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Just when my patience was wearing thin, there was a knock at my office door. I turned my attention toward it, and Leo walked in, wearing a serious expression that hinted at the gravity of the information he carried.
Leo's presence alone brought a sense of closure and resolve. He wasted no time and got straight to the point. "Matteo, I've found the reason behind Francisco's actions. It was a case of mistaken identity."
I leaned forward, my gaze fixed on Leo. "Mistaken identity?Cosa intendi (What do you mean)?"
Leo continued, "The intended target was the owner of a certain vehicle, who had wronged Francisco in some way. However, the car had been sold, and Sophia's parents, unfortunately, became the victims due to this mix-up."
As the truth sank in, a mixture of emotions flooded through me. Relief that it wasn't a personal vendetta against Sophia's family, sadness for the innocent lives lost, and anger at the senseless violence that had disrupted our lives for so long.
"Leo," I asked, seeking clarification, "so, the person Francisco initially intended to target,dov'è lui adesso (where is he now)?"
"It appears that the intended victim had made a hasty exit from the country long before the unfortunate incident with Sophia's parents occurred. He sold the car to get the money to flee the country. Francisco's plan went awry due to that unexpected turn of events."
As Leo explained the situation, I couldn't help but feel a mix of shock and disbelief. The idea that Sophia's parents had been tragically taken from her, not because they were the intended targets, but simply because they were driving the wrong car - a level of senselessness that left me speechless.
I could only imagine the weight of this revelation on Sophia's shoulders when the truth eventually reached her. It was a burden no one should bear, and I knew it would shatter her in ways I couldn't fathom.
"Leo," I finally managed to say, my voice tinged with gratitude and helplessness. "Thank you for uncovering this."
Leo, always practical, leaned forward slightly, asking, "What's your next move, Matteo?"
I leaned back in my chair, my mind already set on a course of action. "I've reached out to those loyal to my father, and they've pledged their allegiance to me.
I've also formed alliances with a few other mafia families who've grown weary of Francisco's heavy-handed approach. It's time to reclaim what's rightfully ours."
Leo nodded, his expression serious as he acknowledged the challenges ahead. "It won't be easy, Matteo. You'll need to be careful."
I leaned forward, emphasizing the importance of caution. "I know, Leo. That's why I haven't made any hasty moves against Francisco yet, despite knowing he's still deeply involved in the drug trade and our first batch was apprehended by the police. I'm waiting for the right opportunity to strike."
I continued, explaining my strategy. "I've appointed several people to constantly track Francisco's movements and locations to see if we can gather any valuable information.
We need to be patient and methodical, ensuring we can dismantle his empire effectively when the time comes."
As we spoke of battles and alliances, I couldn't help but think of the one battle that awaited me on a more personal front: revealing the painful truth to Sophia, a truth that would change everything she knew about her parents' tragic fate.
Leo leaned back, his gaze fixed on me with newfound respect. "You've grown into a formidable leader, Matteo. With the truth and a well-thought-out plan on your side, I believe you have a good chance of reclaiming what's rightfully yours.”
He placed his hand on my shoulder and gave me a proud smile. “Tuo padre sarebbe orgoglioso di te (Your father would be proud of you)."
Hearing Leo say my father would be proud of me made my eyes glisten with unshed tears.
"Grazie (Thank you), Leo."
I entered our home, the weight of the truth I carried heavy on my shoulders, casting a shadow over everything else. The earlier sting of hearing my "I love you" go unreciprocated had been replaced by a far more pressing concern.
As I stepped inside, I saw Sophia gracefully descending the staircase. Her smile, as always, lit up the room, and I couldn't help but mirror it for a brief moment. But as quickly as it appeared, my smile faded.
"Matteo," she began playfully, her voice filled with a hint of complaint, "why did you leave me all alone? But I have to admit, that delicious meal you made certainly brightened my day."
I sighed, realizing I needed to tell her the truth, and there was no easy way to do it. I gently took her hand, leading her towards the living room. Once there, I pressed her shoulders down, guiding her to sit.
Sophia's concern was evident in her eyes as she looked up at me. "Matteo, what's wrong?" she asked, her voice tinged with worry.
I hesitated for a moment, struggling to find the right words. Finally, I spoke, my voice laced with regret, "Sophia, I learned the truth about your parent's death."
“What?”
She sat up straight, her expression changing, fear and anticipation etching lines on her face. Her eyes locked onto mine, and she urgently implored, "What really happened to them?"
