Chapter 127: Mending Bridges
Dante’s POV
My eyes searched Gianna’s face and found sincerity, the way she was trying to reach my daughter, trying to be part of this family.
The fear was still there, but I had to admit she was right. Gianna had always wanted us to go shopping, see the world like a normal family, she’d always said, and I’d never allowed it. This would be a good way to draw her closer.
And she was right, I had the best security money could buy. Men who would die before letting anything happen to Ariel. 1
I tried one last time to get out of it.
“I’d only allow it if I came along. But I have a long list of approvals to get through, and they all relate to the wedding.”
I pointed at the documents scattered across the surface.
“I can’t just drop everything to go shopping, no matter how important it is. That’s why it makes more sense for the designer to come to you. It’s a win–win.”
“We need your guards,” she said. “You don’t have to come. You’re not meant to see the dress before the day anyway.”
“Like hell,” I countered. The idea of being left out sat wrong with me, like I was suddenly optional. “I’m coming with you. Either that, or the original plan stands.”
She gasped, eyes wide. Then her face lit up.
“Wait… that means you’ve agreed?”
Before I could answer, she let out a small laugh and did a quick, excited spin on the spot, barely containing herself. The sight of it tugged a smile out of me.
She flipped her hair, suddenly acting sassy. “Fine. I’ll allow you to tag along,” she teased. “But you’re staying far away from the dresses.”
I raised a brow. Allow me?
I stepped closer, my hand settling around her waist and pulling her back against my chest. My mouth brushed her ear as I whispered, “Interesting. A few seconds ago, you were the one begging me to let you
go out.”
She giggled, completely unapologetic, brushing her fingers over my chest in a playful sweep.
“I guess it’s true,” she murmured, “people change when they get what they want.”
A laugh slipped from me as I leaned in, nuzzling the side of her neck.
1/5
Chapter 127 Mending Bridges
“You’re completely shameless,” I murmured. “Seems like I need to remind you who’s in charge.”
+25 Bonus
I found Arielle in her room, curled up on her bed with her iPad. The moment I walked in and closed the door behind me, she looked up, and I could see the guilt flash across her face before she quickly looked
back down at her screen.
“Put that away,” I said, my voice firm.
She hesitated, then slowly set the iPad aside, sitting up straighter. “Dad, I…”
“No,” I cut her off. “You don’t get to talk right now. You get to listen.”
Her eyes widened slightly. She wasn’t used to me using this tone with her, but what she’d said to Gianna this morning had crossed a line.
I walked over and sat on the edge of her bed, looking directly at her. “What you said to Gianna this morning was unacceptable, Arielle. Completely unacceptable.”
“I was just…”
“I said listen,” I repeated, my voice harder now. “Do you have any idea how cruel your words were? How much you hurt her?”
Arielle’s eyes filled with tears, but I didn’t soften. Not yet. She needed to understand the gravity of what
she’d done.
“You implied that she deserved to lose her mother,” I continued. “You hurled her pain back at her, without caring how much damage it would do. That is not how I raised you, Arielle. That is not who you are.”
“I didn’t mean it like that,” she whispered, tears spilling down her cheeks.
“Then how did you mean it?” I demanded. “Because from where I was standing, it sounded like you were punishing Gianna for something she had no control over.”
“I just… I’m angry, Dad. I’m angry that Mom is gone and she’s here and…” 15
Her words reached me, and everything finally fell into place.
She wasn’t angry. She was scared that I could forget the woman who shaped our lives. The woman who had been the center of everything before she was gone.
I shifted closer and pulled her into my arms, holding her like she might disappear if I didn’t.
“My sweet girl…” I murmured, pressing my forehead to hers. “I understand how you feel. I feel it too.”
I took her small hands and placed them over my chest. “Your mother… she was the greatest gift God. ever gave me. She was the heart of my life. I could never forget her.”
I pressed her hands gently, letting her feel my heartbeat beneath them. “She will always live here.” Then I
2/5
Chapter 127 Mending Bridges
+25 Bonus
placed my own hand over hers. “And here, in our hearts. We will always treasure her, always.”
Arielle looked down at our joined hands, wiped her eyes, and nodded. “Always…”
I lifted her chin so she met my gaze, holding her gently but firmly. “Gianna’s mother died giving birth to her, Arielle. She never got to meet her. Never got to be held by her, never got to feel her love. And her father blamed her for it her whole life. Made her feel like just existing was a crime.”
