Chapter 196 A Father's Final Request

Chapter 196 A Father's Final Request
Inside the estate, the physician worked frantically on Don Russo.
His hands moved quickly as he examined the wound in Don Russo's abdomen, trying everything within his power to stop the bleeding.
"More gauze!"
One of the assistants immediately handed it to him.
The physician pressed it firmly against the wound.
But the blood kept coming.
Don Russo's breathing had become shallow.
His face was frighteningly pale.
His body had already lost too much blood.
"Come on..." the physician muttered.
"Stay with me."
He tried to stabilize him, but even he knew the situation was becoming hopeless.
Don Roman stood on the other side of the room, watching silently.
His arms were folded across his chest, but his eyes never left the physician.
Don Russo's eyes slowly opened.
He turned his head, and his gaze found Roman.
For several seconds, the two men simply looked at each other.
There was no anger in Don Russo's eyes anymore.
No pride.
No resentment.
Only exhaustion.
And regret.
"Roman..."
His voice was barely audible.
Don Roman stepped closer.
"I'm here."
Don Russo swallowed painfully.
His eyes filled with tears.
"My daughter..."
Don Roman's expression softened.
"Bianca is well."
A faint smile appeared on Don Russo's lips.
"Thank you..."
The physician continued working, but his movements had slowed.
He knew what was coming.
Don Russo took another shallow breath.
"Please..."
Don Roman leaned closer.
"What?"
Don Russo struggled to speak.
"Take care..."
His breathing became weaker.
"...of my daughter."
Don Roman stared at him.
Don Russo's eyes slowly closed.
"Please..."
It was his final word.
His chest rose once.
Then fell.
And didn't rise again.
The physician froze.
He waited several seconds before checking for a pulse.
Nothing.
He tried again.
Still nothing.
The physician slowly lowered his hand.
"I'm sorry, Don."
Don Roman didn't move.
The physician swallowed.
"He's gone."
Silence.
Don Roman stared at the lifeless body.
Don Vincenzo Russo had betrayed him more times than he could count.
He had conspired against him.
He had joined Viktor, and brought armed men into the estate to kill him.
Don Roman had every reason to hate him.
Yet somehow, in his final moments, the man hadn't begged for his own life.
He had begged Roman to protect his daughter.
Don Roman slowly exhaled, and then turned away.
His footsteps were heavy as he left the room.

Outside, the estate was finally beginning to settle.
The battle was over.
Viktor was dead.
Enzo was dead.
Most of the men who had attacked the estate were dead.
And Don Russo...
Now dead as well.
But the consequences of it all were far from over.
Don Roman stopped in the corridor.
His eyes drifted toward the room where Bianca was recovering.
How was he supposed to tell her?
She had nearly died.
She had just survived a gunshot wound.
And now, when she woke up, she would learn that her father was dead.
Don Roman rubbed his forehead.
He had delivered death sentences without hesitation.
He had watched men die without blinking.
But telling a daughter that her father was dead somehow felt different.
Especially when that daughter had once tried to warn him.
Don Roman turned toward his study.
He needed a moment to think.
But before he could take another step, he noticed someone approaching.
Nico.
His hands were still bound behind his back.
Two Moretti guards were escorting him through the corridor.
Nico looked exhausted.
His face was filled with worry.
The moment he saw Roman, he stopped.
Don Roman's eyes narrowed.
"What are you doing here?"
Nico lowered his gaze.
"I came for Bianca."
Don Roman stared at him.
"You entered my estate uninvited."
"I know."
"You came here with Viktor."
"Against my will."
Don Roman's expression remained cold.
"Last time you were here I sent you away and asked you not to return."
Nico looked up.
"I wanted to see Bianca."
Don Roman said nothing.
Nico continued quickly.
"I needed to know if she was alive."
His voice cracked slightly.
"I couldn't leave without knowing."
Don Roman studied him.
In any other situation, Nico's presence would have been enough to anger him.
Nico had betrayed him.
He had worked with Viktor.
He had helped create the very situation that had brought bloodshed to the Russo estate.
Don Roman could have ordered his men to throw him out.
But then he remembered Bianca.
Her father was dead.
She was going to wake up and discover that the man who had raised her was gone.
And perhaps she would need someone beside her.
Someone who knew her.
Someone who cared about her.
Don Roman looked at Nico's bound hands.
Then he turned to the guards.
"Unbind him."
The guards looked at each other.
"Don?"
"Unbind him."
One of the guards immediately stepped forward and cut the restraint.
Nico slowly brought his hands around and rubbed his wrists.
He looked surprised.
Don Roman's expression remained unreadable.
"You wanted to see Bianca."
Nico nodded.
"Yes."
Don Roman took a breath.
"There is something you need to know first."
Nico's face became tense, as Roman looked directly into his eyes.
"Her father is dead."
Nico froze.
His lips parted.
For several seconds, he couldn't speak.
"He... didn't make it?"
"The physician tried to save him."
Roman's voice was calm.
"But he lost too much blood."
Nico's eyes dropped to the floor.
"How..."
Nico struggled to speak.
"How would Bianca take this news?"
Don Roman's expression softened slightly.
"That's why I'm allowing you to see her."
He gestured towards the room Bianca was resting in and Nico looked.
Then, he looked back at him.
Don Roman continued.
"She'll need someone when she wakes up."
Nico nodded slowly.
"I'll be there."
Don Roman looked at the guards.
"Take him to Bianca."
The guards nodded.
Nico took one step forward.
Then stopped.
He looked back at Roman.
"Thank you."
Don Roman said nothing.
Nico walked toward Bianca's room.
Don Roman watched him disappear down the corridor.
Then he stood there alone, as his thoughts drifted to Aurelia.
His expression immediately changed at the thought of her.
He quickly turned toward the staircase.
He needed to see her.
He needed answers.
Why had she left the safe house?
And what had she been planning when she decided to come looking for him?