~The lost one~

Chapter 20

Vittorio's POV

As the plane soared through the night sky, I steeled myself for the conversation with my sons. I dialed the family group chat, feeling the weight of my decision pressing down on me. Each ring felt like a drumbeat, amplifying my anxiety. When the calls connected, I looked at their faces—each one brimming with anticipation.

"Boys," I started, trying to keep my voice steady. "Yesterday, I received a call from New York. An officer informed me that Simi's parents had died in a car accident. The officer asked if I would be her legal guardian, and of course, I agreed. So now, I'm heading to New York to bring my little girl home—where she should have been from the very start."

As I spoke, I could see their faces change, mirroring the shock and disbelief I felt.

Luca's POV

The words hit me like a punch to the gut. My heart raced as I listened to the news. Simi—our Simi—was finally coming home. I struggled to keep my composure, feeling a mix of anger and profound sadness. Anger at the years lost, at the fate that had kept her away from us. Sadness for the pain she must have endured.

"I can't believe it," I said, my voice cracking. "All these years, we've been waiting for her. And now, she's lost so much. We need to make sure she knows she's safe, that she's finally with family who loves her."

Antonio's POV

The news felt like a heavy weight pressing down on my chest. I had always dreamed of meeting Simi, of bringing her into our world, but not like this. My hands trembled as I tried to process what Vittorio was saying.

"I've been a surgeon, I'm used to dealing with trauma," I said, my voice steady but laced with emotion. "But this... this is something different. We need to be there for her, make sure she gets all the care and support she needs. We have a lot of healing to do, for all of us."

Giovanni's POV

The world seemed to spin as I heard the news. Simi was coming home, but under such tragic circumstances. My heart ached for her, and I felt a fierce need to protect her.

"I've handled dangerous situations, but this... this is different," I said, my voice low and determined. "We need to be strong for her. I want to make sure she feels safe, that she knows we're here to protect her. We owe her that much."

Rancho's POV

I sat there, stunned, as the reality of the situation sank in. My heart broke for Simi, for everything she had been through. I knew that the world she was coming into would be different from what she had known, and I felt a pang of guilt for not having been there to protect her.

"This is going to be tough," I said, my voice reflecting my concern. "But we need to be there for her, every step of the way. I'll do whatever it takes to make her feel at home, to show her that she's not alone anymore."

Enzo's POV

As I listened to the news, my heart felt like it was being squeezed. The idea of Simi coming home after all these years, after losing her parents, was overwhelming. I had always dreamed of meeting her, but I hadn't imagined it would be under such heartbreaking circumstances.

"I've been waiting for this moment," I said, my voice trembling slightly. "But I never wanted it to be like this. We need to show her how much we've missed her, how much we care. I want to make sure she knows she's loved, no matter what."

Fabio's POV

The announcement hit me like a tidal wave. Simi was coming home, but the weight of her loss and the tragedy that had befallen her parents was almost too much to bear. I felt a profound sense of grief for what she had endured and a deep desire to make things right.

"I'm ready to do whatever it takes," I said, my voice firm but tinged with sadness. "We need to make her transition as smooth as possible. She's been through so much, and we need to be there for her, to give her the family she deserves."

Vittorio's POV (Again)

As I watched their reactions, I felt a mix of relief and apprehension. My sons were reacting with the depth of emotion that I had hoped for. They understood the gravity of the situation and were ready to welcome Simi with open arms.

But now, I had to make sure that Simi's arrival would be the beginning of a new chapter, one filled with love and healing. I could only hope that the journey ahead would bring us all closer and allow us to make up for lost time. The plane ride felt interminable, but the promise of reuniting with Simi kept me going.