CHP 58: The Cost of Survival?

THIRD PERSON POV:

"BOOM."

The sound of the gunshot echoed through the basement, silencing everyone.

"INZOO!" A scream pierced the heavy air, reverberating off the walls.

Isandro snapped out of his trance, his eyes darting toward his triplets. His heart stopped as he saw Inzandro collapse to the ground with a dull thud. Without wasting a second, he sprinted to his brother and sister, their cries for each other cutting through him like a knife.

"Bhai! INZOO!" Isabella sobbed, her voice breaking. "Why did he save me?"

"Because... I love... my Isha…" Inzandro rasped, each word a painful struggle. Blood seeped through his shirt, staining the floor beneath him. "B-Bhai… promise me... you’ll take… ca-care of Isha. And… you’ll not… blame her… if something… happens to me."

"Nothing will happen to you, Inzoo! And I could never blame our Isha." Isandro assured him, his voice cracking as he stroked Inzandro’s hair, trying to remain strong despite the tears pooling in his eyes.

Isandro carefully picked up his injured brother, his movements both frantic and gentle. Meanwhile, Vincenzo stepped forward and swiftly scooped Isabella into his arms. Both men moved quickly toward the exit, their faces grim with determination.

"Damn it! Catch that bastard!" Isandro roared, his command jolting the remaining Romano men out of their shock.

Snapping into action, the guards seized Mikael, the shooter. But before anyone else could lay a hand on him, Thrakos stormed forward, his face contorted with fury.

"You bloody piece of shit!" Thrakos growled, landing a bone-crushing punch on Mikael’s jaw. "You dare to touch her? You dare to torture my love? You have the audacity to hurt my Amore? I’ll show you what hell feels like!"

His rage was unstoppable as he pounded Mikael repeatedly, his fists fueled by unbridled fury.

Liam, recognizing the danger of Thrakos losing control, quickly approached with a sedative. Pinning Thrakos momentarily, he injected the sedative into his neck. Thrakos eyes fluttered shut, and his body slumped to the floor.

Mikael received the same treatment, ensuring he was incapacitated before being restrained by the guards.

"Where is Mrs. Conti and her family?" Henry demanded, his voice sharp and cold.

"They’re here with us." Anthony and Eduard replied in unison, earning chuckles from a few despite the tense atmosphere.

But their brief moment of levity faded when they realized Isabella was missing.

"Where is Bella?" Anthony asked, his tone strict, his eyes scanning the room.

"Oh, shit!" Mason exclaimed, his face twisting with worry. "Vincenzo took her somewhere. I swear, if that bastard dares to come close to my sister, I’ll make him regret it!"

"I’ll rip his skin off his body." Michael added darkly, his twin’s possessiveness mirrored in his own tone.

"I’ll punch his guts out and break his ribs." Maverick chimed in; his fists clenched.

The elders couldn’t help but exchange knowing chuckles at the brothers’ collective rage.

"Enough, everyone." Andreano interjected sternly. "Let’s call him. He’s probably taken them to the hospital."

"Take all of these fools and send them to Italy under tight security." Liam ordered, gesturing toward the Contis, Mikael, and the unconscious Thrakos. "Make sure they remain sedated until they reach the warehouse. Understood?"

The head guard nodded and immediately began escorting the captives out of the basement.

"Let’s find them." Andreano said, his voice calm but urgent. "Matteo, Maverick track Vince’s location. He’s not answering my calls."

Miles crossed his arms, his face betraying his frustration. "See? I told you it wasn’t safe to bring that guy along. He stole my Stella!"

Eduard chuckled, unable to resist smiling at the dramatic outburst.

Soon, they tracked the location and began their journey, their cars roaring down the streets at breakneck speed. Twenty minutes later, they stood outside a hospital, their hearts pounding with worry and anger.

Andreano strode toward the entrance, his face hard with determination, only to be halted by a bodyguard stationed at the door.

"Who are you? Whom do you want to meet?" The guard asked in an emotionless tone, his expression impassive.

Andreano’s brows knitted together in irritation, but he forced himself to take a deep breath. He knew losing his temper wouldn’t help.

"I want to meet Mr. Vincenzo Russo. He brought my sister here for treatment. Can I go inside now?" Andreano replied, his voice calm despite the fire simmering within.

The guard studied him for a moment before asking, "What’s your sister’s name?" He subtly signaled someone nearby to check.

