The evening sun painted the Romano mansion's garden in soft shades of gold and orange. The air was calm, carrying the gentle fragrance of blooming flowers, but the peace around them felt painfully different from the silence sitting inside Elena. She was seated on a white wooden bench beneath a large tree, her hands resting quietly in her lap. Her body had healed remarkably over the past few weeks.

The bruises had faded, the stitches had been removed, and the doctors were satisfied with her physical recovery. But her soul was another story. The cheerful girl who used to fill every corner of the mansion with laughter seemed to have disappeared somewhere that no one could reach. Her eyes remained fixed on the mansion's front gate. Not moving. Not blinking much. Just staring. As if she were waiting for something.

Or someone.

A soft sigh escaped Kiara as she approached from behind. She had been watching Elena from the balcony for nearly ten minutes before deciding to come down. Without saying anything, Kiara sat beside her. Elena didn't react. Didn't turn. Didn't even acknowledge that someone had joined her. Her gaze remained on the gate. Kiara looked at her carefully. The dark circles beneath Elena's eyes were still there. Her face had become thinner.

The spark that once lived inside those beautiful eyes had completely vanished. Seeing her like this hurt. It hurt everyone. But it hurt Kiara differently. Because she blamed herself. Every single day. If only she had stopped her. If only she had called Donato immediately. If only she had listened to that voice in her head telling her not to let Elena leave.

Maybe things would have been different. The guilt never left her. Never. Kiara pushed those thoughts aside and gently spoke. "Are you waiting for Enzo to come?" The question instantly broke Elena's trance. Her eyes finally moved from the gate. She looked at Kiara. For a brief second something flashed across her face. Hope. Pain. Longing. All mixed together.

But just as quickly, it disappeared. She lowered her eyes and slowly shook her head. "No." Her voice came out barely above a whisper. A lie. And both women knew it. Kiara sighed softly. Three days. Three whole days had passed since Elena returned home from the hospital. And in those three days Enzo had not visited once. Not once. Everyone had noticed.

Especially Elena. At first she tried pretending she didn't care. Then she started unconsciously looking toward the door whenever footsteps approached. Then toward the driveway whenever a car entered the mansion. And now. She sat in the garden staring at the gate. Waiting. Even if she refused to admit it.

Kiara gently nudged her shoulder. "You know you can talk to me, right?" Silence. Elena looked down at her hands. Her fingers twisted together nervously. Again and again. As if she wanted to say something but couldn't find the courage. Kiara waited patiently. She knew forcing her would only make things worse.

A few moments passed before Elena finally spoke. "Did..." Her voice cracked. She stopped. Took a shaky breath. Then tried again. "Did Enzo ask about me?" The question was so quiet that it almost got lost in the evening breeze. Kiara's heart broke. Because she knew this was what had been eating Elena alive. Elena still refused to look at her.

Almost as if she was afraid of the answer. Kiara reached over and gently took her hand. "Every day." Elana froze. Kiara continued softly. "Every single day." Slowly, Elena lifted her head. Confusion filled her eyes. "If he asks..." she whispered, "...then why doesn't he come?" There it was. The question she had been carrying for days. The question she was too afraid to ask anyone. A tear slipped down her cheek.

She quickly wiped it away. But another followed. And another. "I understand, Kia." Her voice trembled. "No one has to explain it." Kiara frowned. "Explain what?" Elena laughed weakly. A broken laugh. The kind that sounded more painful than crying. "I know how people see girls like me." Kiara's entire body stiffened. "No."

"But it's true." Another tear rolled down Elena's face. "I know what happened." Her breathing became uneven. "I know what they tried to do." Her hands started shaking. "And even though everyone says it wasn't my fault..." She swallowed hard...I still feel dirty. Kiara immediately grabbed both of her hands.

"Elena-"

"What if Enzo feels the same?" The words finally escaped. Raw. Painful. Honest. "What if he looks at me and feels disgusted?" Her voice shattered completely. "What if he can't even stand being near me anymore?" The tears she had been holding back for days finally broke free. Kiara instantly pulled her into a hug.

Elena buried her face into Kiara's shoulder and cried silently. The kind of crying that came from a wound far deeper than any physical injury. Kiara held her tightly. One hand stroking her hair. The other rubbing her back. "No, sweetheart." Her voice was firm. Certain. "He doesn't stay away because he is disgusted."

Elena continued crying. Kiara closed her eyes. If only Elena knew. If only she knew how much Enzo loved her. how many nights he had spent sitting beside her hospital bed. How many times he had broken down when nobody was looking. How many times he had begged God to give him her pain instead. No. Disgust was the last thing Enzo felt.

