Chapter 14

Vincenzo remained in the room, gazing out the window while holding a glass of whiskey. Amália knocked on the door, entered, and asked if he needed anything, mentioning that she had brought some soup for Luna, who had eaten and then gone to rest. Amália noticed Luna's downtrodden expression and commented on the situation.

“I left some soup for her; she ate it but stayed quiet. Her face looked sad as if she had been crying,” she reported.

“I left her a phone so she could call a friend or her father, so she’s probably done that, and that’s why she’s like this,” Vincenzo replied.

“Dear, why are you drinking at this hour? It won’t do you any good,” Amália inquired.

“I’m drinking to forget. I don’t know why I can’t stop thinking about her. It’s something stronger than me. Seeing her hurt and wounded broke me. The only times I’ve been afraid of losing someone were when I lost my mother, but I felt it again when Luna went missing.”

“You’re in love with her; that’s clear. That’s why you’re feeling all of this.”

Vincenzo sighed and confessed, “I don’t understand, Amália. This feeling of not being able to push Luna out of my mind is overwhelming. She destabilizes me in a way I never imagined. I’m experiencing emotions I’ve never felt before.”

“My son, tell her how you feel. She’s a good girl. I know she feels the same way about you, and if she doesn’t yet, she will. I know her heart, and she will see how good you are too.”

“I can’t expect her to like me. Look at everything I’ve caused in her life, not to mention what my father did. It’s better if I don’t cause her any more pain and suffering.”

“You need to find the courage to express what you’re feeling. Don’t draw hasty conclusions. Spend time with her and let her see how good you are.”

“Maybe I’ll do that, but for now, I want her to be okay. I need you to keep an eye on her. I’m going to my father’s house. By now, Nate must have told him what happened. If anything comes up, please call me.”

“Don’t worry, my son. I’ll call if anything happens.”

“Thank you for everything.”

Vincenzo placed his glass of whiskey on the bedside table, put his hands on Amália’s shoulders in gratitude for everything she had done, and left the room to head to the backyard. He instructed his security team to watch the house before getting into his car and driving to his father’s residence.

---

Nate, overwhelmed by shame and fear of admitting his failure, walked nervously toward the office. With hesitant steps, he knocked softly on the door, having been absent for hours, dreading revealing that Vincenzo had rescued Luna.

“Why did you take so long? Come in and tell me how Lorenzo reacted to seeing his injured daughter. What happened to you? Why are you hurt?” Dom Carlo asked curiously.

“Sir, there’s something you need to know,” Nate said, frustrated.

“Then tell me what I need to know.”

“I don’t know how Vincenzo showed up there. He was furious when he saw the girl hurt. He almost killed me, sir, but then the girl asked him to let me go, and he complied.”

“Thank you, Nate. Go home and recover. I’ll see what Vincenzo is up to.”

“Excuse me, sir.”

Nate left the office, leaving Don Carlo irritated. Vincenzo was a ruthless man, ready to do whatever Don Carlo asked, but this news upset him. His son might be in love with his enemy’s daughter, which could jeopardize all his plans. Don Carlo began to think out loud about how to control his son.

“What have you done, Vincenzo? If you’re in love with her, I won’t tolerate such betrayal.”

Barely had Don Carlo finished speaking when Vincenzo stormed into the office without knocking.

“What audacity is this?” Dom Carlo said, surprised to see Vincenzo enter furiously.

“How dare you have her touched? I told you not to lay a finger on her. If I hadn’t arrived in time, Nate would have abused her,” Vincenzo yelled.

“Don’t you dare question me? I told you what I was going to do. You already knew everything. This family will pay for everything I’ve suffered without your mother. No matter where you hide this girl, I will find her. I’ll make her father suffer as I did. He’ll cry in a coffin, just as I cried. Don’t you dare interfere with my plans? You’re my son, but I am Don Carlo. Know your place,” his father said angrily.

“I won’t warn you again. She’s not to blame for anything that happened. She’s just a scared, innocent girl. I’ll do whatever it takes to protect her, even if I have to go against you, Father.”

“Are you in love with that little slut? You could have so many women at your feet, but you want the daughter of your enemy? The daughter of the man who let your mother die? That night, I could have asked for you too, so don’t you dare, Vincenzo, cross me over a cheap whore,” he screamed.

“I won’t say it again, Father. Stay away from her. If you want to go against her father and brother, go ahead, but if you try anything against her again, besides losing me as a son, you’ll be starting a war with me. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned from you all these years, it’s the art of cruelty. It’s in my blood, and I’m good at it.”

“Don’t you forget that I am Don Carlo? Everything you have is thanks to me and years of work. You will not turn your back on me because of her.”

“I’ve said everything I needed to say.”

Before his father could continue the argument, Vincenzo stormed out, now more determined than ever to protect Luna.

Furious with his father's justifications for hurting Luna, Vincenzo starts considering taking her out of the country. He sees the hatred in his father’s eyes and knows what he’s capable of when it comes to revenge. Vincenzo gets into his car and drives back home, calling his right-hand man, Lourenço, on the way.

“Hello, Lourenço,” he begins.

“I’m listening, Vincenzo. Did something happen?” Lourenço asks.

“I need your help. I just left my father’s house, and he’s completely out of control. He’s determined to harm Luna at any cost, and I can’t allow that. I need to get her out of the country without him knowing, and I’m counting on you for that.”

“Hold on, Vincenzo. You know I support you in everything, but don’t you think this is going too far? You don’t even know if that’s what she wants. You were ready to end this family—this has always been your plan—and now you want to take her out of the country? I’m sorry to say, but you’re in love with her and acting without thinking.”

“Who mentioned love? Don’t talk nonsense. I just feel that I need to protect her from my father’s cruelties. She has nothing to do with this,” Vincenzo tries to explain.

“You know you can’t lie to me, and it’s pointless to lie to yourself. Deep down, you know that in such a short time, you’ve started to care about this girl. I’ll help you, but please, act rationally. Let’s not pick a fight with your father—he’s the Don,” Lourenço says.

“Thanks, Lourenço. I’m heading home now. Check everything and come by later.”

“Okay, I’ll take care of it.”