Dangerous Secrets: My Mafia Stepbrother

“It’s okay, Emanuele, you don’t need to blame yourself. I’m just a little sad, but I’ll be fine soon,” Isabella reassured.

“Isabella, why don’t I arrange for the most renowned medical expert in the world to diagnose you? There might still be hope for recovery,” Emanuele suggested optimistically.

Emanuele was convinced that there was a medical miracle at play. Isabella, who had been covered in scars before, now appeared completely healed on the outside. He himself had been told by doctors that he would be disabled for life, but now he had no problem walking. Humans have an incredible ability to heal, and Emanuele believed he could repair his body. He thought Isabella’s uterus might also be healing in the same way. While the rest of Isabella’s body had already healed, her uterus must be healing as well.

Isabella understood Emanuele’s feelings and shared his thoughts. She said to Emanuele, “Alright, Emanuele, but let’s check our bodies again when you return from Europe.” She believed that by then, her body would have recuperated even better, and if there was still a problem, she would know it was time to give up. Despite holding onto a glimmer of hope, she was prepared to let go if necessary.

Two days later, Emanuele packed his bags and left, flying to Europe. Prior to his departure, there were rumors circulating about Emanuele’s relationship with Jessie, so much so that even people in Europe thought they were married. Isabella knew that Emanuele preferred not to contact others during his missions, so she did not reach out to him herself. Though she missed Emanuele and was curious about the progress of their mission, she tried hard to suppress her emotions and not show them.

Two days later, Grazia arrived in Chicago with Nicholas. Rocco did not accompany them as he had work to attend to, allowing Grazia to bring Nicholas alone. Isabella went directly to the airport to greet Grazia, and upon seeing each other, Grazia embraced Isabella warmly.

“Isabella, I miss you so much. Why can’t we live together? We’re still so far apart, and it would be so wonderful to be with you,” Grazia lamented. Isabella replied with a smile, “It’s fine, you’re free now and can bring the child to Chicago often. When Emanuele has free time, we’ll visit you in Italy.”

“But that won’t do, Isabella. Emanuele seems like a busy person. When will he ever have free time? You must push him! Also, I don’t want you to play for a few days and then return. If you’re really going to Italy, you must stay for a month and not come back,” Grazia insisted. Upon hearing Grazia’s suggestion of a month-long visit, Isabella was taken aback.Property © of NôvelDrama.Org.

She reached out and hugged Nicholas, who had grown a bit in the time they were apart, appearing more sturdy like a strong child. To her surprise, he still recognized her, immediately smiling and reaching out his hands to embrace Isabella. Leaning in to smell the soft, sweet milky fragrance on Nicholas, Isabella felt as though her heart was melting. “You’re too cute, little one, you’re truly adorable,” she praised Nicholas continuously.

“That’s true, but he’s much more mischievous now. He causes a ruckus every day, and I don’t know if he’ll be even more trouble when he grows up,” Grazia told Isabella, a bit exasperated. “He even refuses to sleep at night, cries a lot, and even the nanny can’t handle him. This child, he really knows how to push your buttons!”

However, as Grazia spoke, a proud, motherly smile adorned her face. Isabella held the child and admired his cute face, while watching Grazia’s happy smile. In that moment, she couldn’t help but envy Grazia. If not for what had happened, she and her child would have been as old as Nicholas by now, mischievous, eating and sleeping well, but also causing trouble. As a mother, facing such a child, Isabella thought, despite the potential headaches, she would still be happy. Sadly, she probably wouldn’t experience that kind of happiness in her lifetime again.

Soon, the car arrived at the estate. Grazia preferred not to stay in the apartment, so arrangements were made at the estate. Since Leo and Grazia’s mother passed away, Isabella and Emanuele rarely visited the estate. However, Emanuele made sure the staff maintained the estate’s cleanliness, preserving its appearance.

Grazia carried Nicholas into the estate, greeted the familiar servants, and tears began to fall. “Isabella, it feels like a dream being here. Everything is so familiar in this estate, the place where I grew up. I often dream of returning here, but everything feels unfamiliar now without my father and stepmother,” Grazia expressed, her emotions spilling over. Isabella empathized with Grazia’s sadness upon revisiting the estate. She herself knew that stepping into the estate was when her fate began to change.

But she had no regrets. If not for that moment when she entered the estate, she wouldn’t have become entangled with Emanuele. However, with her mother’s passing at such a young age, without having the chance to truly enjoy life, she couldn’t help but sigh. Grazia wept for a while but soon stopped, turning to Isabella. “I’m sorry, Isabella, I shouldn’t have cried. It’s just that everything feels so different now, and it pains me,” she expressed, feeling the weight of regret.

“It’s okay, cry if you want to, Grazia. Your room has been prepared, so let’s get your luggage settled in first,” Isabella reassured her. Grazia nodded in agreement.

Their bedrooms were on the second floor. While Isabella accompanied Grazia, she stayed in the room Emanuele had once occupied. Grazia remained in her own room. Despite the estate’s grandeur, Isabella preferred the apartment. She felt a sense of unease in the spacious environment. Grazia returned to her room, experiencing a wave of sorrow for some time. Her room remained familiar, yet everything felt different.