The room remained frozen long after Salvatore's footsteps had faded down the hall. No one spoke, each person digesting the bomb Salvatore had just dropped.
"No one knew he had a brother…" Alessandro finally said, his voice low and tense.
"That's because he never mentioned him," Valerio muttered darkly. His gaze flicked to Dante, who was unusually quiet — deep in thought.
Dante's brow furrowed before he spoke, almost to himself. "The unknown body…" His voice trailed off before he looked up. "Do you think that could've been Salvatore's brother?"
The realization hit the room like a thunderclap.
"You mean…" Alessia's voice shook. "You think Vesper…?"
"It fits," Dante said grimly. "That body was found the same night Vesper struck — and no one knew who the guy was." His gaze hardened. "What if that was Salvatore's brother?"
Valerio swore under his breath. "If that's true, Salvatore's not just here for the child — he's here for revenge."
Alessia's face paled, and her hand instinctively moved to her stomach. "He's not getting my baby," she said firmly, her voice shaking but resolute.
"He won't," Valerio promised. "But we need to be smart about this."
Dante clenched his fists. "If Salvatore's brother really was Vesper's target… then Vesper just started a war."
"And this time," Valerio added darkly, "he dragged us right into the middle of it."
Valentino Moretti was pacing furiously across the living room, his sharp footsteps echoing through the room. His face was twisted in anger, eyes blazing as if they could set the whole room on fire.
"Out of everyone… everyone," he growled, his voice low yet powerful, "how could my own daughter… my own blood… be pregnant with that man's son?" His fists clenched tightly, knuckles turning white.
The room was tense — no one dared to interrupt. Valerio stood silently by the window, his expression cold but watchful. Dante shifted uncomfortably, while their mothers exchanged anxious glances.
"That bastard's family has been nothing but a plague to us!" he spat, his voice rising. "And now… now this child—" He stopped himself, shaking his head bitterly.
"Alessia didn't plan this," Valerio finally said, his voice calm but firm. "You know that."
Valentino turned sharply. "It doesn't matter!" His voice thundered. "That child will tie us to Salvatore's family whether we like it or not. And I will not — will not — allow his blood to mix with ours!"
The silence that followed was deafening. Alessia stood frozen near the stairs, tears silently streaming down her face.
Valerio's heart pounded violently against his ribs the moment his men stormed into the room. Their hurried footsteps and grim faces made his stomach tighten.
"Boss!" one of them called out, breathless. "Salvatore… he's still here."
Valerio's eyes narrowed. "Where?"
"In the garden," the man said, barely pausing before adding, "He's… he's talking to Leona."
Valerio didn't wait to hear more. He bolted past his father and Dante, ignoring Giovanni's barked warning to think before acting. His mind was blank — all he could picture was Leona, oblivious and unsuspecting, face-to-face with Salvatore De Luca.
Out in the garden, the late afternoon sun bathed the flowers in a golden hue, but Valerio's gaze locked on the dark figure standing near the roses — Salvatore. His posture was relaxed, yet predatory. And beside him stood Leona, her soft smile slowly fading as she grew uneasy.
"…I must say," Salvatore was speaking smoothly, his voice dangerously calm, "I didn't expect to see someone like you here."
Leona frowned, stepping back slightly. "I live here," she said, her voice casual but cautious.
"And yet," Salvatore mused, "you don't belong here, do you?"
Valerio clenched his fists tightly. His stride quickened.
"Salvatore," Valerio's voice cut through the air like a blade.
Both Leona and Salvatore turned.
"Ah," Salvatore grinned darkly, "there you are."
"What are you doing?" Valerio demanded, stepping protectively in front of Leona.
"Just having a conversation," Salvatore drawled, raising his hands innocently. "Didn't know she was off-limits." His gaze flicked back to Leona, studying her with unsettling interest.
"I suggest you leave," Valerio warned, his voice dropping dangerously low.
"Relax, Moretti." Salvatore's smile widened. "I was simply curious." His eyes returned to Leona. "Though… you should be careful walking around alone. Wouldn't want you to end up like some of your friends."
Leona's eyes widened slightly, and Valerio saw her fingers curl tightly around her wrist — a nervous habit.
"You're done here," Valerio snapped, stepping closer to Salvatore, his voice sharp enough to cut.
For a tense moment, the two men locked eyes. Then Salvatore chuckled under his breath and turned away. "See you around," he muttered over his shoulder before strolling back through the gate.
As soon as he disappeared, Valerio spun around. "What the hell were you thinking?" he barked at Leona.
"I wasn't thinking anything," she shot back, clearly rattled but trying to stay calm. "I didn't know who he was."
Valerio exhaled harshly, running a hand through his hair. "If he ever talks to you again… you call me. No questions. No hesitation. Do you understand?"
Leona stared at him, surprised by the rare glimpse of genuine worry in his eyes.
"Yeah," she said softly. "I understand."
Leona stepped back inside the Moretti estate, her heart still racing from her encounter with Salvatore. She barely had time to process what had happened when she heard the unmistakable sound of raised voices echoing down the hall.
Following the commotion, Leona's stomach twisted at the sight before her — Alessia stood by the window, shoulders shaking as she cried quietly into her hands. Meanwhile, Mr. Moretti's furious voice thundered through the room.
