Ariella Garcia is an 18-year-old girl who dreams of leaving her current situation behind and starting a new life. She's fiercely independent, and her love for nature and animals is unparalleled. She's always surrounded by people who care about her...
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I carefully removed Ariella's seatbelt and gently picked her up, her unconscious body limp and bloodied.
Hazel stood by my side, her eyes filled with tears as she gazed at Ariella's injured form.
Guilt weighed heavily on me. I couldn't shake the feeling that all of this was my fault. If she had never met me, she wouldn't be here, covered in blood.
She would have been living a peaceful life, and I would have been immersed in the world of the mafia. But I had to fall for her, and now this was the price she was paying for being around me.
"It's all my fault," I muttered to myself, my voice filled with self-blame.
"Drive," I instructed the driver, my tone urgent, as he quickly accelerated toward one of my hospitals.
"You'll be okay," I whispered to Ariella as I removed some strands of her hair from her face.
Within minutes, we arrived at one of my hospitals. I rushed out of the car, cradling Ariella in my arms, and shouted for assistance. Nurses and a doctor promptly came to my aid, placing her on a bed and wheeling her away.
"Mr. Valentino, we need you to stay here while we attend to her," the doctor said, his eyes betraying his own sense of worry.
"I'm going in," I stated firmly, determination in my voice.
"Sir, that's not allowed," he insisted.
"Alexandro, let them do their work," Nic advised, placing a reassuring hand on my shoulder.
I reluctantly complied, making my way to the waiting room and taking a seat in one of the uncomfortable chairs.
Nic joined me, sitting nearby, while Hazel, her mascara smudged from crying, took a seat next to Nic, who pulled her closer.
Hazel rested her head on Nic's lap and closed her eyes, seeking comfort in his presence.
Dion and Lucas walked in together, carrying cups of coffee for each of us. They settled into chairs beside each other, and although they tried to conceal it, I couldn't help but notice a small, affectionate smile that appeared on my lips as I observed their closeness.
A few minutes later, both my parents entered the room. My mother was in tears as she rushed to hug me tightly.
"Thank God you're okay," she sobbed, her embrace conveying her relief.
"Mamma, Ariella got hurt," I whispered, my voice filled with concern. She hugged me even tighter, her tears falling more profusely.
"She's going to be okay," my mother reassured herself, her words sounding more like a mantra to convince herself.
My father embraced my mother, his eyes filled with worry.
He had only met Ariella today, but I could tell that he liked her a lot.
