Burned By love, Torn By Lies

Chapter 3 : Announcement

The dining room filled with the soft clatter of fine china as servants moved quietly around the table, serving the evening meal. Alessandro's chair at the head of the table sat empty—a silent reminder of the patriarch's absence.

To the right of the empty chair sat Domenic, his face stern and unreadable, with Isabella beside him, elegant in a cream silk blouse. Across from them sat Leandro, Domenic's younger brother, who shared the same strong jawline but carried himself with less authority. His wife Sara sat beside him—a polished woman with carefully styled chestnut hair and a smile that never quite reached her eyes.

The conversation was stiff, broken only by the scraping of silverware against plates. Rafael walked into the dining room, moving with easy confidence. He pulled out the chair opposite the head of the table and sat down.

"Nonno didn't join us tonight?" he asked, glancing at Alessandro's empty chair.

"No," Isabella replied gently. "He said he'd take his dinner in the study."

Domenic didn't look up from cutting his meat. "Perhaps he wanted a quiet meal. Without any... disruptions."

The word hung in the air, and everyone knew exactly who he meant.

Rafael caught the jab but said nothing, keeping his posture relaxed and his expression calm.

Leandro and Sara exchanged a quick look. Something satisfied passed between them. Sara's eyes gleamed with quiet pleasure before she took a sip of wine.

Sensing the tension building, Isabella leaned forward with a soft smile. "And what about Mateo and Lucia? They're missing from the table tonight."

"Mateo is handling some business in the city," Leandro said smoothly, cutting his steak. "You know how young men are—always eager to prove themselves."

Rafael's lips curved into a knowing smirk. He knew exactly what Mateo's "business" really was.

Sara nodded. "And Lucia is at a friend's place, working on a college project. They'll probably be up all night."

"How dedicated," Isabella said warmly.

Sara beamed, pride lighting her features.

“The conversation shifted as Domenic and Leandro talked quietly about business and upcoming projects.”

Rafael stayed silent, his posture relaxed. His fork moved idly across his plate, but his eyes remained on his father and uncle, watchful and patient.as if he were waiting for something.”

As their discussion faded, Isabella set her wine glass down with a soft clink. Everyone looked at her.

"I have an announcement," she said evenly. "Rafael and Elara's engagement ceremony will be held in three days."

Silence filled the room like a held breath. Domenic slowly turned to look at Isabella, his jaw tightening as he processed her words. He said nothing, but tension radiated from him.

Leandro and Sara caught the silent conflict between husband and wife, feeling the unspoken fight beneath the surface.

"Three days?" Leandro finally broke the silence, his voice carrying clear disbelief. "Isn't that rather fast, considering the situation?"

"What situation?" Rafael asked, raising an eyebrow.

Leandro let out a small laugh without warmth. "Well, considering she's not... one of us. I thought there would be more time for the family to discuss this properly."

"There's nothing to discuss," Rafael said evenly. "I've made my choice. Mom has agreed, and so has Nonno."

Leandro's eyes flicked to Isabella, his voice becoming more careful. "Sister-in-law, please forgive me, but are you truly comfortable rushing into this, considering where she comes from—"

"A good family," Isabella cut him off, her voice staying gentle but firm.“And more importantly, she has my son’s heart. That is all I need to know.”

Leandro looked genuinely surprised. "Still, wouldn't it be wiser to wait? Give everyone time to get used to the idea, to really welcome her—"

"There's no need to wait," Rafael interrupted. "If anyone needs time to 'get used to' my choice, they can figure it out after the wedding."

Leandro's expression soured. He looked toward Domenic, hoping his older brother would step in and say something against this, but Domenic just kept cutting his meat in deliberate silence.

The quiet hung over the table, heavy and uncomfortable.

Sara shifted slightly in her seat, breaking the stillness. Her smile was gentle, but something sharp flickered in her eyes.

"Rafael, don't get us wrong—we're not questioning your choice. But three days?" She let out a soft, almost sympathetic laugh. "I just worry the ceremony might feel... rushed. Surely you'd want it to be perfect?"

Rafael didn't respond. He slowly lifted his wine glass, taking a deliberate sip, completely disregarding her presence.

Sara's eyes narrowed slightly, annoyance crossing her features. The pause stretched awkwardly.

Isabella glanced at Rafael briefly,then turned her attention back to Sara. Her tone was soft. "It won't be elaborate, Sara. Just family, close friends, and a few business partners. Nothing fancy."

Sara blinked, caught off guard by the simplicity. "Oh. Well... that actually makes sense."

Rafael set the wine glass down, leaned back in his chair, and gave a slight, calm smile. "Simple works for us.”

“The certainty in both mother and son’s voices made it clear—the decision was final. No one else’s doubts or words could change it.”

Leandro and Sara both smiled politely, their expressions smooth, though a faint edge of displeasure lingered just beneath the surface.

---

Later that evening, most of the family had gone to bed, but Domenic couldn't stop thinking about the dinner conversation. He walked down the corridor with slow, heavy steps, stopping at his father's study door. He knocked once and entered without waiting for permission.

Alessandro sat in his leather chair by the fireplace with an untouched glass of scotch in his hand, his cane resting beside him. He didn't look up when his son entered.

"So," Domenic said, his voice low but tense, "you're really going to sit back and watch this happen?"

Alessandro finally looked up, his face giving nothing away. "You mean the engagement?"

Domenic's jaw tightened. "Yes. This is ridiculous." He shot a sharp look at his father. "Don't tell me you're buying into this... this dream Rafael is chasing. How can you—of all people—say nothing? You've always protected our name, our legacy."

The old man was quiet for a long moment, watching the flames dance in the fireplace. When he spoke, his voice was measured and calm.

"And what do you want me to do? Tell him to stop? Threaten to disown him? Throw the girl out?"

"Yes," Domenic snapped. "If that's what it takes to make him see sense."

"And lose him forever?" Alessandro shook his head. "You don't know your son as well as you think you do."

Domenic looked away, his jaw tight with frustration. "He's young. He'll move on."

"No." The word came out flat and certain. "He won't. This isn't some passing infatuation. He's chosen her."

"Then make him unchoose."

Alessandro stood slowly, using his cane for support.

"I've spent my whole life building this family's legacy. I didn't do it by making enemies of my own blood.”

"So you'll just stand by and watch him destroy our reputation?"

The old man walked to the window, looking out at the moonlit gardens. "I'll do what I've always done. I'll find a way to make this work for our family. Even if it means adjusting our expectations."

He turned to face his son, and Domenic was surprised by the hardness in his father's eyes.

"Let me be clear about something. That girl may marry Rafael. She may take our name. But she'll never carry its weight."

Domenic frowned. "Then why allow it?"

"Because keeping Rafael is more important than my personal feelings about his bride." Alessandro moved back to his chair, settling into it with a soft grunt. "Sometimes we must swallow our pride to preserve what matters most."

Silence stretched between them, thick and uncomfortable.

Domenic's hands curled into fists. "You can compromise if you want, Father." He paused, his gaze locking on Alessandro's. "But I won't. I won't stand by and watch our name get dragged through the dirt. If you won't defend it, then I will. One way or another."

With that, he turned and strode out, the echo of his footsteps fading down the hall.

Alessandro remained by the fire, the shifting glow casting shadows across his unreadable face.