Chapter 5: Welcome Home, Principessa

In Montrava, the grand ballroom of the Rossetti estate shimmered beneath thousands of crystal lights.

Northern Silenzio's elders had gathered to welcome my return.

"Gianna," Father called from the head of the table, lifting his wine glass. "Welcome home."

I raised mine in return.

"I'm home, Father."

The hall erupted into applause.

Some welcomed me sincerely.

Others stared with curiosity.

Many were the same people who had mocked me three years ago for leaving Northern Silenzio to marry the Southern Don.

"The Rossetti Principessa has finally remembered where she belongs," one elder whispered.

"Perhaps heartbreak was the lesson she needed," another muttered.

I ignored every comment.

None of their opinions mattered anymore.

Father slowly descended from the platform until he stood directly before me.

His sharp gray eyes studied my pale face before settling on my stomach.

"Is the child healthy?"

"Yes," I answered honestly.

"And the father?"

"No longer my concern."

Silence spread across the ballroom.

Father nodded once.

"Good."

"From today onward, no one in this family will mention Rafael Holloway's name unless I permit it."

"Understood," every elder answered together.

Bianca Spade walked over with a bright smile before wrapping me in a warm hug.

"It's about time you came back."

"I should've listened to you sooner," I admitted.

"Better late than never," she laughed.

She glanced around before lowering her voice.

"Word has already spread across both mafias."

"Everyone knows you walked away from the seventeenth wedding."

"And Rafael?" I asked calmly.

"He's lost his mind."

"Southern Silenzio has closed every airport, port, and highway trying to find you."

"Too late," I replied quietly.

Bianca smiled.

"Exactly."

That evening, Father summoned me to his private study.

The familiar scent of cedarwood and old leather instantly reminded me of my childhood.

He placed a thick folder onto the desk.

"Your position has always been waiting."

"Chief Financial Advisor of Northern Silenzio."

I looked down at the documents.

Three years ago, I'd abandoned everything for Rafael.

Now everything had been returned to me without question.

"Do you accept?" Father asked.

"Yes."

"Effective immediately."

He signed the appointment papers before sliding them across the desk.

"One more thing."

He opened another velvet case.

Inside rested a magnificent diamond crown decorated with deep crimson rubies.

"Your mother's crown," he said softly.

"As Rossetti Principessa, it belongs to you now."

My fingers gently brushed across the jewels.

Unlike the tiara I'd shattered at the Holloway wedding, this crown represented my own bloodline.

No one could take it away.

Meanwhile, hundreds of miles away, Rafael stood inside his office without moving.

The golden revolver remained on his desk.

Seventeen carved marks reflected beneath the dim light.

Every time he looked at them, guilt twisted inside his chest.

"Don Holloway," Matteo reported quietly.

"We've searched every route."

"Northern Silenzio refuses all negotiations."

"Ms. Rossetti is now under Rossetti family protection."

"Then I'll go myself," Rafael answered.

"Your father has forbidden it," Matteo reminded him.

"Crossing into Northern territory now would be considered an act of war."

Rafael clenched the revolver until his knuckles turned white.

"If war is the price for bringing Gianna home..."

"Then I'll pay it."

Far away in Montrava, I stood alone on the balcony overlooking the city lights.

A gentle breeze brushed against my face as I rested one hand over my stomach.

"We're home," I whispered to my baby.

"And this time... no one will ever abandon us again."