Page 87 of The Don's Eternal Vows

A lump forms in my throat. "And the other part?"

Gianni's jaw clenches. "Wants to fix everything. To spare you the pain, the fear, to fulfill our dreams..."

I cup his face, tracing the scar on his chin. "Our pain made us who we are, my love. It forged this bond between us."

Venus watches us, her ethereal presence a gentle reminder of the enormity of our choices. When she speaks, her voice is like honey and starlight.

"Whatever path you choose," she assures us, "it will be honored. Your love has already conquered death itself. Trust in that strength. So, which is it you choose? Eternal peace or a second chance at life?"

Chapter 37

Gianni

I jolt awake, my eyes immediately drawn to the brilliant emerald on Genoveva's slender finger. Her hand is still in mine as she sleeps peacefully next to me.

The ring catches the soft morning light, reminding me of last night's celebration—our anniversary. But as I sit up abruptly, everything else rises to the surface.

"Cristo," I mutter, running a hand through my hair. My heart races as I try to piece together the fragments of what's happened. The war with Paolo Greco. Genoveva's lifeless body in my arms. The sickening journey through the underworld.

I glance at Genoveva's sleeping form, hardly daring to believe she's really here. My voice is a ragged whisper. "How is this possible?"

The bargain with Hades replays in my mind - the desperation, the soul-crushing weight of grief driving me to make a deal with the lord of the dead himself. I can still feel the icy chill of the underworld clinging to my bones.

How I fought to bring her back. How it ended with our deaths.

Venus' intervention flashes before my eyes - her ethereal beauty, her words of hope. A second chance, she called it.

My gaze returns to Genoveva, and I drink in every detail of her face—the elegant curve of her cheekbones and the soft sweep of her lashes. My chest constricts painfully as I remember her lying cold and still, lost to me forever.

"Never again," I vow fiercely, reaching out to brush a strand of hair from her forehead. "I won't lose you again, mio amore."

The weight of all that's happened settles heavily on my shoulders—the war with Greco, the violence and betrayal that led us here. I know things must change if we're to survive this second chance.

My mind races, already formulating plans and strategies. No more reckless pride, no more letting my temper rule my decisions. For Genoveva and our future, I must be smarter. Calmer. More in control.

A soft gasp beside me breaks the silence. Genoveva's eyes flutter open, widening as they meet mine. For a heartbeat, we're frozen, suspended in disbelief.

"Gianni?" Her voice trembles, barely above a whisper. "Is this... are we...?"

I nod, my throat too tight for words. The realization crashes over us both - the nightmare was real, but so is this miracle.

"We made it," I manage, my voice rough with emotion. "We're alive, mia cara."

A choked laugh escapes her lips, half sob, half joy. "I thought I'd lost you forever."

"Never," I growl, pulling her close. "Death itself couldn't keep us apart."

Our lips meet in a desperate, passionate kiss. I pour everything into it - my fear, my relief, my unwavering love. Genoveva matches my intensity, her fingers digging into my shoulders as if afraid I'll disappear.

When we finally break apart, both breathless, I rest my forehead against hers. "A second chance," I murmur. "We can't waste it."

She nods, her eyes shining with determination. "We'll do things differently this time. No more reckless moves."

"Together," I agree, sealing the promise with another kiss. "We face everything together."

Our laughter mingles, a sound of pure, unbridled hope. At this moment, anything seems possible.

The next morning, I sit behind my mahogany desk, the scent of fresh espresso mingling with the lingering notes of my cigar. Sunlight filters through the half-drawn blinds, casting long shadows across the room. My mind is clear and focused, different from how it was in the midst of recent days' chaos.

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