Days turned into weeks. Weeks slowly turned into months. But time did not heal the Romano family. With every passing day. They fell apart a little more. The mansion that had once been filled with laughter now echoed with silence. No one smiled anymore. No one celebrated anything. Even the servants walked quietly, afraid that the slightest sound would disturb the grief that had settled into every corner of the house.

Albert suffered in silence. Every single day, he called Kavya. She always answered. She spoke to him politely. She asked about everyone in the family. She made sure Aravi was taking her medicines, asked whether Mr. Romano had eaten, and reminded Sofia and Elena to take care of themselves.

But whenever Albert asked the same question--"When are you coming home?"

The answer never changed."I can't."

Sometimes she simply remained silent. Sometimes she changed the subject. Sometimes she ended the call altogether. Albert had thought about flying to India countless times. He wanted nothing more than to stay beside his wife. To hold her. To convince her that they could survive this together.

But every time he packed his suitcase. He looked at his family. His broken parents. His shattered brother. His grieving sisters. And he unpacked it again.As the eldest son. He couldn't abandon them. Not when every single one of them was barely surviving.

Donato. He was no longer the man anyone recognized. For the first few weeks after Kiara disappeared, he had locked himself inside the library. He refused to come out. He refused to eat. He refused to sleep. He refused to speak. It was as though the library had become his entire world. As though nothing outside those walls existed anymore.

Everywhere inside that room. There were reminders of Kiara. Her notebook. The crumpled papers covered with the words Ro, I love you. The chair where she had spent her final days waiting for him. He would sit there for hours. Holding her notes. Reading the same pages again and again. Crying until there were no tears left.

Aravi had finally broken down outside the locked door. She begged him through uncontrollable sobs. "Please, Donato. I already lost enough memebr. I can't lose another."Those words had finally reached him. From that day onward. He began coming out of the library. Not because he wanted to. But because he couldn't bear seeing his mother cry anymore.

He would silently sit at the dining table with the family. He would eat only because Aravi placed food in front of him. After dinner, everyone gathered in the living room. Sometimes. Donato sat with them. He never spoke. Never reacted. Never joined any conversation. He simply stared into empty space. As if waiting for someone who would never walk through the front door again.

The truth about Rose had been revealed to the entire family the very day Donato confronted her. It had shattered them all. They had loved her. Trusted her. Called her their daughter. Welcomed her into their family without hesitation. And in return. She had destroyed everything they cherished.

Rose remained in prison. Donato had personally ensured that every legal path was taken to prevent her release. Her companies had collapsed. Her hospitals had shut down. Her wealth had been seized through legal proceedings. She had lost everything. But none of it brought peace to the Romano family.

Because no punishment could bring Kiara back. Every child of the Romano family carried the same wound. Each of them had lost the person they loved most. Elena was no longer the cheerful, talkative girl she used to be. The sparkle in her eyes had disappeared. Most days, she barely spoke. She had stopped attending college.

Instead. She spent nearly every hour beside Enzo's mother, caring for her as though she were her own. The older woman had never recovered from losing her son. Sometimes she forgot he was gone and asked when Enzo would come home. Every time. Elena's heart broke all over again.

Yet she forced herself to smile through her tears. "He'll always be with us, Mom." She said it every day. Even though she herself no longer believed that life could ever feel whole again.

_____

It wasn't only Albert, Elena, and Donato who had lost the people they loved. Sofia had lost hers too. When Ayush returned to India with Kavya and the Rajput family learned the truth. The entire household collapsed under the weight of grief. No one had imagined that Kiara would leave them like this.

It took weeks before most of the family could even bring themselves to bleave the words that. Kiara was gone. Everyone eventually accepted the painful reality. Everyone except Krish. He refused. Every morning, he called her phone. Every night, he texted her. He left voice messages, hoping she would answer.

"Hurry home, Dii..."

"I miss you."

"Please pick up."

He cried himself to sleep every night. The stress became too much for his already fragile heart. His condition deteriorated rapidly. Within days, he was admitted to the hospital. The doctors warned the family that his heart couldn't handle prolonged emotional trauma. After another week. Something inside him broke completely.

He stopped crying. Stopped shouting. Stopped asking where his sister was. He became frighteningly silent. That silence scared everyone far more than his tears ever had. Throughout those weeks, Sofia refused to give up on him. She called him every day. Again. And again. And again.

When he didn't answer, she sent messages. Hundreds of them. Apologies. Words of comfort. Promises that she would always be there. Five hundred unread messages filled his phone. One evening. After nearly thirty missed calls from Sofia. Krish finally answered. She broke into tears the moment she heard his voice.

