𝙈𝙄𝙉𝙀 𝐹𝑜𝓇 𝒶 𝙈𝙊𝙈𝙀𝙉𝙏

𝓝𝓲𝓷𝓮

⭒°ˑ˚。﹒∙♡☼⭒°ˑ˚。﹒∙

I parked my sleek black car in the driveway of the Santiago residence, the rumble of the engine fading into silence as I killed the ignition.

The house was large, stately even, though I supposed it didn't quite compare to the estates I was accustomed to. Still, it had a charm that spoke of old money and tradition. I stepped out, straightening my jacket out of habit, and took in the quiet surroundings. 

The late afternoon sun was casting long shadows across the manicured lawn.

 My thoughts were sharp, focused, as always, though there was a slight tension in my chest. Meeting the in-laws—even for a man like me—carried its weight.

I approached the front door, my steps measured, each one carefully deliberate. I knocked firmly, the sound echoing against the wood. Moments later, the door opened, revealing Alessandro Santiago, my soon-to-be father-in-law.

He greeted me with a smile that was polite but restrained, just as I expected. This was business, after all, even if it had a personal layer to it.

"Luciano," he said, extending his hand. "Welcome."

"Alessandro," I replied, clasping his hand in a firm shake. His grip was strong but not overbearing. We exchanged pleasantries about the wedding plans, about families and alliances, as we made our way inside.

The air in the house was warm, almost stifling compared to the crisp air outside. I could smell something faintly sweet, like freshly baked pastries, lingering in the background.

As we entered the living room, my eyes were immediately drawn to an elderly woman sitting in a high-backed armchair. Her presence commanded the room with an effortless grace, though she looked far more fragile than the power she emanated.

This was Rosaline's great-grandmother, from her mother's side, the matriarch of the family. I knew her importance well, both to the Santiago family and, by extension, to my own.

Without hesitation, I walked over to her. "Nonna," I greeted her, my voice lowering in respect. I bent down and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead, something I rarely did with anyone, but she was the exception. I could feel her smile even before I looked up. Her face, wrinkled and aged, lit up with warmth.