The dinner was going on as usual. Interestingly, Eleonora had changed seats and ended up sitting next to Antonietta, engaged in an animated conversation with her ex-daughter-in-law. However, that didn't catch Vittorio's attention. None of the topics discussed by his guests did. He remained seated with them for a while, but eventually excused himself, claiming he was tired, and retired to his quarters. He undressed and lay naked on his bed, allowing his thoughts to consume him. His thoughts wandered back to the outside, to Ellis' eyes, lips, and how she stared at him...
The frightened look on her face when she saw her brother in the office. Whenever he recalled that moment, he felt immense regret. He didn't want things to escalate to that point, but what choice had she given him? Perhaps he wouldn't have reached that breaking point if she had been more flexible. But no, she always had to be stubborn... Why couldn't she be more amiable? Why wouldn't she obey him? Everyone else used common sense around him, but she... She always pushed him to his limits. And he ended up showing his worst side. Even though he didn't want to, he found himself becoming like Don Vittorio for her, and she kept distancing herself. But why did he desire to impress Ellis? She owed him, so she should impress him, right?
"Vittorio?" Antonietta called before entering her son's room. "Are you awake?"
"Just a moment, Mom," Vittorio replied, covering himself with the sheet.
"There's nothing there that I haven't seen before," commented his mother as she approached. She sat at the edge of the bed and said, "Your guests have already left..."
"Thank you for the dinner and for being the wonderful hostess you always are," Vittorio thanked, smiling at his mother.
"Yes, but soon it will be your fiancée who will do that," Antonietta said, pointing her finger at her son. "She better be ready for it."
"She will be because she'll have the best teacher," Vittorio commented, holding his mother's hand.
"She wouldn't need a teacher if she already belonged to this," Antonietta replied.
"Mama..."
"Vittorio, please. Please tell me why. Why her?" Antonietta asked, sternly.
"Oh, Dona Antonietta..." Vittorio began, taking a deep breath. "Why does it matter?"
"Because she is the next lady of this house and the Chief's wife. Does she know that?"
"Of course, Mama. She heard my speech, just like everyone else, including you."
"Impossible! She couldn't possibly understand the importance of it, and neither do you," Antonietta claimed, getting up. "You have no idea how much you're putting that young woman's life at risk, and for what? Love?"
"For loyalty," Vittorio answered calmly.
"Loyalty?"
"Yes, Mama, loyalty," Vittorio reaffirmed, standing up. "She is loyal to me, and that's what I need right now. I can't marry any daughter from those families because I suspect them all. They might all be involved in my father's death. But you were right, and I need to ensure my lineage. So, there's nothing better than a neutral wife for that. I don't need a wife whom I'll suspect at every step."
"So that's why you broke up with Eleonora? Because you feared her family?" Antonietta questioned, surprised. "My son, Eleonora would never do such a thing."
" That's where you're wrong," Vittorio retorted, pointing his finger at his mother. "She is not only capable but she did it."
"What are you talking about?"
"Eleonora was Tommaso Greco's informant," Vittorio revealed.
"How do you know that?"
***
Two years ago...
The nurse finished changing Vittorio's shoulder bandage when Eleonora entered her boyfriend's quarters. He had just returned home after the attack that had killed his father. The young man smiled as he finally saw his beloved's face after so many days.
Despite his father's words, seeing the young woman there made him feel it was time to take the relationship further. After all, she had been by his side during the most difficult moments of his life. He winked at the nurse with whom he had devised a plan. The employee left, leaving the two of them alone.
"Hi, darling," Eleonora said, tucking her blonde hair behind her ear, appearing nervous in front of her fiancé. "How are you?"
"I'm fine, my love," Vittorio replied, smiling at his girlfriend. He tapped the corner of the bed next to him and said, "Come, sit here... I've missed you so much."
She walked slowly and sat down. He reached out for her hand, but she avoided holding it while looking at him sternly.
"You asked me to come... What's wrong?" Eleonora asked, staring at Vittorio.
"Yes, I think we need to talk... about us," Vittorio said.
"I also think it's time," Eleonora agreed. She wiped away the tears trying to fall from her face as she said, "I know I distanced myself from you after what happened... and I believe you deserve an explanation."
"Hey, relax. It's all right," Vittorio reassured, holding Eleonora's hand. "I understand you completely. I know you acted that way because you thought you would lose me..."
She allowed herself to cry upon hearing her boyfriend's words, and he pulled her close, embracing the blonde.
"It's all right. I survived, my love. I'm here," Vittorio said, hugging his fiancée while gesturing to the nurse to bring the black velvet box kept in his closet.
Inside that box was none other than the Graff Pink, a 24.78-carat pink diamond ring considered one of the most beautiful ever found and one of the most expensive. Vittorio had paid $46 million for it at auction. However, for him, it meant nothing compared to the happiness he imagined having alongside Eleonora.
"Vittorio, I need to tell you..." Eleonora began, moving away from her boyfriend's embrace. "I'm so sorry..."
"It's all right, my love," Vittorio repeated, nodding to the nurse who approached them. "And to prove it..."
"Vittorio, what is this? What are you doing?" Eleonora asked, surprised.
"Proving my forgiveness..." Vittorio replied as he took the box from the nurse's hands. He opened it and showed the ring to Eleonora. "And my love for you. Eleonora, will you marry me?"
"No!" Eleonora refused, surprising Vittorio. "I want to marry you, but not like this... Not with what I have kept..."
"What do you mean, Eleonora? What are you saying?" Vittorio asked, confused. "Do you want to marry me or not?"
"I do, but I don't know if after you find out what I know, you will still want to
..." Eleonora said.
"What do you know? Is it about the attack?" Vittorio asked, trying to stand up.
"Sir, please don't do this," the nurse pleaded.
"Leave us. Let us be alone," Vittorio ordered, serious. "Tell me, what do you know, Eleonora?"
"I know who is behind the attack," Eleonora revealed. "I know who is responsible."
"Who?" Vittorio asked, curious. "Tell me!"
"Tommaso Greco," Eleonora quickly revealed, causing Vittorio to laugh.
Tommaso Greco was the son of one of Don Marco's best friends and was treated more like a son than his own. That's why Vittorio laughed at Eleonora's absurd revelation, even though she remained serious.
"I'm serious, Vittorio," Eleonora affirmed. "Not only him but there are others with him. Domenico Wild was one of the financiers..."
"And how do you know this?" Vittorio asked, serious.
"Because I had an affair with him. That's how I know," Eleonora replied.
***
"My dear..." Eleonora whispered as she rubbed Vittorio's wrist, who remained silent in the face of her revelation. "I need you to know that I love you, despite everything. What I had with Tommaso was..."
"Leave," Vittorio ordered, pushing Eleonora's hand away.
"Vittorio..." Eleonora whispered, trying in vain to hold onto her fiancé. "Please let me explain... It was just business..."
"GET OUT! LEAVE NOW!"