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It pained me to see him like this.
"Are you okay, Emilio?" I asked gently, observing the whirlwind of emotions in his eyes as he sat at the table.
He sighed, his expression troubled.
"Not really," he admitted, his voice heavy with the weight of his feelings.
Sensing his need to talk, I sat down across from him and listened intently as he poured his heart out. He struggled to put into words the complex array of emotions that had gripped him since his father's passing.
"I don't know how to act," he began, his voice tinged with frustration. "I'm happy he's gone because, let's face it, he was a monster. But at the same time, I'm sad. He passed away without even acknowledging or apologizing for the torment he put me through. And then there's this anger... How could he look so peaceful in death when he left me feeling tortured in the land of the living?"
I empathized with the torment he was going through. It was an emotional rollercoaster I couldn’t even begin to imagine.
"Emilio," I said softly, "it's okay to feel all these things. You're human, and what you went through was unimaginably difficult. Your feelings are valid."
He looked at me, his eyes grateful for the understanding.
"Thank you," he murmured, taking a deep breath as if trying to clear the jumble of emotions.
"I'm here for you," I reassured him, placing my hand over his. "You don't have to go through this alone."
He nodded appreciatively, his hand finding a sense of comfort in mine. He continued to share, speaking of the surreal moment when he approached his father's coffin during the funeral. His father looked peaceful, and that struck him deeply.
"How could he look so peaceful, as if he had done no wrong when he had tormented me for so long?" He mused, his voice a mix of disbelief and anger.
I met his gaze, offering a sympathetic look. "It's hard to understand sometimes how people can project a certain image to the world, even when their actions have been anything but peaceful. It's not about you. It's about him and his demons."
Emilio nodded, absorbing my words. "I just wish he had faced the consequences of his actions while he was alive. I wanted him to know the pain he had caused."
"Closure is something we all seek," I replied softly. "But sometimes, it's about finding our closure within ourselves, regardless of whether the other person realizes their wrongdoings."
Emilio nodded, digesting my words. His eyes showed a glimmer of hope as if realizing that closure was something he could attain within himself.
"What's your plan moving forward?" I asked gently, curious about how he intended to rebuild his life after this monumental event.
"I'm going to leave the mafia," he stated, his voice resolute.
Surprised, even though he had mentioned it before, I felt a mixture of worry and admiration. It was a courageous decision, one that I knew wouldn't come without challenges.
"And the mastermind behind the conflict between the Fiore and Mancini family?" I inquired, concerned about the safety and peace he sought.
He considered my question carefully. "The leader of the Mancini family was after me, but now that he's gone, I doubt anyone will come after me again. As for the mastermind, honestly, I don't care anymore. I want to move forward, away from this darkness. I want to reach for something better."
"I'm proud of you," I said sincerely, a smile tugging at my lips.
He returned the smile, gratitude evident in his eyes. "I wouldn't have been able to do it without you. Your support has meant everything to me."
Finishing our breakfast, the atmosphere between us had lightened considerably. I was genuinely happy for Emilio, proud of the courageous steps he was taking to carve out a new path.
However, my heart was burdened with a secret I carried. I couldn't shake off the thought that amidst this newfound hope and change, there was another life growing within me. I felt a mix of emotions - joy, anxiety, and a profound sense of responsibility.
As Emilio stood, expressing his intention to head to his company, I understood it was his way of seeking distraction from the whirlwind of emotions. It was a moment for both of us to gather our thoughts.
My mind was in a mess, wrestling with the decision of whether or not to tell him about the pregnancy. The recent loss of his father made me hesitate. Would it be fair to tell him this news now?
Shaking off the uncertainty, I reminded myself that Emilio deserved to know. Yet, a nagging fear persisted - did he want children? Did he see a future that included a family?
As he left, I found myself in a quiet apartment, left to my thoughts.
