Chapter 197 One Hundred & Ninety seven

Chapter 197 One Hundred & Ninety seven
Gabriele’s jaw tightened. “Are you sure Elara had nothing to do with her parents’ death?”

Adrian hesitated. “No… she… she wouldn’t have killed them.”

“Are you sure?” Gabriele pressed. “From what I’ve seen of her, she’s more than capable.”

Adrian shook his head. “No… she wouldn’t. I’m sure of it.”

Giovanni’s voice was sharp. “Where was she when the fire started?”

Adrian’s eyes widened, realization hitting him. “She… she was outside. Watching the house burn. Since the staff didn’t stay in the main mansion, we were safe.”

“She definitely started the fire,” Gabriele said, his voice low but hard. “She’s… nuts. A full-on psycho.”

Giovanni ran a hand through his hair, his jaw tight. “I can’t believe it… all this time, everything she’s done… it started back then. … she was already dangerous.”

Adrian swallowed hard, looking down. “I had no idea… I thought it was just some tragic accident. I never imagined…” His voice trailed off, heavy with guilt and shock.

Gabriele shook his head. “This isn’t just an obsession. This is calculated… insane. She's not okay.”

Giovanni’s eyes burned with anger. . She hurt Raven, Matteo… kidnapped Ganni. She’s going to pay for everything.”

Adrian nodded. “I’ll do whatever it takes to make this right. I can’t forgive myself for letting any of this happen.”

Gabriele leaned back in his chair, rubbing his face. “The police will be here soon. Statements, investigations… she’s going to jail for a long time. Finally.”

Giovanni’s hand tightened around Ganni’s small shoulder. “Yeah… finally..”

Adrian glanced at Giovanni, his voice quiet but earnest. “I’m sorry, again… for everything I did that made this worse.”

Giovanni shook his head, his expression hardening. “You survived, Adrian. That’s enough. Now we deal with her.”

Giovanni stood up, his jaw tight, eyes still burning with anger and exhaustion. He lifted Ganni gently into his arms. The little boy clung to him, still trembling, his face buried against Giovanni’s chest.

“Shh… it’s okay, Ganni,” Giovanni murmured, trying to soothe him. “You’re fine now. No one is going to hurt you again.”

As they turned to leave, a nurse’s voice called out from the room behind them.

“She’s awake! Mrs. Monti is awake! She’s asking for Ganni!”

Ganni’s small head perked up at the sound of his mother’s voice. “Mummy?” he whispered, his grip tightening around Giovanni’s shirt.

Giovanni’s heart clenched. He exchanged a glance with Adrian, who nodded encouragingly. “She’s fine, Ganni,” Giovanni said gently. “She’s okay. Let’s get to her.”

They moved quickly down the hospital hallway, Giovanni holding Ganni close, his steps firm but careful. The sound of Raven’s voice grew clearer, soft and weak, calling for her son.

When they reached her room, Raven’s eyes lit up the moment she saw them. “Ganni… my baby,” she whispered, tears welling up as she lifted her arms.

Ganni’s eyes filled with relief and joy. “Mummy!” he cried, wriggling free from Giovanni’s arms and running to her.

Raven reached out, pulling him close, holding him as if she’d never let go. Giovanni stayed back for a moment, watching them. Relief, exhaustion, and anger all tangled together in his chest.

Giovanni stepped closer, finally letting himself breathe a little as he watched Raven cradle Ganni in her arms. The boy’s sobs had quieted, and his tiny fingers clung to his mother’s shirt like he never wanted to let go.

Raven’s eyes met Giovanni’s, still tired, still pale, but filled with relief. “He’s safe… thanks to you,” she whispered, her voice hoarse.

Giovanni shook his head, his lips tight. “We’re not out of the woods yet,” he said softly. “Elara’s behind bars for now, but this… this isn’t over. I'll make sure she never gets out.”

Raven’s grip on Ganni tightened. “I don’t care about her,” she said, almost fiercely. “Right now… this matters. Ganni’s alive. We’re alive.”

Ganni yawned against her shoulder, finally starting to relax. “Mummy… I was so scared,” he murmured.

“I know, baby,” Raven said, pressing her cheek to his hair. “I know. But you’re okay now. Daddy’s here too.”

Giovanni crouched down beside the bed, resting a hand gently on Ganni’s back. “I’ll never let anyone hurt you again,” he said firmly, his voice low but determined. “No one. Ever.”

Raven glanced at him, a faint smile breaking through her exhaustion. “We’ve survived… " We’ll survive everything,” she said quietly. “Together. Thank you for protecting him”

Giovanni’s eyes softened slightly, the weight of the night still heavy on his shoulders. But seeing them safe.. Raven and Ganni… gave him a rare sense of peace he hadn’t felt in years.

He leaned back slightly, scanning the room. Adrian was sitting quietly nearby, still shaken but alive, Matteo stable in his own hospital bed, and the chaos of the night slowly fading behind them.

For the first time since Elara’s madness had erupted, Giovanni allowed himself to exhale fully. The danger wasn’t gone, but at least… for now… they were together, and that was enough.

Ganni snuggled closer to Raven, his small hands clutching her tightly, and Raven rested her head on Giovanni’s shoulder. In that moment, amid the hospital beeps and the faint scent of antiseptic, the three of them found a fragile sense of calm.