Mafia's Princess(Under Editing)

Chapter 27

Anastasia Rose

Rain had a way of pulling memories out of me. The kind that settled deep in your bones... the kind you could never truly forget.

It was the end of November, and winter had begun to settle in. The air was colder now, a sharp breeze brushing against the windows like a warning that sickness lingered close behind. It was Wednesday afternoon. Yet the sky showed no sign of the pale winter sun. Only dark clouds. Heavy. Endless.

Three days had passed since the incident. Eunha and her family had left the very next day after making sure I was alright.

And me?

I was stuck. On strict bed rest. Well... Courtesy of Dr.  Dante. Not that I had any say in it. My family had taken it upon themselves to treat me like some fragile porcelain doll. As if I had broken bones instead of just getting hit on the head.

I mean seriously—

My legs worked perfectly fine. But no. Apparently, even walking was too much for me now.

I sighed, staring out of the window. Rain poured gently from the sky, tapping softly against the glass, forming small puddles across the garden, making me reminisce my childhood memories that I hold close to my heart.

And just like that... I was no longer in the present.

Flashback

I had always loved the rain. It was never something dull or gloomy to me. It was freedom. Running barefoot. Jumping in puddles. Spinning around until I got dizzy.

That was my kind of happiness.

We had a small backyard back then. It was my playground. And every time it rained, I would rush outside without a second thought. Papa hated that.
Not because I played... But because I always got sick afterward.

"Ana..."

His warm voice echoed behind me as I splashed into yet another puddle.

I giggled, not even turning back. I already knew the look on his face. Half annoyed. Half amused. And he knew I had dirtied my clothes again.

I was just seven at that time.

He walked up to me, shaking his head. "Little devil..." Before I could react, he picked me up and spun me around. I shrieked with laughter, clutching onto him.

"What am I going to do with you?" he sighed dramatically before gently booping my nose. I just gave him a wide, toothy grin in return.

And just like always—

His expression softened instantly. "You love causing trouble, huh... my piccolo rosa..." (little rose). His eyes dropped to my mud-covered clothes. But he didn't let go and just held me closer. Like nothing mattered more.

That was his love. Unconditional.

Flashback Ends

A soft smile formed on my lips as I returned to the present. I sighed as I looked outside at the darkening sky and rain splattering on the window.

I missed him. More than anything and the rain outside only made it worse.

I leaned back against the headboard , exhaling slowly.

God... I was bored. And trapped. And I was being watched. Too many CCTV cameras around me. I mean.. Too many eyes. I just wanted to get out of the bed, but I guess that was impossible.

I still remembered how Dad caught me trying to sneak into the gym a day before yesterday. He literally carried me back—bridal style—and tucked me into bed like I was five. It was the next day of the whole Australian fiasco.