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Turning to Sophia, a wave of determination surged through me, and I sank to one knee, my gaze locked with hers, and from the depths of my soul, I asked the question that had been echoing in my heart.
"Sophia," I began, my voice steady and resolute, "I've seen the darkest corners of life and the brightest moments of love with you. You and Isabella are my everything, and I can't imagine a future without you by my side."
Her eyes widened, shimmering with tears of joy as she realized what was happening. My heart swelled with emotion as I continued, "Sophia, will you marry me?"
Her ecstatic smile illuminated the room as she nodded vigorously, her voice choked with emotion. "Yes, Matteo, a thousand times, yes!"
With relief and happiness, I slipped the ring onto her finger, sealing our promise before I stood up and pulled her into my arms.
I felt like all the pain I had endured was worth it for this moment.
Epilogue
Francisco
I had always considered myself a master of escape, a shadow slipping through the fingers of those who sought to catch me. But now, as I traversed the unfamiliar streets of Bali, I couldn't escape the feeling that my luck was running out.
The contract on my head had been issued by Matteo, the very man I had once thought I could control, and it had turned the criminal underworld into a frenzy.
Every corner I turned, every face I saw, I wondered if it was the one that would lead me to my demise.
In the endless game of survival, my cunning and resourcefulness kept me one step ahead of those hunting me down.
Whether it was slipping through crowded marketplaces or disappearing into the labyrinthine alleys, I relied on my instincts to stay alive.
It was ironic. I had once seen myself as the savior of the mafia, the one who would lead us to a brighter future.
But now, branded as a fugitive, I was hunted by those I had once sought to elevate. Ungrateful people, I mused bitterly.
Matteo, the man who had taken my place, was a fool. He did not understand the intricate web of power and influence I had woven. It didn't matter that I was hiding; I would return and reclaim what was rightfully mine.
Each day in the shadows, I plotted my resurgence, gathering assets and allies. They might believe they had seen the last of Francisco, but they would soon discover that I was a force to be reckoned with. No matter the obstacles, I would come out the victor.
They called me a fool. They always had. But they would see. They would see that they had made a grave mistake, choosing to repay my kindness with ingratitude.
My father, a fool. My brother, a fool. My nephew is a fool. All of them were fools and blind to the path I had set for them, a path toward prosperity and power.
In the depths of my exile, I plotted. I plotted to return, not as a prodigal son seeking forgiveness, but as a conqueror, a man who would teach them all a lesson they would never forget.
They would learn the value of the opportunities I had offered, opportunities they had squandered.
I would show them the way, the right path they should embark upon, and they would follow it, not out of choice, but out of necessity.
I would make them see that I was the one who held the keys to their future, the future they had forsaken in their blindness.
It was only a matter of time before they realized their errors, and when they did, they would come to understand the true extent of my power and influence.
They would beg for my guidance, and I would grant it, not out of kindness but out of the sweet satisfaction of proving them all wrong.
The hotel room was bathed in a soft, sultry glow from the dimly lit chandeliers, casting an air of seduction over the plush surroundings.
The allure of the setting was not lost on me, and I couldn't resist the temptation it presented. I had booked this room, expecting a night of pleasure and indulgence.
My eyes lit up when a beautiful woman with curves in the right places entered the room. She was a vision of enchantment, her body a masterpiece that defied description.
Her beauty was mesmerizing, a siren's call that drew me closer with each step. I could hardly believe my luck, as her sultry smile promised a night of passion.
I licked my lips.
