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"You're too kind for your own good," he mutters before walking away.
I stand there for a moment, watching his retreating figure disappear down the hall. A part of me wants to go after him, to try and bridge the gap between us. But another part knows that it's not that simple.
The next morning, as I sit down to breakfast with Antonio, the silence between us is palpable. He barely glances my way as he sips his coffee, and I can feel his eyes burning into me as I take a bite of toast.
"Antonio, please," I finally say, setting down my utensils. "Can't we talk about this?"
"What's there to talk about?" he snaps, slamming his mug on the table.
"Everything!" I plead. "Anything! Please just talk to me."
"There's nothing to say, Mia," he drones condescendingly. "Lucas betrayed us, and you took his side."
"I didn't take anyone's side!" I exclaim. "But I couldn't just let Lucas die."
"Look," he starts, his voice low. "I know you did what you thought was right by saving that scum, but you also put us in jeopardy. You've put the family at risk."
"I'm sorry-!"
He gets up and walks out, leaving his food nearly untouched. I swallow hard, trying to not let my emotions get the better of me. The guilt and regret that had started to creep into my mind immediately floods in full-force. I scramble after him, calling for him to wait. Out in the hallway, he and Xavier are standing together and I take the opportunity to talk to them both.
"You don't understand," I continue desperately. "It wasn't as simple as choosing a side – it was about doing what's right! About being merciful!"
Xavier crosses his arms and focuses his gaze away from me as Antonio shakes his head.
"I don't think I have any interest in hearing what you have to say," Xavier finally says, an icy chill radiating off of him. "Whether or not I can trust the words that come out of your mouth is something else entirely."
"Please," I implore him, the desperation evident in my voice. "Just try to see it from my perspective! Just try… please!"
"You know what the family wants?" he asks, still refusing to meet my pleading stare. "They want me to find him and make an example of him. To tear him apart and everyone he's ever cared for."
Finally, he looks at me. The anguish on Xavier's face breaks my heart as he stands there. His gaze is hard and unforgiving.
"Including you," he confesses. "And I'm not sure what to do."
I stand there, my heart sinking as Xavier's words resonate in my ears. The family wants me dead? Is this really happening? Does he truly mean it? I can't help but feel a sense of betrayal. After everything we've been through, Xavier and Antonio are willing to turn their backs on me just like that?
The weight of his words feels like a physical blow, and I can't help but take a step back. The thought of Xavier turning on me, of the family turning on me, is terrifying. But deep down, I know that standing up for what's right was worth it - even if it means losing everything.
"Xavier, please," I whisper, feeling the tears threatening to spill out of my eyes. "You can't mean that."
"I don't know what I mean anymore," he says, his voice heavy with emotion. "All I know is that you've put us all in a dangerous position, and I don't know if I can trust you anymore."
"But you love me, don't you?" I plead, reaching out to touch his arm.
He pulls away as if I burned him. "Love isn't enough," he states coldly and walks away.
I turn toward Antonio. "Tony..."
He just shakes his head, turning and walking in the opposite direction, leaving me as my heart is breaking into a thousand pieces. I want to say something, anything, to make him understand that my intentions were pure. That I never meant to hurt anyone or put the family at risk. But I know deep down that it's pointless. Xavier and Antonio have made up their minds;
In saving Lucas, I've lost all three of the men I love.
47
MIA
"No one is keeping you here."
