Elena’s POV
"Everyone, I have an important announcement to make."
Applause filled the Grand Hall as everyone turned toward the stage. I was seated on a throne they'd set up just for this celebration, smiling at each and every guest, feeling the weight of all their attention focused on me.
"I'd like to thank each of you for being here today," Ms. Rossi began, her voice full of gratitude. "As you all know, we’re here to celebrate Elena’s 18th birthday, marking her transition into adulthood and honoring the remarkable contribution she has made to our family."
"Elena, as you know, is the daughter of the late Don Salvatore. Before he passed, he left one final wish for his daughter as she entered this new chapter of her life."
The guests applauded again, and I felt my heart swell with emotion. Then, my gaze landed on Ms. Rossi, who’d been like a mother to me. She and her family took me in, became my rock. Words couldn’t express just how thankful I was for the Rossi family and how much trust I placed in them.
"One of her father’s last wishes," Ms. Rossi continued, her voice full of warmth, "was that when Elena found her true love, she and her chosen partner would inherit the DeLuca legacy together. It would be a great honor for our family if one of my sons were to share this future with her."
My smile grew wider as the applause echoed through the hall, filled with elite guests who had gathered to celebrate. But even in this moment of joy, I couldn’t help the wave of emotion as memories of my late father, Don Salvatore, surfaced.
He was a powerful man, a legendary figure in the city's underworld—a true mafia leader. Strong. Fearless. Yet, life had a way of taking him from me too soon.
Since then, the Rossi family had taken me in. My eyes drifted to Ms. Rossi as she spoke again.
"Now that we’re all gathered here, let’s take a moment to pray for the soul of Don Salvatore as we celebrate his daughter’s 18th birthday," she said. "And later, I’ll be handing the microphone to Elena for her speech.”
She turned to me, a gentle smile on her face, and asked, "Elena, my dear, have you found someone you love?"
Everyone stood and bowed their heads, honoring Don Salvatore in prayer. After a moment, Ms. Rossi handed me the microphone, and I accepted it gratefully. I walked to the center of the stage, carefully watched over by a few guards to help with my large gown. After all, this was a grand debut, and every detail was magnificent.
Facing the crowd of luxury and prestige before me, I took a breath, cleared my throat, and raised the microphone to my lips.
"Thank you all so much for coming to my party," I began. "I want to extend my deepest gratitude to the Rossi Family for hosting this celebration. Without them, I really don’t know where I’d be after my father’s death."
I felt my cheeks flush slightly as the room fell into a curious silence, all eyes now on me. Memories flooded my mind—moments spent with Enzo, always the charming one, his laughter filling every corner, and Marco, calm and steadfast, his quiet presence somehow grounding me in ways I couldn’t explain.
"To answer your question Ms. Rossi, yes," I finally replied, my voice soft yet firm. "I believe I have."
Ms. Rossi’s expression brightened, and she gestured for her sons to come forward. Enzo and Marco stepped onto the stage, their postures confident yet somehow tense. I looked first at Enzo, who smiled encouragingly, and then at Marco, whose gaze remained steady, watching me with an intensity that made my heart skip a beat.
I took a deep breath, letting my emotions settle before speaking again. Turning to Marco, I asked, "Marco… will you marry me?"
The hall held its breath, waiting for his response.
