THE MAFIA’S PRIDE

Home after ten years

Damien POV

Vivian and I sat side by side on the bed, our fingers intertwined.

I looked down at our joined hands before lifting my gaze to hers.

“I don’t know if things will ever be the way they were before,” I admitted quietly. “I can’t promise that my memories will return tomorrow… or even at all.”

I gently tightened my hold on her hand.

“But I can promise you this.”

“I’ll treat you the way you deserve to be treated.”

“I’ll do everything I can to make sure the days ahead become the happiest of our marriage.”

“I may have forgotten our past…”

I held her gaze, my voice soft but certain.

“…but I won’t waste our future.”

Vivian squeezed my hand gently.

“Marriage isn’t just about the past, Damien.”

“It’s about choosing each other every day.”

“And I choose you.”

I lifted our joined hands and pressed a gentle kiss against the back of hers.

“We’re going to have a long day tomorrow,” I said softly. “I think you should get some sleep.”

She smiled.

“What about you?”

“I’ll be there soon.”

I glanced toward the dining area.

“Are you hungry? Would you like something to eat?”

She shook her head.

“Hm… no. I’m fine.”

I nodded.

“Alright.”

We both stood.

“I’ll change and get ready for bed,” Vivian said.

“Take your time.”

She smiled one last time before disappearing into the bathroom.

The quiet click of the door echoed through the suite.

I walked over to the small desk by the window and opened my laptop.

Paris glittered beneath the night sky beyond the floor-to-ceiling glass, but my attention remained on the reports waiting for me.

There were emails that couldn’t wait.

Documents requiring my approval.

Preparations for tomorrow’s family meeting.

As much as I wanted to spend the evening with Vivian…

Business never stopped.

A few minutes later, the bathroom door opened.

I looked up.

Vivian stepped out wearing a simple satin pajama set, her hair still slightly damp from her shower.

She looked comfortable.

At peace.

She caught me watching her and smiled.

“I thought you were coming to bed.”

“I still have a little work to finish,” I replied, closing one of the files on my screen. “Don’t wait up.”

She walked over to me.

“You’ve had a long day too.”

“I’ll survive.”

A soft laugh escaped her lips.

“You really are a workaholic.”

“So I’ve been told.”

She leaned down and pressed a light kiss against my cheek.

“Don’t stay up too late.”

“I won’t.”

She studied me for another second before finally nodding.

“Goodnight, Damien.”

“Goodnight, Vivian.”

I watched as she climbed into bed and pulled the duvet over herself.

Within minutes, her breathing became slow and steady.

She had fallen asleep.

I returned my attention to the laptop.

The hours slipped by unnoticed.

One report became two.

Then three.

By the time I finally closed the laptop, the city outside had grown quiet.

I rubbed the back of my neck before glancing toward the bed.

Vivian hadn’t moved.

Moonlight spilled through the windows, casting a soft glow across her sleeping face.

For a long moment…

I simply watched her.

She looked so peaceful.

So… safe.

A strange warmth settled in my chest.

Without making a sound, I switched off the lamp and walked over to the bed.

Carefully lifting the duvet, I slipped in beside her.

The mattress shifted beneath my weight.

For a brief second, I worried I might wake her.

Instead…

She instinctively turned toward me.

Still asleep.

Without opening her eyes, she rested her head against my chest.

As though she’d done it a thousand times before.

A small smile found its way onto my lips.

Maybe memories could disappear.

Maybe names and moments could be forgotten.

But some habits…

Some feelings…

Ran far deeper than memory.

I wrapped an arm around her waist and gently pulled her closer.

“Goodnight, Mrs. DeLuca,” I whispered.

It wasn’t long before sleep claimed me too.

Warm sunlight filtered through the curtains the following morning.

The first thing I became aware of was the comforting weight resting against my chest.

I slowly opened my eyes.

Vivian was still asleep in my arms.

And for the first time since waking up with six months of my life erased…

Waking beside her felt… right.

Careful not to disturb her, I slowly slipped out of bed.

Vivian stirred slightly, her fingers reaching for the empty space I’d left behind before relaxing again.

A faint smile found its way onto my lips.

I picked up the hotel phone.

“Room service.”

A polite voice answered almost immediately.

“Good morning, Mr. DeLuca.”

“I’d like breakfast sent to the presidential suite.”

“Certainly, sir. Do you have any preferences?”

I glanced toward the bed.

Vivian had skipped dinner last night.

She hadn’t complained.

She rarely did.

“Fresh orange juice, coffee, pancakes, fruit, eggs…”

I paused for a moment.

“And croissants.”

“Very good, sir. It’ll be there within fifteen minutes.”

I ended the call and walked over to the floor-to-ceiling windows.

Paris stretched before me beneath the morning sun.

This city held countless memories.

Some good.

Some painful.

Most of them dated back to my childhood.

Unfortunately…

None of them could fill the six-month void in my mind.

A knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts.

I walked over and opened it.

Two hotel attendants wheeled in breakfast before neatly arranging everything on the dining table.

Once they were done, they wished me a pleasant morning and quietly left.

I had barely closed the door when I sensed someone behind me.

I turned.

