Twisted Fixation

『 Chapter 75 』

Yuri smiled at that. Imagining a young Giancarlo dedicating himself to his family's business and putting his heart into everything he did. It must have been challenging for him to balance his personal desires with the weight of his future responsibilities.

She hasn't asked him about it yet, but he wonders what Giancarlo would've wanted if he came from an ordinary family instead of a mafia family. Would he have pursued a different path, following his own dreams and aspirations?

Nonna Fiorella walked towards a cabinet and opened it. Yuri walked in that direction when she saw Nonna attempting to retrieve something from the cabinet, which is a bit high for her to reach, so she offered instead to get it for her.

When she managed to get what she was looking for, Yuri noticed that it was a worn-out photo album. "Thank you, my dear," Nonna said gratefully, then they sat on the bed. Nonna Fiorella carefully flipped through the album, and Yuri excitedly leaned in closer to get a better look at the old photographs.

"The children in our family were raised to be ruthless and ambitious. He is not around anymore, but my husband had been so strict with them that not even I was able to soften their hearts," Nonna Fiorella said with a hint of sadness in her voice.

"And among all of them, Giancarlo had been the cruelest. He always had a fire in his eyes and a tenacity that couldn't be tamed. I assume you already know what he did to his father?" Nonna Fiorella continued, her gaze fixed on a picture of a young Giancarlo.

Yuri nodded quietly at that, as she didn't want to give her personal opinion about Giancarlo killing his own father when that man was Nonna Fiorella's son. She knew that discussing such a tragic event would only reopen old wounds and cause her unnecessary pain.

"Nonna, I am just wondering why you are so nice to me when family tradition requires Giancarlo to have an Italian bride. Don't you feel like I am intruding or causing any tension within the family?" Yuri asked, her voice filled with genuine concern.

Nonna Fiorella smiled warmly, her eyes filled with affection, as she reached out to hold Yuri's hand.

"My dear, family traditions are important, but I believe that when it comes to matters involving the heart, it is something that not even family can dictate. When I heard that Giancarlo had found a bride, my heart was filled with joy, regardless of her nationality. With what Mio Nipote had to endure to keep this dire family together, he deserves to find happiness and love wherever it may be. Although I would need you to know that my opinion does not hold a huge significance because I am not the donna anymore. But still, if it would make such a difference to you, I like you for him, and I am glad to finally meet you."

Yuri was so happy that she could feel her heart bursting with joy, and before she could stop herself, she wrapped her arms around Nonna Fiorella, who hugged her back tightly.

The door opened, and Giancarlo came in carrying a tray of tea and one of her apple juices in a bottle. He raised a brow, seeing the position she and Nonna Fiorella were in, but a warm smile spread across his face as he set the tray down on the table.

"Oh, Nonna, it was rude of me to almost forget. I was just told that it is your birthday today. I am sorry for coming empty handed," Yuri apologized, feeling a pang of guilt.

Nonna Fiorella chuckled and even tapped her cheek. "Your presence alone was enough gift for me, Signorina. Did you not notice that I was not even in that party? I was only looking forward to your arrival. And you have your gift right here."

Yuri smiled when Nonna caressed her stomach, indicating that she also considered her unborn child to be another gift.

"Here's your tea, Nonna," Giancarlo said, placing a steaming cup of tea in front of Nonna Fiorella while he gave her the already opened bottle of apple juice.