𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐎𝐅 𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐆𝐄𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄

Chapter Seventy-five

DAMIANO
MARIANO

My brother was on his deathbed, with a sixty percent chance he wouldn't make it through the night after his surgery. He'd been in a coma for three days—three agonizing days of silence. No words, no movement from my little brothers.

I couldn't do this without him. If he didn't pull through, I'd lose everything. He was the glue holding us together. Without Luciano, I wouldn't be able to keep our family intact. Carlo, Angelo, all of us—we'd unravel. And if he left, I knew I'd follow him. But then who would take care of them? My mind was spiraling, lost in the fog of dread, waiting for the worst.

Then, a spark of hope appeared.

Adeline. She sprinted down the hospital hall, her presence like a lifeline. Behind her were two familiar faces—Damon Lars and her father, Grayson Meadows—but I barely registered them. All I could focus on was her. She didn't hesitate, wrapping her arms around me, pulling me into her warmth.

"He's going to be okay, I promise," she whispered before pulling away to console my brothers.

Carlo clung to her, leaning into her for support. He was the most broken of us, not even crying, just staring into space, numb. Angelo was shaking, lost in confusion and fear. She held them both like she'd been holding us together for years.

Grayson approached, extending his hand. "Thanks for looking after my daughter. I hope your brother pulls through." His voice was gruff, but his words sincere.

"Thanks," I muttered, my focus still on Adeline as she consoled my brothers. The nurse came in then, clipboard in hand, and my heart stopped.

Adeline stood beside me as we waited for the news.

"He's going to be fine. He'll wake up soon, but we'll need to keep him here for observation," the nurse said.

Relief crashed over me like a wave. Luciano was going to be okay.

Adeline sobbed, a happy, relieved smile lighting up her face. And for the first time in days, I smiled too. A real smile, the kind that made my chest hurt because I hadn't felt it in so long. She'd brought more than just her presence—she'd brought hope, luck, something that made everything feel bearable again.

Even Angelo, who'd been hesitant to trust her, finally broke. He walked up to her, his head dropping onto her shoulder as he hugged her tightly. "Thanks for being here and not giving up on us," he murmured.

"I would never," Adeline whispered back, her voice steady, full of promise.

Luciano was still unconscious, but the weight that had been pressing on my chest finally lifted. Knowing he'd wake up soon was enough. The nurse left, and the quiet returned, but this time it wasn't suffocating. It was a fragile kind of peace, one I was scared to break.

Adeline was still holding onto Carlo and Angelo, gently murmuring reassurances to them. I watched as Carlo, who had been so distant and cold, leaned further into her touch, letting himself be comforted. Angelo had finally stopped shaking, his grip on her arm loosening.

I don't know how she did it—how her presence made everything feel manageable. Even though we hadn't spoken much since... well, since everything fell apart, her being here now meant more than words could say.

"Are you okay?" Adeline's voice broke through my thoughts as she turned to me, her eyes soft but full of concern.

I nodded, but it was a lie. I wasn't okay, not really, but I didn't have the energy to unravel everything I was feeling. Not right now. She seemed to sense that because she didn't push. Instead, she gave me that small, reassuring smile of hers, the one that made me believe, even just for a moment, that things could be okay again.

Grayson and Damon had left quietly, giving us space. It was just the four of us now, sitting in this sterile, too-bright waiting room. I ran a hand through my hair, trying to calm the storm still brewing inside me.

"Do you want to sit with Luciano?" Adeline asked, her voice so soft, so understanding.

I nodded again, and she stood up, gently untangling herself from my brothers. They both watched her go, as if afraid she'd leave us, but she didn't. She just motioned for me to follow her into the room where Luciano lay.

When we stepped inside, the beeping of the machines was the only sound. Luciano was pale, not tanned anymore, his eyes were shut and his face was soft. Not hardened anymore.

I sat in the chair beside him, and Adeline stood behind me, her hand resting on my shoulder. We didn't say anything for a long time, just watched his chest rise and fall steadily. It was almost hypnotic, the rhythm of his breathing.

"He's strong," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "He'll get through this."

I didn't answer. I couldn't. I was afraid that if I opened my mouth, all the fear, the anger, the helplessness would spill out, and I couldn't afford to break. Not now. Not yet.

She didn't say anything else, just stood there, her presence a quiet comfort. And for the first time in days, I allowed myself to believe her words. To hope that maybe, just maybe, we'd get through this.

Our family was important.

___

I can't believe I'm so close to finishing this book—100 chapters, my longest yet. This story has been a journey of healing for me in ways I never expected. Some may dislike it, but writing it has mended parts of myself that I thought were broken for good. I've poured so much of myself into this, especially in Adeline's character, and letting her story take over has been a powerful experience.

I'm genuinely proud of what I've accomplished here.

And to those of you who stuck with me and truly enjoyed the book, thank you. Your support means everything. You're the ones who truly get it, and for that, I'm incredibly grateful.

I can't believe I completed so many books that are so known and loved. I can't wait for King Of Deception, of a new whole world.

And after that comes the series of the Marianos.

Then the third gen.

I hope in a few years I'm still writing on wattpad, with my lovely readers and friends, if not—I'll always love you guys.

I hope I leave this platform knowing I pleased many.

I hope I continue writing and one day I become known for the hard work.

- Love, Lia.