"Krish... please... talk to me."

There was only silence on the other end. Then his cold, exhausted voice finally came.

"Don't call me again."

Sofia froze. "What?"

"I don't want anything to do with the Romano family anymore." Every word sounded empty. Broken. "They killed my sister."

Sofia felt the ground disappear beneath her feet. "No" Krish, please don't say that. It wasn't-

He cut her off. "It doesn't matter anymore. My sister loved all of you. And what did she get in return? Pain. They sent her to that psychiatric hospital. They didn't trust her. They broke her. And now she's gone. I can't forgive any of you. I don't want to remember any of you. I don't want to remember you."

Sofia cried uncontrollably. Please. Don't do this, what is my foult in all this?. I love you. I didn't do anything. Please..."

But Krish had already made his decision. Without another word. He ended the call. Then blocked her everywhere. His number disappeared. His messages vanished. His social media accounts became unreachable. Every door leading to him closed . Sofia collapsed onto the floor of her bedroom, clutching her phone against her chest as heartbreaking sobs echoed through the empty room. She had lost Kiara. Now. She had lost Krish too.

Months had passed since the accident. The official investigation remained open. Most people had accepted that Kiara was dead. Most people had mourned her and tried to move forward. But Donato refused. He refused to believe it. He ordered private investigators to continue searching. He hired additional rescue teams.

Every abandoned building. Every nearby village. Every forest trail. Every hospital. Every shelter. Every unidentified patient. He searched them all. The police eventually reduced the scale of the investigation. There was simply no evidence suggesting Kiara had survived. Only the crashed car. Blood at the scene. And the ring Donato himself had designed for her.

But Donato ignored every report. Every few days. He returned to the accident site. The officers repeatedly warned him. "Mr. Romano, this forest is dangerous. There are wild animals. The terrain is unstable. Please don't go in alone." He never listened. He walked through the forest for hours.

Sometimes calling her name. Sometimes sitting beside the wreckage until sunset. Sometimes simply staring into the trees. Waiting. Hoping. Praying that she would suddenly walk out and smile at him. The feared Mafia leader no longer existed. Neither did the ruthless businessman who had built an empire through sheer determination.

Donato Romano had disappeared with Kiara. He stopped going to the company altogether. The Romano Group continued operating only because Albert, Mr. Romano, and Aravi took over the responsibility together. They attended meetings. Signed contracts. Handled crises. Protected the empire.

While Donato. Simply existed. News spread quickly throughout the underworld. Everyone learned that Lucas was dead. Killed by Donato Romano. But they also learned something far more important. Lucas hadn't won by surviving. He had won by destroying Donato's foundation. Enzo morro...The strongest pillar of Donato.

Was dead. his wife The woman who had become Donato's greatest strength...Had disappeared. And Donato himself. Had withdrawn from the world. The once untouchable king no longer attended meetings. Rarely appeared in public. Ignored business. Ignored politics. Ignored the underworld.

To outsiders. It looked like weakness. And in the criminal world. Weakness was an invitation. Across Italy. Old enemies began whispering. New Mafia families started making moves. Men who had once feared speaking Donato Romano's name now gathered around tables, studying maps of his territory.

"He isn't the same anymore. They say he barely leaves his mansion. His brother is running the business now. This is our chance. If Romano falls. The throne becomes ours."

One by one. Ambitious Mafia leaders began forming secret alliances. Some wanted Lucas's former territories. Others wanted Donato's empire. But they all shared the same goal. Kill Donato Romano. And take everything he had left.

______

Night settled over Italy like a funeral veil. Far from the Romano Mansion. In an abandoned warehouse hidden near the docks, several influential Mafia leaders sat around a long wooden table. The room was dimly lit. Cigar smoke clouded the air. Whiskey glasses rested untouched as everyone's attention remained fixed on the man standing at the head of the table.

He unfolded a map of Italy. Several territories were marked in red. "Lucas is dead." His deep voice echoed through the silent room. "But before dying. He did what none of us could. He broke Donato Romano." No one spoke. Everyone listened.

Another man leaned back in his chair with a satisfied smile. "I've been watching the Romano family for weeks. The rumors are true. Donato no longer attends meetings. He hasn't appeared at any business conference. He rarely leaves his mansion. He doesn't even handle his own empire anymore."