"How dare you?" Valentino's voice trembled with rage. "Out of everyone… him?"
Alessia sniffled, wiping her face with the sleeve of her sweater. "I didn't know who he was when I—"
"That doesn't change anything!" Mr. Moretti cut her off. "That man's brother — his blood — is inside you!"
"I know!" Alessia cried, her voice breaking. "But what do you want me to do about it now?!"
The room fell heavy with silence, except for Alessia's quiet sobs.
Leona felt frozen in place, unsure if she should step in. Her gaze flicked between them — Alessia's tear-streaked face and Mr. Moretti's furious expression. She had never seen him like this before. Cold, strict, intimidating — yes. But this? This was raw rage.
"You can't just… just pretend this isn't happening," Mr. Moretti said, quieter now but no less intense. "Salvatore's not going to back down. He's going to come back — for you, for that baby — and you know what kind of man he is."
"I know," Alessia whispered, her voice barely audible. "But… I can't change the past."
"Then you better pray he doesn't take that child from you," Mr. Moretti snapped. "Because if he does… none of us will be able to stop him."
"I'm not giving up my baby," Alessia said firmly, her hand instinctively resting on her stomach.
Before Mr. Moretti could retort, Leona finally spoke.
"She's not alone," Leona said, stepping into the room. "We're all here for her."
Both father and daughter turned to her, Alessia's eyes widening with relief while Mr. Moretti's face remained hard.
"Leona," Valentino began, voice tight with frustration, "you don't understand—"
"I understand enough," Leona interrupted, her tone surprisingly firm. "Alessia's scared. You yelling at her isn't going to help."
Mr. Moretti's mouth opened to argue but then snapped shut. His gaze flicked to his daughter — eyes red and face pale — before he let out a long, exhausted sigh. Without another word, he just sat on the couch, trying to cook down.
The moment he stopped yelling, Alessia broke down completely.
"Hey," Leona said softly, rushing to her side. She wrapped her arms around Alessia, who clung to her tightly.
"I'm so scared," Alessia whispered. "What if he tries to take my baby?"
"He won't," Leona promised. "We won't let him."
"You're not even family," Alessia murmured between sobs.
Leona gave a faint smile. "I don't need to be. You're stuck with me anyway."
For the first time that day, Alessia laughed softly through her tears.
Leona's voice, light and teasing, cut through the tense air like a blade.
"Well," she began, forcing a grin, "if things get worse, I'm pretty sure Salvatore will listen to me if I just smile sweetly at him."
Everyone turned to stare at her — a mix of disbelief and confusion. Mr. Moretti's furious expression barely wavered, his sharp gaze narrowing further.
Ignoring the tension tightening around her, Leona reached into her pocket and pulled out a small, neatly wrapped chocolate. She held it up like it was some sort of peace offering.
"Oh, and this?" she added with a grin, "Salvatore gave it to me."
For a moment, there was nothing but stunned silence. Then Dante choked on his drink, coughing violently. Alessia's wide eyes flickered between the chocolate and Leona like she'd lost her mind.
"You're joking," Valerio growled, his voice low and dangerous.
"I'm serious!" Leona shrugged, still holding the chocolate up like a trophy. "He said I was sweet — figured I should have something to match."
"Leona," Valerio ground out, "tell me you're joking."
"Relax," she said with a grin, "I'm not about to switch sides. Just figured we could use a little humor since everyone's ready to explode."
Alessia let out a sudden breathless laugh — soft at first, then louder. Dante snorted, clearly holding back his own chuckles. Even Mr. Moretti's stormy expression seemed to falter, his shoulders easing just slightly.
"Unbelievable," Valerio muttered under his breath, running a hand down his face.
"Unbelievable or not," Leona said, unwrapping the chocolate with a dramatic flourish, "it's pretty good." She popped it in her mouth and grinned smugly.
"You're insane," Dante murmured.
"Yeah," Valerio added, but this time there was no frustration in his voice — just something softer, something dangerously close to fondness.
Leona leaned closer to Valerio, her grin widening. "Wait… are you jealous?" she teased, her voice dripping with playful mockery.
Valerio's brow twitched, his gaze sharp. "Of what exactly?"
"Oh, I don't know," Leona said innocently, popping another piece of chocolate into her mouth. "Maybe because Salvatore flirted with me and gave me this?" She held up the wrapper like a prize.
Valerio's jaw tightened. "That's not jealousy. That's concern — for your questionable taste in candy… and men."
Leona chuckled. "Sure, Valerio. Whatever helps you sleep at night."
As Leona turned to leave for the guest room, she paused at the doorway, glancing back with a mischievous smile.
"You know," she drawled, "for a man everyone seems to fear, Salvatore sure knows how to dress. I mean… that suit? Sharp. And those eyes?" She sighed dramatically. "Mysterious yet kinda charming."
Valerio's eyes narrowed. "Careful, Leona," he warned, his voice low.
"Oh, relax," she grinned. "I'm just saying… if he wasn't, you know, him — I might've been tempted."
Valerio's scowl deepened. "Get out before I decide to lock you inside, for your own good."
Laughing softly, Leona slipped out the door.