Page 46 of Mafia Shade's Reluctant Bride
I didn’t respond.
She sighed, reaching for the teacup resting on the small wooden table beside her. Her movements were slower now and more careful than they used to be. The sight of it ached dreadfully through my chest.
“So?” she asked, taking a small sip. “Are you finally here to tell me about the woman who’s been on your mind?”
I froze, fingers tightening over my knee. “What makes you think—”
“Oh, please.” She rolled her eyes. “I raised you, Lorenzo. I know when something—or someone—is bothering you.”
I exhaled through my nose. “It’s complicated.” I wasn’t sure I wanted to tell her about Maria coming back. The last time, my mum was heartbroken when Maria left, and she felt I pushed her away with my attitude.
“It always is.”
I let out a dry chuckle. “You really don’t make this easy, do you?”
Her lips curled into a soft smile. “No, I don’t. But that’s why you love me.”
Damn her and her ability to see right through me.
I leaned forward, resting my elbows on my knees. “It’s Maria.” I finally came clean.
I looked up to find my mother watching me with that quiet, knowing expression.
“Ah,” she murmured. "Maria."
I studied her face carefully. “You don’t seem surprised.”
“That’s because I’m not.” She set her teacup down with a soft clink. “That girl had your heart long before you ever realized it. Even when she left, a part of me knew that wasn’t the end. You two just needed time.”
I dragged a hand down my face. “It doesn’t matter.”
“Why not?”
“Because I’m not the same person I was back then.” My voice was quieter now and strained. “She’s… good. She still believes in people. And me? I see the worst in them. I’ve become the very thing I swore I’d never be.”
Her expression softened. “Lorenzo.”
I shook my head. “You used to tell me I had a kind heart and that I was meant for more than this. But I look in the mirror now, and I don’t recognize that person anymore. I see him.”
I could see the expression on her face change, and I instantly regretted bringing him up.
She reached out, placing her cold hand over mine. “I never said you lost your heart, figlio mio. Just that you buried it.”
My throat tightened.
“You think you’re too far gone, but you’re not,” she continued. “You’ve let this world harden you, but there is still good in you, Lorenzo. I see it. You are not like him. You can never be like him.”
I swallowed hard, my voice barely above a whisper. “Then, why don’t I?”
She gave my hand a small squeeze. “Because you’ve spent so long convincing yourself you don’t deserve to.”
I looked away, jaw clenched.
“Maria sees it too, doesn’t she?”
I didn’t answer because I wasn’t aware how she saw me. When we helped the lady with her boyfriend, I was dismissive at first, and she had pointed out how I stopped believing in people. She must see me as some sort of monster.
She chuckled, her voice gentle. “Of course she does.”
