CHAPTER 10

"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts." - Winston Churchill

Isla Isabelle POV

After I asked Lu-Lu why he was crying, he hurriedly rushed out of the room, leaving me bewildered.

I had no idea why he reacted that way, so I approached my dad and asked him what was wrong. His response was filled with a mix of anger and sadness as he questioned Lu-Lu's sudden departure.

"Vita mia, what happened to you? Look at these bruises and wounds," my Mister exclaimed, his voice tinged with concern.

I hesitated for a moment, fearing that speaking up would only lead to more trouble. "I d-don't w-want to t-tell you, M-mister I'm a-afraid he w-will g-get angry a-and h-hurt me a-again," I whispered quietly, hoping that Sir wouldn't overhear me and inflict more pain.

Emi, who had been listening to our conversation, stepped forward, her eyes filled with compassion. "Oh, my little bee, no one will hurt you here.

I promise you, this big brother will protect you with his life. Can you trust us and tell us what happened?" he gently urged, his words offering me a glimmer of hope.

Summoning my courage, I took a deep breath and mustered the strength to share my painful secret. "W-when I've b-been a b-bad girl, Ma'am and Sir, t-they would.... h- hit and p-punch m-me,

" I confessed, my voice quivering with fear and anxiety. The thought of being abandoned because I was deemed ugly haunted my thoughts.

My dad's expression hardened as he processed my words. "Is that what they told you to call them?" he inquired, a mixture of anger and disbelief evident in his voice.

I simply nodded in response, not wanting to delve any further into the terrifying memories that haunted me.

My dad enveloped me in a comforting embrace, his voice filled with reassurance. "My dear child, from this day forward, you are safe. No one will hurt you again.

We will do everything in our power to heal your wounds, both physical and emotional," he promised, his voice filled with love and sincerity.

As I heard the commotion outside the door, I turned my attention to see all of my older brothers staring at me with a mixture of concern and anger in their eyes.

The sight of my wounds seemed to have ignited a fierce protectiveness within them.

"Elio!" Mister's voice boomed, trying to capture their attention. However, Gio remained fixated on me, his eyes filled with worry and anger.

"ELIO!" Mister's voice echoed through the room, causing me to flinch and Gio to snap out of his trance.

Bubba, my oldest brother, stepped forward, his face filled with determination. "What happened to her?" he demanded, his voice laced with anger and concern.

Mister took a deep breath, realizing the urgency of the situation. "We will talk about it later, but right now, Gio, I need you to check her bruises and wounds," he instructed, his tone firm yet filled with a fatherly concern.

Gio nodded, his focus shifting entirely to me. With a gentle touch, he began to examine my injuries, his hands careful and tender.

As he assessed the extent of the damage, his expression grew more pained, mirroring the emotions that welled up inside me.

Meanwhile, my other brothers, gathered around, their eyes filled with a mix of anger and concern.

As Gio finished examining and cleaning my wounds, his expression grew grim as he shared the extent of my injuries.

"She has three broken ribs, a severe infection on her arms due to unclean wounds, whiplashes on her back, and a mix of new and old bruises and cuts," he explained, his voice filled with concern.

"She needs to go to the hospital for a more thorough examination of her body."

Hearing the severity of my injuries sent a wave of fear and sadness through me, but I found solace in the fact that my family was by my side, ready to support me through it all.

Mister, sensing my apprehension, reassured me with a warm smile. "Vita mia, let's rest now, okay? It's been a long day," he said gently, understanding the toll the events had taken on me. I nodded, feeling grateful for his comforting presence.

Desperate for a sense of security, I mustered the courage to make a plea. "C-can y-you sleep b-beside m-me?" I asked, my voice filled with shyness and worry that he won't like me anymore because of the request.

"Of course, my love," Mister replied, his tone filled with love and understanding. Without hesitation, he climbed onto the bed, settling himself beside me.

I felt a sense of relief wash over me as his presence provided a shield against the pain and fear that had consumed me.

As my brothers noticed the intimate moment between Mister and me, they understood the need for privacy and respect.

With a meaningful stare from Mister, they silently left the room, giving us the space we needed to find solace in each other's company.

The room fell into a peaceful silence, the weight of the day's events gradually fading away. With Mister by my side, his comforting presence and unwavering love wrapped around me like a warm blanket.

Piero Antonio POV

As I stepped out of my room, careful not to disturb Isabelle who was sleeping deeply, I made my way to my office, where I found all of my sons already gathered there, their expressions filled with concern and curiosity.

