In "Family Ties," the Moretti family is everything, or so they thought. But beneath the surface of loyalty lies a web of betrayal and lies. In the heart of this tangled mess, the Morettis struggle to find their footing, torn apart by secrets and dec...
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Athena's sobs filled the room, her tears streaming down her face as she clung to our son. "Elias, he's our son," she cried.
Adriano's face was a mix of fear and confusion. "Dad, I didn't know. I swear I saw his file on the desk, and then I overheard you and Caesar talking—"
He was cut off as Caesar lunged at him, fists flying. "You shot a fucking cop!" Caesar screamed, his anger uncontrolled.
"Caesar, let him go!" Shanice yelled, pulling Caesar off Adriano with all her strength.
Adriano looked broken, turning to me. "I'm sorry, Dad."
My voice trembled as I tried to steady myself. "W-We need to get him to a hospital," I said, finally breaking my silence. I couldn't take my eyes off the boy bleeding on the floor. Athena was holding onto him for dear life, her tears mixing with his blood. How could she keep this from me? A son? None of it made any sense. Was he coming after me because he knew?
"Dad, if he goes to a hospital, I could go to prison," Adriano pleaded, his voice shaking.
I turned to Adriano, my mind racing. "I'm not gonna let my son bleed out on this fucking floor," I said, my voice firm.
Adriano's eyes widened with hurt and betrayal. "I thought I was your son too, Dad," he said before bolting out the door. Lelani quickly followed him, calling his name.
"Enzo, leave them! I need you and Caesar to take him to the hospital now!" I ordered, my voice commanding. Enzo and Caesar moved quickly, helping to lift the injured boy.
The drive to the hospital was a blur. Once there, the doctors rushed him into emergency surgery. My head was spinning, and I felt like I was in a nightmare I couldn't wake up from.
Minutes later, a woman burst into the waiting room, her face contorted with panic. "Where's my son? I need to see Ezra!" she shouted, her eyes landing on Athena.
"Athena, where's my fucking son?" she demanded, her voice breaking as she saw the blood on Athena.
"Cassandra, he's in emergency surgery," Athena said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Cassandra's eyes filled with tears. "Is that his blood on you?" she asked, her voice trembling.
Athena nodded, unable to speak. "Ezra was shot," she finally managed to say.
Cassandra's grief turned to rage as she pointed at me. "This is your fault! I know it!" she screamed, moving towards me.
"Excuse me?" I said, stunned by her accusation.
"You and your thugs did this to my son. He was coming after you, and you tried to kill him!" she yelled, hitting me with a flurry of blows.
"Cassie, stop!" Athena yelled, pulling her away from me.
Cassandra turned on Athena, pushing her away. "I told you to stay away from him, and you didn't listen! Now look what's happened. Look what he's done to your son!" she yelled before storming off towards the nurses' station, leaving us all in a state of shock and despair.
