Chapter 114: Forgive Him

Mila

"Miss Mila, I've bandaged your hands," the doctor said. "The wounds on your knees are just minor scratches and didn't need bandaging."

I looked at my hands as the gauze wrapped around them. I had used my palms to push the broken glass away from Angelo's path at the restaurant.

I placed a hand on my stomach and asked, "How's my child, doctor?"

He looked at the screen before him and smiled. "You have a strong child. Just like the mother."

I sighed in relief.

"I'll prescribe some vitamins and supplements, and everything will be fine," he said as he started writing on the prescription paper. "This device will stay here so I can check on the baby every time I come."

A nurse wiped the cold gel off my stomach, then helped me sit up.

The doctor began packing his things. "Nurse Ave will stay with you here for the next few days. If you need anything, just call me."

When I went downstairs, Mama was already there. She was sitting on the sofa while Angelo lay on her knees, and she was brushing his hair.

"Come, baby," she said when she saw me, opening her arms. "I prepared a soothing herbal tea for you."

Even though I wasn't crying, my vision blurred when I saw her-when I felt her pure love for me and for Angelo.

I walked to her and sat beside her, laying my head on her knees next to Angelo.

She wrapped her arms around me and continued stroking both our hair. We stayed like that for a while. Silent. Just listening to the sound of our breathing.

Her fingers in my hair made my body relax, all the tension slowly fading away.

She was the first to break the silence.

"Little Angel... he's asleep," she said softly, still brushing Angelo's hair.

I sighed. "Do you think I'm a good mother?" I whispered, placing my palm on my belly. "I think... they're not lucky to have a mommy like me. I wish I could be like you."

"Mila?" she gasped, her voice low so she wouldn't wake Angelo. "Why would you say that? You've already done so much for him. You raised him by yourself."

The corner of my lips twisted-not a smile. Bitterness.

"I'm trying my best," my voice cracked as my throat tightened. "But... I feel like I'm lost. I barely know what I want or what I should do."

"Aren't you considering forgiving Luca?"

I sat up immediately. "Mama!!" I exclaimed, as if what she said was impossible.

She looked into my eyes as if searching deep inside my soul. "I'm not defending him. What he did was wrong... and drastic." A sad smile touched her lips. "You're both my children. And I love you both the same."

I sniffed, about to speak, but she raised her hand.

"Let me finish. Luca would never hurt you on purpose. He would die for you-we all know that."

I pressed my fingers against my eyes as a headache started forming.

"I can't bring myself to forgive him," I said. "I just can't." Tears began rolling down my cheeks. "When I remember the humiliation, the pain, the fear... every detail of that night... I feel nothing but hatred for him."

I swallowed hard. "I know... from the fragments I remember... that it wasn't him who hit me or humiliated me. But what I went through... it was too much. Too much for the naive girl I was. The girl who lived her whole life protected and safe."

She held my hands in hers. Warm. Soft. Her eyes filled with tears. "That night scared me to death too."

She cupped my face. "I'm not saying you should give him another chance or marry him," she said gently. "I fully support your relationship with Levi. He's a good man-a safe choice."

I smiled faintly. I dragged that man into this mess. I truly felt sorry for him.

"If you let go... if you forgive him... you can start a new life with Levi in peace," she added. "Why don't you see a psychologist? I believe it would help."

I sighed. "I guess I should... if I want to be the mother I want to be for my children."

She smiled. "That's my girl. I believe you'll get better soon. You're strong-just like your mother."

I looked at her in confusion.

She let out a deep breath. "Your mother was one of the strongest women in the mafia world. They still remember her name to this day. She just chose the wrong path. But you..." She brushed my cheek. "You're stronger. Smarter. And most importantly... your heart is much warmer than hers ever was."

Mama's words stayed with me for the next two hours. I couldn't shake the feeling that I had inherited a part of my mother's soul.

What if I turned out to be like her... as a mother?

The questions kept circling in my mind.

I looked out the window and noticed the large number of guards surrounding the mansion. Getting out alone seemed impossible.

A knock sounded on the door, and the nurse walked in. "Miss, it's time for your supplements."

I watched her as she poured water into a glass. And then... an idea sparked in my mind.

"Ave," I said. She looked up at me with a smile. "My moisturizer is finished, and you know... I can't go to the pharmacy now. Could you go for me?"

She nodded. "Of course, Miss Mila. Just send me the name on my phone."

The moment she left the mansion, I hurried to her room. I sneaked inside and took one of her uniforms from the guest room.

Thirty minutes later, she returned with the moisturizer.

Guilt twisted inside me as I took it from her. My drawer was already full of moisturizers and cosmetics.

Before she left the room, I said, "You can go rest, Ave. I'll sleep now-it's been a long day."

"Thank you, ma'am," she replied and left.

Once I made sure she was inside her room, I quickly changed into the nurse uniform. I let my hair fall loose to cover the sides of my face-luckily, we had the same hair color. Then I grabbed the moisturizer bag and the receipt and slipped out.

Getting out of the mansion wasn't hard. Mama was on the phone-apparently talking to Aunt Mirenda-too distracted to notice me.

But getting past the main gate... that wasn't easy.

I needed to see the therapist without anyone knowing. Especially Luca. And walking outside in a nurse uniform would help me avoid attention.

"Miss Mila asked me to exchange the moisturizer. She said it caused an allergic reaction," I told the head guard when he hesitated to open the gate again.

"Fine," he muttered. "But make sure this is the last time. You won't be allowed out again."

I nodded, keeping my head down.

I could hardly believe it when I got into the taxi.

A realization hit me-this was the first time in my life I was completely alone. Going somewhere on my own.

A small smile spread across my lips, almost childlike.

I gave the driver the address of the psychologist, and twenty minutes later, we stopped in front of the building.

I paid him and stepped out. Something twisted in my chest-but I pushed the feeling away.

Then I opened the clinic door... and walked inside.