Chapter 201 The Union

Chapter 201 The Union
Serena’s POV

The moment the box was placed before us, the room seemed to hold its breath again.

But the judge didn’t ask to open it.

Instead, he exhaled slowly, lifting a hand to remove his glasses, like a man who understood the weight of what he was about to say.

He set them aside, then looked up. And for the first time since this began—

He didn’t look like just a judge. He looked like a man who had seen a lot more than court cases.

“For decades,” he began, his voice slower now, much heavier, “this world has been divided.”

Silence settled deeply as everyone listened.

“No unity. No singular direction. Just power… scattered across families who competed and clashed for it all the time,” he continued.

His gaze then swept across the hall. “And because of that, we have seen nothing but bloodshed.”

No one moved. No one spoke.

“We have watched alliances crumble. We have watched wars rise over pride, over territory, over power that should have never been separated to begin with,” he added and paused.

A long one this time before continuing.

“As a council, we have spent years—years—considering a solution.”

My fingers curled slightly at my sides.

“We asked ourselves one question,” he continued, quieter now. “What if the problem was not the men… but the system?”

Something shifted in my chest.

“A week ago,” he said, “we revisited that question and considered the possibility of uniting all power under one structure.”

A ripple moved through the room.

“But we didn't know how,” he admitted. “Not with the war between Luca Moretti and Dante Russo unfolding the way it was.”

His gaze moved and settled on us.

“Then today happened.”

The silence thickened.

“You,” he said, looking directly at Dante and I, “have done what we could not.”

My breath slowed.

“You have chosen unity over dominance.”

A second passed.

“You have chosen balance over control.”

Then another.

“And in doing so… you have given this world something it has never had.”

His hand moved slightly, gesturing towards the man holding the box, who then moved it closer.

“This,” the judge said, gesturing towards it, “was created as a symbol of that future.”

My heart skipped a beat

“A symbol of unified power,” he continued and my pulse picked up even more as the lid was slowly lifted.

And inside—

A ring.

Not delicate.

Not carved like the rest.

But solid, pure gold. Thick. Heavy and matching the power it represents.

Even from where I stood, I could feel it.

The weight of it. The meaning of it.

“This ring,” the judge continued, “represents the authority of the united family.”

A pause. Then—

“There is only one,” he said and let the words settle first. “And it must be worn by the one who leads.”

Silence followed and I knew exactly what he meant.

“Who will wear it?” He asked and my eyes flickered instinctively to Dante.

But at the same time—

We both moved.

Our hands reached into the box together and our fingers brushed briefly against each other—

Then both of us tried to push the ring towards the other, drawing a murmur from behind.

“No,” I said immediately with my voice low but firm as I pushed it towards him. “You should take it.”

His hand didn’t move. Neither did his gaze.

“Serena—”

“No,” I cut in, shaking my head slightly. “This isn’t a discussion.”

My grip tightened slightly around the box before I forced it towards his hand.

“You were built for this,” I said, my voice steady now, even if everything inside me wasn’t. “You’ve been built for this your entire life.”

His jaw tightened slightly. And I didn’t stop.

“You didn’t inherit power,” I continued. “You created it.”

The room was silent again, watching and listening.

“You stood alone,” I added. “You fought your way up without anyone holding your hand, without anyone clearing the path for you.”

My chest rose slightly. “You’re not just powerful, Dante. You’re respected,” I added and took a deep breath, letting the moment pass.

“You’re feared.”

Another second, then—

“And not just because of what you have—but because of what you can do.”

My voice softened, just slightly. “You lead. You fight. You protect.”

I swallowed. “And above all that, you have a good heart,” I added and our eyes met for a while.

“You went through hell,” I added quietly with my gaze still on his, “for someone you barely even know. You endured the pain, the mockery, all for someone you saved at first.”

As I stopped, the thoughts came flowing in. Thoughts of everything he endured. Everything he chose. All for me.

“That,” I said, firmer now, “is not something you teach.”

Silence followed and I let it, before adding;

“That’s who you are.”

I stepped back at once. “So take it.”

For a moment, he didn’t move. Didn’t speak. He just looked at me.

Then slowly—

He exhaled and his hand tightened around the edge of the box. And without another word—

He lifted the ring from inside and slid it onto his finger.

The moment it settled, everything changed.

The judges rose first. One by one.

Then—

They all bowed. Every single one of them.

The sound of movement followed as the rest of the room stood—

And bowed as well.

My breath caught as I watched it all happen. Then as I made to bow, Dante reached out and grabbed my hand, stopping me.

“By the authority vested in this council,” the judge’s voice rang out, stronger now, “we recognize Dante Russo as the head of the Darena Family.”

The words echoed through the room as that was it. The unbreakable moment.

“And we honour the union of Dante Russo and Serena Marceti.”

The crowd behind clapped while I turned to Dante slowly.

And for the first time today, the weight wasn’t just in the room.

It was on him…

Dante stepped aside after a while, walking over to the judges and shaking each of them before collecting a few documents from them.

Then he walked back to where I was.

“Let's go home,” he whispered and tangled our hands together, leading us out.

Even from where my hand was as his right hand wrapped around mine, I felt the weight of the ring.

We stepped out and the moment we stepped into the car and it moved, the silence broke.

I leaned back against the seat, exhaling a breath I didn’t even realize I had been holding all along.

“That…” I muttered, running a hand through my hair, “was insane.”

A low chuckle came from beside me. “You handled it well,” he said. “And those words, they were really something.”

I shot him a smirk. “Don’t let it get to your head,” I said quickly. “It’s already big enough.”

That earned a real laugh from him. “I’ll try.”

I shook my head slightly, letting out a small breath. “I honestly thought I was going to pass out at some point,” I admitted. “I didn’t breathe properly the entire time.”

