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The pain of her wanting to leave, of her needing a break, cut deep.
I had failed to protect her, failed to keep our family safe, and the weight of that failure pressed heavily upon my shoulders.
But despite the ache in my heart, I knew deep down that she needed this time away.
The trauma of the kidnapping had left its mark on both her and Dominic, and they deserved a chance to heal, to find solace away from the shadows that had haunted us.
So, with a heavy heart, I decided to send Angela and Dominic to a resort, a temporary escape from the turmoil that had engulfed our lives.
I knew it wouldn't erase the pain or the doubts, but it was a small gesture, a way for her to take a breath and find some semblance of peace.
As I stood alone in the quiet of our home, I couldn't help but question myself.
Had I done enough?
Could I ever truly make amends for what had happened?
The doubts and self-criticism threatened to consume me, but I knew I had to stay strong.
I would use this time apart to reflect, learn from my mistakes, and become the partner and father Angela and Dominic deserved.
I would find a way to make things right, to prove to myself and to them that our love was worth fighting for.
And so, I held onto the hope that this break would catalyze healing for rebuilding the trust that had been shaken.
********
I called for a meeting with the heads of the other families, knowing that restoring order and re-establishing my authority was important.
As they gathered in the conference room, I could sense the tension in the air.
"Thank you all for being here," I began, my voice steady and commanding.
"Recent events have tested our resolve, but we cannot let fear and doubt weaken our unity. We must stand tall and show the world that we are not easily shaken."
The room fell into a hushed silence, each family head waiting to hear my plan of action.
Vito and Kramaric stood beside me, their presence serving as a reminder of the loyal allies I had by my side.
"I will not mince words," I continued, my gaze sweeping across the room.
"We have faced betrayal, and the consequences have been severe. But we will not allow this breach of trust to define us. We will rise above it and restore our strength."
One of the family heads, Giovanni, spoke up, his voice laced with concern.
"Dante, what steps do you propose we take to ensure this never happens again?"
I locked eyes with Giovanni, my expression resolute.
"We will reinforce our security measures, tighten our intelligence networks, and root out any potential threats within our ranks. We will show that we are united and vigilant, striking fear into those who dare to cross us."
Another family head, Matteo, raised an eyebrow skeptically.
"And what guarantee do we have that this won't happen again?"
I held his gaze, my voice firm.
"There are no guarantees in our world, Matteo. But I give you my word that we will be relentless in our pursuit of justice. We will investigate this betrayal to its depths, and those responsible will face the consequences."