The truth was much worse. He loved her so much that seeing her hurt was destroying him. And sooner or later... Elena was going to learn that truth. Kiara felt her heart twist painfully. For a moment, she could only stare at Elena. The girl sitting beside her looked nothing like the lively princess of the Romano family.

The bright spark that always danced inside Elena's eyes had dimmed. Her shoulders were slumped, her hands trembling slightly in her lap, and her gaze carried a sadness that no twenty-year-old should ever have to bear. The realization hit Kiara hard. This was what had been eating Elena alive all these days.

Not the physical pain. Not the nightmares. Not even the fear. It was Enzo. Slowly, Kiara moved closer and wrapped an arm around Elena's shoulders. "Oh, baby..." she whispered softly. The tenderness in her voice made Elena's eyes fill with tears again. "You really think Enzo is staying away because he's disgusted by you?"

Elena lowered her head. A tear slipped down her cheek. "He used to come every day," she whispered brokenly. "Before... before everything happened." Her voice cracked. "He was always around. Always annoying me. Always checking on me." A small, painful smile appeared on her lips before disappearing instantly.

"But now..." She swallowed hard. "He doesn't come." Kiara remained silent, letting her continue. "He came only once after I woke up." Another tear fell. "And after that... nothing." Her fingers tightened around each other. "I keep looking at the gate every evening." Her voice grew weaker. "Thinking maybe he'll come today." A shaky breath escaped her. "But he never does."

The pain in those words was enough to break anyone's heart. Kiara could see it clearly now. Every evening Elena sat here. Waiting. Looking at the gate. Looking for him. And every evening he never came. Of course she would think the worst. Trauma had a cruel way of poisoning every thought.

Elena wiped her eyes quickly. "He saw me like that, Kia." Her voice became barely audible. "He saw me at my worst." Kiara's chest tightened. "He saw me broken." Another tear rolled down Elena's cheek. "He carried me." She closed her eyes. "He heard everything." Her shoulders began shaking. "What if he looks at me differently now?"

The question came out as a whisper. "What if every time he sees me..."She couldn't finish.The words stuck in her throat. Kiara immediately grabbed both of Elena's hands. "Eli."Elena looked up. Kiara's eyes were firm. Serious. Certain. "Listen to me carefully." Elena stared at her silently.

"There are many reasons why Enzo isn't here." Kiara squeezed her hands. "But disgust is not one of them." A tear slipped from Elena's eyes. "Then why isn't he coming?" The question sounded so small. So vulnerable. Kiara sighed. Because she knew the truth. And the truth was almost funny if it wasn't so heartbreaking.

"Because he's terrified." Elena blinked. Confused. "Terrified?" Kiara nodded. "Yes."

"Of what?" Kiara smiled sadly. "Of you." That made Elena stare at her as if she had gone crazy "What?" Kiara laughed softly through her sadness. "He is scared that if he sees you too much, he'll break." Elena frowned. Not understanding. Kiara continued gently. "Eli, do you know what he looked like when he brought you to the hospital?"

Elena slowly shook her head. "He looked like someone whose entire world had ended." Elena froze. Kiara remembered that night. Remembered the blood. Remembered Enzo's broken screams. Remembered him refusing to leave Elena's side for days. "He didn't sleep." Kiara's voice softened. "He didn't eat properly." "He barely left your room." Elena's eyes widened slightly.

"And when your condition became stable, he finally went home because Donato practically forced him." Kiara smiled sadly. "He stayed beside you more than anyone." A tear slid down Elena's cheek. "He did?"

"Yes." Kiara nodded immediately. "He talked to you every day." "He held your hand." "He begged you to wake up." Elena's lips parted. "He..." Her voice disappeared. Kiara brushed away a tear from Elena's face. "Eli, if Enzo is staying away, it is not because he thinks less of you." She cupped Elena's cheek.

"It's because he cares for you too much." Elena froze completely. The world seemed to stop. Even the wind around them felt silent. Kiara smiled softly. "And trust me on one thing." Elena stared at her. "If there is one person in this world who has never looked at you with disgust..." Kiara's eyes filled with certainty. "It is Enzo."

A fresh stream of tears escaped Elena's eyes. And for the first time since returning home Hope flickered inside her broken heart.

_____

Night had settled over the Romano mansion, wrapping the estate in silence. The halls were quieter than usual, the laughter that once echoed through the house replaced by a heavy stillness that seemed to linger in every corner. Even the beautiful lights illuminating the gardens outside couldn't chase away the sadness that had settled over the family in recent weeks.

