Alessandro's thoughts swirled, his mind torn asunder by Sophia's betrayal.
"Sophia, how could you?" Alessandro's voice cracked.
Sophia's eyes pleaded.
"Alessandro, I—"
"No!" Alessandro cut her off.
Alessia's gentle touch on his arm calmed him.
"Alessandro, hear her out."
Alessandro's gaze never left Sophia.
"Speak."
Sophia's words spilled out.
"The Morani family threatened my family. I had no choice."
Alessandro's anger simmered.
"You should have come to me."
Sophia's tears fell.
"I was ashamed."
The silence hung heavy.
Alessandro's thoughts reeled.
Betrayal.
Love.
Forgiveness.
Alessia's voice broke the silence.
"What now?"
Alessandro's eyes locked onto Sophia.
"I don't know."
Sophia's face crumpled.
"Alessandro, please—"
"Enough!" Alessandro's voice boomed.
Sophia flinched.
Alessandro's chest heaved.
He stormed out, leaving Sophia and Alessia in an uncomfortable silence.
Later that night, Alessandro's thoughts still churned.
He couldn't shake Sophia's words.
Threats.
Fear.
Betrayal.
Alessandro's door creaked open.
Alessia slipped in.
"Alessandro?"
"Bella?"
"What's troubling you?"
Alessandro's sigh filled the room.
"Sophia."
Alessia's gentle touch soothed him.
"Forgiveness is hard."
Alessandro's eyes locked onto Alessia's.
"But?"
"But sometimes it's necessary."
Alessandro's thoughts swirled.
Forgiveness.
Love.
Redemption.
Alessandro's thoughts still reeled from Sophia's betrayal.
Forgiveness seemed impossible.
Yet, Alessia's words echoed.
"Sometimes it's necessary."
Determined to understand Sophia's motivations, Alessandro sought answers.
"Sophia, tell me everything," Alessandro demanded.
Sophia's eyes trembled.
"Where do I start?"
"From the beginning," Alessandro replied.
Sophia took a deep breath.
"My family was in debt to the Morani family. They threatened to harm them unless I cooperated."
Alessandro's anger simmered.
"Why didn't you come to me?"
Sophia's tears fell.
"I was ashamed. I didn't want to burden you."
Alessandro's expression softened.
"Burden? Sophia, you're family."
Sophia's voice cracked.
"That's why I did it, Alessandro. To protect you, too."
Alessandro's thoughts swirled.
Protection.
Love.
Loyalty.
He saw Sophia in a new light.
Alessandro's gaze locked onto Sophia's.
"Tell me more."
Sophia's words spilled out.
"Marco's involvement, the Morani's plans... everything."
Alessandro listened intently.
Pieces fell into place.
The Morani family's strategy.
Marco's betrayal.
Sophia's sacrifice.
Alessandro's heart ached.
For Sophia.
For the pain she endured.
For the love they shared.
"Sophia," Alessandro whispered.
"Yes?" Sophia replied.
Alessandro's eyes locked onto hers.
"I forgive you."
Sophia's face crumpled.
Tears streamed down.
Alessandro's arms enveloped her.
"I'm sorry, Sophia. For not being there."
Sophia's voice muffled.
"I'm sorry, too."
Their embrace lingered.
A new beginning unfolded.