CHAPTER 16

"It's okay to not be okay. It's okay to ask for help. It's okay to take time for yourself. Your mental health matters." - Unknown

Piero Antonio POV

After comforting Belle, I brought her with me to my office, carefully placing her on the couch to ensure she could rest comfortably. I watched over her, hoping that her fever would not worsen due to the distressing nightmare she had endured.

As I continued with my mafia work, my phone suddenly began to ring, indicating an incoming call from my younger brother Lorenzo. He was a year younger than me, and we shared a close bond. We also had another brother named Benjamin, who was the same age as Lorenzo. Lorenzo had three sons, while Benjamin had four.

I swiftly picked up the phone, greeted by Lorenzo's familiar voice. "Hey, brother. How's the business," He asked.

"Hey, I wanted to give you an update on the situation. We've encountered a slight problem with the money from the shipment, but rest assured, it's already under investigation. On top of that, I suspect there might be a mole within our ranks," I informed him, my tone filled with concern.

He listened attentively, his voice calm yet determined as he replied, "Thanks for letting me know. I'll drop by tomorrow morning. I have a meeting to attend, but I also want to meet with Fabiano. There's something important I need to discuss with him regarding the business."

"Alright, just be mindful not to disturb my son too much. I promise you, if you make a mockery of them, they won't hesitate to get rid of you," I warned him sternly, recalling the chaotic episode the last time he visited our house.

Memories of his reckless behavior, trashing everyone's rooms and fleeing the country, flashed through my mind. They now reside in France, where they run family's mafia business.

"Copy that, brother. See you there. I'll bring Caleb with me as well," he responded, and we ended the call. As I hung up, I noticed Belle stirring in her sleep.

I walked over to her and sat on the edge of the bed, checking on her. As her eyes fluttered open, she immediately wrapped her arms around me, still half-asleep.

"Hi, vita mia. How's your day?" I asked, gently stroking her hair.

"Gio made me drink yucky medicine again, papa," she complained, scrunching her nose in distaste.

"You need it, love. It will make you feel better," I reassured her, understanding her dislike for medication. "Let's go and get you some food for that tummy of yours."

Her face brightened, and she nodded happily. We made our way downstairs to the kitchen, where I settled her into her chair. I started cooking a nutritious meal of beef and vegetables for her, ensuring it would be gentle on her stomach.

As the aroma filled the air, I prepared something for myself as well, making sure we both had a satisfying meal.

As we sat at the table, I watched Belle dig into her food with enthusiasm. Her appetite was a good sign, indicating that she was on the path to recovery.

I couldn't help but feel grateful for moments like these, cherishing the simple joy of sharing a meal with my daughter.

As we settled down to eat, I noticed my son, Alessandro, entering the dining hall and promptly taking his seat. He wasted no time in making his request known.

"We also want to eat, Dad. Cook something for us," Alessandro demanded, his tone laced with entitlement.

I raised an eyebrow, amusement and exasperation mingling in my expression. "Cook something for yourself, son. You're old enough to handle it."

Alessandro pouted, clearly dissatisfied with my response. Before I could say anything else, Elio, chimed in, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Don't you remember, Dad? The last time Alessandro attempted to cook an egg, he nearly burned the whole house down."

A wave of memories washed over me, recalling the chaotic scene as smoke billowed from the kitchen, triggering the smoke alarms and sending everyone into a frenzy. I couldn't help but chuckle at the recollection, even though it had been a rather terrifying ordeal at the time.

While the siblings bantered back and forth, Elio caught sight of Belle's discontented expression. Sensing her unhappiness, he approached her, his protective nature coming to the forefront. I observed as Belle's face contorted with displeasure, the mere thought of having to drink the medicine again evoking a deep-seated aversion.

Belle, with her endearing enthusiasm, suggested that we watch a movie together. Earlier, only three of them had watched, as Adriano had peacefully slumbered through the entire film. However, everyone readily agreed to Belle's proposal, eager to spend more quality time as a family.

We gathered in the cozy theatre room, the soft glow of the television casting a warm ambiance. The maids had thoughtfully prepared snacks for us to enjoy during the movie, adding an extra touch of indulgence to our evening. Popcorn, chips, and various treats adorned the coffee table, tempting us with their delicious aromas.

The Disney princess movie began to play, and I couldn't help but notice my sons becoming slightly restless. Their eyes occasionally wandered, their attention shifting to other things. Yet, they persevered, their love for their little sister evident as they endured the movie for her sake.

As the film reached its conclusion, we embarked on yet another movie, choosing one that appealed more to the boys' interests. Animated superheroes filled the screen, capturing their attention. Laughter and occasional gasps of excitement echoed through the room, a testament to the magic of storytelling.

By the time the third movie came to an end, fatigue began to set in. Belle, curled up on my lap, had succumbed to the gentle lull of sleep. It was her ritual to have someone beside her at night, finding comfort in the presence of another to chase away the cold and ward off any nighttime fears.

We took turns accompanying her in her room or occasionally bringing her into our own, catering to her desire for companionship.

I carefully carried Belle to her room, tenderly wiping away the crumbs that had gathered on her face and fingers during our movie night feast. As I tucked her in, her peaceful expression brought a smile to my face.