"Isabella Romano." Liam interjected sharply, his voice cutting through the tension.

The guard gave a curt nod. "Wait here for two minutes." He replied, stepping aside to make a phone call.

Moments later, he returned, his expression unchanged. "Sorry, but there’s no patient admitted here under that name."

That single statement made every ounce of patience drain from the Romano brothers.

"Amadeo, call your fucking brother right now! What the hell is going on here?" Andreano roared, his frustration finally boiling over.

Amadeo sighed, already dialing the number. "He’s here." He said after a moment, his tone exasperated as he rolled his eyes.

Before anyone could react, Vincenzo walked out of the hospital doors, calm as ever.

"You fucking bastard! Where is my sister?" Andreano snarled, his rage exploding as he punched Vincenzo square in the jaw.

"Andreano Romano!" Anthony’s thunderous voice echoed through the air, making everyone flinch. The patriarch’s tone carried an authority that demanded instant obedience, halting any further altercation.

"She’s inside." Vincenzo said quickly, rubbing his jaw as he turned to head back into the hospital.

The group moved to follow, but the guards stepped in front of them again, blocking their path.

"What now?" Leonardo asked, his irritation clear.

"I have to ask the boss. If he allows you, only then you all can come inside." The guard replied, his tone firm but professional.

"Be quick." Sebastian said, nodding at the guard, his patience wearing thin. The guard left promptly, only to return two minutes later with another man.

"What do you all want now?" The man asked rudely, his eyes scanning the group with disdain.

"Lower your voice, young man." Anthony said, his tone low yet carrying an undeniable threat.

"And what if I don’t? This is my property. I can raise my voice as much as I want. Technically, you should lower your voice because you’re standing on my property." The man replied arrogantly, his words causing the Romano men’s jaws to clench in unison.

"Isandro, I know you’re angry with us, my son." Leonardo said, trying to de-escalate the situation. "But please let us in. I need to see my children. Both of my children are injured, and you’re hurt as well. Please, Isandro. Bella doesn’t let anyone touch her. She won’t allow anyone to examine her unless we’re there."

Before Isandro could respond, a man came running toward him, panic evident on his face.

"Sir?" The man called out hesitantly.

"What?" Isandro snapped, his frustration boiling over.

"The doctor is delayed and won’t reach here anytime soon. We urgently need a surgeon." The man explained, his voice trembling.

"I can help. I’m a surgeon." Luc said, stepping forward from the group.

"Why should I believe you?" Isandro asked, narrowing his eyes.

"You can look him up. He’s one of the top three surgeons in not just Italy, but the world." Liam said, his voice calm as he tried to convince him.

"He’s right, sir." the man beside Isandro interjected. "This man really is one of the top three surgeons globally."

"Fine. Come quickly and let the rest of them in too." Isandro said with a shake of his head, his anger momentarily subdued.

"Take me to the doctor’s room. I need to scrub and ensure I’m sterile to avoid any risk of infection." Luc instructed as he followed the hospital staff.

The rest of the group moved inside toward the operating room. Isandro, however, sank into a nearby chair, running his hands through his hair in frustration.

A moment later, another man approached him hurriedly and bowed slightly before speaking.

"Sir, the surgeon still hasn’t arrived." The man informed him nervously.

Isandro just nodded, pulling out his phone. After a few failed attempts to reach someone, he sighed in frustration and dialed again. This time, the call was answered.

"Wherever the fuck you are, I don’t care. I want you at the hospital ASAP!" Isandro shouted, his voice echoing through the halls.

"Alright, alright, I’m coming. Why are you in such a rush?" The voice on the other end replied casually.

"Because my sister is lying on that fucking bed unconscious, and she needs immediate treatment! I swear, if something happens to her, you will be the first person I kill without a shred of regret. Be here within five minutes!" Isandro barked; his tone sharp enough to make heads turn.

"Where is Bella? I need to see her." Andreano said, stepping forward eagerly.

"Are you a doctor or a surgeon?" Isandro shot back sarcastically.

"No. Why?" Andreano replied, his confusion evident.

"Then stay here. I don’t want my sister getting infected because of you." Isandro retorted, his voice cold and cutting.

"She’s my sister too, Isandro." Andreano replied, his voice laced with sarcasm, shocking everyone present.