A third man chuckled darkly. "The great Donato Romano. The monster who ruled Italy. Has become nothing more than a grieving husband."Laughter spread across the room. One elderly Mafia boss, however, remained silent. He slowly placed his glass on the table. "Don't underestimate him."

The laughter stopped. "You've all heard stories. I've seen them. I watched that boy build an empire from nothing. He buried organizations twice our size. He defeated men far smarter than us. He isn't dangerous because of his power. He's dangerous because when he has nothing left to lose. He becomes unstoppable."

The room fell silent again. Another younger leader scoffed. "Nothing left to lose? That's exactly why we should attack. He already lost Enzo. He lost his wife. He's mentally broken. This is the weakest Donato Romano has ever been. He won't even see us coming." The elderly man looked at him with cold eyes.

"Or perhaps. He'll welcome death."Those words lingered heavily in the room. After several moments, the leader standing near the map finally spoke again. "We don't attack together. We test him first."Everyone looked toward him. A small strike. A warehouse." A shipment. A few trusted men. If Donato responds. We'll know the lion is still alive. And if he doesn't. A slow smile appeared on his face.

"Then Italy belongs to us." Everyone around the table nodded in agreement. Glasses were raised. A silent alliance was formed.
____

Meanwhile. Miles away...The Romano Mansion remained completely quiet. Donato sat alone in the library. The lights were off. Only the moonlight entered through the large windows. Kiara's notebook rested in his hands. His thumb slowly brushed across her handwriting. Every page still smelled faintly of her perfume. He closed his eyes. For just a second. He imagined her sitting across from him.

Smiling. Complaining that he worked too much. Asking him to come to bed. His lips trembled. "I miss you..." he whispered into the empty room. No answer came. Only silence. A soft knock sounded on the library door.

Donato didn't respond. The door opened anyway. Albert stepped inside. He looked exhausted. dark circles rested beneath his eyes. His beard had grown. He looked years older than he actually was. He stood there for a long moment before speaking. "The police called." Donato slowly lifted his head. "They found something?"

Albert shook his head. "No. They called because. They're closing the active search operation." The words struck Donato like a bullet. "They've officially changed the case. Albert swallowed painfully. from a rescue operation. to a recovery operation."

Donato stared at his brother. "No." His voice was barely audible.

Albert lowered his eyes. "They said.They've searched every possible area. There hasn't been a single sign of Kiara. They believe. They won't find her alive they search everywhere. the closest house of that forest is lock. they ask nearby but no one saw anything."

"No." Donato repeated, this time louder. "They're wrong." Albert's eyes filled with tears. he stood abruptly. His chair crashed onto the floor behind him. "They're wrong. My wife is alive. I know she is." Albert tried to approach him. "Listen to me-

Donato stepped back. "They stopped searching. So I'll search. If I have to search every forest--Every city--Every country. I will. I'll bring her home." His breathing became uneven. His eyes burned with stubborn determination. "I promised her. His voice cracked. ".that I'd come for her. And this time...I'm not breaking that promise."

Albert could no longer hold back his tears. He watched his younger brother walk out of the library. Not like the feared Donato Romano. Not like a Mafia king. But like a husband. Who refused to stop searching for the love of his life.

_____

Three months. Three long months had passed since the day Kiara disappeared. Donato searched every place where there was even the smallest possibility of finding her. Every city. Every abandoned warehouse. Every road. Every hospital. Every river. Every forest. He questioned people himself. He followed every anonymous tip.

He reopened every police report. He refused to let the investigation die. But every trail ended the same way. Nothing. No witness. No body. No proof. Only silence. With each passing day, Donato became weaker. Not physically. Spiritually. The fire that once made the underworld tremble had almost disappeared.

The attacks started exactly as Donato had expected. The smaller mafia families who had spent years hiding behind Lucas's shadow saw an opportunity. The news had spread across Italy. One after another, they planned assassinations. Snipers. Ambushes. Every week there was another attempt. But none of them ever reached Donato. Because there was one man who never left his side.

Sam.

The bodyguard Kiara had secretly assigned years ago. Even though Kiara was gone. Sam never forgot his promise. He took bullets. He intercepted attacks. He changed routes before Donato even realized danger existed. He silently eliminated threats before they reached their target.

Every time someone asked him why he continued risking his life. His answer never changed. "I'm only doing my duty." The duty Mrs. Kiara Romano had given him. As long as he was breathing. Nothing would happen to Donato Romano.

Three months changed everything. Life continued. People still woke up. They still ate. They still worked. Meetings happened. Businesses ran. The Romano empire still stood. But it no longer felt alive. It felt...Empty. The mansion had become unbearably quiet.

