Her words lift a weight I didn't realize I was carrying. "Thank you, Mam," I say softly. "For understanding. For being here."
She smiles at me through the screen. "Always, my darling. Now, tell me, how are things with Cesare? He's treating you well?"
Warmth spreads through me at the mention of Cesare's name. "He's been... amazing, actually," I admit. "So caring, so protective. It's not at all what I expected when we first got married."
My mother's eyes soften. "I'm glad to hear that, love. You deserve to be cared for, to be safe."
We talk for a while longer, about Cesare, about his children and their change in attitude, about my healing process. By the time we end the call, I feel lighter, more at peace than I have in a long time.
Just as I put my phone down, I hear the door open. Cesare walks in, looking tired but smiling when he sees me.
"How are you feeling?" he asks, coming to sit on the edge of the bed.
I reach out, taking his hand. "Better," I say honestly.
I smile at Cesare, genuinely happy to see him. "I had some visitors today," I tell him. "Sofia and Valentina came to check on me. We had a good talk."
Cesare's eyebrows raise in surprise. "Did you? I'm glad to hear that. How did it go?"
"It was... nice," I say, still surprised myself. "They apologized again for how they've treated me. We talked about their mom, about my situation. I think we might be able to build a real relationship."
Cesare squeezes my hand gently. "That's good. I know the girls have been struggling."
I nod, then hesitate before speaking again. "I also talked to Mam. She's still in Boston. Did you know that?"
Cesare nods. "I did. I offered her a place to stay for as long as she wants. I thought you might need her close by."
His thoughtfulness touches me deeply. "Thank you," I whisper, feeling tears prick my eyes. "That means so much to me."
Cesare reaches out, gently wiping away a tear that's escaped. "You don't need to thank me, Tori. I told you, your wellbeing is my priority now."
I look into his eyes, seeing sincerity there. Without thinking, I lean forward and kiss him softly. When I pull back, Cesare is looking at me with an intensity that takes my breath away.
"Tori," he says softly, "I know our marriage didn't start conventionally, but I want you to know that I care for you deeply. More than I ever expected to."
His words make my heart race. "I care for you too, Cesare," I admit. "I never thought I'd say that, but it's true."
The admission scares me as much as it thrills me. Caring for someone in this world is dangerous. It makes you vulnerable. But looking at Cesare, seeing the same vulnerability in his eyes, I realize we're both taking a risk here.
Cesare smiles, a genuine, warm smile that lights up his whole face. "Then we'll figure this out together," he says.
As he leans in to kiss me again, I feel hope blooming in my chest. For the first time since our wedding, I'm truly looking forward to our future together.
The next few days pass in a blur of recovery and tentative relationship-building. Sofia and Valentina visit me daily, slowly opening up about their mother, their fears, their hopes. Even Elisabetta has started being civil, though she's still the most reserved.
Lorenzo remains respectful but distant. I catch him watching me sometimes, but it's different now, more protective than suspicious.
Cesare barely leaves my side unless work demands it. He's attentive in ways I never expected, bringing me books to read, sitting with me during meals, even helping me with physical therapy exercises.
It's during one of these quiet moments, as I'm doing gentle arm stretches under his watchful eye, that he drops a bombshell.
"Your mother wants to have lunch tomorrow," he says casually. "I told her I'd escort you."
I pause mid-stretch, looking at him in surprise. "You want to have lunch with my mother?"
He shrugs, but I can see something deeper in his eyes. "She's important to you. That makes her important to me."
The simple statement hits me harder than any declaration of love could. This man, this dangerous, powerful man, is making an effort with my family because it matters to me.
