Chapter 59
Tiziano Constanzo
I had already laid all my cards on the table.
I’d told her I loved her, that I wanted that child more than anything.
I was still the son of a bitch sitting in an armchair, waiting for her brother to wake up, but I was a remorseful son of a bitch.
And more than that, I was willing to do anything to make that woman love me, to see her smiling beside me every single day.
Alessandro’s groans began to grow louder, and I realized he was finally waking up.
“About time you woke up,” I said coldly, making no attempt to hide my indifference.
He looked around, clearly confused, before asking sarcastically:
“Are we in hell?”
“We’re trapped in this hellish loop,” I replied calmly. “Where we always find ourselves in different situations, but in the end, no matter what we do, we keep heading toward the pit crawling with maggots.”
He laughed, trying to sit up, but groaned in pain when he moved.
“I don’t mind the fire,” he said, unable to hide the sarcasm, his muscles tense with pain.
“Two broken ribs. Breathing okay?” I asked mockingly.
“Do you care whether I breathe?” he asked.
“No,” I replied coldly. “But I decided I’m going to make my woman happy unconditionally. You being alive makes her happy, and a lifetime of grief is exactly what I want to avoid.”
He laughed, even though it was weak and painful.
“Sensible of you. But if this is how we’re going to coexist, with you breaking my back, I’m going to need better health insurance.”
“It wasn’t me,” I replied with a wicked smile. “I would’ve enjoyed doing it, but not this time.”
Alessandro grimaced and, with a sigh, settled more comfortably against the pillow.
“Enough with the small talk,” he said impatiently. “What the hell do you want from me, Tiziano?”
“I’m waiting for you to recover so you can go home,” I replied seriously.
He turned his face toward me, suspicion still in his eyes.
“Are you serious? Because I remember being dragged out of my house by your soldiers.”
“Yes, I’m serious,” I confirmed, holding his gaze.
Alessandro sighed, letting his head fall back against the pillow, visibly exhausted.
“I love her just as much as you do. Bianca is the spitting image of Mom, and that son of a bitch made her suffer.”
“Who are you talking about?” I asked, confused, not understanding where he was going with this.
“Who else?” he replied, his expression hardening. “Vittorio.”
He spat the name with hatred.
“Your father,” I said ironically.
He laughed bitterly, then, with an empty look in his eyes, began speaking again.
“That son of a bitch was never a father to anyone. All he ever cared about was himself and his business. I would’ve killed him if you hadn’t.
For a long time, I believed Bianca was dead, until I found out about the money his right-hand man had been sending Ant?nio.
It was never anything against you. I just wanted my sister to be free, without being hunted by some fucking lunatic. ”
I laughed without humor.
“Fucking lunatic...” I murmured. “I hope you can handle having one as a brother-in-law.”
He looked at me, still tense.
“If it makes my sister happy, I can live with it.”
“I’m going to make her the happiest woman in the world,” I replied, with a certainty that came straight from my soul.