“It’s always like that,” he said calmly.

I turned towards him slightly. “You’ve done that before?”

A pause.

Then—

“Almost.”

Something in his tone made me still.

“When?” I asked.

He leaned back slightly. “When I was supposed to marry Isabella.”

Ah. Right.

I didn’t say anything to that. Just nodded slightly.

The car fell into a quieter silence after that. Not heavy.

Just soaked in thoughts.

At the house, the moment we stepped inside, the tension from earlier had already begun to fade.

But the anticipation for what was coming now in a matter of hours replaced it immediately.

“Three days,” I muttered, dropping onto the bed while Dante loosened his cuffs slightly. “Three days.”

I stared at the ceiling. “That’s insane.”

“It’s happening,” he replied and I rolled my eyes before pushing myself up.

“This place is way too small,” he added after a moment, glancing around.

I blinked. “You’re just noticing that?”

“It’s not suitable one bit,” he added. “Not for what’s coming.”

I tilted my head slightly. “You’re thinking of moving?”

“Yes,” he said simply. “After the wedding.”

My lips twitched slightly.

Then—

“You’re nervous,” he shot and I went still slightly.

Then scoffed. “I’m not.”

“You are.”

I narrowed my eyes at him.

“You should be,” he added calmly. “You’ll see people you’ve never imagined standing in one place.”

A pause.

“Good,” I muttered and that made his brow lift slightly.

“If I’m going to do this,” I added, “it might as well be unforgettable.”

A faint smirk touched his lips. “That's my baby,” he replied as he jumped on the bed.

Dante’s POV

The ring was heavier than it looked.

Not just what it represented, but the weight itself.

I could feel it with every movement. Every shift of my hand. Every flex of my fingers.

It was there. Always going to be there.

I stared at it for a moment longer than necessary. Then exhaled slowly.

If my father were here…

My jaw tightened slightly.

He would have understood this. He would have stood beside me.

He should have been here.

I pushed that thought aside and moved, leaving just as Serena fell asleep.

I headed to the living room and Valentina was already there when I entered.

She looked up as I stepped inside. I didn't need to say much as it was probably written on my face. “You want to talk?” She asked.

I nodded once, stepping closer and sitting before lifting my hand slightly.

And her eyes fell to the ring and widened.

“We united them,” I said simply. “All of them.”

She stood slowly and took a step closer as I stood too.

“This is…” she breathed, her eyes softening. “Dante…”

I didn’t say anything at first. Then—

“I wish he was here.”

Her expression shifted immediately, falling immediately.

“He would be proud of you,” she said softly and I exhaled slowly.

“I know.”

A pause.

“Then honor him,” she added. “By being exactly who you’ve become.”

I smiled at that. “Thanks, mom,” I replied and it still felt odd using that name. But I hope I get used to it sooner than later.

“You need to get some sleep now, my son. You know how the next few days will be.”

I nodded and turned away, heading straight for the room.

I could barely sleep, but at least it wasn't painful to close my eyes again. Everything just had to work out…

The next day moved quickly after that with meetings rolling in, calls coming from everywhere and numbers popping up on all sides.

I signed checks without any hesitation, finalized arrangements, and ensured everything was in place.

Nothing was left to chance. Not now. Not ever…

And as the days weathered down to a few hours to the D-Day, I took Serena out on a stroll.

“Have you chosen your second?” I asked after a while.

And she looked up slightly. Then paused. “No.”

“Choose one, it's important,” I replied.

A beat. Then she nodded slowly. “Can I think about it?” She asked.

“Not exactly, time is far spent. Sorry for the late notice, you can revise it after the wedding, but you need to present your right hand person,” I explained.

She sighed deeply then looked to think for a while. But it didn't take her too long before she turned to one of the guards.

“Send for Juliana,” she instructed.

Juliana? Who could that be?

I remained silent to watch things play out.

A few minutes later, the guard arrived with a lady that struck a memory.

I thought hard before finally placing it, the maid who helped her run away at first.

We've really come a long way, I added to myself as the dark memory flashed by.

When she arrived where we stood, she looked confused. And kept shaking.

“You called for me, miss?”

Then Serena stepped closer. “You helped me once,” she said simply and Juliana's eyes widened slightly. “I haven’t forgotten that.”

Juliana shook her head quickly. “It was nothing—”

“It wasn’t,” Serena cut in, then paused. “I want you as my right hand lady.”

Silence followed as Juliana's whole body turned soaked in sweat.

Then her lips parted slightly. “Me?”

“Yes, now get yourself together girl,” Serena chuckled.

“I—I don’t—”

“You do,” Serena cut her off gently.

And after a moment—

She nodded, smiling wildly now. “Thank you, miss,” she muttered.

“Call me, Serena.”

Juliana stuttered but nodded anyway.

“You have a lot to learn, but so did I,” Serena said and looked at me before turning back to her. “You'll do good.”

Juliana nodded and rushed away shaking as Serena gestured to her to go.

“That was something,” I muttered and she chuckled.

“She feels like the right one,” she replied and I nodded. “What about you? Who's the great Dante Russo's new second in command?”

I smiled and kept walking till we reached where Marcus was waiting.

“Oh, I see,” Serena smiled and slowed down a bit.

“What is it, Don?” He asked as I reached him. “You sent for me.”

I looked at him for a moment. Then—

“I want you as my right hand man.”

He went still completely. Then the silence stretched far.

His jaw tightened slightly as he looked away for a second. Then back at me.

“I’ve followed you through everything,” he said slowly. “Through hell… and back.”

A pause.

“You built me into who I am,” he added and my expression didn’t change all the while. I listened.

“I owe you everything,” he added, then—

His voice grew softer.

“But I’m sorry,” he muttered and I raised a brow. “I can’t accept this.”