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In the seven years I had been part of the Mancuso family, he had treated me with basic respect. For that
alone, I owed him a final farewell.
I put aside my resentment toward Leonardo for the moment and rushed through the night to the Mancuso
estate.
The old Don was already at death’s door, a faint spark of life flickering in his weary eyes.
“Sofia,” he whispered, “I wronged you. The Mancuso family wronged you.”
When I married Leonardo, I had been young and naïve. But old Mr. Mancuso had been in the business world
his entire life, he knew exactly how unfair that contract was.
He cut off every path I might have taken. He lured me into signing that agreement. He buried my life in a
gilded cage long before I understood what I was sacrificing.
I hesitated before answering.
“I don’t blame you. I made that choice willingly. I don’t blame anyone.”
“Leonardo was spoiled by my indulgence,” he said weakly.
“Whatever awaits him is of his own making. I don’t expect you to return to him. I only hope that when he falls
into ruin, you might ensure he doesn’t starve in the gutter.”
The lawyer stepped forward with another contract. Old Mr. Mancuso wanted to transfer most of his shares
and assets to me. He even planned to hand the entire company over for me to run.
What remained for Leonardo was a villa and a few minor shares, nothing more.
I shook my head with a soft, bitter laugh.
“Grandfather, that responsibility is far too heavy. I can’t bear it.”
“And besides… I’ve already wasted seven years on Leonardo. The rest of my life, I want to live for myself. I
don’t want to be tied to him ever again.”
The old man truly loved his grandson.
Even on his deathbed, he still tried to pave a future for Leonardo, even if it meant sacrificing yet another
woman’s life. But I was no longer someone who could be swayed by sweet lies.
And I wouldn’t let myself be bound by obligations disguised as kindness.
I had finally learned that every gift from fate came with a price written in invisible ink. Seeing how firm I was, the old man began coughing violently.
Leonardo’s eyes welled up with tears. He tried to speak, but the old man waved him silent.
I bowed to him and turned to leave. Just as I reached the door, I heard the weak, painful reprimand behind
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