Chapter 123:Unspoken

Jacqueline paced around her room, wringing her hands as her mind turned out scenario after scenario.


Alessandro's words still echoed in her ears:


"It would make Grandma Penelope very upset and unhappy."

That was the last thing she wanted to do: get Penelope up. At the same time, the idea of facing her seemed like a confrontation.

A soft knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. Alessandro stepped inside, his eyes soft but unyielding. "Jacqueline, they're downstairs. Romano's waiting, and so is Grandma Penelope. I know this is hard for you, but …" He stepped closer, his hands reaching for hers. "I'll be right there by your side."

With a soft, resigned sigh, her shoulders hunched just a little. "Alessandro, it's just… she reminds me of all that I thought I'd moved past. That my biological parents are alive, that they chose not to raise me…" Her voice trailed off, husky with unfinished emotions.

Alessandro nodded and gave her hands a reassuring squeeze. "I understand. Still, Grandma Penelope holds you very dear. This visit… I believe it's more than you realize it means to her."

Jacqueline searched his countenance for a moment, drawing strength from his steady eyes. "Okay," she finally whispered. "Let's go.

"Jacqueline!" Ariel hurried forward, embracing her. "I have missed you so much!"

She squeezed Jacqueline. "I'm so good to see you," she whispered, drawing back so she could take a look at her friend. She sensed that there was something hovering there, deep in Ariel's eyes, but swallowed the instinct to push now and focused on the moment.

She turned then, and Jacqueline saw Grandma Penelope. She felt her breath catch as she met the elderly woman's gaze.

"Grandma Penelope," she greeted, softer than usual.

Penelope's arms wrapped around her in a gentle embrace. "My dear Jacqueline," she whispered, her voice filled with unspoken understanding. When they pulled apart, Penelope's eyes gleamed knowingly but she uttered not a word about Jacqueline's reticence nor of the past.

"Thank you for coming, Grandma," Alessandro said smoothly, his head nodding respectfully at his grandmother. "It really means a lot to us.

Penelope smiled, the glance in her direction going to Romano, who stood silently beside her. "Of course, Alessandro. Family is everything."

Jacqueline followed her eyes to Romano, nodding in polite response to hers. There was something inscrutable in his gaze, so strong, yet somehow reassuring. Just before the silence became impossibly long, the chef appeared at the door of the dining room, giving a slight bow.

"Dinner is ready; if you'd all like to join us," announced the chef.

"Perfect timing," Alessandro said with a nod. "Shall we?"

They moved into the dining room, where the table was elegantly set with a selection of dishes exuding rich scents. Crystal chandeliers cast a warm glow through the room, their reflections shimmering in the silverware and glassware.

Romano pulled out a chair for Ariel, who sat down with a gracious smile. Penelope sat down, her movements very slow and measured. Alessandro pulled out the chair for Jacqueline next to him. As they sat, a quiet murmur filled the room in the form of a soft hum of conversation intermingled with clinking cutlery.

After a few minutes of small talk, Penelope turned to Jacqueline, her voice soft. "It's been too long, dear. I only wish these visits could be more often. I am aware of how life can get in the way, yet family is always worth the time and effort."

Jacqueline nodded, her throat tight. "Yes, I. I know," she said, much softer than she realized. "It's just been a lot, lately.

Penelope's gaze gentled. "Of course, dear. I understand." Her hand lay over Jacqueline's, her touch silent and firm, and Jacqueline felt her chest tighten all the more. "Just know you will always have us."

Alessandro sensed Jacqueline's unease and swiftly changed the subject: "Romano, how is business lately? I know things have been. complicated.

Romano nodded. His face sobered and took on a serious cast. "It's been tough, but nothing out of the ordinary for us to handle. We've had to step careful in some of our business dealings, at least since some recent. tensions in the neighborhood."

"Tensions?" Ariel eyed him curiously, but there was a splash of concern in her eyes, too.

Romano laid a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Nothing to worry about, Ariel; just some usual business obstacles." He gave her a slight smile, though Jacqueline noticed how he seemed to avoid the full explanation.

Ariel didn't appear to be quite convinced, but she nodded, choosing to let it be. Meanwhile, Penelope watched them all with a wise, knowing look.

"You know," she started, her voice making everyone pay attention for some weighted expectation, "no matter how tough it gets, remember it is through unity within the family that our strength emanates. Challenges are going to come, and they do always, but it is the bonds we share that see us through."

There was a reflective silence at the table following Penelope's words. Jacqueline felt an awkward sense of comfort mingled with discomfort. She looked to Alessandro, who gave her an assuring look, his hand brushing hers under the table in some form of reassurance.

"Thanks, Grandma," he said quietly, his voice laced with an honesty of respect. "You're right. We need each other, now more than ever."

The rest of the dinner was pretty quiet, with Penelope's words hanging in the air. Jackie found herself lost in thought, returning to memories she had long kept buried. Knowing that somewhere out there, her biological parents were alive and didn't want to raise her, a wound was left in her that never healed.

Ariel reached over, sensing Jacqueline's distraction. "You okay?" she whispered softly.

Jackie forced a slight smile and nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine," she lied, while her voice didn't really hold much conviction after all.

Opposite her, Romano now turned his gaze to Alessandro. "We all have been through an awful lot. But Alessandro, I trust you'll lead us well. Your father's legacy is in good hands.

Alessandro straightened a bit, nodding. "Grazie, Romano. I mean to honor his memory, but I'll also be forging my own way ahead. Things are going to change, and for the better."

Romano's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "Change can be hard, but if anyone's capable of it, it's you."

Dinner continued with lighter talk-the heavy connotations dissolving into shared bursts of laughter. Yet, Jacqueline could not help but feel she was teetering on the cusp of something, some sort of premonition setting itself in her brain.

As the plates were cleared and dessert was served, Penelope reached across the table once again to take Jacqueline's hand in hers. Her eyes held a rare, misty feeling of regret, startling Jacqueline.

Jacqueline," Penelope whispered, her voice so soft only Jacqueline could hear, "just remember. no matter where you came from or where you go, you are loved. Never forget that.