Chapter 40: All the memories together

Ana
The tension in the room was palpable. Dante and Paolo stood facing each other, like two lions ready to attack. I could see the hatred in Paolo's eyes and the desperation in Dante's. I was caught between two worlds, two men, and my heart was at war.
"Ana, don't let him deceive you!" Paolo shouted, advancing towards us.
Dante stood up, placing himself between Paolo and me, his posture protective and defiant at the same time.
"I won't let you take her, Paolo. Not this time," Dante said, his voice firm and determined.
I tried to stay present, but I couldn't. Suddenly, I felt a sharp pain in my head, as if a needle had been plunged into my brain. I couldn't concentrate on the argument they were having. Everything around me began to fade, and a bloodstain on the floor caught my attention.
The sight of the blood triggered an avalanche of memories, each one more vivid and painful than the last. I fell to the floor, unable to bear the intensity of the memories that flooded back into my mind.
"Ana!" both men shouted in unison, rushing towards me.
Images from my past flooded my mind: Dante's betrayals, his broken promises, the moments of love and hate. I remembered how Dante had manipulated and lied to me, and how Paolo had always been there, protecting me and loving me unconditionally.
"Ana, please! Tell me you're okay!" Dante held me, his voice broken with worry.
"Let her breathe, Dante!" Paolo pushed Dante aside, taking my hand gently. "Ana, look at me. I'm here."
I opened my eyes, seeing the worried faces of both men. The pain in my head was starting to subside, but the memories were still intense and clear. I couldn't believe it was all happening. I never thought I would actually get my memory back.
"I... I remember everything," I said, my voice barely a whisper.
Dante leaned towards me, a spark of hope in his eyes.
"Ana, that's good. That means we can start over. We can..."
I interrupted him, shaking my head sadly.
"No, Dante. I remember everything, even the bad things. The betrayals, the lies. I can't forget or forgive you."
Paolo helped me to my feet, his hand firm and steady in mine. I turned to him, seeing the love and concern in his eyes.
"Paolo, you... you've always been there for me. Even when I couldn't remember you, I felt like I could trust you." My words were sincere, and I could feel that each one of them came from the bottom of my heart.
Dante tried to approach again, his face a mixture of desperation and sadness.
"Ana, please. Tell me there's still a chance for us. That we can fix this."
I looked at him, feeling a mix of pity and resolve.
"No, Dante. We can't fix what you broke. My place isn't with you. It's with Paolo."
Dante stepped back, his expression full of pain, but I knew there was no going back for us.
Paolo moved closer, his voice soft and full of determination.
"Ana, I know this is a lot to take in, but there's a wedding to celebrate. I don't want to pressure you, but I want you to know that I'm here for you, now and always."
I smiled, feeling an inner peace I hadn't felt in a long time.
"I know, Paolo. And I'm ready to move on, with you."
"Ana, you don't mean it." The pain was evident in Dante's voice. "You can't marry him. Don't you remember he killed your grandfather?"
That had felt like a bucket of cold water, but I tried to remain calm. There was a lot at stake.
"Paolo didn't order the attack. I know that now."
"He brainwashed you."
"No, Dante," Paolo interrupted. "I did something you never could, I made her fall in love with me, and that's why I'll be the one waiting for her at the altar, not you. There's a lot to fix from today's incident, Ana," this time he looked at me, "but we will have that wedding tomorrow without fail."
"I agree."
Before retiring, Paolo looked at Dante with a smug smile, knowing he had won this battle.
"Thanks, Dante, not only did your plan fail, but you also gave my future wife her memory back. You did a lot for us. Expect your gift soon. We'll send it to you with Martin, since Ana and I will be busy on our honeymoon. Good night, friend."
Paolo and I headed towards the door, leaving Dante and the shadows of the past behind. As we left the cabin, Paolo squeezed my hand tightly, a silent promise of love and support.
"Let's go home," he said, his voice filled with tenderness and love.
"Yes," I replied, feeling like I was finally in the right place. "Let's go home."
When we arrived at the house, Paolo helped me out of the car and we walked towards the entrance together. The temporary mansion was impressive, an elegant and secure structure, perfect for our purposes while the main mansion was being rebuilt. At my side, Paolo looked like a pillar of strength and determination, and I felt a renewed confidence in our future.
Upon entering, Martin approached immediately, his face serious but with a hint of relief in his eyes.
"Miss Ana, I'm glad to see you back," Martin said, in his usual respectful tone.
I smiled at him, grateful for his loyalty and constant support.
"Thank you, Martin. I want you to know how much I appreciate everything you've done for me." I took his hands, looking into his eyes. "I've gotten my memory back, and I'm ready to be the mafia leader I'm expected to be."
Martin nodded, his gaze approving.
"I knew you could do it, Miss Ana. I'll be by your side for whatever you need."
Paolo put a hand on my shoulder, his presence comforting.
"Let's get on with the wedding preparations. There's a lot to do and not much time," he said, with a soft smile.
I nodded, and as we headed towards the living room, my phone rang. It was a call from my uncle Marco. I stepped away from Paolo and Martin to answer it.
"Hello, Uncle Marco."
My uncle's voice sounded warm and concerned at the same time.
"Ana, I've heard that you got your memory back. Is that true?"
"Yes, Uncle. It's true," I replied, feeling a mix of emotions.
"No matter what you decide to do with your life, Ana. I just want you to be happy." There was a pause before he continued. "I remember you asking me to give you away at the altar. Is that still on?"
I smiled, feeling a pang of gratitude.
"Yes, Uncle Marco. I still want you to give me away at the altar. I can't imagine anyone else doing that honor."
"Thank you, Ana." His voice cracked slightly. "It means a lot to me."
"I appreciate your support, Uncle. It means the world to me too."
We said goodbye and I went back to Paolo and Martin, feeling a sense of peace I hadn't experienced in a long time. Paolo greeted me with a smile.
"Everything okay with your uncle?" he asked, with a curious look.
"Yes, everything is fine." I replied, taking his hand. "Let's get on with the preparations."
For the rest of the day, we were immersed in the wedding details. Paolo was surprisingly attentive and considerate, making sure everything was perfect. Martin was in charge of security and logistics, ensuring that nothing would disrupt the big day.
As we reviewed the flowers, table settings, and final menu details, I couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and nervousness. This marriage was more than just a union; it was a symbol of our alliance and a statement of our power.
"Ana, are you sure about this?" Paolo asked, as we reviewed the guest list.
"Yes, Paolo. I'm sure." I looked at him, smiling confidently. "There's nothing I want more than to start this new chapter with you."
"Then let's make it unforgettable," Paolo replied, kissing my forehead tenderly.
The afternoon passed quickly and before I knew it, night had fallen. We retired to our rooms, knowing that the next few days would be intense and full of excitement.
As I got ready for bed, I received a message from Marco. It was a simple phrase, but full of love and support: "I'll always be here for you, Ana. You're strong and brave. I love you."