Lissy Romano

6| Good memory.

Lissy Romano

"You should eat at least something," Davide said softly, his concerned gaze locked on me.

I opened my mouth to respond, but right at that moment, my phone began to ring.

All eyes immediately turned to me. I glanced at the screen: Jose. And there it was—the photo of us sticking our tongues out at the camera, carefree, from a lifetime ago. Davide and Domenico's expressions shifted instantly, their faces darkening in surprise and...disapproval.

"Who's calling you?" Vincenzo demanded, his voice edged with cold authority.

"Someone named Jose," Domenico answered quickly, not even giving me the chance.

"Who is Jose, Elizabeth?" Dante cut in, his tone dripping with irritation.

I hesitated. "He's... my father's friend's son—"

Before I could even finish, Vincenzo's sharp voice sliced through the air. "He wasn't your father."

The way he said it made my stomach twist.

"Don't ever mention him in this house again," Dante added, his words practically spat out with venom.

"I'm sorry..." I muttered, shrinking under their intensity, but the situation was spiraling out of my control.

I reached for my phone, hoping to answer Jose quickly, but Domenico snatched it out of my hands before I could react.

"Give it back," I said, confusion and frustration blending in my voice.

"Shush," Davide whispered, trying to calm me, his hand lightly brushing mine.

"Hand it over," Vincenzo ordered, his eyes boring into Domenico.

Without hesitation, Domenico passed the phone to Vincenzo, who studied the screen before speaking again. His expression turned darker as he stared at the photo. "This is unacceptable, Elizabeth."

"But—" I started to explain, to tell them Jose was just a friend—my only friend. Before I could get the words out, Davide's reassuring hand squeezed mine, silencing me.

Vincenzo didn't hesitate. He answered the call and put it on speaker. I sat frozen, feeling utterly betrayed.

"Lissy, is everything alright?" Jose's concerned voice broke through the tension.

"I'm—" I started, but Dante's cold glare silenced me. Fear wrapped itself around my throat like a chain.

"Don't ever call her again," Vincenzo barked, his voice filled with fury.

"Where is Lissy?" Jose demanded, sounding defiant.

"You heard him. Don't call her again—for your own good," Dante added, his tone low and threatening.

"I want to talk to Lissy," Jose insisted, his confidence unwavering.

Vincenzo glanced at me, his expression unreadable. "You have two minutes," he said, handing me the phone. "And you'll talk with the speaker on."