Inside her bedroom, Kiara paced restlessly from one side of the room to the other.
Her brows were furrowed, her arms folded tightly across her chest as countless thoughts raced through her mind. She couldn't stop thinking about Elena. About the way the younger woman had sat in the garden that evening, staring at the gate with heartbreaking hope in her eyes.
About the tears she had tried so desperately to hide.

About the fear that had consumed her. Kiara had finally understood the truth. Elena wasn't afraid of society. She wasn't afraid of rumors. She wasn't even afraid of what had happened to her. No. The person whose opinion mattered most to her was Enzo. And because Enzo had stayed away, Elena had convinced herself that he was disgusted by her. That he hated her.
That he regretted ever caring for her.

Kiara sighed heavily and ran a hand through her hair. "This can't continue," she whispered to herself. Someone needed to do something. Someone needed to force those two stubborn idiots to talk. Because she could see Elena disappearing a little more every day. And she knew only one person had the power to pull her back. Enzo.

He was the only one who could reach the parts of Elena that nobody else could. The only one who could convince her that she was still loved. Still cherished. Still worthy. Lost in her thoughts, Kiara didn't notice the bedroom door quietly opening behind her. Nor did she notice the tall figure entering the room.

Donato closed the door softly before locking it behind him. His tired eyes immediately found his wife. A small smile appeared on his face. She was pacing again. Which meant she was worried about something. His beautiful wife had a habit of walking holes into the floor whenever she was overthinking. For a moment he simply stood there and watched her. She looked adorable.

Completely lost in her own world. Not even aware that he had come home. The sight eased some of the tension in his chest. The day had been exhausting. Meetings. Problems. Endless responsibilities. And now all he wanted was her. Donato quietly removed his jacket and loosened his tie. Then he began walking toward her with silent steps. Kiara continued pacing.

Still unaware. Still arguing with herself in her head. Should she talk to Donato tonight?
Should she call Enzo herself? Should she force those two into the same room? The questions spun endlessly through her mind. Then suddenly Strong arms wrapped around her waist from behind. Kiara gasped sharply. Her entire body jumped.

For a split second panic flashed through her. But it disappeared immediately. Because she knew that scent. That familiar scent of expensive cologne mixed with something uniquely masculine. Something that always felt like home. Donato. Her entire body relaxed instantly. A soft breath escaped her lips. Behind her, Donato buried his face in the curve of her neck.
His warm breath brushed against her skin.

"Thinking so hard you forgot your husband exists?" His voice was low and teasing.
Kiara couldn't help smiling despite everything. "You scared me." Donato chuckled against her skin. "Good." She rolled her eyes. "You're impossible." His arms tightened around her waist. "And yet you are here in my arm."

Kiara finally leaned back against his chest. The warmth of his body immediately comforted her. His heartbeat was steady beneath her back. Strong. Reliable. Safe. For a few seconds neither spoke. They simply stood there together. Donato enjoying the feeling of holding her after a long day. Kiara enjoying the comfort of being in his arms. Eventually Donato noticed the tension still lingering in her posture.

His smile faded slightly. "You've been thinking." It wasn't a question. Kiara sighed. "I have." He kissed the side of her head. "About Elena." Again. Not a question. Kiara nodded. Donato closed his eyes briefly. Of course. Everyone was worried about Elena. But Kiara carried everyone else's pain on her shoulders. That was just who she was.

Slowly, he turned her around in his arms. His hands moved to her face. Thumbs gently brushing her cheeks. "Tell me." His voice softened. "What is bothering you?" Kiara looked into his eyes. And suddenly all the worry she had been carrying since evening returned. Because she knew exactly what she needed to tell him. And she had a feeling the conversation that followed might change everything.

"Ro..." she whispered softly.

"Hmm?"

Donato's answer came against her skin as he rested his forehead against her shoulder, inhaling her familiar scent. After an exhausting day, moments like these felt like peace to him. For a few seconds, he simply wanted to stand there holding her and forget everything else.

"Where is Enzo?" she asked quietly. That question immediately made Donato frown. Slowly, he lifted his head and looked at her. "At his house, darling," he replied. "Why?" Before he could return to hugging her, Kiara gently grabbed both of his hands.

The seriousness in her expression made him pause. Something was bothering her. Something important. "Kiara?" She took a deep breath. Then carefully stepped out of his embrace and stood directly in front of him. Donato instantly noticed the tension in her face. The worry. The determination. Whatever she was about to say had clearly been on her mind for a long time.

His expression softened. "What happened, sweetheart?" Kiara tightened her hold on his hands. "Ro" Her voice was firm despite the nervousness inside her. "I think I know what we need to do to bring our Eli back." Those words immediately captured Donato's full attention. His eyes sharpened. For the past week, that was all any of them had wanted.

