Chapter 49: None of this was part of the plan

Dante
After leaving Ana at her house, I made sure she was safe. Her delicate state of health and the news of the pregnancy had me constantly worried. I watched as Paolo helped her inside, his movements full of care and love. It was hard to take in, but I knew I couldn't do anything but continue to pretend to be understanding. I stayed in the car for a few minutes, looking at the front door of the house. I took a deep breath, trying to calm the anger that was boiling inside me.
Finally, I started the car and drove back to the mafia house. I knew Marco would be there, possibly busy with the organization's business. When I arrived, I parked and went in quickly, wanting to find a place where I could release all the accumulated frustration.
I found an empty room and closed the door behind me. I started banging on the walls, yelling to release my anger. The thought of Ana being pregnant with Paolo's baby was unbearable. I loved her, and the vision of her life tied to Paolo was tearing me apart.
"This is not fair!" I yelled, hitting the wall with all my might. "She should be with me, not with him!"
My breathing was heavy, and sweat covered my forehead. I collapsed to the floor, my fists still clenched and trembling with fury. It was then that the door opened slowly and I saw Luisa, walking into the room.
Great, just what I needed, to have to put up with another Luisa sermon, but not this time, today she has to listen to me, I'm not going to keep pretending I agree with all this when I know it's really a disaster.
"Dante, what are you doing?" she asked calmly, her gaze always seeming to be fixed on you as if she was evaluating you, I hated that.
"What am I doing?" I jumped up. "This wasn't part of the deal, Luisa! Ana should be with me, not with Paolo! You make promises and say nonsensical things like all this was part of a greater purpose, but it doesn't mean a damn thing and I'm sick of having to watch the woman I love start a family with my enemy."
Luisa approached, her face unfazed.
"Are you done complaining?"
"Not a tenth of my complaint, believe me."
"You know well that this is part of the plan. You can't let your feelings interfere."
My feelings according to her, are the only thing that is keeping me sane, it is thanks to that that I still don't ruin Luisa's game, because I don't want Ana to get hurt with all this, not after finding her mother, she is supposed to be the woman she loves most in this world, taking something like that away from her would be devastating. The last thing I want is to alter her health any further.
"Part of the plan?" I let out a bitter laugh. "This is all ruined! Ana is going to have Paolo's child, and you expect me to keep playing this stupid game. What do you really want? What are you hoping to achieve with all this?"
Luisa looked at me, her eyes cold and calculating.
"I want what I've always wanted: power and control. Ana is the key to that."
"Power and control?" I repeated incredulously. "At the cost of her happiness? Of her life?"
Luisa shrugged, as if my words meant nothing.
"Sometimes, sacrifices are necessary to achieve a greater goal."
My anger flared again.
"I don't care about your goal. Ana should be happy. And she won't be as long as she's with you and Paolo. This is over, stop it or I'll do it myself, I'm not kidding."
Luisa let out a laugh, a laugh that sent chills down my spine.
"And what are you going to do, Dante? Go against me? You know very well that you don't have the power to stop this, let alone turn my daughter against me. Ana adores me and you know it."
"What do you really want, Luisa?" I asked her desperately. "Why do you keep manipulating all this? Why can't you just leave Ana alone?"
"Because Ana is my daughter, and I will do whatever it takes to make sure she is in her rightful place," she replied, her tone cold and determined. "She has a role to play, and so do you, Dante. Stick to the plan and stop complaining about everything. At this rate, you won't get what you want so badly if you keep messing it up."
I stared at her, feeling a mix of anger and despair. I couldn't understand how someone could be so calculating, so cold, especially with their own daughter.
"You're evil to your daughter," I said, my voice trembling. "And I will do everything in my power to protect Ana from you."
Luisa looked at me with a smile that didn't reach her eyes.
"Good luck with that, Dante. We'll see who's in control in the end."
She turned and walked out of the room, leaving me alone with my anger and despair. I collapsed to the floor, feeling the weight of the world on my shoulders. I had to find a way to protect Ana, to get her out of this deadly game she was trapped in. But for now, all I could do was wait and plan.
After a while, I finally got up from the floor, my mind still filled with chaotic thoughts. I decided to leave the room and find Marco. I had to talk to him, to make him understand the gravity of the situation. I couldn't let Luisa keep manipulating our lives like this.
When I found Marco in his office, I knocked on the door and went in. He looked at me with a concerned expression, clearly noticing my agitated state.
"Dante, what happened?" he asked, sinking into his chair. "Trouble with a girl?"
"Ana's mother."
That got his attention.
"Wow, I expected anything but that answer. What's really going on?"
"It's Luisa. She's still manipulating all of this. We can't let her keep going on like this," I replied, trying to stay calm. "I know even you've noticed it, she seems like she's the one running the show here instead of Ana, instead of you. Ana may be leading Paolo's mafia at the same time, but here, in this house, Luisa is the one pulling the strings, not you. Are you going to keep putting up with it?"
Marco sighed, running a hand through his hair.
"I know, Dante. But we have to be careful. She's dangerous, and her influence is greater than we imagine."
"Greater?" I looked at him incredulously. "Are you seriously worried about what she can do? She's destroying Ana!"
"I know," Marco admitted, his expression full of sadness. "But we have to find a way to stop her without endangering Ana. We can't act impulsively."
I nodded, understanding the gravity of his words. We needed a plan, something that could protect Ana and ensure her future away from Luisa's clutches.
"We'll find a way," I said with determination. "No matter how long it takes, we'll protect Ana."
Marco nodded, his gaze firm and resolute. We were willing to fight for Ana, no matter the cost.
That night, I had trouble sleeping. Luisa's words kept echoing in my mind, and the image of Ana, weak and vulnerable, wouldn't leave me alone. But I knew I couldn't give up. I had to find a way to protect her, to make sure she was safe.
At dawn, I woke up with a new determination. I headed to Ana's house, determined to stay close to her, no matter the circumstances. If anything happened to her, I wanted to be there to protect her.
When I arrived, I saw Paolo at the door, talking to Martin. I approached, and they both turned to me.
"Dante, what are you doing here so early?" Paolo asked, clearly surprised.
"I came to make sure Ana is okay. I don't feel comfortable leaving her alone," I replied, looking him in the eyes.
Paolo nodded, his expression showing a mix of acceptance and resignation.
"I understand. Ana needs all the support she can get right now, from her husband and bodyguard, of course. I've already come back to take care of my wife, don't worry."
"Has your wife told you what happened to her?"
That question made him tense, he looked seriously at Martin.
"Tell me everything, Martin."
"With all due respect, sir, this is something Ana should tell you personally, it would be better if you went to talk to her."
I didn't know how Paolo would take the news that he was going to be a father, if he didn't want to take care of it willingly, I would.
"Thanks for the unnecessary visit, Dante. Ana is safe with me, we'll let you know if we need anything from the mafia, you can go, I need to talk to my wife."
I understood that I had to do something, none of this was part of the plan.