"Oh, really? The same sister you couldn’t protect from that fucking Mikael and that idiot Thrakos?" Isandro mocked, his words hitting their mark.

"Enough, both of you!" Anthony’s stern voice cut through the tension. "This is a hospital, not our mansion where you can yell as much as you want."

"Then ask your grandson to be quiet not me." Isandro shot back, rolling his eyes.

"I am doing exactly that, young man." Anthony replied, his tone equally sharp.

"Anyway, forget it. Show me Bella’s room. I’m a surgeon too. I’ll check her myself." Eduard said, shocking everyone except Anthony, who was already aware of his best friend’s qualifications.

"There’s no need." Isandro said, dismissing him. "My friend is on his way. He’ll take care of my sister. I don’t need help from strangers. I can handle my triplets myself."

Just then, a man came running toward them, halting right in front of Isandro.

"Sandro, where is my patient?" The man asked, panting heavily as if he had just run a marathon.

"Will he treat my Bella? No way in hell am I letting any man near her!" Leonardo exclaimed in one breath. "Uncle Ed will treat her!"

"My sister will only be treated by him, and I won’t hear another word about it, Mr. Romano. Am I clear?" Isandro said, his voice was cold and final.

"Let’s go, Sandro. She needs me right now you can argue later." The man interjected firmly, cutting through the tension. Vince is standing in the corner lifeless, his only concern is her health, not anything else. His possessive side has taken a rest for a while. His mind nit working, his lips just praying for her. Without wasting another second, the two men left the room.

As they entered Bella’s room, they saw her lying on the hospital bed. The sight before them was heart-wrenching: her thighs and knees were bleeding profusely, and bruises in the shape of fingerprints were imprinted on her delicate cheeks.

"Prepare the operating theater immediately." The man ordered the staff, his voice steady but urgent. He walked toward Bella and gently picked her up in his arms, not waiting for a stretcher or any assistance.

"Be careful, Abhi." Isandro said softly, his concern evident. "She’s been through a lot and is very fragile right now."

"I swear, Sandro, I won’t let anything happen to her. That’s a promise from Abhimaan Singh Rathore." Abhi said resolutely before heading toward the OT with Bella in his arms.

Isandro slumped into a chair outside the OT, his face pale with worry. His thoughts were interrupted by a nurse rushing out toward him.

"We need blood urgently." The nurse said, her tone tense but professional.

"Take it from the blood bank! Why the hell are you telling me this?" Isandro snapped, his frustration spilling over.

"Sorry, sir." The nurse replied timidly, "But we don’t have the required blood in the blood bank."

Isandro froze momentarily; his breathing uneven.

"You’re his triplet, right? Can’t you donate blood?" Henry asked softly, trying to help.

"No, I can’t." Isandro said, shaking his head. "Our blood groups aren’t the same. I’m O Negative (-O), and he’s AB Negative (-AB). Does anyone here have the same blood group?" He asked, his voice cracking with vulnerability.

"Take me inside. I’ll donate blood." Both Andreano and Amadeo said in unison, stepping forward without hesitation.

"Okay." the nurse said, glancing between them. "For now, one is enough. If we need more, we’ll ask." She gestured for Andreano to follow her into the OT.

"Thank you." Isandro mumbled; his head bowed as he looked at Andreano.

"There’s no need to thank me." Andreano said, patting Isandro’s shoulder gently. "It’s my duty to protect my babies."

"I’m not a baby." Isandro grumbled under his breath, making Andreano chuckle lightly before he disappeared into the OT with the nurse.

Isandro leaned back in his seat, closing his eyes as the pounding in his head intensified. The stress and worry gnawed at him relentlessly.

A girl approached him quietly, standing beside him. She gently caressed his forehead, making him exhale a long sigh of relief.

"Kia..." He mumbled softly, her soothing touch easing the tension on his forehead.

"Sleep, San. I’m right here." She murmured, her voice calming as she began massaging his temples.

He sighed again, allowing his body to relax. Before long, sleep claimed him. She smiled faintly at the sound of his light snores. Carefully, she unwrapped her scarf and draped it over his chest to keep him warm.

Everyone watched her intensely, their curiosity evident. She turned to face them, letting out a soft sigh.

"Mai Kiara Advani hu." She said calmly.

Translation: I’m Kiara Advani.

They looked at her, confused by her words. Realizing the misunderstanding, she clarified.