Arielle’s eyes went wide, shock written across her face.
“She grew up without a mother, just like you’re growing up without one now,” I continued, my voice softer but steady. “The difference is, you had fourteen years with your mom. Fourteen years of love, of memories. Gianna had nothing. Just a father who saw her and thought of the woman who died giving birth to her.”
“I… I didn’t know,” Arielle whispered, voice breaking.
“I know you didn’t…” I stroked her hair gently. “That’s why you need to understand that just because we are hurting doesn’t give us the right to say cruel things. You never know what someone else is going through. And Gianna… she’s innocent.”
“But her father…”
“Her father is the villain here,” I said firmly. “Her father is the one who took your mother from us. Not Gianna. Gianna is just as much a victim as we are. Maybe more, because she’s been suffering her whole
life.”
Tears ran freely down Arielle’s face. “I’m sorry, Dad. I’m so sorry.”
I shook my head, holding her shoulders. “Don’t apologize to me. Apologize to Gianna.” I let go for a moment, then added, “And stop listening to your Aunt Selene.”
She blinked, confused. “Why?”
“Because she’s the one filling your head with anger and poison,” I said bluntly. “I know she’s grieving. I know she’s angry. But she has no right to make you a weapon against Gianna. And I won’t allow it.”
“She just misses Mom…”
“We all miss your mother,” I affirmed, my voice filled with emotion. “But your mother would be ashamed of what you said to Gianna this morning. Your mother taught you about kindness and compassion and forgiveness. She taught you to see the good in people, not the worst.”
Arielle covered her face with her hands, sobbing openly now.
I pulled her into my arms, holding her as she cried. “I know this is hard, baby. I know you don’t understand everything that’s happening. But you need to learn to differentiate between the people who hurt us and the people who are just trying to survive. Gianna didn’t choose to be born into that family. She didn’t choose to have Giovanni as a father. And she doesn’t deserve to be punished for it.”
315
Chapter 127 Mending Bridges
+25 Bonus
“I know,” she sobbed against my chest. “I know, I’m sorry.”
I pressed a hand to her back, holding her close. “It’s Gianna you should be apologizing to.”
Her small hands twisted in mine. “Do you think… she could forgive me?”
I tilted her chin up so our eyes met, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “I’m certain she would. Because she cares, Arielle.”
Her eyes widened.
“Gianna fought for us to have a family day out,” I said, letting my thumb trace gentle circles over the back of her hand. “She wants us to spend time together, especially with you.” 1
“Really?” Her voice trembled, hope mixing with doubt.
“Really.” I gave a soft shrug, trying to reassure her. “She even suggested that you two go dress shopping for the wedding this afternoon.”
Arielle blinked, tilting her face down, uncertain. “Wedding dress shopping? But… I’m sure she hates me… she’s only doing this for you.”
I shook my head, a small smile tugging at my lips. “On the contrary. She wants to get to know you. She knows you’re just a child caught in the middle, and she’s trying to build a connection.”
“But I was so mean to her,” Arielle whispered, shoulders slumping.
“Yes, you were,” I agreed, pressing our joined hands to my chest. “Which is why you need to apologize. A real apology, Arielle, not just ‘I’m sorry.‘ I want you to tell her you understand why what you said hurt her
and that you’ll do better.”
She nodded, biting her lip as it trembled. “I will… I promise.”
I leaned down and kissed her forehead, feeling her relax slightly against me. “Good. Then you’ll go shopping with her. Be kind, be open–minded. Can you do that?”
“I’ll try,” she whispered, looking up at me with wide, uncertain eyes.
“That’s all I ask.” I straightened, still holding her gaze. “Gianna is trying, Arielle. She’s really trying to be part of this family, even though it’s hard for her. I need you to meet her halfway.”
“Okay… Dad.”
I stepped toward the door, then paused, glancing back over my shoulder. “And Arielle? I love you. More than anything. But cruelty has no place in this house. Not from anyone. Not even you. Understand?”
She nodded quickly, a tiny shiver running through her. “Understood.”
I gave a final reassuring smile and left the room. My heart was full of hope. It wouldn’t be easy for any of us, but maybe, just maybe, we could find a way through this together.
4/5
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
