. A sad smile appeared on his face. "She is the best thing that ever happened to me."

The room fell silent again. Donato watched him carefully. Every word. Every expression. Every emotion. There was no hesitation in Enzo's answer. No shame. No regret. Only love. Pure and undeniable. Then Donato asked quietly, "Then why are you apologizing?"

The question hurt more than the first one. Enzo's confidence vanished instantly. His eyes lowered again. This time he looked genuinely guilty. "For breaking your trust." His voice came out barely above a whisper. Donato remained silent.

Enzo stared at the floor. "You trusted me." His throat tightened painfully. "You trusted me to protect her." A broken laugh escaped him. "You trusted me like a brother." His eyes filled with tears. "And somewhere along the way He paused. Unable to look at Donato. "I stopped seeing her only as your sister." His voice cracked. "I started loving her."

The confession hung heavily between them. "I was supposed to protect her like family." His hands trembled. "But instead I fell in love with her." He finally looked up. There was no defense in his eyes. No excuses. Only honesty. His voice lowered. " i am sorry for breaking your trust but its happned and i can't do anything now, i want her."

For the first time in years Enzo looked afraid. Not of enemies. Not of bullets. Not of death. But of losing the approval of the man he considered his brother. And as he sat there waiting for Donato's reaction, the office felt suffocatingly silent. The weight of years of hidden feelings finally lay exposed between them, impossible to hide anymore.

For a few moments, Donato simply stared at him. His expression unreadable. His dark eyes fixed entirely on Enzo. Then he spoke. "You still didn't answer my previous question." Enzo swallowed. Donato folded his arms across his chest. "Since when?" This time there was no escaping.

No changing the topic. No hiding. Enzo took a slow breath. Then answered honestly. "Since she was seventeen." The words left his mouth quietly. But they seemed to echo throughout the office. Donato's eyebrows immediately rose. For a second, he looked genuinely surprised.

Three years. Three whole years. Three years of loving Elena silently. Three years of hiding it. Three years of suffering alone. Donato shook his head slightly. Then asked another question. "And when did you find out she had feelings for you?"

This time Enzo frowned. His reaction was immediate. How does he know that? Then realization hit him. Of course. Kiara. It had to be Kiara. A small smile appeared on his face despite everything. "On her eighteenth birthday." Donato remained silent. Enzo looked away briefly as the memory surfaced. "I overheard her talking to one of her friends."

His voice softened unconsciously. "She said she loved me." For a moment, genuine warmth appeared in his tired eyes. The kind of warmth that only existed whenever Elena was involved. Then Donato asked quietly, "So she was the girl you were planning to propose to?" Enzo nodded immediately.

No hesitation. No embarrassment. Just certainty. "Yes." The office became quiet once again. Donato stared at him. And stared. And stared. Long enough to make Enzo uncomfortable. Then suddenly Donato stood up. Without saying a word. Enzo instantly became suspicious."...Donato?"

No answer. Donato started walking toward him. Slowly. Very slowly. Like a predator approaching prey. Enzo immediately stood up too. Pure survival instinct. And took one step backward. Donato took another step forward. Enzo took another step back. The scene would have looked ridiculous to anyone watching.

Two grown mafia leaders. One advancing. One retreating. Like some dramatic enemies-to-lovers movie scene. "Donato..." Enzo began nervously. Another step. Enzo stepped back again. "Listen, I know I was supposed to tell you Another step. "Donato." Another step. "I was going to tell you!" Another step. "Eventually!" Another step. Enzo was nearly pressed against the wall now. "I was scared!" Donato stopped. For one second. Then suddenly He lunged. "YOU BASTARD!"

"SHIT "Thud. Both men crashed onto the floor. The expensive office chair rolled backward from the impact. Files scattered everywhere. Donato landed directly on top of Enzo while grabbing his shirt collar violently. His face looked absolutely murderous. "You loved my sister for THREE YEARS?"

Donato shouted. His grip tightened. "THREE YEARS!" Enzo winced."Donato"You were planning to propose to her! "Listen"

"My wife knew!" Donato shook him dramatically. "MY WIFE KNEW!"

"Darling"

"And I DIDN'T!"

"Darling please"

"And you still had the audacity to call me darling every single day!" Donato pulled back his fist. Ready to punch him. Immediately Enzo caught his wrist. "WAIT!" The punch stopped inches away from his face. Both men froze. Donato was still straddling him on the floor. Enzo was holding his wrist desperately.

The scene looked ridiculous. Neither cared. "Donato listen to me!"

"Why?"

"Because I was scared!" Donato narrowed his eyes. Enzo groaned dramatically. "I wanted to tell you." His voice finally became sincere. "Really." The humor disappeared. The panic remained. "I was going to tell you." Donato looked unconvinced. Enzo sighed. Then admitted the truth. "I was terrified." The confession immediately softened the atmosphere.

Just slightly. Enzo slowly released Donato's wrist. "I knew how much Elena means to you." His voice lowered. "She's your little sister." "The princess of this family." "The person you've spent your entire life protecting." His eyes dropped. "And I was the idiot who fell in love with her." Donato's expression slowly became less murderous. Only slightly.

"I kept thinking. Enzo laughed bitterly. "What if you refuse? What if you tell me to stay away from her? "What if I lose both of you?" i was just scared darling bleave me." The office became quiet. For the first time, Donato stopped looking angry. Because he knew. Enzo wasn't afraid of rejection from Elena. He was afraid of losing family. Afraid of losing Donato.

Donato was still sitting on top of Enzo after their ridiculous wrestling match, one hand tangled in the front of his shirt while Enzo continued holding his wrist to prevent another surprise punch. The tension from earlier had faded considerably. Now there was only the familiar chaos that always seemed to exist whenever the two of them were together.