To bring Elena back. Not physically. She was already home. But emotionally. Mentally. The bright, stubborn, mischievous Elena they all loved seemed trapped somewhere behind those empty eyes. If Kiara truly had an idea, he would listen. Donato nodded slowly. "And what is it, sweetheart?"

His thumb gently stroked the back of her hand. Kiara looked straight into his eyes. "Enzo." The answer was immediate. Simple. Certain. For a moment, Donato only stared at her. "Huh?" A confused laugh escaped him. "From where did Enzo suddenly come into this?"

Kiara sighed. Because she had expected that reaction. Donato loved his sister more than anything. But even now, he still didn't fully understand what was happening inside Elena's heart. "He is the only one who can bring our Eli back."

The smile disappeared from Donato's face. Now she had his complete attention. "What do you mean?" Kiara gently guided him toward the sofa. Both of them sat down. She kept holding his hand. As if trying to make him understand something important. "Ro, today I talked to Elena." Donato immediately became serious. "Did something happen?"

Kiara nodded slowly. "She finally spoke about what she's feeling." A shadow crossed Donato's face. Every time Elena spoke about her trauma, it broke him. "What did she say?" Kiara took a deep breath. Then she repeated the conversation. Every word. Every tear. Every fear. She told him about Elena sitting in the garden staring at the gate.

About how she kept waiting every evening. About how she asked whether Enzo had been asking about her. About how she believed he was staying away because he was disgusted by her. With every sentence, Donato's jaw tightened further. By the time Kiara finished, his expression had completely changed.

He looked furious. Not at Elena. Not even at Enzo. At the situation. At the pain his sister had been carrying alone. "She really thinks that?" His voice came out rough. Kiara nodded sadly. "Yes." Donato looked away.His chest felt heavy. God. His little sister had been suffering all this time while convincing herself that the man she loved hated her.

Meanwhile Enzo was suffering on the opposite side for completely different reasons. Two idiots. Absolutely hopeless idiots. Kiara squeezed his hand. "Ro." He looked at her. "Elena doesn't care what strangers think." Her voice was soft. "She doesn't care about society." "She doesn't care about gossip." "She doesn't care about those horrible people."

Donato remained silent. Because he knew she was right. Kiara continued. "The only opinion that matters to her..." A small smile appeared on her lips. "...is Enzo's." That truth settled heavily between them. Donato leaned back against the sofa. For the first time, everything started making sense. The sadness. The waiting. The constant glances toward the gate.

The disappointment every evening. Slowly, he rubbed a hand over his face. "My God." Kiara nodded. "Exactly." Donato let out a long sigh. "So my sister is waiting for Enzo." "Every day." "And Enzo is staying away because he's scared he'll overwhelm her."

"Exactly."

Donato stared at the ceiling for several seconds. Then suddenly he laughed. A tired, disbelieving laugh. Kiara blinked. "What?" He shook his head. "These two are impossible." A smile finally appeared on his face. "One is crying because she thinks he's disgusted by her." "While the other is practically dying because he loves her too much." and finding a way to propose her."

Kiara smiled softly. Then suddenly something clicked in her mind. Kiara stared at him. Her mouth slowly fell open. "Wait... what?" Her voice rose in disbelief. "Propose her?"

Donato nodded casually. "Yes."

Kiara looked like her brain had stopped working. "WHEN WERE YOU GOING TO TELL ME THIS?"

Donato chuckled. "The day Elena was discharged." He leaned back comfortably against the sofa. "Enzo told me everything." Kiara's eyes widened further. "Everything?"

"Everything." Donato nodded. "He told me how long he's loved her." "He told me about his plans." "And he even asked for my permission."

Kiara gasped dramatically. "He actually asked?"

"Of course he did." A proud smile appeared on Donato's face. "For all his stupidity, the idiot still respects me." Kiara rolled her eyes. "Continue." Donato laughed. "He wanted to wait."

"Wait?" she repeated.

"Yes." He thought Elena needed more time." "He was worried about overwhelming her." Donato shook his head. "So I told him something."

"What?"

"I told him he doesn't need to wait forever." Kiara listened carefully. "If he truly loves Elena and Elena truly loves him, then he should stop wasting time." A soft smile appeared on Donato's face. "Just like you, I thought maybe their relationship would help Elena heal and will move on from that accident."