The innocence and trust she bestowed upon us reminded me of the immense responsibility we held as her family—to nurture and protect, providing a sense of security even in the darkness of the night.

As the morning sun cast its golden rays through the windows, a loud commotion downstairs disrupted the tranquility of the house. Belle stirred beside me, still groggy from sleep. I leaned over and planted a gentle kiss on her forehead, coaxing her to wake up.

"Good morning, Vita mia," I whispered, my voice filled with warmth and affection. Slowly, she opened her eyes, a sleepy smile spreading across her face. We quickly freshened up and made our way downstairs, hand in hand.

As we entered the dining hall, I was greeted by a chaotic scene. The twins, Alessandro and Adriano, were engaged in a lively game of fruit throwing, laughter echoing through the room. Their antics came to an abrupt halt as my stern gaze fell upon them. They immediately ceased their game and sheepishly took their seats.

With Belle comfortably settled on my lap, I take my place at the head of the table. I addressed the children, the seriousness in my tone unmistakable.

"Your uncle Lorenzo and Caleb will be arriving in about an hour. I expect all of you to be on your best behavior and not cause a ruckus when they arrive."

In unison, they responded with a chorus of "yes" before returning to their activities, the reminder of the impending guests lingering in their minds.

As Belle's breakfast was served, I lovingly fed her, relishing the joy in her eyes as she savored each bite. Elio, ever the responsible older brother, proudly announced that Belle was fully recovered and no longer needed to take her medicine. Belle's face lit up with delight, a contagious squeal of happiness escaping her lips.

As we settled in the living room, anticipation filled the air. We patiently awaited the arrival of my brother, Lorenzo, and my nephew, Caleb. While we waited, Belle approached me with a touch of sadness in her eyes.

"P-Papa, w-when will I g-go to s-school? I want to make more friends, but everyone is always busy to play with me," she expressed, her voice tinged with longing.

I pulled her closer, enveloping her in a comforting embrace. "Soon, vita mia, I promise," I reassured her, a gentle smile playing on my lips.

Her face instantly brightened, a glimmer of hope and excitement shining in her eyes. "Really? Alright, I'll wait," she replied with determination, understanding that patience was key.

Just as the conversation settled, the door burst open with an unexpected force, causing Belle to jump into my arms in fear. My brother, Lorenzo, and my nephew, Caleb, made their grand entrance.

Elio's irritation was evident as he expressed his dissatisfaction with Lorenzo's dramatic entrance. "Can't you open the door like a human being, uncle?" he voiced, his tone tinged with annoyance, considering Belle's startled reaction.

Lorenzo, seemingly bemused by Elio's reaction, responded playfully, his confusion evident. "Why so grumpy early in the morning, my dear nephew? I haven't even done anything yet," he jested, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

The atmosphere momentarily tensed as Caleb, my nephew, directed a cold and distant question toward mine. "Who is that girl in your arms, uncle?" he inquired, his tone lacking warmth.

Understanding the need to bridge the gap and ease any discomfort, I intervened swiftly. "Caleb, this is your cousin, Isla Isabelle," I introduced Belle to the unfamiliar faces, encouraging her to face them directly. Although she followed my lead, I sensed her lingering fear, still unsure about these new people.

I approached Belle, crouching down to her eye level, offering reassurance. "They are family, my love, and they won't harm you. It's okay to feel a little scared, but remember, they are here to share our love and create beautiful memories together," I whispered gently, placing a tender kiss on her forehead. but I know that she still scared to new people so I didn't force her.

"What cousin, what do you mean?" Lorenzo exclaimed in a loud, agitated voice, causing Belle to flinch involuntarily. Natalie had been absent for quite some time, and Lorenzo's accusatory tone caught her off guard. "Do you have a mistress?" he continued, his voice filled with anger and suspicion.

Sensing the tension in the room, Alessandro, a calm and composed figure, stepped forward. "Uncle, please lower your voice," he said firmly, his tone carrying a hint of warning. "Let's not jump to conclusions here. We should handle this matter with grace and respect."

In an effort to defuse the situation, Alessandro decided to distract Belle, who was visibly uncomfortable. "Alessandro, bring the princess to the game room to entertain her," he instructed, casting a sharp gaze at his uncle, emphasizing his disapproval. Alessandro promptly picked up Belle, shooting Lorenzo a stern look before exiting the room.

As they walked away, I noticed Salvatore and Caleb huddled in a quiet corner, engaged in an intense conversation. Curiosity piqued, I beckoned Lorenzo to join me in my office, where we could discuss the matter privately.

It was evident that something significant was unfolding within our circle, and I felt compelled to share my concerns with him.

In the confines of my office, I began to divulge the distressing information I had recently learned. With a heavy heart, I recounted the instances of abuse that Belle, had been subjected to at the hands of Natalie and John.

Their actions had caused immense pain and suffering, leaving Belle scarred both physically and emotionally.

Lorenzo listened attentively, his brow furrowing with each word. I explained how we had already taken steps to alleviate their torment, striving to protect Belle and ease her distress. And it was evident that Belle still harbored deep-seated fear, making it challenging for her to trust new people.

I emphasized the importance of approaching the situation with sensitivity and compassion. We needed to ensure that Belle felt safe and secure in our presence, gradually fostering an environment of warmth and understanding.