Donato narrowed his eyes at him. "Don't call me darling." Enzo blinked. "What?"

"Don't. Call. Me. Darling." Donato pointed an accusing finger at him.

"You didn't mean it." Enzo looked offended.

"I absolutely"

"No."

Donato cut him off immediately. "We promised that we would tell each other everything." His voice became dramatically accusing. "We share secrets." "We share problems." "We share plans." "We share murders." Enzo nodded. "Fair." "And yet," Donato continued, looking personally betrayed, "you were in love with my sister for three years and didn't tell me."

Enzo opened his mouth. Closed it again. Then pointed at himself. "In my defense "

"You have no defense."

"Also fair."

Donato glared at him. Enzo sighed dramatically. "Okay, maybe I deserve that."

"You absolutely deserve that." The office door suddenly opened. Neither man noticed. Both were too busy arguing. A young female secretary stepped inside carrying a tablet. She took exactly three steps into the room. Then froze. Completely froze. Her eyes widened. The tablet nearly slipped from her hands.

Because from her angle It looked extremely questionable. Two grown men on the floor. One sitting on top of the other. Faces dangerously close. Hands grabbing shirts. Neither appearing interested in moving away. The secretary's soul practically left her body. A horrified gasp escaped her lips.

Both men immediately turned toward the sound. And found her standing there. Staring. Mortified. The room fell silent. The secretary looked at them. They looked at her. Nobody moved. Nobody breathed. Then She screamed. Not loudly. But enough. "Oh my God!" The tablet clutched tightly against her chest.

Her face turned bright red. Both mafia's instantly realized how the situation looked. "Wait" "No, this isn't" But she wasn't listening anymore. "I-I-I'm so sorry, sirs!" She turned around so quickly she nearly ran into the door. "Please continue!"

Continue? Both men's eyes widened. The secretary was already halfway outside. "I didn't see anything!" The door slammed shut. Silence. For exactly three seconds. Then both men slowly looked at each other. Still on the floor. Still in that ridiculous position. And said at the exact same time---"SHIT."

The realization hit. And suddenly both burst into laughter. Real laughter. The kind neither of them had experienced in weeks. Enzo laughed so hard tears almost appeared in his eyes. "She thinks we're having a romantic moment." That only made Donato laugh harder. His shoulders shook. His head dropped.

For the first time since Elena's accident, the heaviness surrounding them cracked slightly. "Congratulations," Donato wheezed through laughter. "Your employees think we'are having affair." Enzo smacked his shoulder. "You started it."

"I absolutely did not." "You called me darling."

"Because you're my darling."

"Shut up."

The laughter continued for another minute. Eventually Donato stood up and offered him a hand. Enzo grabbed it and allowed himself to be pulled upright. As soon as they were both standing, Enzo adjusted his shirt dramatically. "Get up, darling." Donato rolled his eyes.

"You're standing."

"Details." Enzo brushed imaginary dust from his jacket. "Before your wife catches us in that position." A grin appeared on his face. "Then your divorce is guaranteed." That earned him another glare. "Don't worry." Donato smirked. "My wife already knows you're my side chick."

Enzo clutched his chest dramatically. "Wow." "After all these years." "And here I thought I was the main wife." Both men laughed again. The office finally felt normal. Like before. Like the darkness of the past weeks had loosened its grip, even if only for a moment. Then the laughter slowly faded.

And silence returned. A softer silence this time. Neither uncomfortable nor tense. Just honest. Enzo's expression became serious."So..." His voice lowered. "You aren't angry anymore?" Donato looked at him. For a long moment, he said nothing. Then Enzo finally asked the question he had been waiting to ask.

"Do I have your permission?" His throat tightened. "To propose to Elena?" The room became completely still. For the first time, there was no humor. No teasing. No jokes. Just sincerity. Donato stared at his best friend. The boy he had known since childhood. The boy he had protected. Fought beside. Grown up with.

The man who had nearly lost his mind trying to save Elena. The man who had slept beside her hospital bed. The man who cried over her. The man who loved her. Deeply. Completely. Finally, Donato spoke. "Only if you promise me one thing."

Enzo straightened immediately. "Anything." Donato's eyes softened. "You will never make my sister cry." The answer came instantly. Without hesitation. Without thought. "Don't worry." Enzo's voice became rough with emotion. "In this past week. He swallowed. "I discovered something."

A bitter smile appeared on his face. "I absolutely fucking hate Elena Romano's tears." The memory of seeing her cry shattered him all over again. "I never want to see them again." His jaw tightened. "And if I can help it. His voice lowered. "I'll spend the rest of my life making sure she never has a reason to cry again."

Donato simply looked at him. Studied him. Measured every word. And found no lies. No uncertainty. Only love. Pure, unwavering love. Then suddenly Without warning Donato stepped forward. And wrapped both arms around him.

Enzo froze. Completely surprised. Donato hugged him tightly. Like a brother. Like family. Like someone finally letting go of a worry he had carried for years. "I'm happy, baby." His voice came out quieter than before. Softer. "I am so happy for you." Enzo felt his chest tighten. "And for my sister."

Donato smiled faintly. "She's in safe hands now." Those words broke something inside Enzo. Because they meant trust. Acceptance. Permission. Family. Slowly, he hugged Donato back just as tightly. His eyes burned unexpectedly. A small smile appeared on his face. The kind that came only once in a lifetime.

He lowered his head slightly. And whispered, "Thank you." The office fell silent once again. But this time It was the peaceful kind of silence. The kind shared between brothers.

___

7664 words, enjoy reading, babies.