Chapter 96 Emotional Turbulence

Words : 1160 Updated : May 20th, 2025

"Mommy, Daddy promised he would come to meet us today," Gia whined, her blue eyes wide with innocent hope as she looked up at Mia. "Sweetie, Daddy might be busy at the office," Mia coaxed gently, her fingers running through Gia's soft, blond locks. "But you said he would come if we had dinner on time. Now dinner is over, and he still hasn't come," Gia complained, her little face forming a pout of disappointment. Mia sighed, her brow furrowing as she gazed at her daughter. She couldn't understand why Alessandro hadn't shown up. He never broke his promises, especially not te Gia and Maximo. What could have kept him so occupied? She debated calling him, wanting to know, yet hesitant to pry into his business. After yesterday's harrowing incident, Mia grappled with conflicting thoughts about Alessandro's in her children's lives. While they craved a father figure, having someone like him around also meant living under a constant shadow of danger and threats to their safety. "I'm going to call him," Gia declared stubbornly. "Sweetie, no..." Mia tried to stop her, but Gia didn't wait and snatched the phone from the bedside table, dialing Alessandro's number. The phone continued to ring, and Gia waited with hope in her heart. After several rings, Alessandro finally answered the phone, "Hello?!" Gia's face brightened upon hearing Alessandro's deep voice. "Daddy!" she called out loudly in excitement. Despite being on the phone and needing to speak softly, her enthusiasm spilled over. "Gia! Sweetheart, why aren't you in bed yet?" Alessandro asked, frowning and checking his wristwatch. "Daddy, you promised me you would come to see me today and that we would talk a lot," Gia complained, her disappointment evident. "Sweetie," Alessandro sighed, rubbing his forehead, I'm busy with work." "But you promised," Gia pressed. "I know, Gia, but work is important, Alessandro snapped curtly. Gia flinched at the harshness in his voice. She didn't expect her daddy to speak to her like this. She was his princess, a piece of his heart. How could he be so distant? "Daddy. Her voice trembled, tears pooling in her innocent eyes. "L... I was missing you," she whispered softly, her words carrying the weight of longing Alessandro's heart constricted with pain. He cursed himself for hurting his princess. He longed so badly to tell her how much he missed her too, but he couldn't. He was trying to be hard on her so she could forget about him. He was a live danger in Gia and Maximo's life, and he couldn't bear it if anything happened to them because of him. So he decided to cut ties and keep his distance from those whom he loved more than his life. "Gia. I have to go. I have work. And don't call me every time, okay?" His voice was curt as he ordered ruthlessly. He knew his words would hurt her and she might already be sobbing, and the thought pierced his heart. Despite it being his plan, it tore at him knowing he was causing his princess such pain. Without waiting for her response, he abruptly ended the call, his finger pressing the button almost reluctantly. He had to hang up before he could soften, before he could beg for her forgiveness for his seeming heartlessness. Gia stared blankly at the phone, tears streaming down her cheeks uncontrollably. Maximo, who had witnessed the scene unfold before him, narrowed his eyes and clenched his jaw as he gently took the phone from his twin sister. "Don't cry for that heartless man, Gia. It's better he's not our real father. He could never be a good father to us, and it's better we found out now rather than later," Maximo said bitterly, though deep down, he too felt the sting of Alessandro's cold behavior. Maximo had started to see Alessandro as a father figure and had been hopeful about Alessandro and Mia's wedding. But seeing Alessandro's heartlessness shattered those hopes in an instant. "But I love Daddy." Gia sobbed, clinging to the hope that things could still be different. Mia embraced her daughter, comforting her gently. "Gia, maybe he's under a lot of stress. Let's give him some time, okay?!" she said, trying to calm both Gia and Maximo, relieved to see their expressions soften slightly. "Really, Mom?! He will come once his work is finished! Gia asked, hope shining in her eyes. Maximo also looked at their mother with equal eagerness. Mia smiled warmly at both her children and beckoned Maximo closer, stretching out her arm. He ran into her embrace, and they settled together on Mia's lap. She gently caressed their heads, coaxing them towards sleep. "Yes, your daddy will come. After all, how long can he stay away from you two?" she murmured softly. But underneath her reassuring words, Mia's heart was filled with doubts and fears. She couldn't shake the uncertainty about why Alessandro had suddenly changed. Meanwhile, in Alessandro's office, after hanging up on Gia, he sat in silence with a gloomy expression. Matteo, who had observed the entire phone conversation, couldn't contain his curiosity any longer. "What was that?" he asked, unable to hold back his intrigue at Alessandro's unusual behavior. "Matteo, not now!" Alessandro warned in a dull voice, licking his dry lips. "Are you serious, Alessandro? You did everything to bring them back into your life, and now you're behaving so rudely?! Are you trying to push them away from you? Because if you lose them this time, you won't be able to find them again, Matteo reminded his mafia friend sternly. "I know," Alessandro breathed out tiredly. "And I intend to do it." "What? Are you insane? How can you do this to such angelic children? They are your flesh and blood, Alessandro, Matteo shouted in rage at his friend's perceived stupidity. Alessandro lifted his head, meeting Matteo's gaze. Matteo was shocked to see remorse Alessandro's eyes. "They are my only family left, and I don't want to lose them," Alessandro whispered, his lips trembling with the pain in his heart. "My life is full of danger. I literally live on my deathbed, surrounded by so many people who want to see me dead. If anything happens to Mia and the children, I will never forgive myself." Alessandro sighed heavily. "So they are better off and safer without me," he declared. Matteo watched him speechlessly. He knew the Italian don was right, but his children deserved to be with their father. In that moment, Matteo didn't know what advice to give to his broken mafia friend. All he could do was pray for him and hope that Alessandro would also find his happily ever after someday.

Chapter 96 Emotional Turbulence

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