Page 86 of The Don's Eternal Vows

"By his side, all beauty seems multiplied," I observe, surprising myself with my boldness.

Venus's laughter rings out, clear and bright. "Oh, I can see why you two are meant for each other. Listen carefully," she gestures at her ear, "we have much to discuss about your future... and your past."

Gianni and I exchange glances, wondering what this Goddess wants with us.

Venus's melodic voice fills the air, each word a symphony in itself. "There was a hidden clause in your agreement with Hades," she reveals, her eyes twinkling. "Your ultimate sacrifice for true love has broken his curse."

My heart skips a beat. I grip Gianni's hand tighter, feeling his pulse quicken beneath my fingers.

"What do you mean, Goddess?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

Venus continues, "Your souls are free from his grasp. The depth of your love, your willingness to give everything for each other – it was stronger than any bond Hades could forge."

I turn to Gianni, searching his face. His eyes are wide with disbelief, his lips breaking into a smile. For a moment, he looks like that young boy I fell in love with so long ago—vulnerable and hopeful.

"Could it be true?" he breaks into a halted laugh, incredulously.

I can't help but laugh, a sound of pure joy bubbling up from deep within me. "Gianni," I breathe, cupping his face in my hands. "We're free."

The weight of our past – the blood, the betrayals, the constant fear – seems to lift from our shoulders. Gianni pulls me into a fierce embrace, his strong arms enveloping me completely. I bury my face in his chest, inhaling his familiar scent of sandalwood and leather.

"I never thought..." Gianni murmurs into my hair, his voice thick with unshed tears.

I pull back just enough to look into his eyes, seeing my wonder and joy reflected there. "We did it," I whisper, tracing the line of his jaw. "Together."

Venus clears her throat softly, and I reluctantly pull away from Gianni's embrace. The goddess's expression has shifted, her ethereal beauty now tinged with a gravity that sends a shiver down my spine.

"Genoveva, Gianni," she says, her melodic voice carrying an undercurrent of seriousness. "Your journey is not yet complete. You stand at a crossroads unlike any other."

I feel Gianni's hand tighten around mine. "What do you mean?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

Venus gestures to the meadow around us. "This place exists outside of time. Here, the threads of fate are malleable, and decisions carry immense weight."

My mind reels. "We're not... dead?"

"Not quite," Venus replies. Her azure eyes meet mine, filled with infinite compassion. "You have a choice to make."

Gianni tenses beside me. I can feel the rapid beat of his heart against my side.

"What kind of choice?" he demands, his gravelly voice laced with suspicion.

Venus spreads her hands. "You can accept death, journeying to the underworld with your souls whole and unbound. Or..." She pauses, and I find myself holding my breath. "You can accept my gift of life. I can return you to a pivotal moment in your past, giving you the chance to rewrite your story."

My heart races. A second chance? The possibility is intoxicating yet terrifying. I think of all the pain, the bloodshed, the impossible choices we've faced. Could we really change it all?

I look at Gianni, noting the subtle tightening of his jaw, the flicker of something unreadable in his dark eyes. His mind is racing; I can almost see the gears turning as he weighs our options.

"Genoveva," he murmurs, his voice husky with emotion. "What do you think?"

I swallow hard, my throat suddenly dry. "We could change everything," I whisper, more to myself than to him. "No more blood on our hands, no more looking over our shoulders."

The meadow seems to hold its breath, the air thick with anticipation. Sunflowers and daisies stand unnaturally still as if frozen in time. I can feel the pull of both paths tugging at my heart, and I see the same conflict etched on Gianni's face.

"It's tempting," Gianni murmurs, his gravelly voice low. "A clean slate, a chance to do it all over."

I nod, my fingers instinctively tightening around his. "But the peace of finality with our souls intact... it has its allure, doesn't it?"

His dark eyes meet mine, intense and searching. "We've clawed our way through hell to be together, Genoveva. Part of me wants to rest, to... be with you, without looking over our shoulders."

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