"I’m Kiara Advani." She repeated in English. The men nodded in acknowledgment, then introduced themselves one by one.

"No need to tell me about your... other profession. I already know you’re the Italian Mafia." Kiara said with a slight smile. "San has told me everything about you all beforehand, except for the girl he’s so worried about. I don’t know her."

Leonardo sighed at her words. "She’s my Only Daughter, Isandro and Inzandro’s triplet. She’s the Mafia Princess of Italy, America, and Canada." Anthony said softly.

Kiara gasped, stumbling slightly at the revelation. Before she could steady herself, she lost her balance. Just as she was about to fall, strong arms caught her.

"Careful, sister-in-law." Christian murmured with a small smirk.

"S-Sorry." She mumbled, stepping back quickly, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. The men chuckled at her shyness, easing the tension in the room. Leonardo cleared his throat, his expression turning serious.

"Tell us about Isandro. How did he end up here? I want to know everything about my son." A knowing glance from Anthony and his brothers made Leonardo correct himself.

"I mean, we want to know." He added, rolling his eyes.

Kiara opened her mouth to speak but was interrupted by a nurse rushing toward them. As the nurse moved toward Isandro, Kiara intercepted her, holding her arm.

"What do you want?" Kiara asked calmly but firmly.

"Let me go! I need to see Isandro." The nurse replied rudely.

"It’s Isandro Sir to you." Kiara said, tightening her grip slightly.

"Tell me, what do you want?" She asked again. Before the nurse could answer, another nurse rushed toward them.

"The patient has lost a lot of blood. We need it urgently." The second nurse explained, her voice shaky.

"We don’t have it in the blood bank it’s a rare type." She added.

"ISABELLA!" Vince’s anguished scream echoed through the hallway, making everyone freeze.

Isandro woke with a jolt, running toward Vince, who had collapsed onto his knees. Grabbing Vince’s shoulders, he shook him hard.

"What happened? What happened to Isabella?" Isandro demanded, but Vince couldn’t form a coherent response, only sobbing uncontrollably.

"She can’t leave me again. No, she can’t. She can’t go into a coma again. She can’t leave me. Save her, please. Save her!" Vince blabbered, tears streaming down his face. A sharp slap echoed through the hallway as Isandro struck him.

"Nothing will happen to her!" Isandro roared. "She’s, my sister. She can’t leave me. If I’m alive, she has to breathe for me, for Zane!" He punctuated his words with another punch.

"Isandro, stop!" Kiara called out, stepping forward.

He whirled around, his fist raised, but froze when he saw her. Taking a deep breath, she pulled him into a comforting hug, rubbing his back gently.

"Only you can save her now, son." Leonardo said softly, breaking the moment. "Your blood group matches hers." Everyone turned to Leonardo, shocked.

"How do you know that, Dad?" Elio asked, speaking for the first time since they had arrived.

"During their birth, I found out. And Isandro himself confirmed it an hour ago when Inzandro needed blood." Leonardo explained. Without waiting for further explanation, Isandro ran toward Isabella’s OT to donate his blood.

THREE HOURS LATER

"Is she fine? Can we see her now? When will she be discharged? Does she have enough blood now? If not, I’m ready to give her more!"

The surgeon standing outside the OT raised his hand, silencing the barrage of questions.

"Quiet, everyone." He commanded sternly.

The room fell silent, all eyes on him.

"Sandro, your sister’s surgery is complete. She had deep cuts on both thighs, one of which served an important nerve. We’ve repaired it, but it was a delicate process. The burn near her heart is not severe it will heal with time; we have to be more careful and not apply any pressure there. I had injected her anti infectious injection, so there will be less chances of infection. Her head injury, which was already healing, was worsened by this incident and required more attention. Her knees... they’ll heal in a few days. But..."

The surgeon paused, his tone grave, and everyone braced themselves for what was to come.

---

CHP 59: Dancing Through Pain

THIRD PERSON POV:

"But what, doctor?" Anthony asked, his voice edged with concern. Dr. Abhimaan sighed before glancing at both Anthony and Isandro.

"Abhi, answer me. What exactly happened to her?" Isandro demanded impatiently.

Abhimaan looked between the two before replying, "There’s a possibility she might not be able to walk, but I can’t confirm it right now. We’ll only know for certain once she wakes up. However, the next 72 hours are very critical for her. We need to be extremely cautious. If she didn’t wake up in next 72 hours, she can slip into coma and I can’t say when will she wake up again. Maybe a day, week, month, year or maybe a decade."

