Page 25 of Arranged Mafia Marriage

Santino clears his throat. “I owe you an explanation, Felicity, and an apology.”

“You do,” she says, her voice quiet but firm.

Santino wheels himself closer, his movements slow and deliberate. “I met your mother in Miami. She was a ray of sunshine in my dark world. Our time together was brief but intense. When she told me she was pregnant, I was overjoyed.” He pauses. “But I was also terrified. My enemies were closing in, and they would use you and your mother against me if they found out.”

Felicity shifts forward slightly. “So you sent us away?”

Santino shakes his head. “No, your mother made that choice. She knew the dangers of my world and decided to shelter you by disappearing.”

Her brow wrinkles. “But you knew where we were. You could have contacted us.”

“I had my men watch over you from afar, ensuring you and your mother were protected.”

She grits her teeth. “Protected? We moved constantly. Mom never felt safe. How is that protection?”

His expression crumples with guilt. “I made many mistakes, Felicity. I thought I was doing what was best for you, but I see now how much pain I caused.”

“You abandoned us,” says Felicity, her voice cracking. “Do you have any idea what that did to Mom? To me?”

I step closer, ready to intervene if needed, but Santino holds up a hand.

“There’s no excuse for that. I can only ask for your forgiveness, and the chance to make amends.”

Felicity stares at him, tears glistening in her eyes. “How? How can you possibly make up for a lifetime of absence?”

He reaches out, his hand trembling slightly. “I can’t change the past, but I want to be part of your future, if you’ll let me. I want to know you and be the father I should have been all along.”

Felicity hesitates, her gaze flickering between Santino’s outstretched hand and his face. I hold my breath, watching the internal struggle play out across her features.

Finally, she takes a deep breath. “I can’t forgive you. Not yet, but... I’m willing to try to get to know you.”

Relief makes him seem more approachable. “That’s more than I deserve. Thank you, Felicity.”

She nods, then asks, “Why now? Why reach out after all this time?”

Santino’s expression grows somber. “My health is failing, as you can see, and your half-brother, Damiano... he’s become a threat. I needed to ensure your safety and bring you into the fold.”

“By marrying me off to Kiril?” asks Felicity, a hint of bitterness in her tone.

I tense, ready for Santino’s reaction, but he surprises me with his candor.

“It wasn’t my first choice, but Kiril is a good man, and I trust him to keep you safe. The alliance between our families will keep you safe from Damiano’s ambitions.”

Felicity turns to look at me, her expression unreadable. I meet her gaze steadily, hoping she can see my sincerity.

“And what about what I want?” asks Felicity, turning back to Santino. “Did you ever consider that?”

Santino looks pained. “It’s not ideal, but in our world, we sometimes have to make difficult choices for the greater good.”

“Your world,” she corrects. “Not mine.”

“It’s your world now,” says Santino gently. “Whether you want it to be or not, but I’ll do everything in my power to make it easier for you.”

Felicity is quiet for a moment, processing his words. Then she asks, “Tell me about my mother. How did you meet?”

His weathered face reflects joy and sorrow. “Ah, Susan. She was working as a cocktail waitress at a high-end club in Miami. I was there on business, and the moment I saw her, I was captivated.” He launches into the story of their whirlwind romance, painting a picture of stolen moments and passionate encounters. As he speaks, her face softens.

“She was fearless,” says Santino, his voice filled with admiration. “She stood up to me like no one else ever had.” The tension in the room is thick as he frowns, looking undecided about something before he speaks again. “There’s something I need to clarify. The story I just told you is not the whole truth.”

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