Chapter 240

Christian “Father, mother—what a pleasant surprise!” Berto said as the two followed his eyes.

In the doorway stood the person he despised the most.

Franco Lamberti.

Just as Dario and Christian were about to step closer, Franco stuck out his hand, ordering them to stop.

A shocked Maria made her way to the front to take a better look at her son. “Roberto…” She had difficulty speaking. “What happened to you?”

Christian did not know his grandma as an emotional woman, and as far as he knew, she had bottled up her feelings and had never expressed her loss.

Franco and Maria being on good terms after everything that happened proved for Christian that his grandpa had already confessed his sins to Maria. The two were probably in in together.

He left Berto behind, and Christian could understand why he did that. His uncle was insane.

His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a hard smack. Shocked, Christian ran over to his grandma, holding her cheek, and pulled her backward, realizing the situation.

Berto hit her.

Before anyone could properly process what had happened, Franco pulled off his rings and repeatedly connected his fist with Berto’s jaw. “You sick fuck. I’ll personally make sure you’ll die today!” He growled, but his son was still unamused, carrying the same cocky smirk across his face.

“You made me this sick. You did this to me!” He lost his temper. “I saved Lucio from that fire, but you left me to burn knowing I was alive!”

“And till this day, it’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made in my life!” Franco yelled back.

“That wife of yours was a nuisance. Look at what she’s done to you!”

Worried about the amount of hatred his grandpa expressed towards Dario’s mom, Christian glanced at his cousin who was slowly twisting the ring around his finger. His mother’s ring.

Whatever resentment his grandpa might be feeling against Dario’s mom, Christian did not believe it was the right time or place to discuss it.

“I heard she passed away.” Franco raised his head, scoffing. “Good for her.”

“Are we done, grandpa?” Dario shifted awkwardly, quietly giving Franco a message he did not understand.

“Not quite.” A figure appeared from the dark as the room was filled with the sound of wheels. The mysterious figure rolled his wheelchair to expose himself.

“Dad?” Christian recognized the man.

He clenched his jaw, thinking about how he was the only one surprised and sensed this must’ve been another one of Dario’s surprises.

Rather than angry, he felt betrayed and couldn’t understand how they could even give this ill and weak man a harder time than he already had.

“B-brother.” Berto stuttered. With tight fists, he sat up straight and blinked his eyes. “Is that really you, Lucio?”

Lucio answered with a nod and moved his wheelchair to his brother while Christian stood on the stand-by to jump in whenever necessary. One punch to Lucio’s face would be enough reason for Christian to choke his uncle to death.

Surprisingly, Berto had not shown any sign of aggression and carefully reached for his brother’s face, forgetting about the chains. “It’s really you.” His voice cracked. “I’m finally seeing you from up close after all these years.”

Lucio chuckled. “You’ve made quite the mess, didn’t you?”

“I’m sorry,” Berto mumbled. “Just kill me, please.” A tear left his eye.

Dario balled his fist. “Is this a damn joke to him?” He spoke the words Christian had been thinking all along. “He’s a grown man.”

“Why did you hurt mother?” Lucio asked calmly, resting his hand on his brother’s cheek.

“Mother?” Berto widened his eyes. “I hurt mother? I’m so sorry.”

Christian rolled his eyes, making sure not to buy his uncle’s sad act.

Maria gave it another go and knelt to see her son, her hand suddenly grasping his. “I know you are.”

She caressed his scared face. “I know you’re sorry.”

Just like Christian and Dario, Franco stayed behind—not wanting to take any part in this.

“I’m so sorry little brother,” Berto said. “Please take me out of this misery so I can’t hurt anyone else —please.”

Dario snickered. “Oh, don’t you worry about that.”

“Come on, let’s give them a moment.” Franco prevented Dario from destroying his wife’s happiness and pulled his two grandsons to the side. “You should at least let them say goodbye.”

“Yes, I know.” Dario snarled. “That’s why I’ve informed and invited all aunts and uncles so that they can give that man a proper goodbye—“

“You what?” Christian asked, shaking his head afterward. He slowly realized there was more important stuff than wondering why Dario had run off and planned things on his own. These were the consequences of his nap.

“Do you think all of that is real?” Christian beckoned to Berto, wanting to know the question which really mattered.

“Berto is not well.” Franco breathed. “Mentally unstable—so who knows?”

“Don’t get me wrong, he should pay for what he did to my uncle, and I’ll make him pay.” Dario began. “But would it really be alright to kill a mentally unstable man?” He wondered, making Christian laugh out loud.