"What do you mean she might not walk? You’re a doctor; you should know what’s going on!" Leonardo burst out; his frustration evident.

"I said we can’t make any definitive conclusions until she regains consciousness." Abhimaan replied, trying to stay calm.

"And you even said, you don’t know when she will gain consciousness." Sebastian said equally angry like Leonardo.

"In cases like this, complications happen. I didn’t say she’ll never walk again, but her body will likely face challenges when trying to support itself. It could take two to three months for her to walk properly without support. The femoral artery was severely damaged, but it can heal over time. We just need to keep faith in God and most importantly, provide her with emotional support. She’ll need all of you by her side, especially mentally."

With that, Abhimaan sighed and excused himself, leaving the room. Meanwhile, Luca emerged from the operating theater, looking tired but composed. The family gathered around him, their anxious faces waiting for news. He lowered his head for a moment, then looked up and spoke.

"The surgery was successful. We managed to remove the bullet from his body." He began.

"However, we can’t say when he’ll regain consciousness. His body is responding to the medication, but his brain and heart aren’t fully in sync. He’s slipped into a coma."

His words left the Romano family feeling a mix of relief and sorrow. Luca stepped away to freshen up while the family began arranging their stay at the hospital. Isandro, sitting quietly in a corner, replayed the events of the past two days in his mind. Kiara, noticing his distress, settled beside him. Without a word, he placed his head on her lap, and she began massaging his scalp gently. Before long, he drifted into an uneasy sleep, and she soon followed, resting her head against the chair’s back.

9:00 PM, HOSPITAL

Isandro woke up a few minutes later and glanced at Kiara, still asleep. He gently draped his jacket over her before heading toward Isabella’s room. Through the small circular window on the door, he saw her lying unconscious, her body connected to several machines. His heart clenched at the sight.

A nurse interrupted his thoughts. "Dr. Abhimaan Singh Rathore is waiting to speak with you." She spoke.

He nodded and made his way to Abhimaan’s office. Settling across from him, they discussed Isabella’s condition. A few minutes later, Luca joined them, and their conversation shifted to Inzandro’s health.

3 DAYS LATER...

"She’s out of danger." Luca began, his voice heavy with concern, "But if she doesn’t regain consciousness in the next few hours, she could slip into a coma again."

Isandro frowned in confusion, exchanging glances with Abhimaan. "What do you mean by again? I am asking this from the last three days and here no one is ready to tell me about it. I am her eldest brother and triplet; I have all rights to know about her." He demanded.

Luca sighed and explained everything about the incident at Isabella’s birthday party, detailing her troubled past.

As the truth sank in, Isandro’s anger boiled over. He turned to Vincenzo and landed a punch so hard that Vince staggered to the ground. Despite the blow, Vincenzo didn’t retaliate, knowing that hurting Isandro would only anger Isabella when she woke up. Besides, his current state didn’t allow him to fight back.

The others intervened, pulling Isandro away before things escalated further. Isandro stormed into Isabella’s hospital room, slumping onto the couch. Only Leonardo and Andreano stayed behind to keep him company while the rest of the Romano family returned to the mansion.

AN HOUR LATER

A piercing scream echoed through the room, jolting the three men. They rushed to Isabella’s bedside, their voices frantic as they called her name, trying to wake her. Her breathing became shallow and erratic.

Within moments, Abhimaan and Luca arrived, quickly assessing her condition. After stabilizing her, they determined that she had fallen back into a deep sleep.

"She must have had a nightmare or a flashback." Luca said, answering the unspoken question on their faces.

Reluctantly, the three nodded and returned to their seats. Abhimaan and Luca left to tend to other patients.

TWO HOURS LATER

Isabella’s eyes fluttered open slowly, only to shut again as the bright light overwhelmed her. She tried again, squinting as her vision adjusted. Her gaze swept across the room until it landed on her triplet brothers, Andreano, and her father, seated on the couch.

"B-bh-hai..." She stammered weakly.

Hearing her broken voice, their heads snapped toward her. They hurried to her side, helping her sip some water to soothe her dry throat. Moments later, Luca and Abhimaan re-entered the room to check on her. Relief washed over them as they confirmed she could feel her legs.

