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My heart sank at his words, already dreading the answer to the question that I was about to ask. I hesitated, the words catching in my throat, "Who betrayed the Mancini family?"
Emilio met my gaze. "It was my father.”
Chapter 15
Emilio
"Itwasmyfather,”I admitted, watching Griselda's face pale in shock.
Her features contorted in disbelief, mirroring the very reaction I had when I first learned of this years ago. I remembered that moment vividly — overhearing my father and uncle arguing.
FLASHBACK
I was chilling outside by the pond, just messing around with the fish, when a buzz from my phone made me jump. It was my older brother, Carlo, basically telling me, "Dude, you're gonna be in big trouble."
I checked the time and cursed under my breath. It was way past midnight. I knew I was in for it. My old man didn't mess around when it came to curfew. Breaking it was like signing up for a punishment deluxe.
I jumped up, brushing off the dirt, and panic-fueled adrenaline made me extra careful. I had to get to my room without anyone noticing. Each step felt like I was diffusing a bomb—slow and nerve-wracking. I peeked around corners, making sure no one was around before I moved on.
I climbed up the stairs, and every creak felt like it echoed through the whole house. My room was on this floor—thankfully, away from my older brother.
He's a nice guy and all, but having your own space is the dream. Still, luck had a funny way of messing with you. My haven was just a door away from my dad's study, where he spent more time than I would ever understand.
How unlucky.
The unfairness of it all felt like a heavy weight on my chest. Why did I have to share a wall with Dad's study? It was a constant reminder that he was always watching, always monitoring my actions. I just wanted some breathing space, a place where I could be free.
As I climbed up the stairs, dread swirled in my stomach. I could already hear the loud voices coming from the study, and fear clenched my heart. Sneaking past them seemed nearly impossible when they were this worked up. If they caught me, how severe would my punishment be?
But maybe they were too distracted by their argument to notice me. I held on to that sliver of hope and crept forward, trying to be as quiet as a mouse. The argument between my father and uncle was fierce.
The closer I tip-toed, the more I caught snippets of their conversation. My heart raced as I recognized my uncle’s voice, speaking in Italian.
"Tradimento, Mathias! Tutto questo a causa del tuo tradimento(Betrayal, Mathias! This is all because of your betrayal)," my uncle, Luigi, accused in a heated tone.
I froze in my tracks, my eyes widening. Betrayal? What were they talking about?
My father's response was strained, "Non pensavo che i Mancini lo avrebbero scoperto.(I didn't think the Mancini would find out.)"
Luigi's voice grew louder and more accusing, "Sei stato distratto! Questo pasticcio è colpa tua, perché hai tradito la famiglia Mancini(You were careless! This mess is because of you, because you betrayed the Mancini family)."
I was a captive audience, my mind racing to process what I was hearing. Betrayal, Mancini family, and my father being accused? It felt like I had stumbled across a secret that I was never meant to know about. At this point, I had forgotten about trying to sneak into my room.
My father argued back, frustration lacing his words, "Possiamo occuparci della famiglia Mancini. Non sono più potenti come una volta(We can handle the Mancini family. They are no longer as powerful as they once were)."
Their argument continued, the Italian words flowing like a torrent as I struggled to keep up. My mind raced, filled with questions. What had my father done, and why had he done it?
I tried to comprehend the meaning of what I had heard. Lost in my jumbled thoughts, I hadn't realized when my dad and uncle ceased their heated discussion. The creaking of the door as it was yanked open jolted me back to reality.
In front of me stood my uncle, his face contorted with rage. I glanced past him, meeting my father's eyes. The storm of fury within them sent a shiver down my spine. I knew I was in for it.
The two words he uttered sealed my fate for the night.
"Vieni qui. (Come here.)"
END OF FLASHBACK
Seeing Griselda's face now, I couldn't help but be reminded of that time in my youth. Her voice carried a tinge of disdain as she commented on how she seemed to dislike my father more and more.
