CHAPTER 103 - Wake & Mourning

"I can't hide anything from you anymore, can I?" I admit with a sigh.

Our gazes meet, filled with significance.

"I wouldn't expect any less from you... When you mentioned not wanting anyone threatening our children, I understood what you meant! Davina, you're a strong woman. You know my answer, you know I don't want that life for you... I need to have you by my side," Adam declares sincerely.

"Adam, do you love me?" I ask, seeking a direct answer.

He takes a step forward, leaning his forehead against mine.

"More than I can bear or explain," he confesses with emotion.

"Then respect this decision. I can't bring my hell into our lives!" I say, lightly kissing his cheek before pulling away.

He holds my chin gently, urging me to maintain eye contact. "Mon Amour, I'm letting go, but I won't let go of this decision. We'll stay together. We can use that incredible jet of yours to see each other always! I just can't build something with you, a family, without the certainty that we'll be safe."

"I'm Dom, and I have many enemies..."

"That's exactly why, I don't need more enemies, I need allies. I can forge this alliance and manage it my way!" I argue firmly.

He takes a deep breath, trying to process my words.

"I'm not happy about it. Can you reconsider this decision?"

"I've already made up my mind," I state, interrupting him with a kiss to his warm lips.

"I think my biggest battle is with my stubborn wife," he laughs, seeming to enjoy the idea.

"And that's a battle you'll never win... It's part of your charm!" I tease, smiling.

He returns the smile.

"Have you heard any news about Filipe?" I ask, concerned.

He kisses the top of my head, trying to reassure me.

"You don't need to worry about him."

He changes the subject, something I've noticed happening before.

"I'm not worried about him, I'm worried about you! So, how's his health?"

"He's still in a coma. The doctor believes it's irreversible..."

"Does he still have brain activity?"

"Yes, but he doesn't respond..."

"Or maybe he doesn't want to respond. After all, he's suffered too... Will you keep him on life support?" I pose the possibility.

"How do you manage to be like this?" He looks at me with surprise and admiration evident in his eyes.

"How?"

"Having empathy for those who don't deserve it..."

"It has more to do with who I am than how others act towards me..."

He lets out a sigh before admitting:

"I'm still not ready to hate him enough to say goodbye..."

The Embrace that Offers Comfort and Strength

"I understand, it's going to be okay," he reassured me.

He smiled, gently holding onto my hand.

"Ready?"

"No, I don't think anyone is ever prepared to cremate their own sister!" I retorted with a hint of sarcasm, baring the weight of guilt I carried.

His eyes widened in surprise.

"You need to forgive yourself!!!"

"That's something I'll never be able to do. I know, in time, I'll come to terms with it... Until then: from the end to a new beginning."

"Translation, please?"

"From the end to a fresh start!" I playfully nudged the tip of his nose.

"Are you serious about this? I definitely need to learn French!" he chuckled, trying to lighten the mood.

"I find it alluring that you're fluent in Italian and Russian, but I must admit, seeing you speak French would be incredibly sexy, Rsrs."

"I'll begin my lessons later today, so who knows what desires I might awaken in you!"

"So, is this your strategy? Your tactics to make me fall in love with you?"

"I am a gentleman with a trove of secrets, my dear," he teased, giving me a seductive wink.

With caution, we moved forward, taking into consideration my injuries and the ongoing recovery process, as we headed towards a heartfelt farewell for the one who had once been my sister.

We arrived at my parents' summer mansion, right here in England. Although we were French, our most cherished memories were within these walls...

Our father used to bring us here during his brief periods of "downtime" and "vacation" from the mafia. Full detachment was never achievable, but we could at least escape some of the pressures of our underworld responsibilities for a short while.

I took a deep breath, as I had resolved to embrace this role. I understood that all the challenges would resurface: the relentless tasks, the weight of responsibilities, and the mission to reform the mafia, or at the very least, to harness its influence for good!

So many ideas and dreams... I also intended to guide Yara's training subtly, without her realizing it. My aim was to train a legion of women with respect, sparing them the ordeals I had endured, and naturally, with their wholehearted consent!

"It will be quite a journey," I thought as I surveyed the scene before me. "I will continue to be Dom's wife... It's unlikely the opposite would ever happen." Adam occupied my thoughts, and the intensity of our feelings was undeniable. "Adam has my heart, admiration, respect, and loyalty!"

"Letting me go is the purest proof of his feelings," I reflected, confident that we would overcome any obstacles. "We will make it work, for there are no barriers to wanting." I recalled the famous phrase: "Like ATTRACTS like."

For our relationship to thrive, I believed in the importance of mutual effort. "For a relationship to succeed, I believe we have to be willing to make it happen, not expect everything to coincide." I recognized that positive changes, empathy, emotional growth, respect, loyalty, understanding, and love were essential.

My eyes met Adam's, his fingers caressing my waist as we moved forward together. Each touch between us sparked a fire, a flame that never extinguished. The desire I felt for him was so intense that it overshadowed any pain.

Upon arriving at the location, we headed straight to the Garden, which was beautifully adorned with roses and flowers. Inviting benches lined the sides, and the casket rested upon a stone pedestal in the front. The transparent lid revealed Angel's body, covered up to the neck by a blanket of flowers, exposing only their face and hair.

Their expression was serene, conveying a sense of peace. "Perhaps they truly were," I thought, seeking comfort in my own words. I sought out my mother with my gaze and found her beside the casket, silently shedding tears. Her pain was palpable, even from a distance.

On the other hand, Bruce, though visibly weary, greeted those closest with courtesy. "He's great at concealing his feelings," I observed with a mixture of admiration and sadness.

Finally, we settled onto the front bench, ready to pay our final respects to Angel.