Luca gave her strict instructions, detailing what she could and couldn’t do during her recovery. Meanwhile, Abhimaan made an effort to lift her spirits, gently steering her thoughts away from the incident. After finishing their examinations, both doctors left to give her some privacy with her family. Isabella turned her tear-filled eyes toward Isandro, tugging at his jacket like a child seeking comfort. He looked down at her, his expression softening.

"I’m sorry, Bhai." She whispered, her voice breaking as tears spilled down her cheeks.

Isandro crouched beside her, alarmed by her sudden outburst.

"I’m so sorry, Bhai. It’s my fault Inzoo got shot. That bullet was meant for me, but he... he took it for me." She sobbed uncontrollably. Isandro pulled her into a protective embrace, whispering soothing words.

"He did what he had to do to protect you, Bella. Without you, we’re incomplete. Don’t blame yourself, okay? He’ll recover. He’s strong, just like you." He kissed her forehead, holding her close until her tears subsided.

After drinking some soup and taking her medicines, Isabella drifted back to sleep. The Romano brothers sat quietly, watching over her.

LATER THAT NIGHT

Leonardo broke the silence, his voice heavy with guilt. "I’m sorry, my son. I failed to protect you from your own mother. But please, give me a chance. I want to make things right for both of you. Bella needs us. She needs her family, and so do you. Please... think about it."

Leonardo’s plea hangs in the air. Isandro sat in silence; his piercing gaze fixed on his father as the weight of their shared past loomed between them.

2 MONTHS LATER

ISABELLA’S POV:

I was sitting on the swing in my room, gazing out at the garden, thinking about everything that happened before two months. The truths, the consequences of past incidents, everything. It hurts to remember everything, Papa and Andee try to explain me about it, but I never talked about it. I always changed the topic saying

"Whatever has happened, now happened. We can’t change anything now. I don’t want to know about Mafia. But I want to tell you both one thing, I can never hate you, because I know my family can never harm someone without a reason. Just don’t break my trust."

After that day we never talked about it. Papa never forces me to know about it, but just wanted me to be strong for future to which I agreed happily. I get lost in the soft rustling of the leaves outside but it was interrupted by the sound of my door bursting open. I didn’t need to turn around to know who it was. A smile automatically spread across my face as I turned toward the intruder.

"Andrrooooo!" I screamed, running toward him. He caught me effortlessly, lifting me into his arms as laughter bubbled between us.

Carrying me back to the swing, he sat down and placed me on his lap. I rested my head on his chest, idly playing with the buttons of his shirt as he gently ran his fingers through my hair. He leaned down, pressing a warm kiss to my forehead.

"Kya hua, bacha?" He asked softly, his voice laced with concern.

Translation: What happened, baby?

"Kuch nahi, Bhai. Just thinking about Inzoo. Did he wake up?" I replied, my voice tinged with hope as I asked about our triplet.

Translation: Nothing, brother.

"Not yet." Andro said, his tone reassuring. "But he will wake up soon. Come on, let’s go downstairs for lunch."

He helped me to my feet, and we made our way toward the door. Just as we were about to leave, his phone rang, halting him in his tracks.

"Go ahead." I said with a small smile. "I’ll wait for you downstairs."

He nodded, mouthing a simple "Okay." Before answering his call.

I descended the stairs and paused outside the dining room, about to step inside, when voices drifted out, stopping me in my tracks.

"She’s such a brat." I heard Aure say, his voice sharp with disdain.

"I don’t know why Dad wants to keep her here." Elio added, his words cutting deeper than he could have imagined.

"I still don’t understand why Dad brought her back after what she did to him." Matt muttered before leaving the room.

Their words hit me like a physical blow. My heart sank as the realization settled in they were talking about me. Why do they hate me? What did I do to deserve this?

Tears threatened to spill as a flurry of emotions surged within me hurt, confusion, anger. I wasn’t at fault. I was the victim here. They kidnapped me. They tried to kill my brother. And now my own brothers despised me.

I backed away from the door, too overwhelmed to face anyone. My feet carried me instinctively to the dance room, a sanctuary where I could release the turmoil brewing inside me.

I locked the door and approached the music system. It had been two months since I last danced. Andro had always encouraged me, reminding me that I could dance again, no matter what. Today, I needed it more than ever. I needed to drown myself in the rhythm, to escape the pain.

