American Mafia- His wife and Kids

Chapter 20

3rd person POV

The flight back from Zanzibar had been quiet. The usual laughter and chatter that filled the plane during family trips were absent, replaced by a tense silence that seemed to hang over everyone. The week in paradise had ended on a peaceful note, but as they returned home, reality set in—reality that involved the dangerous world they were a part of, the world of mafia dealings and dark secrets.

Amalia felt it the most. As soon as they stepped through the door of their sprawling estate, she could sense the tension in the air. The house, normally filled with warmth and light, now seemed to hum with an undercurrent of anxiety. She immediately noticed the subtle signs: the way the security detail was more vigilant than usual, the way the staff avoided making eye contact, and the hushed conversations between James and the other men in the family.

The day after they returned, Amalia found herself consumed with stress. The mafia business had become increasingly complicated and dangerous, and she was torn between managing her responsibilities and keeping her family safe. The weight of it all bore down on her, making her feel suffocated. She tried to shield Emery from the worst of it, but the strain was obvious.

Emery, who was usually attuned to her mother's moods, could feel the distance growing between them. It started with small things—her mother being more distracted, more absent during their usual times together. Emery had always relied on her mama's calm and nurturing presence, especially during difficult times, but now it felt like she was slipping away. The tension built up slowly until it became unbearable.

Two days after they had returned, the tension boiled over.

It started with something small. Amalia was in the kitchen, staring at her phone, her mind miles away. Emery entered the room, looking for some comfort, hoping to reconnect with her mother after days of feeling neglected. She approached Amalia with a hesitant smile, but her mother didn't notice.

"Mama," Emery said softly, trying to get her attention. When Amalia didn't respond, Emery's voice grew louder. "Mama!"

Amalia jumped, startled out of her thoughts. She looked at Emery, her eyes wide with surprise and irritation. "Emery, can't you see I'm busy?" she snapped, the stress of the past few days leaking into her tone.

Emery flinched at the sharpness in her mother's voice, something she wasn't used to hearing. "I just wanted to talk to you," Emery said, her voice quivering with hurt. "You've been so distant, and I miss you."

"I don't have time for this right now," Amalia replied, rubbing her temples as if trying to stave off a headache. "I'm dealing with a lot, Emery. You need to understand that."

"But you're always dealing with something!" Emery burst out, her voice rising. "You're always too busy, and I'm tired of it! I need you, Mama!"

The argument escalated quickly. Amalia, overwhelmed and exhausted, couldn't find the patience to calm her daughter down. Emery, feeling abandoned and desperate for attention, let her emotions get the best of her.

"I can't do this right now, Emery!" Amalia shouted, her voice breaking with frustration. "I can't handle you needing me every second of the day when I'm dealing with real problems!"

"Real problems?!" Emery shouted back, tears of anger and hurt streaming down her face. "I'm your daughter! Am I not a real problem to you? Do I not matter?"

The accusation hit Amalia like a punch to the gut. "Of course you matter," she said, her voice softer but still strained. "But there are things going on that you don't understand, things I can't explain to you!"

"You never explain anything to me! I'm not a baby, Mama! I know something's wrong, and I know you're keeping me out of it!" Emery cried, her fists clenched at her sides. "But I'm not going to just sit here and be ignored!"