"The Marchettis are one of the oldest bloodlines in Wildore," one nurse whispered. "The Signora has been in this clinic for over a year, and they still haven't approved the surgery. When I changed her dressings this morning, she could barely breathe. How can her own Family be so indifferent?"
"Keep your voice down," another warned. "The Falcones have already given their instructions. Even the director refuses to interfere. They aren't trying to save her anymore. They're simply waiting for time to do the work."
She lowered her voice even further.
"They even replaced her medication with glucose. At this point... she doesn't have much time left."
"Maybe a day or two," the first nurse murmured, shaking her head. "For a Family that launders millions, they're unwilling to spend anything to save one woman."
My heart stopped.
I rushed into my mother's room.
Only then did I realize how much she had changed.
Just days ago, there had still been color in her face.
Now she looked frighteningly pale.
I had stayed by her side every single day...
Yet I hadn't noticed.
The cardiac monitor screamed beside her bed while each breath grew weaker than the last.
Even so, her thoughts remained fixed on me.
She reached for my hand with trembling fingers.
"Adriana..."
Her voice was barely more than a whisper.
"Mamma... probably won't live long enough to see your union."
A faint smile appeared on her lips.
"Lorenzo is a good man. After I'm gone... he'll take good care of you."
She gently patted the back of my hand twice, just as she always had whenever she spoke about the future she hoped I would have.
"Can you... ask him to come?"
"I'd like... to speak with him one last time."
My vision blurred with tears.
I tucked the blanket around her before running into the hallway to find the attending physician.
After examining her, he slowly lowered his stethoscope and shook his head.
"I'm sorry, Signorina."
"Her condition has deteriorated too far. Her body can no longer survive surgery."
He hesitated before quietly adding,
"You should begin preparing for her funeral."
I clenched my fists so tightly my nails dug into my palms.
Without another word, I drove straight to the Falcone headquarters.
It was the legitimate front where Lorenzo met with capos, signed contracts, and conducted Family business.
Before I reached the office door, Vittoria's voice drifted out.
"Lorenzo... you've already done so much for me over these past three years. The Signora is still alive. If I take over the Marchetti territory now, my sister will be heartbroken."
Lorenzo answered in a low voice filled with practiced restraint.
"You're my brother's future wife. Looking after you is only natural."
I heard papers sliding across the desk.
"Sign it."
"You'll have to learn how the Family operates sooner or later."
"As for the Signora..."
His tone remained frighteningly calm.
"She won't survive much longer."
"You don't need to concern yourself with her."
A flash of triumph crossed Vittoria's face before she quickly concealed it beneath a look of carefully rehearsed sympathy.
"Then... I'll visit the clinic today."
She lowered her eyes.
"Even if Mamma never acknowledged me as her daughter... I'd still like the chance to earn her forgiveness."
The rage inside me finally snapped.
I shoved the office door open.
"Save your performance."
"My mother doesn't want to see you."
Lorenzo froze.
For the first time in years, genuine panic flashed across his face.
He immediately stood and hurried toward me, unconsciously smoothing the front of his jacket as he walked.
"Adriana... why are you here?"
"You've misunderstood."
"I was only discussing the new territory with Vittoria. She brought it up in passing. It isn't what you're thinking."
Vittoria rose gracefully and smiled as though nothing had happened.
"Adriana."
"It's been a long time."
I didn't even look at her.
I turned and walked away.
Lorenzo hurried after me, explaining himself over and over, speaking faster than I had ever heard him speak.
Watching him scramble after me...
I almost laughed.
Three years ago, he had sacrificed my dignity before the Five Families to clear Vittoria's path.
Now he had sacrificed my mother's life.
He had already obtained everything he wanted.
Who was this performance still meant for?
I stopped walking and looked at him calmly.
"Don't worry."
"I'm not unreasonable."
"I won't interfere with Falcone business."
"I was only passing by on my way to the clinic."
"I thought I'd come see you."
"Since you're busy..."
"I'll leave."
Only then did the tightness leave his shoulders.
He personally walked me downstairs, every bit the attentive fiancé until the very end.
Halfway back to the clinic, my phone rang.
It was the attending physician.
"Signorina..."
"I'm sorry."
"Your mother passed away a few minutes ago."
My hands tightened violently around the steering wheel.
The brakes screeched.
The car lurched to a stop at the roadside.
I couldn't breathe.
Grief...
Rage...
Betrayal...
They crashed together inside my chest until everything around me became painfully silent.
After what felt like an eternity, I turned the car around.
Instead of returning to the clinic, I drove to the Marchetti estate.
Someone had to pack away my mother's belongings.
As I folded the last of her clothes into a wooden chest, I slowly turned my father's heavy signet ring around my finger.
Just then...
Footsteps echoed outside the room.
When I looked up, Vittoria was standing quietly in the doorway.