Scrolling through the playlist, I searched for a Hindi classical song, something Kia had introduced me to during our video calls. Kia she was my rock. Even from miles away, she had taught me classical Indian dance, pushing me to believe in myself.

Nainowale Ne https://youtu.be/Nb7djk-rD5E

As the first song began to play, I stepped into the center of the room. My movements were fluid, graceful, each step a tribute to the cherished memories I held with my family the love, the laughter, the moments of joy.

Mahabharata Title Track https://youtu.be/3slvTBXDUeU

The second song brought a stark contrast. I poured all my pain into every movement, my body mirroring the hardships I had endured. My mind drifted to Inzoo, still lying motionless in his coma, and a silent prayer escaped my lips for his recovery.

Tabaah Ho Gaye https://youtu.be/C4-ytMDgg6s

The final song was a plea. I danced with closed eyes, my movements filled with desperation, silently begging the universe to spare my loved ones from any more pain. I had already made up my mind I would leave. I would go somewhere far away, away from their hatred, away from the chaos.

As the last note faded, I came to a stop, panting slightly. My eyes fluttered open, and my breath hitched when I saw Andro and Andre standing outside the glass door, watching me intently. Summoning a fake smile, I unlocked the door and greeted them.

Andre stepped forward, ruffling my hair affectionately, while Andro scooped me up in his arms, his warmth momentarily melting my resolve to leave.

"How many times have I told you not to stress your legs, Isha?" Andro scolded, his voice filled with both concern and frustration.

"Bhai, I’m fine. Please believe me." I replied, huffing. "You just saw me dancing a while ago. Did I fall even once? No, I didn’t. That means I’m fine now. Let’s go to my room; I’m hungry."

I tried to reason with him, but his overprotective nature wasn’t easy to sway.

"Why your room?" he countered. "We’re having lunch in the dining room, with everyone."

Without waiting for an argument, Andro started walking towards the dining room with me still in his arms. I sighed, knowing there was no point in protesting. Andre raised an eyebrow at the scene, but I quickly hid my face in Andro’s neck. A single thought gnawed at the back of my mind Maybe he hates me now, too.

By the time we reached the dining room, Andro gently set me down in a chair. My eyes scanned the room. Everyone was there, even Papa. I plastered a smile on my face, determined to act normal, to pretend that nothing was wrong that I hadn’t overheard those cutting words earlier. Only Papa and Andre returned my smile. My gaze shifted to the table. There was nothing on it that I particularly liked or was even allowed to eat due to my recovery restrictions.

"Princess, why aren’t you eating anything?" Papa asked, his voice drawing everyone’s attention.

"I’m not hungry, Dad." I replied softly, avoiding eye contact with anyone.

"But, bacha, you were hungry just a few minutes ago. What changed?" Andro questioned, his tone now gentler, laced with concern.

I met his worried gaze and forced a smile. "Nothing. I just don’t feel like eating. I’ll have some soup in my room instead. Enjoy your meal, everyone."

Without waiting for a reply, I stood up and left the dining room.

As I was leaving, I heard Aure mutter, "Thank God she’s gone. Now I can finally eat in peace without having to see her face."

His words cut through me like a knife, but I didn’t stop or turn around. Instead, I quickened my steps and made my way to my room.

Once inside, I locked the door and collapsed onto my bed, burying my face in the pillow. The tears came fast and unrelenting, soaking through the fabric. My chest ached, not just from the physical pain of my injuries but from the emotional torment I could no longer suppress.

I didn’t know how long I cried, but when the tears finally dried up, my eyes burned with exhaustion. I closed them, hoping for a reprieve in the form of sleep, though I knew the hurt would still be waiting for me when I woke.

ANDREANO'S POV:

I entered the dining room but didn’t find Bella there. Confused, I decided to ask my brothers.

"Where’s Bella? Isn’t she joining us?" I asked, my tone calm yet curious.

They exchanged looks before responding, and their words hit me like a thunderstorm.

"Why would she come here? And why do you even want her to? Hasn’t she caused enough damage to this family?" Aurelio sneered. "I hope she leaves this mansion soon. Andre, please don’t ruin our lunch by bringing her here. The maid can serve her in her room as usual."

My jaw tightened. Why are they behaving like this? Don’t they love her anymore? These thoughts raced through my mind. They were never like this before. What’s changed now?