Kiara's entire face lit up. "Oh my God." She suddenly jumped to her feet. "Oh my God!" Donato laughed. "Sweetheart lis--"

"Our Eli is getting proposed !" Kiara practically squealed. The sadness that had been weighing on her all evening seemed to vanish instantly. "Oh my God, I need to tell her." She spun around dramatically. "She'll be so happy." She was already halfway toward the bedroom door when a strong hand suddenly wrapped around her wrist.

Before she could react She was pulled backward. A surprised gasp escaped her lips. The next thing she knew, she was sitting firmly in Donato's lap. "Ro!" He wrapped an arm securely around her waist before she could escape. His eyes narrowed playfully. "You're going to ruin his surprise, sweetheart."

His voice dropped into a low murmur near her ear. "Don't tell Elena anything." A shiver ran through Kiara. Not because of fear. But because she knew that voice. The voice Donato only used when he wanted something. She looked away shyly. "But--

"No." His nose brushed against her cheek. "Let that idiot do something right for once." Kiara couldn't help laughing. Donato smiled. "Elena has wanted this for years." His voice softened. "And soon she's going to get exactly what she's been waiting for." The warmth in his words made Kiara smile.

She imagined Elena's face when Enzo finally confessed everything. The thought alone made her heart happy. A faint blush appeared on her cheeks. Donato immediately noticed. Of course he did. He always noticed. His gaze lingered on her face for a moment. Then he smiled. There was something incredibly comforting about holding her like this after such difficult weeks.

For the first time in days, they were talking about hope instead of pain. About a future instead of a tragedy. About love instead of fear. Donato wrapped both arms around her and rested his forehead against her shoulder. "Let them find their way to each other." His voice was quiet. "Just like we found ours." Kiara's expression softened instantly. She slipped her arms around his neck. "They deserve happiness."

"They do." For a moment neither spoke. They simply sat together in comfortable silence. The weight of the past weeks still existed. Elena still had a long journey ahead. Enzo still needed to gather the courage to confess everything. But for the first time, both of them could see a light at the end of the darkness.

Kiara rested her head against Donato's shoulder. And Donato held her a little tighter. Neither of them noticed that they were both smiling. onato looked down at Kiara, who was still comfortably settled in his lap, her cheeks slightly pink from their conversation.

A small smile tugged at his lips. "What?" Kiara asked suspiciously when she caught him staring.

"Nothing."

"You're smiling."

"And?"

She narrowed her eyes. "That smile means trouble." Donato laughed softly. Before she could say anything else, he gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. His touch was surprisingly tender. Kiara's expression softened immediately. The exhaustion of the past weeks was still visible in both of them, but moments like these made everything feel a little lighter.

"You worry too much, sweetheart," Donato murmured.

"And you don't worry enough."

"That's because you do enough worrying for both of us." A reluctant smile appeared on her face. Donato watched it carefully. That smile. It was one of his favorite things in the world. Slowly, he lifted his hand and cupped her cheek. Kiara leaned instinctively into his touch. For a moment, neither of them spoke. The room grew quiet.

Peaceful. Safe. Donato lowered his forehead against hers. "Thank you," he whispered. Kiara blinked. "For what?"

"For never giving up on my family." His voice was sincere. "For loving them like they're your own." Emotion flickered in Kiara's eyes. "They are my family." A warm smile spread across Donato's face. Then he gently pressed a kiss against her forehead. A soft, lingering kiss filled with affection rather than passion. Kiara smiled. "You've become very sweet lately."

"Only with you." She laughed quietly. Donato stole another quick kiss, this time on the tip of her nose, making her scrunch it adorably.

"Ro."

"Hmm?"

"Nothing"

Donato's gaze softened instantly. Without another word, he leaned forward and kissed her gently. It wasn't hurried. It wasn't demanding. Just a quiet kiss shared between two people who had survived difficult days together.

_____

Another day passed quietly inside the Romano mansion. But today felt different. At least that was what Kiara kept telling Elena. From the moment Elena woke up that morning, everyone had been acting strangely. Not suspiciously enough for her to question it, but enough for her to notice. Around evening, Kiara entered her room carrying a beautiful dress.

"This is for you," she said with a bright smile. Elena simply looked at it. "Why?"

"Because today is special." That was all Kiara said. Elena didn't ask another question. Over the past weeks she had stopped questioning things. Everyone was constantly trying to cheer her up, trying to make her smile, trying to bring back the old Elena. She knew they meant well. So she quietly accepted the dress. If wearing it made her family happy, then she would wear it.

Nothing more. Nothing less. A few hours later, she sat silently in front of the mirror while Kiara and Kavya surrounded her like excited sisters. Kavya carefully curled her hair. Kiara applied light makeup. Both women continuously exchanged secret glances and smiles. Elena noticed. But she didn't care enough to ask.

