Chapter 2 - The New Mandate
The heavy thud of Vincenzo’s weapon dropping to his side echoed like a thunderclap.
The noise jolted the night nurse awake, her eyes snapping wide as she took in the terrifying presence of her boss.
"Mr. Costa," she stammered, scrambling to her feet and knocking the champagne glass onto the Persian rug.
Vincenzo did not even look at her.
"Get out," he rasped, his eyes locked on Clara and the child at her breast.
"Sir, I can explain, I was just resting my eyes for a—"
"If you are still on my property in two minutes, you will never leave it," Vincenzo interrupted, his tone devoid of any emotion.
The nurse let out a terrified sob and sprinted from the room, leaving the door wide open.
Vincenzo slowly walked toward Clara, his imposing frame blocking out the light from the hallway.
Clara instinctively curled her body around Dante, protecting him, waiting for the mafia boss to drag her away.
Instead, Vincenzo fell to his knees beside the rocking chair.
He stared in absolute disbelief as his son, who had rejected every form of sustenance for weeks, continued to feed.
Color was already beginning to flush into Dante's pale, hollowed cheeks.
"Who are you?" Vincenzo whispered, looking up into Clara’s tear-stained face.
"Clara," she breathed, her voice trembling. "I'm just the new maid."
"Not anymore," Vincenzo stated, his dark eyes tracing the delicate curve of his son's head against her skin.
He saw the raw, unmistakable sorrow in her eyes, a mirror reflection of the torment in his own soul.
"You are not leaving this room," he declared softly, an undeniable order wrapped in quiet desperation.
Clara looked down at the child, feeling the physical pain in her chest finally begin to recede.
For the first time since Maya died, she felt like she had a reason to breathe.
May you like
She nodded slowly, adjusting the baby closer.
Vincenzo Costa stayed on his knees, standing guard over the miracle he had begged the universe for.