"Why are you speaking about her like that?" I asked, my voice was low but sharp. They all gave me a disgusted look, and Elio spoke up.

"Because she’s the reason our brother is in a coma. She’s the sole reason for everything that’s happened to us. Why are you acting like she’s innocent?" I snapped.

"ELIO ROMANO, SHUT YOUR DAMN MOUTH! I DARE ANY OF YOU TO SPEAK ANOTHER WORD AGAINST MY SISTER!" I roared, my voice echoing across the room.

"MARK MY WORDS YOU’LL REGRET IT. I WON’T THINK TWICE BEFORE MAKING YOU PAY!"

Silence. They lowered their eyes, the tension in the room palpable. Without another word, I turned and stormed out to find Bella.

Andro had already texted me, saying it would take some time for him to come downstairs as he was dealing with matters in India. I knew exactly where she would be. I headed straight to the dance room, and there she was, dancing gracefully in Indian classical style.

Her movements were fluid yet powerful, her emotions pouring through every step. She loved dancing it was her escape. I stood silently, capturing the moment in my memory, watching as the light in her eyes flickered between joy and sorrow. Isandro soon arrived, searching for her, but I stopped him from interrupting.

"Let her be." I said softly.

When she finally stopped, she noticed us and seemed startled for a moment before opening the door. I patted her head lovingly, while Andro, who had just arrived, picked her up in his arms.

She glanced at me briefly, and in that fleeting moment, I saw it the pain, the hurt, the anguish she tried so hard to hide. But before I could say anything, she buried her face in Isandro’s neck. We went downstairs together.

As we entered the dining room, I shot a sharp glare at everyone, warning them not to utter a word. Dad had also joined us by then, taking his seat. Isandro placed Bella beside him, but I immediately noticed something missing the table lacked any food she could eat.

Today was supposed to be the first time Bella joined us downstairs for lunch after weeks of recovery. The doctor had only recently permitted her to walk again, and even then, her movements were limited. Despite this, I had thought it best to give her space and not push her.

But before I could ask the maids to prepare something for her, she stood up abruptly.

"I’m not hungry." She said softly.

Her voice was steady, but there was an undeniable sadness in her tone.

"Why aren’t you eating, Princess?" Dad asked, concern evident in his voice.

"I’m just not feeling like eating, Dad. I’ll have some soup in my room. Enjoy your meal, everyone."

With that, she walked away. As she left, Aurelio muttered under his breath, "Thank God she’s gone. Now I can eat in peace without having to see her face."

My blood boiled, but before I could react, Bella disappeared around the corner, her steps quickening. I pushed my plate away, appetite lost, and decided to follow her. When I reached her room, I opened the door quietly and found her lying on her stomach on the bed, muffling her cries into the pillow. The sound broke something inside me.

These two months had been incredibly hard for all of us, but especially her, she has been going through so much that too alone. Dad and I were caught up in work, while Isandro was busy shifting his business headquarters here and handling his mafia base. As the leader of the Indian Mafia alongside Abhimaan Singh Rathore, Isandro had been stretched thin.

Meanwhile, Bella had been left almost entirely alone. The maid had told me earlier how isolated she’d been. I wanted to console her, but there was an unspoken barrier between us now. I was never much of a talker, and Bella had grown quieter since the incident.

Closing the door softly, I left her to grieve in solitude. I knew she would cry herself to sleep, as she had so many nights before. I resolved to talk to her after dinner.

Back in my office, I buried myself in work, trying to distract myself from the guilt gnawing at me. I was interrupted by a knock on the door.

"Come in." I called.

A maid entered, bowing slightly. "Signore Andreano, Miss Bella has called everyone to the living room."

Translation: Andreano Sir.

I didn’t waste a second, leaving immediately to see her. When I arrived, the room was filled with family members seated on the sofas, their expressions ranging from bored to indifferent. I took my seat on the large sofa beside Dad, who had just joined us.

We waited in silence until Bella finally appeared. She stood beside Dad, her small frame looking fragile yet resolute. Isandro stood beside her, his face betraying his disapproval.

"I have something important to tell you all." Bella began, her voice steady despite the tension in the room.

Dad nodded for her to continue.

"I’m leaving for India in two days." 

---

I hope you all like both the chapters. I know you all must have waited for the chapters. Share your thoughts in the comment section. Waiting to reply your comments, queries and questions.

See you all soon.

Lots of LOVE from your Author.