No playful arguments echoed through the halls. No laughter floated from the dining room. No teasing. No celebrations. Even conversations were short. Everyone spoke only when necessary. Then silence returned. It was as though every person inside the mansion had forgotten how to smile.

Today was Elena's twentieth birthday. A day that was once supposed to become one of the happiest days in Romano history.Months ago. Both the Romano and Morro families had decided that after Elena's twentieth birthday. She and Enzo would finally get married. There had been plans.

Venues. Guest lists. Wedding dresses. Flowers. Music. Everything. Now. There wasn't even a birthday cake. No decorations. No gifts. Not even a single balloon. The Romano family had celebrated every birthday together. but today there is no celebration.

Upstairs. Elena sat alone inside her bedroom. The curtains remained closed. The room was dim despite the bright afternoon outside. She sat curled up on the floor beside her bed. Her knees pulled tightly against her chest. her phone rested in her trembling hands.

She had read their old messages so many times that she could recite every word without looking. Still. She opened the chat again. Scrolled to the last message. Her thumb stopped. Her vision blurred instantly.

Enzo: I have some work, baby. I'll come back soon.

That was it. The last message. The message he had sent on the same day Kiara was kidnapped. The day everything ended. No "good morning." No "I love you." No wedding plans. No future. Only. "I'll come back soon." Three months. And she was still waiting for that promise to come true. A tear rolled silently down her cheek before another followed.

She gently rested her forehead against the phone screen as if somehow she could still feel him. Her voice came out as nothing more than a broken whisper. "I'm still waiting, Enzo..."She closed her eyes. "When are you coming back?" Silence answered her. Only silence. And somehow. That hurt even more.

A soft knock echoed against bedroom door. She quickly wiped her tears with the sleeve of her sweater. "Come in," she whispered. The door slowly opened. Aravi stepped inside. For a moment, she simply stood there, looking at the girl who was supposed to become her daughter. Her heart broke all over again.

Only four months ago. She had imagined walking Elena down the aisle herself. Helping her into her wedding dress. Teasing Enzo before handing over his bride. Now. She was looking at a twenty-year-old girl who had forgotten how to smile. Aravi walked toward her quietly and sat beside her on the floor.

Neither of them spoke. There were no words left anymore. After a long silence, Aravi gently brushed a strand of hair away from Elena's face. "Happy birthday, sweetheart." That simple sentence shattered the little strength Elena had left. Fresh tears spilled down her face. She leaned into Aravi's shoulder and began crying like a child.

"I don't want today, Mom..." Her voice trembled violently. "I don't want birthdays anymore." Aravi wrapped both arms around her tightly. "I know."I know, my baby."

Elena clutched the older woman even tighter. "He promised me..." Her breathing became uneven. "He promised he'd come back. He always kept his promises. So why." Her voice broke completely. Why didn't he come back this time?"

Aravi closed her eyes. She had asked herself that same question every night for the last three months. Why Enzo? Why Kiara? Why her children? But life never answered. Instead, it only gave more pain. Downstairs. The dining table was set. Not for a celebration. Only for lunch. No cake. No candles. No flowers.

Just plates arranged in complete silence. Mr. Romano sat at the head of the table, staring blankly at nothing. Albert had dark circles beneath his eyes from months of sleepless nights. Sofia quietly stirred the untouched tea in front of her. Donato hadn't come downstairs yet. No one asked where he was.

They already knew. The library. Always the library. After several minutes, slow footsteps echoed through the hallway. Everyone instinctively lifted their heads. Donato entered. His appearance frightened them more every day. His beard had grown. His eyes had sunk deeper into their sockets. He looked thinner than ever. His expensive suits now hung loosely on his body.

The once-feared Donato Romano looked like a man carrying the weight of an entire cemetery on his shoulders. Without saying a word, he pulled out a chair and sat down. Silence followed. No one touched the food. No one had an appetite. Nonna forced herself to speak. "It's Elena's birthday today."

Donato slowly lifted his eyes. For a second. He looked upstairs toward Elena's room. His chest tightened. Enzo should have been teasing her today. He should have been standing beside her. Laughing. Making plans for their wedding. Instead. There was only grief.

Donato quietly reached into the pocket of his coat. Everyone watched him in confusion. He carefully placed a small velvet box on the dining table. No one moved. Nonna looked at it. "What is this?"

