Lissy Romano

105| I'm not afraid anymore.

I recommend to listen to these three songs as you read this chapter...

1. People Help the People
Song by Birdy
2. Gilded Lily
Song by Cults
3. Evergreen
Song by Omar Apollo

Lissy Romano

I must have drifted off because when I stirred awake, I felt strong arms lifting me, carrying me somewhere.

Dante.

He smelled so familiar—warm, comforting. I opened my eyes sluggishly, taking in his face.

"Dante..." I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Shh, baby. Go back to sleep," he said softly, his tone soothing.

Jax, my little puppy, was curled up in my lap, fast asleep. I let my head fall against Dante's shoulder and closed my eyes again, feeling safe in his arms.

Before I knew it, Dante was tucking both Jax and me into bed. He pulled the blankets snugly around us. Just as he turned to leave, I reached out, grabbing his hand.

"Stay. Please," I whispered, barely audible.

Without hesitation, he laid down beside me, his hand brushing my hair gently.

"Everything okay?" he asked, his voice tender as his fingers lightly caressed my cheek.

"Dante," I started, hesitating for a moment. "Do you know Miguel?"

The question made his entire demeanor change. His expression hardened, and he closed his eyes, as if debating how to answer.

"No," he finally said, though his voice betrayed him. "But you do."

That single sentence sent a ripple through me. "I remembered something," I confessed. "He was drinking... shouting. Who is he, Dante?"

His jaw clenched slightly, and when he looked at me again, there was a sadness there.

"It's complicated, sorellina," he said, his tone more serious now.

"Please," I urged him. "I need to know."

He sighed deeply, the weight of the truth pressing on him. "Promise me something first," he said, looking into my eyes. "Promise me that no matter what I tell you, you'll understand we didn't keep it from you to hurt you. We wanted to protect you. Always."

"I promise," I whispered.

Dante's voice was low and heavy as he began to speak. "When you were two years old... you were taken from us. A man named Miguel kidnapped you. He kept you until he died, and social services contacted us. Lissy, we searched for you—we did everything we could to bring you back."

His words hit me like a tidal wave. My heart raced as my mind tried to process it all. Twelve years. Twelve years of my life stolen, gone.

The memories I had buried deep—unwelcome, painful—came rushing back all at once. I couldn't stop them.

Miguel. His voice, his anger, his hands. The fear I felt every single day. The way he made me feel worthless, small.

But I wasn't that little girl anymore.

"I am proud of myself," I whispered, as much to myself as to Dante.

And I was. Despite everything I had endured, despite everything that was stolen from me, I had survived. I had made it through.

Dante smiled at me, his own eyes brimming with tears. "We all are, sorellina. So proud."

I breathed deeply, the weight in my chest lifting slightly. It didn't matter how dark my past had been. I wasn't hiding from it anymore. I wasn't afraid.

I had my brothers. My protectors. My saviors. They had given me the love I had been denied for so long. It was more than enough to carry me forward.

I smiled softly at Dante, my heart swelling with gratitude and love. "I love you, Dante," I said, wrapping my arms around him tightly.

He hugged me back with just as much fervor. "Oh, Lissy, I love you too."

We sat together, the silence between us warm and full of understanding.

"You were really mad about the smoothie, huh?" I asked, breaking the quiet with a giggle.

His face lit up with amusement. "You remember that?" he asked, his excitement evident. Then guilt replaced his smile. "I'm sorry about that, by the way."

"Hey, it's okay. That's what needed to happen, apparently," I teased, laughing softly. "But hey, I changed your bad attitude, didn't I?"

"You definitely did," he replied, pulling me into another hug.

"I remembered everything," I said, my smile never faltering. "And... it's been a lot. But I'm okay."

"You're so strong, baby," he said, his voice full of pride.

"Guess that's because I'm a real Romano," I said playfully, resting my head on his chest.

He chuckled, brushing his hand gently through my hair. "I missed you so much, Lissy," he admitted, his voice softer now.

I tilted my head up to look at him, furrowing my brows. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, I missed this version of you. The one who remembers everything—good and bad. The real you," Dante said, his honesty catching me off guard.

"That's... kind of mean," I joked, a soft laugh escaping me. "But you're right. I wouldn't change any of it. Everything I went through made me who I am today."

"I'm so sorry—" he began, but I cut him off.

"No more apologizing," I said firmly, shaking my head. "I'm happy. Everything happened for a reason."

I closed my eyes, letting my head rest on his chest again.

For the first time in years, I felt free.

_________________
Vote and Comment