Emily's eyes sparkled as she gazed at Alexander. "My brother is so cool!" she exclaimed.
Lucas and Sophia exchanged a knowing glance, smiling.
Alexander's heart swelled. No one had called him "brother" with such affection in years.
"Emily, sweetie, Alexander is your uncle," Sophia corrected gently.
Emily's face scrunched in confusion. "But I like calling him brother," she said, pouting.
Alexander chuckled, feeling a sense of belonging. "It's okay, Emily. You can call me brother."
As dinner progressed, Emily chattered excitedly about her day, sharing stories of school and friends. Alexander listened intently, mesmerized by her innocence.
After dinner, Emily grabbed Alexander's hand, pulling him to the living room.
"Brother, play with me!" she demanded.
Alexander hesitated, unsure if he deserved such joy. But Emily's smile won him over.
As they played, Alexander felt a weight lift off his shoulders. For the first time in years, he forgot about his dark past.
Lucas watched, a warm smile on his face. "You're good with her, Alexander."
Sophia nodded in agreement. "Emily's taken a liking to you."
Alexander's eyes met Emily's, and he felt a sense of purpose.
Maybe, just maybe, he could redeem himself through Emily's eyes.
Emily's laughter filled the room as she played with Alexander. Her eyes sparkled with joy, oblivious to the darkness surrounding him.
As the evening drew to a close, Emily yawned, snuggling into Alexander's side.
"Goodnight, Uncle," she whispered, her voice sleepy.
Alexander's heart swelled. "Goodnight, Emily."
"Lucas I would love to come again ,bye for now , I have some very important work, you know. By the way, Your daughter is so sweet." Alexander said .
"Ok bye, and I know your very important work."Lucas chuckled.
Emily's innocent laughter still echoed in Alexander's mind as he left Lucas's mansion. He knew the truth about their family's business, the dark secrets they kept hidden from the world. The Mafia's grip on their lives was suffocating, but Alexander had long ago accepted his role in it.
As he drove away, Alexander's thoughts drifted to Sarah, the girl he had killed. His conscience still battled with the guilt, but he knew he couldn't show weakness. Not in their world.
Back at the mansion, Lucas and Sophia exchanged a knowing glance. They had protected Emily from the truth, shielding her from the darkness that surrounded them.
"She's growing up, Lucas," Sophia said, her voice barely above a whisper. "We can't keep her in the dark forever."
Lucas's expression turned grim. "I know. But we can't risk her safety. Not yet."
Sophia's eyes flickered with concern. "Alexander's involvement worries me. He's getting closer to Emily."
Lucas's jaw clenched. "Alexander's loyal. He'll protect Emily with his life."
But Sophia's doubts lingered. Alexander's past actions had proven his ruthlessness. Would he truly prioritize Emily's safety?
As the night fell, the mansion's secrets remained hidden, locked behind masks of deception. Emily slept peacefully, unaware of the dangerous world her family inhabited.
