Chapter 200 A Different Future

Chapter 200 A Different Future
The next morning, the Russo estate felt strangely different.
Bianca was still recovering.
Her shoulder remained bandaged, and although the physician had assured everyone that she would make a full recovery, she was still weak.
Nico refused to leave her side.
He had spent most of the morning sitting beside her, occasionally helping her with things she couldn't comfortably do herself.
But then a guard came to the room.
"Don Roman wants to see both of you."
Bianca looked at Nico.
Nico nodded.
They followed the guard through the corridors until they reached one of the smaller sitting rooms.
Don Roman was already there.
He stood beside the window, his hands behind his back.
When the door opened, he turned.
"Come in."
Bianca and Nico entered.
Roman gestured toward the chairs.
"Sit."
They did.
For several seconds, Roman said nothing.
His eyes moved between them.
They were both young.
Far too young to have been dragged into a world where betrayal, bloodshed and death were considered ordinary.
Yet somehow, they had both found themselves in the middle of it.
Don Roman sighed.
"Bianca."
She looked at him.
"Yes, Don?"
Roman took a seat opposite her.
"There's something I need to tell you."
Bianca's expression became serious.
Roman folded his hands.
"Before your father died..."
He paused.
"He asked me to take care of you."
Bianca's eyes immediately filled with emotion.
"He did?"
Roman nodded.
"He knew he wasn't going to survive."
"He knew his time was running out."
Bianca lowered her gaze.
Don Roman continued.
"And his final request was that I protect you."
A tear rolled down Bianca's cheek.
Her father.
Even in his final moments, he had been thinking about her.
Don Roman's voice softened.
"I gave him my word."
Bianca looked at him.
"And I'm going to keep it."
She wiped her cheek.
"Thank you."
Roman shook his head.
"You don't have to thank me."
"I do."
Bianca's voice trembled.
"You didn't have to do any of this."
Roman looked at her.
"You're wrong."
Bianca frowned.
"Russo died defending me."
"And that makes you my responsibility now."
Bianca's eyes widened slightly.
Roman continued.
"But I'm not going to keep you trapped in this life."
He leaned back.
"You have a future."
Bianca stared at him.
Roman's expression became firm.
"Once you're fully recovered, you're going back to school."
She blinked.
"School?"
"Yes."
"But..."
"You'll write your examinations."
Don Roman's tone left no room for argument.
"And after that, you're going to college."
Bianca stared at him in disbelief.
"College?"
Don Roman nodded.
"I'll make sure you're enrolled."
"I'll take care of the fees."
"I'll provide whatever you need."
Bianca couldn't stop the smile that slowly appeared on her face.
For the first time since her father's death, something warm touched her heart.
A future.
Something beyond the violence.
Something beyond the Russo name.
Something beyond the Mafia.
Don Roman looked toward her.
"You deserve a life that isn't controlled by this."
Bianca's eyes became glossy again.
"Thank you."
Don Roman nodded.
"As for this estate..."
Bianca looked around.
Roman continued.
"You can live here."
Her smile faded slightly.
"Here?"
"Yes."
"This was your home."
"It can remain your home."
Bianca stared at him.
"But what about the properties?"
Roman answered without hesitation.
"They remain under my control for now."
Bianca nodded.
"I understand."
"You don't need to worry about money."
Roman's voice was firm.
"I'll provide for you."
"Food."
"School."
"Clothing."
"Anything you need."
Bianca smiled.
"I don't know what to say."
"Then don't say anything."
Don Roman stood.
"Just get better."
Bianca nodded.
"I will."
Don Roman's eyes shifted toward Nico.
The warmth in his expression disappeared slightly.
"Nico."
Nico straightened.
"Yes, Don."
"I haven't forgotten what you did."
Nico lowered his head.
"I know."
Don Roman's voice became stern.
"And I haven't forgotten the people who died because of that betrayal."
Nico swallowed.
"I am sorry."
Don Roman stared at him.
For several seconds, the room remained silent.
Then Roman sighed.
"But you're still young."
Nico looked up.
"So is Bianca."
Roman glanced between them.
"You two should never have been involved in this life so early."
His expression became thoughtful.
"You were children when you were dragged into the affairs of men."
"Somehow, you've both been taught that power means having a gun."
"That respect comes from fear."
"That problems are solved with blood."
Don Roman shook his head.
"I want to change that."
Nico's eyes widened.
"What do you mean?"
Roman looked directly at him.
"I want you to finish your education."
Nico stared at him.
"Me?"
"Yes."
Don Roman nodded.
"You're going to college too."
Nico couldn't believe what he was hearing.
"But after everything I did..."
"I said I haven't forgotten your betrayal."
Don Roman paused.
"But forgiveness doesn't mean pretending it never happened."
"It means deciding what happens next."
Nico's eyes filled with emotion.
Roman continued.
"You have a chance to become something different."
"Take it."
Nico slowly stood.
"Thank you, Don Roman."
Don Roman nodded.
Nico's smile widened.
"Thank you..."
He hesitated.
Then emotion got the better of him.
"Thank you, Father."
Don Roman's eyes immediately narrowed.
"I told you not to call me that."
Nico laughed softly.
"Sorry, but you're the only father I have known. You made sure of that."
Don Roman held his gaze for a moment, and then nodded.
"You've both been given another chance."
"Don't waste it."
They both nodded.
"We won't."
Don Roman walked toward the window.
"There is one more thing."
They both looked at him.
"We're leaving this estate."
Bianca's smile disappeared.
"Leaving?"
Don Roman nodded.
"We're moving back to the Moretti estate later today."
Bianca frowned.
"Why?"
Roman looked around the room.
"This place needs work."
"The walls are damaged."
"The security system needs to be replaced."
"There are bullet holes throughout the estate."
"And half the security equipment was destroyed during the attack."
He turned toward them.
"I don't want either of you living here while renovations are taking place."
Bianca nodded slowly.
"I understand."
Don Roman looked at her.
"You'll return here when everything is ready."
"This will still be your home."
Bianca smiled.
"Thank you."
Roman nodded.
He looked at Nico.
"And you."
Nico straightened.
"Yes?"
"You'll come with us."
Nico smiled.
"Okay."
Roman shook his head slightly.
"Don't get too comfortable."
Nico laughed.
"I won't."
Roman walked toward the door.
"Pack whatever you need."
"We leave this afternoon."
Bianca looked at Nico.
Nico looked back at her.
Neither of them could have imagined that the man they once feared and plotted against, would eventually become the person giving them a second chance.
Don Roman opened the door.
Then stopped.
He looked back at them.
"One last thing."
They both waited.
"This is not charity."
Bianca frowned.
Roman continued.
"It's responsibility."
"Your father trusted me with your future."
"And I'm not going to fail him."
Bianca's eyes filled with tears again.
"Thank you, Don Roman."
Roman nodded, and then walked out.