Chapter 188: A Shocking Visit

The physician stepped out of the room slowly.

Don Roman Moretti immediately looked up.

He had been standing near one of the large windows, his arms folded across his chest, his expression unreadable.

Behind him, Don Russo remained on his knees.

His hands were still bound behind his back.

The surviving Moretti soldiers had secured every entrance.

The wounded had been attended to.

And Bianca had been taken into one of the private rooms inside the estate so the physician could properly treat her.

But nobody had spoken much.

Everyone had been waiting for the same thing.

The physician's verdict.

Don Roman turned fully toward him.

"How is she?"

The physician removed his gloves and sighed.

"She's going to make it."

For a moment, nobody reacted.

Then Don Russo's head lifted.

His eyes widened.

"She's... alive?"

The physician nodded.

"Yes."

A shaky breath escaped Don Russo's lips.

"And the wound?"

"The bullet passed through her shoulder."

The physician continued calmly.

"It caused significant blood loss, but fortunately it didn't damage any vital organs."

Don Russo's lips parted.

He stared at the physician as though he was afraid to believe what he was hearing.

"You're certain?"

"I'm certain."

The physician gave him a reassuring nod.

"She's weak, and she'll need time to recover, but she's young and strong."

He paused.

"If she rests and receives proper care, she should make a full recovery."

Don Russo closed his eyes.

A tear slipped down his cheek.

For several seconds, he said nothing.

Then he laughed softly.

It wasn't the laugh of a powerful Mafia boss.

There was no arrogance in it.

No pride.

It was the relieved laugh of a father who had just been given back the most precious thing in his life.

"My daughter..."

His voice trembled.

"She's going to live."

Don Roman watched him silently.

Don Russo lowered his head.

Another tear rolled down his cheek.

"Thank God."

He looked toward the closed bedroom door where Bianca was resting.

"I thought I had lost her."

His voice broke.

"I thought she was dead."

The physician gave him one final nod.

"She needs rest."

Then he looked toward Don Roman.

"I'll continue monitoring her."

Don Roman nodded.

"Do whatever she needs."

"Of course, Don."

The physician turned and walked back toward Bianca's room.

The door closed behind him.

Silence returned.

Don Russo remained on his knees.

But something had changed in his face.

Only moments earlier, he had looked like a broken man.

Now there was a strange peace in his eyes.

His daughter was alive.

That was enough.

He slowly looked toward Roman.

"Don Roman."

Don Roman's eyes met his.

"I am ready."

Don Roman remained silent.

Don Russo lowered his gaze.

"I know what comes next."

He glanced toward the bedroom door again.

"My daughter is alive."

A faint smile appeared on his face.

"That's all I wanted."

He took a deep breath.

"You can punish me now."

Don Roman's expression hardened.

"You think that's what you deserve?"

Don Russo nodded.

"I betrayed you."

"I went against your orders."

Don Roman's eyes narrowed.

Don Russo swallowed.

His voice became quieter.

"I have no excuse."

Don Roman stared at him.

Don Russo continued.

"I thought I could take back what belonged to me."

"I thought I could use Viktor."

"I thought I could outsmart you."

He gave a bitter smile.

"Instead, I almost lost my daughter."

His eyes became wet again.

"Perhaps that was the punishment I deserved."

Don Roman said nothing.

Don Russo looked down at his bound hands.

"I don't ask you to forgive me."

He lifted his head.

"And I won't beg for my life."

Don Roman's eyebrows rose slightly.

Don Russo's voice became surprisingly calm.

"Bianca is alive."

He smiled.

"That means I can die in peace."

For the first time, something shifted in Don Roman's expression.

He had expected fear.

Begging.

Excuses.

Instead, Don Russo was accepting whatever fate Don Roman chose for him.

Perhaps the old Don Russo was finally gone.

Perhaps this was simply a broken father who had finally realized the cost of his choices.

Don Roman took a slow breath.

"You've caused me enough trouble, Vincenzo."

Don Russo nodded.

"I know."

Don Roman studied him.

For several seconds, neither spoke.

Then...

Knock! Knock!

Both men turned toward the door.

A Moretti guard entered hurriedly.

He stopped a few feet from Roman.

"Don Roman."

Don Roman looked at him.

"What is it?"

The guard appeared tense.

"You have a visitor at the gate."

Don Roman frowned.

"A visitor?"

"Yes, Don."

Don Roman glanced toward Don Russo.

Who could be visiting him at the Russo estate.

"Who?"

The guard hesitated.

Then his expression became more serious.

"It's Viktor."

Don Roman's eyes immediately hardened.

The atmosphere inside the room changed.

Don Russo's head snapped upward.

"Viktor?"

Don Roman stared at the guard.

"You are certain?"

"Yes, Don."

The guard nodded.

"He is outside the main gate."

Don Roman's hand instinctively moved toward the pistol at his waist.

"He came alone?"

The guard shook his head.

"No."

Don Roman's eyes narrowed.

"Who is with him?"

The guard swallowed.

"That's the strange part."

He looked directly at Don Roman.

"He's not alone."

Don Roman's expression darkened.

"Who is with him?"

The guard hesitated for another moment.

Then he answered.

"Two people."

Don Roman's patience disappeared.

"Who?"

The guard took a breath.

"One of them is Nico Moretti."

Don Roman froze.

The name struck him harder than expected.

"Nico?"

Don Russo's eyes widened too.

But the guard wasn't finished.

"And the other..."

He hesitated.

Don Roman stepped toward him.

"Who?"

The guard's expression revealed confusion.

"We don't know how to explain it, Don."

Don Roman's voice dropped.

"Tell me."

The guard finally spoke.

"The other person is a young woman."

Don Roman's heart suddenly began pounding.

He knew.

Somewhere inside him, before the guard even said her name, he knew.

"Who?"

The guard looked at him.

"Aurelia Vale."

Everything stopped.

Don Roman Moretti's face went completely still.