Chapter 13 - The Promise Dante Never MadeI couldn't speak.
Loved me.
Seven years.
It was impossible.
“I didn't know you.”
“You knew me.”
“No.”
“You were eighteen.”
“I was eighteen when…”
“When you disappeared.”
He nodded.
“I saw you at the hospital.”
“You were there?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because Luca called me.”
I swallowed.
“What did he say?”
“That a girl had survived.”
“What girl?”
“You.”
Dante looked away.
“I came to the hospital.”
“Why?”
“Because Luca said your mother asked him to protect you.”
“And then?”
“I saw you.”
He smiled faintly.
“You were unconscious.”
“I don't remember.”
“I know.”
“You stayed?”
“For three nights.”
My chest tightened.
“Why?”
“You looked alone.”
The answer was simple.
Too simple.
And somehow devastating.
“I left before you woke.”
“Why?”
“Because your memory had been damaged.”
He took a breath.
“Your mother left instructions.”
“For me?”
“Yes.”
“What did she say?”
Dante stared at the rain.
“She told me never to let your life become part of mine.”
I frowned.
“Why?”
“Because my family would destroy you.”
“And now?”
“I failed.”
“You didn't.”
“Yes.”
He looked at me.
“I failed the moment I let you become visible.”
We were silent.
Then Matteo walked between us.
“Papa.”
Dante smiled.
“Yes?”
“Can she come home?”
Dante looked at me.
I realized something.
Somewhere between the blood, fear, and broken glass, the place that frightened me had become the only place that felt safe.
“Maybe,” I whispered.
Matteo smiled.
Then Dante's phone rang.
He answered.
His face changed.
“What?”
The man on the other side spoke.
Dante's jaw tightened.
“Where?”
He ended the call.
I knew immediately.
“What happened?”
“They found Michael.”
“Where?”
“He's at the hospital.”
My blood chilled.
“Why?”
“He was shot.”
“By whom?”
Dante looked at me.
“Your mother.”
I stared.
“That can't be.”
“She was supposed to be dead.”
“Dante…”
He showed me the photograph.
My mother.
Alive.
Taken three hours ago.
Standing outside the hospital.
May you like
And beside her…
Luca.