Vivian stood there in her satin pajamas, her hair slightly tousled from sleep.

She looked effortlessly beautiful.

“Good morning, Damien,” she said with a smile as she walked toward me.

“Good morning.”

“Did you sleep well?” I asked.

“Very well,” she replied. “What about you?”

“I’ve had better.”

She laughed softly.

“I’ll take that as a yes.”

Her attention shifted to the dining table.

“You ordered breakfast?”

“I did.”

A smile spread across her face.

“I’m glad.”

She looked back at me.

“I was actually starving.”

“I noticed.”

She raised an eyebrow.

“You noticed?”

“You skipped dinner.”

She smiled sheepishly.

“I guess I did.”

“Then sit down before you change your mind.”

She laughed again.

“Yes, Mr. DeLuca.”

Vivian took her seat, and we ate breakfast together.

The conversation was light, drifting from the food to the plans for the day.

For once, neither of us felt the need to fill every moment with questions.

When breakfast was over, we each got ready for the family meeting.

An hour later, Vivian stepped out of the bedroom dressed in a cream blouse, tailored black trousers, and a matching coat.

Elegant.

Confident.

I changed into a charcoal suit, adjusted my watch, and picked up the file containing the documents I’d need for the meeting.

“Ready?” I asked.

Vivian smiled and nodded.

“As ready as I’ll ever be.”

Together, we left the hotel suite and headed downstairs.

Outside, a convoy of black luxury vehicles was already waiting.

One of the guards opened the rear door of the Rolls-Royce.

Vivian and I got in, and moments later, the convoy pulled away from the hotel, heading toward the DeLuca family estate.

Our convoy came to a slow stop in front of the DeLuca family estate.

The mansion stood proudly behind towering iron gates, its grand stone façade reflecting the morning sunlight. Luxury cars already lined the driveway, a clear sign that most of the family had arrived.

One of the guards stepped forward and opened the rear door.

I got out first before turning to Vivian.

She placed her hand in mine, and I helped her out of the car.

For a brief moment, she looked up at the mansion.

I could feel the slight hesitation in her grip.

Without thinking, I intertwined our fingers.

She turned to look at me.

I met her eyes.

“You don’t have to worry,” I said quietly. “I’m right here with you.”

I gave her hand a gentle squeeze.

“As long as I’m standing beside you, no one will make you feel unwelcome.”

A small smile appeared on her lips.

“Thank you,” she said softly.

I returned the smile with a slight nod.

Together, we walked toward the entrance of the DeLuca family estate.

The moment we stepped through the doors, every security officer and member of staff standing in the foyer straightened.

“Welcome home, Mr. DeLuca.”

Their voices echoed through the grand entrance as they bowed respectfully.

Without breaking stride, Vivian and I walked inside.

The DeLuca mansion…

It hadn’t changed.

Towering marble columns stretched toward the high ceilings. Crystal chandeliers bathed the foyer in warm light, while priceless paintings and sculptures lined the walls.

It was still every bit as grand as I remembered.

And yet…

It didn’t feel like home anymore.

Ten years.

Ten years since my father died.

Ten years since my mother lost the smile that once lit up this house.

Ten years since I walked away, leaving behind a lifetime of memories.

Now…

I was back.

My thoughts were interrupted by a trembling voice.

“Mr. Damien…”

I stopped.

The voice was familiar.

Slowly, I turned.

An elderly woman stood a few feet away, tears already streaming down her cheeks.

For a moment…

I couldn’t believe my eyes.

“Nanny…”

The word left my lips before I could stop it.

She had been with our family for as long as I could remember.

She was the woman who bandaged my scraped knees whenever I fell.

The one who sneaked extra desserts onto my plate when Mother wasn’t looking.

The one who held me together after Father’s funeral.

But time…

Time had not been kind to her.

Her once jet-black hair had turned silver.

Fine lines now framed the face I had known all my life.

“How are you, Nanny?” I asked.

She smiled through her tears.

“I’m well now that I’ve seen you again, Damien.”

Her trembling hands rose to my face, gently cupping my cheeks.

“You’ve grown into such a fine young man.”

I smiled faintly.

“I’m doing well.”

After a brief pause, I asked the question that had been weighing on my mind.

“My mother…”

“How is she?”

Nanny’s smile softened.

“She’s inside.”

“She’ll be so happy to see you.”

Only then did her eyes shift to the woman standing beside me.

A look of curiosity crossed her face.

“And who is this beautiful young lady, my son?”

Without hesitation, I reached for Vivian’s hand and intertwined our fingers.

I looked at Vivian before meeting Nanny’s gaze again.

“This is my wife.”

A small smile found its way onto my lips.

“Her name is Vivian.”

Nanny’s eyes widened with surprise before they quickly filled with tears again.

“Oh, my…”

She placed a hand over her chest.

“So it’s true.”

“I kept hearing whispers that you had gotten married, but seeing you standing here with your wife…”

She smiled warmly at Vivian.

“You are even more beautiful than they described.”

She stepped closer and gently held Vivian’s hands.

“Welcome to the DeLuca family, my dear.”

“I’ve taken care of this stubborn boy since he was little.”