Serena had always called him out for not having the right to decide over others’ lives, but that was something he had agreed to disagree with.

Keeping someone like Berto and Luca alive would only cause more harm to the family.

Franco cracked his knuckles, chuckling at his question. “Do what you must do, then ask God for forgiveness.” He said. “But I do not want to see this beast alive.”

Act first, regret later.

That was the reason why the Lambertis were where they were at today.

“Good, so that means I don’t have to feel bad when I blow him up the same way he blew up my uncle,” Dario murmured before walking off, leaving the two alone.

Being alone with Franco left an uncomfortable taste in Christian’s mouth. Business remained business, but he could not forget his words about Serena.

“What about Luca?” Christian asked, not meeting Franco’s eyes. “He’s your grandson. Do you give me your permission to deal with him?”

“Sure.” Franco nodded, pursing his lips. “He has to face the consequences for his actions.”

“And Johnny—“

“I spoke with his mother. She knows what needs to happen.” Franco shushed Christian. “It hurts to think this way about my grandson, but I do not wish to create a mini Berto.”

“Will she be here too?”

“No, of course not.” Franco frowned. “I highly doubt she’ll want to see her ex-husband and son in a cage.”

“Of course.”

The conversation was cut short by Christian’s aunts and uncles, who had all entered the room.

Christian, who had never been the biggest fan of family reunions, saw that as his cue to leave.

Before he could take a step, Franco held his wrist tightly. “Christian?”

“Yes.”

“Let’s not be like this?”

“Be like what?”

Franco cleared his throat. “I was wrong, and I owe you an apology.” He said. “I was wrong about Serena, so please stay and protect your family.”

Christian was at a loss for words, already having decided to take his distance to focus on his family and leave the business to Dario.

“There will never be someone who loves you more than she does, and there will never be anyone half as good at leading the family as you do.”

‘Tell that to Matteo Alfonzo’ went to Christian’s mind.

His dream was for Siena to do her best in school, study hard and take over the hotel he had built for her. He wanted his daughter and his unborn child to have a clean start without having to look over their shoulders every single day.

“Have you thought about what it is that I want?” He expressed his concerns. “Have any of you ever thought about my feelings?”

Franco gulped, knowing he had a point. “What do you want?”

“I want to take Serena, Siena—and just go.” Christian sighed, confessing. “I just want to get away from here.”

The thought of losing Serena made his head spin, and he did not want to worry about that ever again. “How many Fabios and Bertos do I have to experience until I really lose her one day?”

Christian demanded an answer. “Call Serena stupid all you want, but she walked away because she panicked—and that’s on us.”

“I know, and I told you I’m sorry.” Franco widened his eyes, not expecting him to make such a big deal.

Threatening the heir to remove them from their position had always been a thing, but he hadn’t expected Christian to really go through with it.

“Have you discussed it with Dario? Your brothers?” He asked, baffled. “Serena?”

“Oh, don’t pretend like you care about her now.” Christian gave Franco a look, daring him to mention her again.

Franco swallowed his breath. “I know things are hard on you, and I know I shouldn’t have told you to choose, but please don’t bail on everyone.” He pushed his shoulder. “You’re surely not thinking about letting your old grandpa get out of retirement, right?”

“But you have Dario.”

“He’s just been here for a few months.”

“Fair point.” Christian shrugged. The two had grown close. He trusted him with his life—but it was still too soon to decide whether he would be a good leader or not.

Franco rubbed the back of his neck. “I know you told me not to mention her, but have you considered Serena’s feelings? Because this is not the Christian show.” He said. “Just saying.”

Christian’s thoughts went to the Alfonzo’s. Despite all the crap they had been through, Serena had finally found her real family, and he did not want to take that away from her.

Truthfully, he hadn’t even thought about her opinion. He just wanted to keep his family safe.

“I can’t promise anything about staying, but I’ll discuss it with her.” Christian exhaled, looking up. “I guess I should ask for her opinion.”

“Good.”

“And since all of you supposedly got everything under control.” Christian looked around the room.

“I’ll head back home to be my with daughter.”

“Good.”

“And I need a ride.” Christian scratched his head. “Beau dropped me off like garbage and went off to do his own things.”

“Of course he did. It’s an Alfonzo.”

“Grandpa—“

“Sorry!”

~

Upon arriving home, Christian followed the sweet and loud sound of Serena’s laughter and ended up in the cinema room.

