Luna climbed the stairs with silent steps, holding back the tears that were stubbornly trying to escape. Her heart still echoed Vincenzo's cruel words. Upon reaching her room, she carefully closed the door, leaned against it, and slowly slid down to sit on the floor. There, she finally let the tears fall, painfully recalling each word that had deeply hurt her. With resolute eyes, she spoke into the emptiness as if Vincenzo were present: "You have become my enemy. Your actions have created an irreparable barrier between us, and no forgiveness can undo this."
As Luna allowed herself to cry in her room, her father remained downstairs, immersed in a mysterious phone conversation. His voice echoed through the house, but the exchanged words remained shrouded in mystery, creating an atmosphere of suspense in the environment.
Half an hour later, Luna came down the stairs, now refreshed from a shower after hours of crying. Her father, upon seeing her, wore an expression full of mystery. The heavy silence in the air revealed that something more than Luna's tears had happened in that house.
"Are you okay, Dad?" Luna asked worriedly.
"Yes, dear, why do you ask?" he tried to disguise.
"When I went up to the room, you were on the phone, and now you have a worried look. Did something happen?" Luna insisted.
"No, dear, it was work-related. Don't worry, your father is still overwhelmed after everything that happened—your disappearance and what happened with your brother. For the first time in my life, I felt lost and scared."
"Speaking of what happened, Dad, we need to talk about it. I know you were upset about how I spoke to you, but I was so disappointed to learn that you worked for Vincenzo's father. Everything you taught us seems to have gone to waste. I felt betrayed. I didn't want to believe that my father, who used to read stories to me at bedtime, was the same person who left families shattered."
"What are these words, daughter? You know I had my reasons. I did everything I could to keep our family together when your mother was ill. I did my best."
"Too bad your best involved helping to end so many lives, Dad. I thought Vincenzo was lying to manipulate me and make me believe in him. I didn't want to believe that my father, who read to me to sleep, was the same person who caused so much devastation." Luna struggled not to cry.
"Daughter, is there something you want to tell me? It seems like over these months, you and Vincenzo have become great friends. You seem to trust him more than your father."
"I haven’t become friends with anyone, Dad. I just thought you would be more honest with me, like you were with Davis, but it’s a lost cause. I’m going back to my room."
"Daughter, I’m sorry. Regardless of what happens, I love you. Never forget that."
Luna looked at her father and said nothing more. She went back to her room, while her father remained downstairs, unaware that he was waiting for someone. He was plotting something.
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Vincenzo arrived at his father’s property, where Don Bonanno was making the final adjustments for the wedding. Don Carlo quickly informed the family that Vincenzo was to marry Megan, catching Vincenzo by surprise and displeasing him as he realized his father was scheming behind his back.
"Don Bonanno, what are you doing here?" Vincenzo asked.
"Hello, Vincenzo. Your father invited me. I’m really happy that you and my daughter are uniting. This will strengthen the ties between our families. You made the right choice," Don Bonanno replied.
"Dad, can we talk privately for a moment? We have important things to resolve."
"Don Bonanno, if you’ll excuse us, my son and I have an urgent matter to discuss. We’ll return to our conversation shortly," Don Carlo said with an awkward smile.
"Don’t worry, I’ll be here waiting," Don Bonanno said.
From Vincenzo’s expression, Don Carlo could already tell that he was unhappy about being caught off guard. He got up from the table and went to another office with Vincenzo.
"Tell me, my son, what happened?" asked Don Carlo.
"Are you still asking me? I agreed, but I didn’t say it would be a sudden wedding and that you would act behind my back. You’re willing to sacrifice me at any cost, aren’t you, Dad?" Vincenzo grew agitated.
"If I left it to you, it would never happen. We both know that. The sooner it happens, the better. You gave me your word, and I assured you I’d leave Luna alone. I’ll schedule an engagement dinner for tomorrow. I hope you don’t miss it."
"I see you’ve already arranged everything without consulting me. Fine, Dad, it will be as you wish."
Vincenzo left his father alone and left, outraged by the situation. Don Carlo was pressuring him from all sides to marry, and Vincenzo couldn’t back out. Yet, a hole formed in his heart.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Don Bonanno. You know how young people are. Vincenzo is always successful in everything he does, but he was nervous about a problem with one of our properties regarding taxes," Don Carlo said.
"He’s always successful, which is why I wanted to unite our families. Together, we’ll be stronger. If there’s anything I can help with regarding the taxes, let me know," Don Bonanno offered.
"Don’t worry, everything is under control. There’s nothing my son can’t resolve. I’d like to offer an engagement dinner tomorrow. It will be a great opportunity for them to get to know each other," Don Carlo suggested.
"That sounds like a great idea. "It was a sudden marriage, and they didn’t even have time to get to know each other," Don Bonanno agreed.
"Then it’s settled. I look forward to us becoming a great family and increasing our territorial power," Don Carlo expressed satisfaction.
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Vincenzo drove to one of his offices and called Matteo on the way to find out if he had discovered anything about Luna’s whereabouts.
"Any news?" Vincenzo asked.
"Yes, I was just about to call you. Luna is with her father at the same house where Davis lived. She’s not with him yet; she’s still recovering," Matteo replied.
"Is she okay? Have you seen her?" Vincenzo asked with concern.
"I saw her in the store; she seemed to have been crying. There’s something else you should know. Her father has hired security all around. I noticed some strange activity," Matteo informed.
"I need you to investigate what’s going on. I want you to find a girl and get close to her as a friend. Let me know as soon as you find out. I need to make sure my father doesn’t harm her," Vincenzo instructed.
"I’ll do that as quickly as possible and let you know when everything is ready. Also, the shipment arrives tonight, and you need to be at the nightclub," Matteo said.
"Okay, I’ll be there. I need to hang up now," Vincenzo said.