Fabiano, the eldest among my sons, took the initiative to ask the question that weighed heavily on all of their minds.

"What really happened to her, Dad?" he inquired, his voice tinged with worry and a desire for the truth.

Taking a deep breath, I prepared myself to share the painful story that had unfolded in New York. "When I was in New York, I unexpectedly came across your mother, living with someone who owed a substantial amount of money to the mafia," I began, my voice filled with a mixture of sadness and frustration.

I recounted the events that had transpired, how I had discovered Isabelle's existence through a call from the New York Police, informing me that they had her in their custody.

The details of the tangled web of debt, danger, and unforeseen circumstances unfolded as I shared the story with my sons.

As I spoke, their faces mirrored a range of emotions - disbelief, anger, and a growing determination to protect their newfound sister and seek justice for the harm inflicted upon her.

As the determination to seek justice for Isabelle's suffering coursed through our veins, Salvatore, the son known for his resourcefulness, took charge of gathering more information about Natalie and John, the individuals responsible for her ordeal.

It was clear that justice needed to be served, and we were ready to take matters into our own hands.

I instructed Salvatore with a firm tone, "Salvatore, gather every piece of information you can find about Natalie and John. We need to know everything about them."

The wicked smile that spread across his face revealed his understanding of the task at hand.

The rest of my sons, fueled by a mix of anger, protectiveness, and a desire for retribution, voiced their determination.

"We will make sure they experience the full weight of the pain they inflicted upon our sister," Adriano declared, his voice filled with a grim determination.

Their words echoed in the room, a shared understanding passing between us.

While justice through legal means was necessary, we also recognized the need to protect Isabelle and ensure that Natalie and John faced the consequences of their actions.

As my sons began their mission to gather more information, a heavy weight settled upon my heart.

The weight of guilt and self-blame consumed me as I reflected on the pain and suffering Isabelle had endured, which had gone unnoticed for far too long.

The realization that I had failed to recognize her discomfort and the injustice she faced tore at my soul.

How could I have been so blind? How had I not seen the signs of her suffering earlier? These questions echoed in my mind, adding to the burden of guilt that already weighed heavily upon me.

As the morning light filtered into the room, I slowly woke from my slumber, my heart filled with love and a sense of peace knowing that Isabelle was safely by my side.

However, as I reached out to touch her, my hand found only an empty space. Panic surged through me as I realized that Isabelle was not in my room.

Frantically searching every corner of my room, I called out her name, my voice filled with worry and desperation. But she remained elusive, nowhere to be found. The fear that gripped me in that moment threatened to overwhelm my senses.

With disheveled clothes and hair, I rushed out of my room, my heart pounding in my chest. As I entered the kitchen, a mix of relief and joy flooded over me as I saw my two oldest sons, standing protectively beside Isabelle.

The sight of her safe and sound alleviated the worry that had consumed me.

Taking in the scene before me, I felt a profound sense of gratitude for my sons' unwavering commitment to Isabelle's well-being.

Their presence, their love, and their dedication to protecting her brought me a deep sense of comfort and reassurance.

Isabelle, unaware of the worry she had caused, greeted me with a warm smile. Her innocent joy and the love radiating from her presence.

As I listened to Isabelle's explanation, a mixture of relief and concern washed over me. Relief that she had ventured out of the room without any harm befalling her, but also concern that she had felt the need to do so on her own.

Her teary eyes mirrored the fear and vulnerability she must have experienced in that moment.

Drawing her into a gentle embrace, I reassured her, "Vita mia, I'm so glad you're safe. I didn't wake up when you tried to wake me, and I'm sorry for that.

But next time, please don't go out on your own. Let me know if you need anything or if you need to leave the room, and I'll be there for you."

I wanted Isabelle to understand that she was never alone in this family, that she could always rely on us for support and guidance.

The worry in my voice was softened by the understanding that she was still learning, still adjusting to her new surroundings.

As I held her tightly, my words carried a sense of reassurance and love. I wanted her to feel safe and protected, to know that she could come to me with any concerns or needs that arose.

The bond we shared was not just one of blood, but one of unconditional love and care.

With a tender touch, I wiped away her tears and looked into her eyes, conveying the depth of my love for her. "You're not in trouble, my love.

I just want to keep you safe. Promise me that if you ever need anything or feel the need to go out, you'll come to me or one of your brothers. We're here for you, always."

Isabelle nodded, her expression a mixture of understanding and relief.

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thank you for supporting my first book love. I hope you enjoy and I will do my best to update more.

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