The girl staring back at her from the mirror barely looked like herself anymore. Her face had healed. The bruises were gone. The wounds had disappeared. But her eyes--Her eyes still carried the sadness she could not escape. The silence she could not overcome. At six in the evening, Elena stood up automatically.

It had become a routine. Every evening she went to the front garden. Every evening she sat on the same bench. Every evening she stared at the main gate. Waiting. Hoping. For someone who never came. Just as she reached the door, Kiara stopped her. "Eli." Elena looked back. "The front garden isn't available today." She frowned slightly. "Why?"

"There is some work going on there." Kiara smiled nervously. "Why don't you sit in the backyard today?" Elena stared at her for a few seconds. Then she quietly nodded. And returned to her room. Because honestly. She didn't care about the garden. She didn't care about the fresh air. She didn't care about the flowers.

The only reason she sat there every evening was because she could see the main gate. And every evening, some small foolish part of her heart hoped she would see a familiar black car enter through it. Hoped she would see a familiar tall figure step out. Hoped she would hear his voice. Enzo. But every evening ended the same way. The gate remained closed. And Enzo never came.

As Elena sat on the edge of her bed staring at nothing, Kiara watched her from the doorway. A painful ache formed in her chest. She knew exactly what Elena was thinking. She knew exactly who Elena was waiting for. And for the first time in weeks, Kiara felt hopeful instead of helpless. Soon, Eli. Very soon. Your sadness is going to disappear.

Meanwhile, outside the mansion, chaos was unfolding. The entire Romano family had become accomplices in Enzo's plan. After Donato and Kiara told everyone about Enzo and Elena's feelings, nobody had objected. In fact, they had been thrilled. Aravi had cried. Nonna had immediately started discussing future wedding preparations. Albert had laughed so hard that Enzo nearly punched him.

Even Sofia and Rose had spent three hour teasing Enzo nonstop. Now everyone was gathered in the Romano garden helping prepare for tonight. Thousands of fairy lights glowed among the trees. White flowers decorated the pathways. Candles lined the stone walkways. The entire garden looked like something from a dream. And in the center stood Enzo.

Nervous. Terrified. Excited. For the first time in years, the fearless man looked completely vulnerable. His hands were shaking slightly as he adjusted his suit. "Stop touching your tie." Donato smacked his hand away. "You've fixed it fifty times." Albert burst out laughing. "Look at him." Enzo glared. "Shut up."

"No." Albert laughed harder. "The great Enzo Morro is sweating."

"I am not sweating."

"You are."

"I'll kill you."

"You can't." Albert grinned. "Your future wife is inside."

That immediately silenced Enzo. Future wife. The words made his heart pound. His gaze drifted toward the mansion. Toward the room where Elena was unknowingly waiting. Waiting for him. Tonight. After years of silence. Years of fear. Years of loving each other from afar. He was finally going to tell her everything.

At exactly eight o'clock. In front of everyone. In front of her family. In front of his family. In front of the people they loved most. He was finally going to ask Elena Romano the question he had carried in his heart for years. And for the first time in a very long time, Hope filled the Romano mansion once again.

____

"Come with me." Elena looked up from her bed when Kiara entered her room with a mysterious smile. "Where?"

"It's a surprise." Elena sighed softly. Everyone had been acting strangely all day. But she was too tired to question it anymore. Silently, she stood up. The soft dress Kiara had made her wear flowed around her ankles as she followed her out of the room. Kiara held her hand the entire way. The mansion hallways were unusually quiet.

Almost suspiciously quiet. "Kia..."

"Hmm?"

"Why is everyone acting weird today?"

Kiara bit her lip. "Just trust me." Elena didn't answer. A few minutes later they reached the garden entrance. The entire place was dark. Completely dark. Not a single light was on. Elena frowned. "What happened to the lights?" Kiara simply smiled. "Keep walking." Slowly, Elena stepped inside. The darkness surrounded her from every side. The only sound was the faint rustling of leaves in the night breeze.

Kiara guided her toward the center of the garden. Then suddenly She stopped. "Stand here." Elena looked around in confusion. Before she could ask another question The entire garden lit up. Thousands of fairy lights illuminated the night sky. Golden lights wrapped around every tree. Candles glowed along the pathways. White flowers decorated every corner. The garden looked like something out of a dream.

Elena's eyes widened. "What Then movement caught her attention. One by one People began stepping out from their hiding places. Aravi. Nonna. Donato. Albert. Sofia. Rose. Kavya. Every member of her family appeared with huge smiles on their faces. For the first time in weeks A small genuine smile appeared on Elena's lips. A real one. Not the fake smile she wore to comfort everyone.

