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“It’s okay. By the way, Mom is very worried about you. Alessio told her that you won’t be working today. She sent me to check up on you,” Maddie explained.
Pushing the comforter away, I struggled out of bed and stood up. “I want to see her.”
I couldn’t bear the thought of Lena being worried about me.
In a short time, she had become a second mother to me. I never had anyone hold me when I cried. Most importantly, no one had ever been worried about me.
But Lena had been, and all I wanted to do was hug her. I needed her comforting touch and soft smiles. I felt like a child desperate for her mother.
“Okay,” Maddie said, her voice snapping back into the present. I looked back to see her standing up and fixing her black dress.
“I’ll see you downstairs.” She gave me a quick hug and then walked out of my bedroom, closing the door behind her.
I changed into my black dress. After brushing my teeth, and fixing my hair in a tight ponytail, I went downstairs. As soon as I walked into the kitchen, Lena gasped.
“Oh, my Lord. My sweet child. I was so worried!” She crushed my body to hers, holding me tight.
“Lena, I can’t breathe,” I managed to say. She instantly loosened her hold and took a step back.
“Let me look at you.” Before I could say anything, Lena grasped my face in her hands and turned it left and then right, checking for bruises. When she didn’t find any, she took a step back and inspected me from head to toe.
“Lena, I’m okay,” I mumbled, the lump in my throat growing tighter. I thought my words would calm her, but when she saw my bandaged wrists, her eyes grew stormy.
“Stubborn man,” she hissed. “I told him you were innocent. Took him long enough to realize his mistake.” Her lips pulled down in a sad frown.
Taking a step closer, I wrapped her in my arms and gave her a hug. I took in a deep breath, her jasmine perfume filling my nose and instantly soothing me.
“As long as he believes that I’m not a traitor, then I don’t have any problem,” I said. Lena was silent, so I added with a reassuring tone, “I’m okay. Really.” After a few seconds, she finally nodded and turned around.
“Sit down. Maddie and I are almost done with lunch,” she said, pointing at the stools by the bar. As I settled myself in a stool, Maddie brought me a plate of toast, eggs, and potatoes.
“Thank you,” I said, then ate in silence as I watched Maddie and Lena working in the kitchen.
I was slowly sipping my juice when Maddie spoke, and her words made my breath catch in my throat.
“Mom, why do the Ivanshovs and Abandonatos hate each other so much? I mean, I know it runs deeper than just two mob groups fighting. But I never asked why.”
I almost choked on my juice.
Coughing, I placed the glass on the counter and brought a shaky hand to my mouth. Maddie and Lena turned toward me, looking concerned. I just brushed them off with a flick on my wrist, letting them know I was okay.
Actually, I wasn’t okay. I could barely breathe.
“Oh dear, it’s a long story,” Lena said, sighing.
Straightening my shoulders, I instantly perked up. I knew our families hated each other with a fierce passion, but I didn’t know why. A few times, I had heard Alberto talking about the Ivanshovs and how they would wipe out the Abandonato if they ever had a chance.
Clearing my throat, I said, “I was wondering about that too.” When Lena gave me a strange look, I quickly made an excuse. “I mean, when Alessio thought that I was a spy for the Abandonatos, he was really furious. So, I was wondering why.”
“He does truly hate them.” Wiping her hand on her apron, she walked toward the bar and sat down on a stool. Maddie and I sat on either side of her.
“Maddie, you were still a baby. So, you won’t remember anything. There was a big fight between the two families. I mean, they were always enemies, but after that night…” Lena paused and shook her head sadly. “Alfredo invaded the estate. Lyov, Alessio’s father, wasn’t home.” A tear escaped Lena’s eye. “It was a whole bloody mess. So many men died that night. And poor Maria, Alessio’s mother. She was killed. Alfredo killed her and then left a note on her body. It said, ‘Let that be a lesson for you.’ She was pregnant.” Lena broke off and started crying, her sobs filling the room.
My eyes widened and it felt like my heart would burst any moment. My stomach twisted so painfully that I thought I would puke. My body tingled. I felt as if I was being stuffed into a small box. Numbness swam through me.
