"I've been angry," he continues, and his voice is measured and careful. "Angry mostly at you, Enzo, for going behind my back." He pauses. "But Alessia pointed out that Isabella is not my property. That she doesn't need my permission to love someone. That treating her like she does is part of the problem."
Something in my chest loosens slightly.
"And she also pointed out," Matteo says, looking at Enzo directly, "that you have repeatedly proven yourself. When Isabella was taken, you were the one who knew where she was. You were the one who led us in. You were the one who got her out. You killed Killian O'Rourke. You saved her life multiple times." He pauses. "There is no one better suited to keep her safe than you. I know that now."
Enzo doesn't speak, just stands there with his hand still on my back, waiting.
"So I've made a decision," Matteo says. "I'm not going to stand in your way anymore. If you want to be together, you can be together. I won't fight it."
"Really?" My voice comes out barely a whisper.
"Really." Matteo looks at me and something in his face softens. "I want you to be happy, Isabella. That's always been what I wanted. And if being with Enzo makes you happy, then I'm not going to stand between you."
Tears are already running down my face and I don't try to stop them.
"Thank you," I manage. "Thank you, Matteo."
He nods and turns back to Enzo. "But I have conditions."
"Name them," Enzo says quietly.
"First, my trust in you has been broken. That's not something that gets fixed overnight. You're going to have to earn it back and that's going to take time. Maybe years. I don't know yet."
"I understand."
"Second, you will be honest with me from now on. About everything. No more secrets, no more hiding things, no more going behind my back. If something is happening that I should know about, you tell me. Clear?"
"Clear."
"Third, you will protect her. With your life if necessary. She and Alessia are the most important thing in my world and ifyou're going to be with her, that means she becomes the most important thing in yours too. Non-negotiable."
"She already is," Enzo says simply. "That's not new."
Matteo studies him for a long moment and then nods. "Good. Then we understand each other."
"We do."
"One more thing." Matteo's voice gets quieter, more serious. "The De Lucas are still a problem. Salvatore is demanding answers about Vittorio's death. As you know, the O'Rourkes are weakened but not destroyed. And there are going to be people who see your relationship as weakness, as distraction, as something to exploit." He looks between us. "Being together means being targets. Both of you. You understand that?"
"Yes," I say.
"And you're willing to accept that risk?"
I look at Enzo and he looks at me and I see everything we've been through in his eyes, all the pain and separation and fighting to get back to each other.
"Yes," I say firmly. "I'm willing."
Matteo nods slowly. "Then my decision is final. You have my blessing. Such as it is."
The words hang in the air for a moment.
Then I'm moving, crossing to Matteo's desk, and I hug him hard enough that he makes a surprised sound.
"Thank you," I say into his shoulder. "Thank you for understanding. Thank you for?—"
"You're my sister," he says quietly, hugging me back. "I just want you happy and safe. That's all I've ever wanted."
I pull back and wipe my eyes and Matteo looks at Enzo.
