**Chapter 11**
Don Alessandro was in his living room, surrounded by his men, when the television suddenly turned on. The image was blank, but it was soon filled with a scene that made his heart race. Gabino appeared, an evil smile on his face, as he held a gun pointed directly at Isabella, who was weakened and trapped in the basement.
The scene unfolding before Don Alessandro was a nightmare. Isabella was pale, her eyes dull, and her body seemed fragile, as if the life was draining from her with every second. Despair took hold of Don Alessandro, and he felt a wave of helplessness at the sight of his wife in that situation.
"It's now, Don Alessandro! Now or never!" Gabino exclaimed, his voice full of contempt. "You must decide between your wife's life or your own ego of revenge. What will you choose?"
Don Alessandro felt the pressure building in his chest. Gabino's ultimatum was clear, and the choice he had to make seemed impossible. He looked at Isabella, the woman he loved more than anything, and the pain in his heart intensified.
Anger began to consume his reason, but he knew that a thoughtless decision could cost Isabella her life. "You are a monster, Gabino!" he shouted, his voice filled with despair and indignation. "You can't do this!"
"But I am doing it, Alessandro. The choice is yours. If you truly love her, you will surrender. Otherwise, what will happen to her will only be the beginning of your suffering," Gabino replied, the gun still firmly in his hand.
Don Alessandro felt adrenaline pumping through his veins. He knew that time was running out, and that every second that passed could be Isabella's last. The desire for revenge still burned within him, but the love for his wife was stronger.
He took a deep breath, trying to find clarity amidst the storm of emotions. "I can't let you win, Gabino!" he said, his voice shaking but firm. "But I can't sacrifice Isabella. I surrender!"
The words came out as a whisper, but they carried the weight of a mountain. The internal battle between love and revenge had come to an end, and Don Alessandro had chosen love.
Gabino smiled, satisfied, but the victory was not complete. The pain in Don Alessandro's expression was evident, and he knew that the choice he had made was not an easy one. "Very well, then. Let's see what you are willing to do to save your wife," Gabino replied, easing the pressure on his gun for just a moment.
Don Alessandro was determined to save Isabella, but he knew that by surrendering, he had put himself in danger. The war was not over; it had merely changed shape. And now, he would need a new plan, one that would ensure not only Isabella's life, but his own survival as well.