She shot me a playful look.

“So if he ever gives you trouble…”

“Come and report him to me.”

Vivian laughed softly.

“I’ll remember that.”

Nanny chuckled, clearly pleased.

“Good.”

Then her expression became gentler.

“Come with me.”

“Madam has been waiting for this day for a very long time.”

With that, Nanny turned and began leading us through the mansion toward my mother’s room.

She looked older.

Frail.

Yet the warmth in her eyes hadn’t changed.

“Mr. Damien…” she whispered again, her voice breaking.

“My little boy…”

Before I knew it, she had wrapped her arms around me.

I hugged her back without hesitation.

“It’s good to be home, Nanny.”

Nanny led us through the long hallways of the mansion until we stopped in front of a pair of double doors.

She turned to me.

“She’s been asking for you since she woke up this morning.”

I took a slow breath before pushing the door open.

The room was quiet.

Sunlight streamed through the large windows, casting a warm glow across the elegant bedroom.

Several doctors stood near the windows, speaking quietly with a nurse.

The moment they noticed me, they respectfully stepped aside.

My attention shifted to the bed.

My mother sat against the headboard, a blanket draped over her legs.

Her once vibrant face looked pale.

She had lost weight.

The illness had taken more from her than I was prepared to see.

For a second…

I couldn’t move.

Then her eyes found mine.

“Damien…”

Her voice was barely above a whisper.

Yet I’d recognize it anywhere.

A smile slowly spread across her face as tears gathered in her eyes.

“My son…”

I crossed the room in long strides.

The moment I reached her, she cupped my face with trembling hands.

“You came home.”

“I told you I would.”

Her fingers brushed through my hair as though reassuring herself that I was really standing before her.

“I’ve missed you.”

“I’ve missed you too, Mom.”

She pulled me into a gentle embrace.

For a brief moment…

I wasn’t the CEO of the DeLuca Group.

I wasn’t the head of one of the most powerful families in Europe.

I was simply…

Her son.

When we finally pulled apart, her eyes landed on Vivian.

The warmth in her expression deepened.

“So…”

“This must be the woman who stole my son’s heart.”

Vivian smiled politely before stepping forward.

“It’s an honor to finally meet you, Mrs. DeLuca.”

My mother reached for Vivian’s hands.

“No.”

“The honor is mine.”

She studied Vivian for a moment before smiling through her tears.

“Thank you.”

Vivian blinked.

“Thank you for standing by my son.”

“I know he isn’t always the easiest man to understand.”

A soft chuckle escaped me.

“Mom…”

She ignored me completely.

“He’s stubborn.”

“Proud.”

“And he buries everything inside instead of asking for help.”

She squeezed Vivian’s hands gently.

“I’m glad he has someone beside him now.”

Vivian glanced at me before smiling.

“I’ll take good care of him.”

My mother nodded with satisfaction.

“I know you will.”

She looked between the two of us, her smile growing brighter.

“You make a beautiful couple.”

For the first time in years…

The room felt warm again.

“You look so pale, Mom,” I said quietly.

The words caught in my throat as I took in her frail appearance.

She smiled despite the tears gathering in her eyes.

“I’m fine now, my son.”

A tear slipped down her cheek.

“You left your mother for all these years.”

“You forgot all about me.”

My chest tightened.

“No.”

I shook my head.

“I never forgot you.”

“I just…”

I lowered my gaze for a brief moment.

“I never found the courage to come back to this house.”

Her expression softened.

Without another word, I wrapped my arms around her.

She held onto me just as tightly.

I closed my eyes and gently kissed the top of her head.

For a moment…

Everything else disappeared.

“Mr. DeLuca.”

The doctor’s voice broke the silence.

I slowly pulled away and turned toward him.

“Mrs. DeLuca needs to eat something and take her medication.”

I nodded before looking back at my mother.

“You haven’t eaten?”

She smiled guiltily.

“I wanted to wait for you.”

“I wanted us to have breakfast together again.”

“So I refused to eat.”

I sighed, unable to hide the smile tugging at my lips.

“You’ve always been stubborn.”

“I wonder where you got that from,” she replied with a teasing smile.

A soft chuckle escaped me.

“I’m here now.”

“We’ll eat together.”

“As much as you want.”

Her smile widened.

“I’d like that.”

I reached for her hand.

At the same time, my other hand found Vivian’s.

Without thinking, I intertwined my fingers with hers.

The three of us walked out of the room together.

For the first time in years…

The halls of the DeLuca mansion didn’t feel so empty.

When we reached the grand dining room, dozens of servants immediately stepped forward, pulling out chairs and preparing breakfast.

I helped my mother into her seat before turning to Vivian.

She smiled softly as I pulled out the chair beside mine for her.

Once she was seated, I took my own seat, still holding her hand beneath the table.

I had missed this.

Not the mansion.

Not the wealth.

But this…

Being with my family.

Seeing my mother smile again.

It was something I hadn’t realized I’d been longing for.

Just as breakfast was about to be served…

A deep, familiar voice echoed through the dining room.

“So…”

“What did I miss?”

The room fell silent.

I slowly lifted my head toward the entrance.

Victor.