Donato stared at the box for several long seconds before answering. "I bought it three months ago." His voice was hoarse. "For Elena." Everyone froze. "It was supposed to be her birthday gift." He gently pushed the box toward Nonna. "I forgot to give it to her."

His words shattered the fragile silence. Nonna slowly opened the box. Inside lay a delicate diamond bracelet. On the inside was a tiny engraving. E-E Aravi covered her mouth as tears escaped her eyes. Donato stood before anyone could say a word.

Before Donato could walk away, Lilli spoke. "I think you should give it to her yourself, Donato." He stopped without turning around. Lilli looked at him with gentle but knowing eyes. "How long are you going to avoid her?" Silence. "You can't keep running away forever."

Her voice softened. "She needs her brother." Donato lowered his gaze. His fingers tightened around the velvet box. Ever since Enzo's death. He hadn't been able to look Elena in the eyes. Every time he saw her. He saw the future Enzo had dreamed of.

A future that had died with him. He was terrified that one day she would ask him the question he could never answer. "Why didn't you save him?" Why did you come home alone? Where is my Enzo?" And what would he say? That he had failed? That he couldn't protect his own brother? That he had watched everything fall apart?

So...He had chosen the easier path. He avoided her. "Aunt I-" His voice came out almost like a whisper. Before he could finish, Aravi interrupted. "Lilli is right." She walked toward him and gently placed a hand on his shoulder. "Go. Give it to her yourself. She doesn't need expensive gifts. She needs her brother. Stop punishing yourself."

Donato remained silent for several seconds. Then. He nodded. Without another word, he picked up the velvet box and slowly walked upstairs. He stopped outside Elena's bedroom. His hand hovered above the door. But he couldn't bring himself to knock.

His breathing became uneven. What if she hated him? What if she blamed him? What if. He closed his eyes. Then finally knocked. A soft voice came from inside. "Come in." Donato slowly opened the door. Elena looked up from where she sat near the window.

The moment she saw him...Surprise filled her eyes. Neither of them spoke. The silence between them felt endless. Donato quietly walked inside before stopping a few feet away. He couldn't meet her eyes. "I'm." His throat tightened. "late."

Elena stared at him. She realized something. It had been almost three months...Since they had last spoken properly. Not because they were angry. Because both of them had been drowning in grief.

Donato slowly held out the velvet box. "I bought this for your birthday. I forgot to give it to you." His voice sounded painfully empty. Elena slowly accepted the box. Her trembling fingers opened it. The moment she saw the bracelet. Fresh tears rolled down her cheeks. Her thumb gently traced the tiny engraving. E-E.

A broken smile appeared on her lips. "You remembered." Donato finally looked at her. "I never forgot." His voice cracked. "I just. I didn't know how to face you." Elena looked at him in confusion. "What do you mean?"

Donato lowered his head. "I couldn't. Every time I looked at you. I saw Enzo. I kept thinking. You'd ask me why I couldn't save him. Why I came home without him. Why..."His voice completely broke. "I failed."

Elena immediately stood up. "No." She walked toward him. "No, brother. You didn't fail."

He laughed bitterly. "I did. I failed Enzo. I failed Kiara. I failed all of you. I couldn't protect anyone." Tears streamed down his face. "I'm supposed to protect this family. I'm supposed to be strong. But look at me. I'm nothing. I lost everyone."

Elena slowly reached for his trembling hands. "You didn't lose us." She whispered softly. "I'm still here. We're all still here." Donato shook his head. "It should've been me. Not Enzo. It should've been me. He's the one who deserved to live."

"No." Elena's voice became firm despite the tears in her eyes. "Don't ever say that again. You think Enzo would've wanted to hear you say that? He loved you more than anyone." He would never forgive you for blaming yourself."Donato finally broke.

His shoulders shook uncontrollably. "I miss him." He whispered. "So much. I miss Kiara. I don't know how to breathe anymore. I don't know how to live without them." Elena's own tears flowed endlessly. "So do I." She stepped closer. Then, without another word. She wrapped both arms around her brother.

Donato hugged her back with all the strength he had left. And everything they had been holding inside for three months. Finally came crashing down. They cried. Not quietly. Not politely. They cried like two broken souls who had lost half of their hearts. Donato buried his face against her shoulder.

Elena clung to him as if letting go would make her lose another person she loved. "I'm sorry." He sobbed. "I'm so sorry." Elena shook her head through her tears. "It's not your fault. We're going to miss them together. We're going to cry together."And one day." she struggled to finish the sentence...we'll learn how to live with this pain."

