I wouldn't choose him.
I dialed the shylock's number.
"Yes. I want the money."
"My house as collateral."
"I don't care what the vig is. I need it today."
The moment the debt cleared, I went straight to the hospital.
I didn't just cover the three hundred thousand.
I paid for every treatment to follow, switched him to the finest medications, hired a private nurse, booked the best single room the ward had.
When they wheeled my father into the room, my mother sat beside the bed, looking like she could finally breathe.
Watching them, worn out and uneasy, I felt a sharp ache in my chest.
If I hadn't married into the Vitale blood.
All of this, I could have done with ease.
It was love that had stripped me down to nothing, one step at a time.
The door flew open with a kick.
Lorenzo stormed in, eyes bloodshot, Adriana Bellini trailing behind him like a shadow that knew exactly where the knife was.
He took in the private room, then the receipt on the table, and his face darkened in an instant.
"Francesca! Adriana told me you were here throwing tribute around, buying up a VIP room, and I didn't believe her."
"I never thought you'd actually have the nerve."
He crossed the room in a few strides, his voice frighteningly cold.
"Where did this money come from?"
My mother shot to her feet in fright, the hem of her sleeve already twisting between her fingers.
"Lorenzo, please, don't be angry."
"We won't stay here. We'll move back to a regular room right away."
"It's our fault for being a burden on Francesca. Please, don't let us come between the two of you."
My father braced himself against the bed, straightening the collar of his gown with trembling fingers, trying to sit up.
"Francesca, I won't take the treatment."
"Don't tear your life apart for my sake."
My eyes burned at their words, and I stepped right in front of them.
"Get out."
Lorenzo's expression shifted.
"Francesca, who do you think you're talking to?"
I stared him down.
"I told you to get out. Don't disturb my parents' rest."
Adriana tugged gently at Lorenzo's sleeve, her fingers drifting to the bracelet at her wrist, turning it once.
"Francesca, you suddenly come up with this kind of money. Of course Lorenzo's going to wonder."
"You're still carrying his blood. Don't do anything to betray the Family."
My father shook with rage and climbed straight off the bed.
"You apologize to her!"
"My daughter is decent and honest. You've no right to drag her name through the mud!"
Adriana instantly shrank into Lorenzo's arms, eyes red, and cried out:
"Lorenzo, he's going to hit me!"
Lorenzo's face changed in a flash, and he shoved my father aside.
"Who said you could touch her!"
My father slammed hard into the nightstand, the corner of his forehead splitting open at once, blood streaming down his face.
He collapsed to the floor, lips white, without even the strength to cry out in pain.
My mother screamed and threw herself toward him.
"Matteo!"
My mind went blank with a roar, and I rushed out shouting:
"Doctor! Somebody, help!"
Lorenzo froze where he stood, staring at his own hands, the fury on his face finally giving way to panic.
"I didn't mean to. I just didn't want him hurting Adriana."
I stood up and slapped him hard across the face.
"And Adriana spreading filthy lies about me, that's fine?"
Lorenzo's head snapped to the side from the blow, and Adriana rushed to steady him, all tenderness.
"Lorenzo, don't blame Francesca. She's just too worked up right now."
Lorenzo looked at me, eyes red.
"Francesca, I'll ask you one last time. Where did the money come from?"
I went very still. My thumb found the thin gold band on my finger, and I turned it once, slow, before I let out a cold laugh and held the phone up to his face.
The shylock's ledger was right there, clear as day.
"See it?"
"A debt. My house against the vig."
"High interest. Cleared today."
Lorenzo's pupils contracted sharply.
