Page 8 of Marco

"No." I feel the color drain from my own face. "How could you keep this from me?" I search her expression frantically, trying to reconcile my peaceful world with this shocking legacy lurking beneath the surface.

My grandmother reaches for my hand, her own still trembling. "I only wanted to protect you, Alessia. To give you the innocent childhood your parents never had."

I sit in stunned silence, the photo fluttering from my grasp. My identity, my past—suddenly strange and laced with menace. What else have they kept from me? I must learn the truth, no matter how dark. The Moretti name has marked me, despite all their efforts. But this is all new to me, and I feel far from equipped to deal with this information. Both in light of the threats it represents, but also what it means for my identity. Who even am I anymore?

Giulia's eyes glisten with tears as she continues.

"Your parents were not violent people, Alessia. But the mafia's reach is long, its roots run deep. As a girl, your mother was groomed to marry the son of a powerful mafia boss, sealing an alliance between the families."

I shudder, imagining my gentle mother trapped in that world.

"The marriage was arranged when she was just a child. By the time she came of age, she wanted no part of it. Your father helped her escape to America, away from the endless cycle of violence and obligation. But they could never fully break free."

Giulia pauses, lost in the past. I prompt her gently. "What happened then, Nonna?"

She refocuses on me with a sad smile. "Even an ocean away, the mafia never forgets a debt. Your parents were forced into money laundering to repay what was seen as a betrayal. It was the only way to protect you."

I feel sick at the thought of my parents' predicament. Ensnared by a past they didn't choose, compromising their values for my safety. It's a heavy inheritance. Then, spending their time on trying to protect me from the realities of what I'd been born into… but for what? They both died much before their time, leaving me an orphan. Was it all worth it in the end?

"The mafia world is patient. They bid their time with your parents, believing you could still be...useful. As the last Moretti heir, obligations remain." Giulia grips my hand tightly. "You must be vigilant, principessa."

My breath catches. The café, my home—nowhere is safe from this insidious web. I'm haunted by a legacy I never asked for. But I will not surrender to it. I am still my parents' daughter, and no matter what they were involved in before I was born, they were both good people. That must count for something.

I stare out the café window, watching people pass by on the bustling street outside. They all look so blissfully unaware, going about their normal lives. I envy their ignorance. Or maybe their lives harbor even more dark secrets than my own, but they have yet to find out about it.

Just yesterday, I was one of them. Now a heavy darkness surrounds me, changing everything I thought I knew.

I turn back to Giulia. "How could Mamma and Papa keep this from me? Didn't I deserve to know the truth?"

Giulia sighs, her eyes full of sympathy. "They wanted to shield you for as long as possible. To avoid you growing up like they did… knowing nothing other than the cage they felt they'd been brought into. When you were born, it was like a fresh start—a chance to break from the past."

I shake my head bitterly. "But the past found me anyway."

"Si, principessa." She sighs. "I know it's a terrible burden to bear."

My mind races with questions. Have I been unknowingly helping the mafia all this time, letting them launder money through the café? Are we still indebted to them? How far will they go to collect?

I think of Marco De Luca and his interest in utilizing the café for some strategic purpose. Wanting me to shut it down for weeks so he could do some type of business transaction. Is it all just a front to bring me deeper into their world?

Fear courses through me. I don't want this. But defying the mafia comes with a steep price. My parents paid it with their lives.

Giulia seems to read my thoughts. She cups my face gently. "Whatever comes, remember who you are. The legacy in your heart, not your blood."

I close my eyes, drawing strength from her words. She's right—I can't let this corrupt my spirit. I'm still Alessia Moretti, cafe owner and orphan, and I control my destiny.

But at the same time, what does this mean in terms of who I am? The shadows of the past are lurking, but it's a past I didn't know existed until now.

I take a deep breath and open my eyes, meeting Giulia's worried gaze. She looks so frail now, the weight of years and sorrow etched into her face. I realize with a pang that I can't burden her any further with my fears. This is my cross to bear.

"Thank you for telling me the truth, Nonna Giulia," I say, squeezing her hand. "I know it wasn't easy."

Giulia nods, blinking back tears. "I'll always be here if you need me. But you're strong, Alessia. Stronger than you know."

I manage a small smile, hoping she's right. We hold each other for a long moment, drawing comfort from the embrace.

Then the bell on the café door chimes, breaking the spell. I pull back and smooth my apron, composing myself before I greet the customer.

But when I turn, my blood runs cold. Marco De Luca saunters in, flanked by two hulking men in sharp suits. The café is empty—we're closed, save for Giulia and I tidying up.

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