The sight made the entire family emotional immediately. There she is. Their Eli. Then Her gaze shifted. And stopped. Everything around her disappeared. The lights. The flowers. The people. The sounds. Everything. Because standing only a few steps away Was Enzo. Dressed in black. Looking directly at her. His eyes never leaving hers.

Elena's breath caught in her throat. Her smile vanished. Her body froze. Weeks. It had been weeks since she had seen him. Weeks since she had heard his voice. Weeks since she had convinced herself that he hated her. That he was disgusted by her. That he couldn't even look at her anymore. Yet here he was. Looking at her as if she was the only person in the world.

Her eyes instantly filled with tears. No. No. She couldn't do this. Panic flooded her chest. What if he really hated her? What if he said something that shattered what little remained of her heart? She turned. Ready to run. Ready to escape. Ready to hide. Then she heard it. The voice she had missed every single day.

"My little Eli."

Everything stopped. Elena froze. Her back still facing him. A single tear slipped down her cheek. That name. That simple name. It carried years of memories. A little girl running after him. A teenager stealing his hoodies. A stubborn girl demanding he become her personal bodyguard. A young woman hopelessly in love with him. My little Eli. The name only Enzo used. The name she never let anyone else call her.

Another tear fell. Then another. Behind her, Enzo slowly walked closer. His voice broke slightly. "Won't you look at me?" Elena closed her eyes. Her shoulders trembled. But she couldn't turn. She was scared. Scared of what she might see. Scared of what she might hear. Then his voice came again. Softer this time. More vulnerable. "Look at me, baby."

Baby. Elena's eyes widened. Baby. The nickname hit her harder than anything else. Because if he hated her He would never call her that. If he was disgusted by her He would never call her that. If he wanted nothing to do with her He would never call her that. A sob escaped her lips. He's not disgusted by me. The realization crashed into her heart. My Enzo isn't disgusted by me. Tears poured down her cheeks uncontrollably now.

Slowly. Very slowly. She turned around. And finally looked at him. The moment their eyes met Her heart broke all over again. Because Enzo was crying too. Actual tears filled his eyes. His jaw was clenched tightly as if he was trying desperately not to break down. The sight made Elena's chest ache. "Why..." she whispered. Her voice trembled. "Why are you crying?"

Enzo stared at her. Then gave a small broken smile. "Because you're crying." A fresh wave of tears escaped Elena. And somewhere behind them. A loud dramatic groan echoed through the garden. "Oh my God!" Rose threw her hands in the air. "Both of you are idiots!" The entire family burst into laughter. Even Donato had to look away to hide his smile.

Albert nearly choked trying not to laugh. Sofia wiped tears from her eyes while giggling. The tension shattered instantly. For the first time in weeks The garden was filled with laughter instead of sorrow. And standing beneath thousands of glowing lights Elena and Enzo continued looking at each other. Neither able to look away. Neither caring about anything else. Because after weeks of pain. Weeks of misunderstanding. Weeks of longing. They were finally standing in front of each other again.

Enzo took a shaky breath. His eyes never left hers. "I missed you." The simple confession broke something inside Elena. A sob escaped her lips. She lowered her head immediately. As if she didn't deserve to hear those words. As if she wasn't worthy of being missed. Enzo noticed instantly. His heart shattered. Slowly, he stepped closer. "Look at me, baby."

Elena reluctantly raised her eyes. And what she saw there made her chest ache. Love. Nothing but love. No disgust. No pity. No disappointment. Just love. The same love she had always seen in his eyes. The same love she thought she had lost. Enzo swallowed hard. Then, in front of everyone He slowly lowered himself onto one knee. A collective gasp echoed through the garden.

Elena froze. Her eyes widened. "No..." She whispered. Enzo smiled through tears. His hands were shaking. Not because he was scared of the proposal. But because he was scared of losing her. Scared of spending another day without telling her the truth. Scared of wasting more years. "I had a speech." He laughed softly. A broken laugh. "A very long speech."

Rose immediately shouted from behind. "He practiced it for three days!" Everyone laughed. Even Elena let out a small watery laugh. Enzo glared at Rose. "Traitor." Then he looked back at Elena. And suddenly every joke disappeared. His expression softened. "I don't need the speech anymore." His voice trembled. "Because none of those words can explain what you mean to me."

Elena's eyes filled again. Enzo continued. "You've been my favorite person since the day you hold my finger with your little hand." A tear rolled down his cheek. "You've been my favorite hello." "My favorite smile." "My favorite problem." A small laugh escaped the family. Donato muttered, "Definitely a problem."

