All the brothers were waiting for me in the foyer –
All except Dario.
At first I felt ashamed, like they were judging me…
And then I saw the sadness in their eyes as Niccolo walked me down the stairs.
Massimo was first.
“Thank you,” I whispered. “For saving my life.”
“I would do it a thousand times over.” He gave me a sad smile. “I had hoped… that you would be around for a long, long time to come.”
Tears welled up in my eyes as I smiled back. “So did I.”
Next was Roberto.
“We didn’t really get a chance to talk much,” he said awkwardly, “but you seem like a wonderful person. If there’s anything I can help you and your father with in the future… anything with business, anything with money, anything you need… please let me know.”
And he pressed a business card into my hand.
“Thank you,” I said, and I meant it.
Valentino was next. To my surprise, he reached out and hugged me.
“You’re a wonderful girl,” he said. “A wonderful woman.”
“Will you do me a favor?” I asked.
“What?”
“Try not to break Caterina’s heart.”
He smiled sadly. “I’ll do my best… I promise.”
Last up was Adriano. Alone out of all the brothers, he looked angry as I walked up to him – but that was par for the course for him.
I looked at him, unsure what he would say or do –
And then he said simply, “You deserve better than this.”
I started crying and smiled. “Thank you.”
Out of nowhere, he leaned forward and kissed my forehead like my father might have.
I don’t know why, but that affected me the most of all. Tears streamed down my face.
Lars was standing at the end of the line. He looked at me kindly and said, “I’ll be the one taking you home. Are you ready?”
I nodded.
He held the front door open.
I looked back at the brothers and smiled through my tears.
Thank you, I mouthed silently…
And then I walked out and left them behind forever.
