The Mafia Sister

Chapter 29

hey people! my exams are finally done I am so happy. so relieved, all students can understand my plight. I feel bad that I wasn't even able to check the book for so long. so sorry. short chapter. I will update soon so don't worry.

Isabela's POV:

How dare he insult me. his arrogance, does he think the world revolves around him? 

" don't," says Romeo approaching me and sitting down on the grass.

" I know what you are thinking I have been in your shoes many times. I get how you feel. don't worry he doesn't mean whatever he said. I am his twin we have this kind of telepathy, you know." he says smiling. 

"I know what you're going through," he said, his voice gentle. "Maximo can be a real jerk sometimes, but he doesn't mean it. He's just going through a tough time right now."

I looked at him, surprised by his words. I had always thought of Romeo as the playful, carefree brother, but his words showed me a different side of him. It made me realize that maybe, just maybe, he had experienced pain and hurt too.

"I will never forgive him," I say looking away. 

"But.."

"I don't care," I say in determination.

" then why are you crying?" he asks with a smirk

" I...I am not" I say trying to hide my tears but failing. I was not an emotional person as my past had made me cold and emotionless. I hardly ever cried but I don't know why Maximo's words pierced my heart. 

he placed his hands on my shoulder forcing me to look into his eyes. He uses his thumb to wipe the few tears on my cold cheeks.

" sorella you were just 5 when mum took you and left and we saw you after 11 years at 16 we all hoped that you would still be our cute adorable sister not so cold and closed off. After mom left with you dad fell into depression and died soon after we all were very young we were taken in by our uncles and aunts, who looked after us till Victor turned 18 and took our custody. he was our father and mother but he couldn't pay attention to us always. so we turned out like this" he says with a look I couldn't understand

I was speechless. I didn't know what to say.

 "Are you saying I should forgive him?" I ask him after a moment of hesitation.

" no. let him earn it dear."

"I don't know how to forgive him," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

"That's okay," Romeo said. "Forgiveness takes time. But you can't hold onto the anger forever. It'll eat you up inside. You have to find a way to let it go, for your own sake."

I looked at him, feeling a sense of gratitude. It wasn't often that anyone gave me advice or showed me compassion. But something about the way he spoke made me feel like maybe, just maybe, things could get better.

"Thanks," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

Romeo nodded a small smile on his face. "Anytime, Isabella. We're family, after all."

"Now enough of this emotional shit let's go inside Victor won't be happy we left the house without informing him," he says laughing at me. Maximo was right Victor was certainly not happy, He was furious 

"Bella..." Maximo starts. 

" later," I say curtly. I didn't have the energy to deal with him. 

"Bella we could maybe cook food together" suggest Giovanni after everyone else had left the room.

"didn't we just have food at the mall ?" I ask in confusion.

"That was two hours ago and it takes time to cook, you know," he says dramatically.

"uh... sure" my life is just unpredictable. half an hour ago I was crying and now I am going to cook with my youngest older brother. 

"When did you learn to cook Bella," He asks while picking up the bowls. it seemed as though he was planning to make a lot of food

"8 . you?" 

"13, why did you learn so young"' he asks surprised.

"no reason," I say busying myself with chopping vegetables.

"Well, do you know Italian dishes?" 

"How would I ?" I ask frustratedly.

"oh well I will teach you then," he says not upset at all.

after 3 painful hours of learning Italian cooking with Giovanni, I managed to know about their food. who even ate such complicated dishes?

" let me go and call everyone dinner has been ready," he says as soon as all the dishes were done.

As I stood in the kitchen waiting for everyone to arrive, I couldn't help but feel grateful for Giovanni's company. Cooking with him had been a welcome distraction from the events of the day, and I was glad to have spent some time with him.

As everyone settled around the table, I couldn't help but notice Maximo's remorseful expression. He looked like he wanted to say something, but I wasn't sure if I was ready to hear it.

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