𝔇𝔦𝔞𝔪𝔬𝔫𝔡𝔰

𝔄 𝔅𝔩𝔞𝔰𝔱 𝔱𝔬 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔓𝔞𝔰𝔱

When Leonardo found out about the killing of Rita Johnson, he knew exactly who to blame, due to their murderous tendencies.

"GABRIELLA! How could you?" Leonardo exclaimed angrily, confronting Gabriella as she sat, absorbed in her magazine.

"Well, Leo, I did it to protect you. Whether you like it or not, I'll always be your older sister! Since you have no mommy, at least you have me!" Gabriella smirked.

Leonardo tensed, while Emiliano winked at Gabriella, silently expressing gratitude.

Jace sat in Gabriella's lap, engrossed in his Nintendo 64, while Richie triumphed over Jace in their game.

"Ah shit! I lost!" Jace said disappointedly.

Gabriella raised an eyebrow at Jace. "No swearing. Only mommy swears and does bad things. Not you, Jacey!" she scolded, leaving Leonardo bewildered.

Impatiently tapping his foot, Leonardo waited for Gabriella's attention, but she remained engrossed in her magazine.

"Oh! Look at this! Clinton is starting his second term! And the 1997 Chanel spring collection is out on the twentieth! Isn't life so exciting, Leo?" Gabriella exclaimed cheerfully.

Though Richie smiled, Leonardo reached his limit.

He pulled Gabriella from the chair, shocking her, and ushered her into the closet before speaking again.

"Gabriella, I appreciate your protective instincts, but I can manage alone. Stop risking yourself, sorella. You know how upset papa would be if he knew. As much as papa annoys me, you're all he has left. If he loses you, it'd be the end. Even Richie would be at risk. Do you want that?"

Gabriella paled at the mention of their father.

While risky actions for family weren't new to her, she acknowledged the need to dial it down—for now.

"Alright fine Leo. But if you gets hurt, or killed because you don't want my help, then don't blame me! I'm only looking out for you!" Gabriella pouted.

Leonardo sighed, pulling Gabriella into a tight hug.

Gabriella smiled, reciprocating the embrace, while Leonardo bent down to her height.

"I know. I love you, Gabriella. So much," Leonardo said, happiness in his voice.

"I love you too, baby," Gabriella replied.

As Leonardo expressed his love, Gabriella reflected on their initial meeting and marveled at how different their relationship had become.

************

Sicily, 1979

After an exhausting hour-long flight, a chauffeur arrived, bringing relief to fifteen-year-old Gabriella, who was drained from the journey.

The car, sleek and black, was followed by several others, a testament to her papa's overprotectiveness.

Amidst acres of land that belonged to her papa, Gabriella marveled before heading into the car.

Gabriella adored her papa but had never met him due to her mother's prohibition.

A week earlier, Gabriella's mother, Lucille, vanished, leaving her at the mercy of her evil stepfather.

Now, with Lucille gone, Salvatore seized the chance to take his daughter, regardless of potential repercussions.

Although Salvatore despised Lucille, he cherished Gabriella, perhaps more than he loved Leonardo.