“And then he pulled me off, but don’t worry—I got her good.” Serena cackled, throwing back her head as Vince laughed along. “It’s on camera, and I believe UFC should give me a contract.”

A flush appeared on Christian’s cheeks as he realized the topic of discussion. All in all, seeing the two interact was a delight to his eyes.

Serena, who was not that good with people, seemed at ease with his long-time friend, and that was all he could ask for.

Christian knocked before revealing himself as Serena turned her head with a squeal. “Why can’t you just walk in like a normal person!” She spoke over-dramatically, clutching her heart.

Vince beamed at her cute response and moved seats, allowing Christian to sit in the middle. The most typical thing would be to ask if she was okay, but he didn’t. He could see she was doing perfectly fine and didn’t feel the need to open any wounds.

“Where is your brother?”

“You’ve just missed him.” Serena smiled, explaining. “Siena is asleep, and little Christian is making me nauseous.” She pointed to her stomach.

“Little Christian?” Christian looked into her eyes, resting his hands on her belly.

“Don’t you want a son?” Serena smiled teasingly, tilting her head. Christian found himself lost in her eyes, unable to do anything. Being away from her felt like torture, and all he wanted to do was kiss her, feel her, touch her.

The only thing holding him back was his friend’s presence.

“I don’t have any preferences.” Christian shared, turning to Vince to include him. “I just want a healthy baby, and I wouldn’t mind having more daughters.”

“How about you, Vince?” Serena leaned forward, searching for his eyes. “Don’t you want any children? It would be cool for our children to grow up together, just like you and Christian.”

“Not anytime soon,” Vince spoke, traumatized, shaking his head. “I’ll just be Siena’s uncle for now.”

He made the two laugh.

Christian slammed his arm around Serena’s shoulder and moved his mouth to her ear. “Knowing Vince, he might already have a kid running around somewhere.” He whispered. “Just a few years from now, and boom! Baby at the doorstep. Mark my words.”

“Says the guy who got Serena pregnant after knowing her after how long?” Vince pulled Christian’s ear, calling him out.

Serena got up, removing herself from the situation. “I’ll get us some more snacks!” She excused herself.

“Not homemade, I hope?” Christian sulked, earning a smack from Vince.

“Come on, don’t be like that.” He spoke after Serena had left the room. “You’re hurting her feelings.”

Christian smiled, thinking how nice it was to have someone look out for Serena. He could admit that his jokes weren’t always the nicest, and he had a habit of unintentionally hurting her feelings.

“I don’t want to stick my nose in your business,” Vince told him. “But what happened today?”

“You helped me safe, Serena, so it’s your right to ask.” Christian slapped Vince’s back before giving him the story he had asked for, making sure not to leave out any details.

“Sounds rough,” Vince responded. “But at the same time, it feels good to know I’m not the only one with family issues.”

“I guess so,” Christian responded. “And that’s why I think you should join us tomorrow.” He made his uncle’s and cousin’s execution seem like a show.

“I’ll think about it,” Vince said. “You know, my uncle just came back to town. He’s a real pain in the ass.”

“Worse than Berto?” Christian poked fun at him. “Worse than your dad?”

“No, not that bad,” Vince said. “Now that I’m awake, he’s ‘promised’ to…safe the family and wants to bring back the Garcias.”

“That’s a good thing, isn’t it?”

“What’s a good thing?” Serena walked in with a platter full of drinks and snacks.

Initially, Christian believed Serena’s curiosity was one of her bad traits, but nowadays, he could laugh about it. “It’s a good thing that we’re staying in town to raise our children and be with our families.” He grabbed her hand, leading her back to her chair.

He had yet to discuss his plans with her, so he might as well do it now.

“Were we planning on going somewhere?” Serena asked, her eyebrows furrowing as she tried to understand what was happening.

Christian squinted his eyes. “Don’t you want to?”

“I really don’t care. I’ll follow you anywhere.”

“What about your family?” Vince joined the conversation. “What about me?” He rubbed his eyes, yawning as if leaving wasn’t even an option.

“Oh, right.” Serena opened her mouth, surprised.

“Wait, are we really leaving?” She nudged Christian’s elbow.

A sigh escaped his lips, accepting the answer he had been fishing for. Serena was willing to follow him anywhere, but she didn’t want to leave. He could see it in her eyes.

After everything she had been through, she didn’t want to leave. This was their home, where they shared both good and bad memories.

As to leaving the family business, his elders work so hard for? Not an option.

“No.” Christian played it off. “The thought of leaving hadn’t even crossed my mind.”