This time Elena actually smiled. A real smile. Enzo's heart nearly stopped at the sight. God. How much he had missed that smile. "I spent years trying not to love you." He admitted quietly. "Because I was scared." His gaze dropped. "I was scared of this world." "Scared of what people like me bring." "Scared that one day someone would hurt you because of me."

His voice cracked. "And despite everything I did to stay away..." He laughed bitterly. "I failed miserably." Another tear escaped him. "Because every time I looked at you..." His eyes locked with hers. "I loved you more." Elena covered her mouth. Trying to stop her sobs. "You became my entire world without even trying." Enzo whispered.

"And that terrified me." The garden had become completely silent. Everyone listened. Even Donato looked away for a second. Because he had never seen Enzo this vulnerable. This broken. This honest. Enzo slowly reached into his pocket. Then pulled out a small velvet box. Elena's breath caught. He opened it. The diamond ring sparkled beneath the fairy lights.

"I bought this months ago." He confessed. "Before everything happened." The family looked surprised. Even Donato. Enzo laughed weakly. "I planned everything." "A huge proposal." "Fireworks." "Music." "Flowers." He shook his head. "And then life happened." Silence followed. Then he looked directly into Elena's eyes. "Baby..." His voice became gentle So gentle it almost hurt. "I don't care what happened."

Elena immediately looked down. But Enzo stopped her. "No." His voice became firm. "Look at me." Slowly she did. And saw tears falling from his eyes. "I don't care what those monsters did." He whispered. "They didn't change you." His voice broke. "Not for me." "You are still my Elena." "My little Eli." "The girl I fell in love with." "The girl I want beside me for the rest of my life."

By now Elena was crying openly. The family was crying too. Even Albert was wiping his eyes with kavya scarf. Enzo took a deep breath. Then finally asked. "Elena Romano" His voice shook. "I won't ask you on a date." Enzo's lips curved into a small smile despite the tears in his eyes. "And I won't ask you to be my girlfriend either."

A soft laugh escaped him as he shook his head. "No, baby. I can't wait that long." His gaze never left hers. "I know you're still young. I know life hasn't been fair to you lately. And I know there are probably a thousand reasons why I should take things slowly." He took a step closer. "But there is one problem." His voice dropped to a gentle whisper.

"I have loved you for far too long already." A tear rolled down his cheek. "I've spent years pretending I didn't. Years trying to stay away. Years convincing myself that I was protecting you." He smiled sadly. "And look where that got us." "So I'm done waiting." i will go to the main stage." His eyes shone with love. "Elena Romano..." His voice trembled.

"Will you marry me?"

Silence. Complete silence. Everyone waited. Enzo waited. His heart pounded so hard he thought it would explode. But Elena didn't answer. Instead she stared at him. Completely frozen. Then suddenly A thought struck her. Her eyes widened. "W-Wait."

Enzo blinked. "What?"

She looked completely confused. "You're not in a relationship with the girl your mother chose?" The question stunned everyone. Enzo froze. Then realization hit him.

" At the café." Tears streaming down her face. "I saw you kissing her." The family looked between them. Completely confused. Enzo groaned. "Oh God." He ran a hand through his hair. "No." He shook his head immediately. "No, baby." "I was never in a relationship with her."

Elena blinked. "What?"

"Never." He stood up now. Looking desperate. "She kissed me Out of nowhere." "I pushed her away immediately." His voice became frustrated. "The reason I met her that day was because I was ending everything our mothers arranged." Elena's eyes widened. "I never wanted her." His voice softened. "I wanted you." A sob escaped Elena. All those months.

All those tears. All those misunderstandings. Everything because of one moment. One misunderstanding. Enzo moved closer. "Baby." His voice broke. "There has never been anyone else." "Only you." Elena stared at him.

" So Will you accept me, Eli?" Enzo's voice trembled as he asked the question. For the first time that night, fear was clearly visible in his eyes. Not fear of enemies. Not fear of death. Not fear of war. Just fear of her answer. The entire garden fell silent. Nobody moved. Nobody breathed. Everyone waited. Elena stared at him.

At the ring in his hand. At the man she had loved for years. The man she had dreamed about. The man she had cried for. The man standing in front of her with his heart completely exposed. Slowly, her gaze shifted toward her family. She saw hopeful smiles. Tearful eyes. Faces waiting for her answer. Then she looked back at Enzo. A fresh tear slipped down her cheek. Her lips trembled. And very slowly She shook her head.

"No"

Finally Enzo proposed Elana 😮‍💨

Thoughts? 💬