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My eyes roamed around the private jet’s luxurious cabin. It was quiet, save for the gentle hum of the engines The scent of polished leather and fresh roses lingered in the air, a subtle reminder of my mother’s penchant for elegance. The flight attendant approached with practiced grace, her uniform pristine
“Signora Vitale, we’ll be taking off shortly. Please fasten your seatbelt,” she said, her voice smooth and professional
I nodded, clicking the belt into place. “Thank you.
A silver tray appeared a moment later, laden with a glass of champagne and an assortment of delicacies. I waved
it away, my appetite lost in the storm of emotions brewing inside me.
The Second Chance for A Mafia’s Runway de
I nodded, clicking the belt into place. “Thank you.”
A silver tray appeared a moment later, laden with a glass of champagne and an assortment of delicacies. I waved it away, my appetite lost in the storm of emotions brewing inside me.
As the engines roared to life, I glanced out the window, watching the runway blur beneath us. My phone vibrated in my lap, Lorenzo’s name flashing on the screen once again. I stared at it for a long moment before pressing the power button.
“What a pity, Lorenzo.” I disgustedly said as I slipped the phone into my designer bag
The flight attendant returned, offering a warm smile. “Would you like anything else before we ascend?”
“No, I’m fine. Just let me know when we’re about to land,” I replied
“Of course,” she said, retreating to the galley.
As the jet soared above the clouds, I leaned back in the plush seat, exhaustion tugging at my eyelids. I closed my eyes, hoping for peace, but dreams came instead–unforgiving and vivid.
Lorenzo’s face swam into view, his boyish grin unguarded under the olive tree where we once played as children. “I’m the groom, and you’re the prettiest bride,” he had declared, his voice filled with innocent conviction.
The memory shifted to a more recent promise, his voice steady and sure as he slipped a ring onto my finger “Aletta, I swear I’ll give you the grandest wedding You’ll be the happiest woman alive.”
Even in a cruel taunt.
sleep, his words mocked me, echoing!
I woke with a jolt as the captain’s voice came over the intercom. “Signora Vitale, we will be landing in twenty minutes. The weather is clear, and we anticipate a smooth descent.”
I straightened, smoothing my suit and reaching for my compact to check my reflection. The woman staring back at me was a stranger–short hair, sharp eyes, and a cold determination that could cut steel.
As the jet taxied to a halt on the private runway, I spotted my mother standing at the base of the steps, her dark hair styled to perfection and her emerald scarf fluttering in the breeze
“Mama,” I whispered as I descended, my voice barely audible over the engines.
“Aletta, my darling,” she exclaimed, wrapping me in a fierce embrace “You’re home… At last
Her warmth was a balm to my raw emotions, and I clung to her for a moment longer than I intended
“You’ve changed,” she said, pulling back to examine me. “Stronger. And this hair… it suits you. You look every bit the Vitale you were born to be.”
“I needed a change.” I managed a weak smile. “I missed you, Mama. It’s been years… so long since you last
visited me.”
“Come. We have much to discuss “Her expression turned serious, her hand tightening on mine. “We have tool
many moments that we miss being mother and daughter. We need to heal us both, right?”
“Yeah, and for a starter… who is Matteo Santoro, Mama? How do you know him?”
“Matteo?” Mama frowned, “You met him?”
“Yes.” I nodded. “He was assigned as my bodyguard by Lorenzo. He has a double identity. I know because
working with some mafia, and yet… yet he has an obvious big time mafia organization.”
“He has,” Mama whispered with concerned emotions in her eyes. “Such a big mafia organization he was ruling.”
“And what’s that?”
“The Emperio.”