Neither of them believed those words. But for the first time in months. The brother and sister who had been grieving alone. Finally allowed themselves to grieve together. Outside the bedroom. Aravi, Lilli, Mr. Romano, Albert, and Sofia stood silently in the hallway.

No one interrupted. No one spoke. They simply listened to the heartbreaking sound of two siblings crying in each other's arms. Knowing that sometimes. Love could not erase grief. But it could make it a little less lonely.

_____

The conversation with Elena stayed with Donato long after he left her room. For the first time in months. He had cried. Not alone. Not in silence. But with his little sister in his arms. Yet the pain remained. It always remained. Without telling anyone where he was going, Donato quietly left the Romano Mansion.

No guards. No convoy. No Sam. No security team. He simply got into his car and drove toward the accident site. The place where his world had ended. The road ahead was almost empty. Rain clouds gathered above, turning the afternoon sky gray. Inside the car. Silence.

Donato's hands rested loosely on the steering wheel. His mind wasn't on the road. It was somewhere else. With Kiara. With Enzo. He could still hear Kiara laughing. He could still hear Enzo teasing him. Those voices had become more real than the world outside. Suddenly. A black SUV sped past him.

Another appeared behind. Then another. Within seconds. Five vehicles surrounded his car from every direction. Donato frowned. His eyes shifted toward the rearview mirror. Men. Armed men. His jaw tightened.

"So..." he whispered. "They've finally come." He already knew who they were. The opportunists. The Mafia families waiting for Donato Romano to become vulnerable. Normally. This would have been over in minutes. Normally. He would already have his gun in his hand.

But today... He hadn't even brought one. He hadn't planned on fighting. He had only wanted to sit beside the crashed car again. To spend another afternoon talking to Kiara. Even if only in his imagination. The SUVs forced his car to a stop. Before Donato could react. Gunfire exploded.

Bang!

Bang!

Bang!

Bullets shattered every window of his car. Glass rained across the seats. Donato didn't even flinch. He simply sat there. Staring ahead. "So..." he thought. "This is how it ends." A strange peace settled over him. Maybe... He would finally see them again. Maybe. Death wasn't something to fear anymore.

A violent crash interrupted his thoughts. Someone kicked the driver's door. Once. Twice. The third kick tore it open. Several men grabbed him at once. They dragged him onto the asphalt. Punches landed immediately. One after another. His lip split. Blood ran down his chin. A boot slammed into his ribs.

Another into his stomach. Donato fought back on instinct. He threw one man over his shoulder. His fist connected with another's jaw. A third fell after taking an elbow to the face. but there were too many. Someone struck him from behind. He dropped to one knee. Another kick knocked him onto the road.

The attackers surrounded him. One of them laughed. "The mighty Donato Romano. So this is all that's left?" Another man pulled out a pistol. "No more games. Just shoot him." The pistol was aimed directly at Donato's head. Donato looked at it calmly. He closed his eyes. Ready. If this was the end He would accept it. Then--Gunfire erupted. Not one shot. Not two. An entire storm of bullets.

Bang!

Bang!

Bang!

Bang!

Screams echoed around him. Bodies hit the ground. More shots followed with terrifying precision. Donato frowned. There was no pain. Slowly. He opened his eyes. A tall figure stood several meters ahead. Dressed in black. A pistol in each hand. Moving with impossible speed. Every shot found its target.

One attacker tried to flee. Bang. Another reached for his weapon. Bang. A third barely turned around. Bang. Within seconds. Silence returned. The attackers lay scattered across the road. Some unconscious. Some dead. Smoke drifted from the barrels of two pistols.

The stranger slowly lowered both weapons. Donato stared. His breathing stopped. "No..." he whispered. The man turned around. A familiar grin spread across his face. The same grin Donato had seen thousands of times growing up. The same grin that used to annoy him. The same grin he had buried three months ago.

"Enzo..."

Donato breathed. His vision blurred instantly. A broken smile appeared on his lips. "I think..." he whispered weakly. "I'm start to hallucinating. You really couldn't stay away from me. My baby. He laughed through his tears.

The figure sighed dramatically before walking closer. "Darrrrllllingggg!" he shouted. "What are you doing lying on the road?" "Get up!"

Donato only stared at him. He couldn't move. Couldn't blink. Couldn't breathe. He watched as the man stopped directly in front of him. Still smiling. Still holding both pistols loosely at his sides. Then, with the same playful confidence he had always carried. He tilted his head and smirked.

"Miss me, darling?"

🫡