Not long after Andrew's passing, Emanuele was already arranging for Grazia to marry, and the groom-to-be was the head of the mafia. Didn't that mean Grazia would be exposed to even greater risks?
Even if there wasn't a threat to her life, Isabella felt that Grazia would be in great emotional pain. Her bond with Andrew was strong, and after knowing him for so many years, it would take time for Grazia to move on from his death. But now, Emanuele wanted her to marry someone else. She would undoubtedly feel guilty towards Andrew.
Moreover, the man she was to marry was the head of the Italian mafia. Marrying him meant Grazia would have to leave Chicago forever.
No, she didn't want that!
Isabella hugged Grazia, feeling her sadness, sharing in her grief. Isabella should have realized Emanuele's true nature long ago. This man lacked emotions and a heart; all he cared about was manipulation.
He could calculate when to have children and even manipulate his own sister's marriage.
Isabella recalled how Emanuele initially wanted to give her away to Clark, the head of the Canadian mafia. He always enjoyed using everything at his disposal for deals. Yet, she foolishly fell for Emanuele.
Isabella found herself ridiculous. How could she have fallen for Emanuele? She once naively believed she could beat him at his own game. Now, it seemed she had lost from the very beginning.
At this moment, Isabella felt ice-cold, as if she had plunged into the depths of hell.
"Grazia, don't worry. I'll talk to Emanuele about this; I'll try to persuade him to give up on this idea."
"No, Isabella, don't you understand Emanuele? Once he makes up his mind, no one can change it." Grazia wiped away her tears, still immersed in a world of despair.
She had long known, as the princess of the mafia, that enjoying the perks of this status also meant bearing certain responsibilities. Marriage could be treated as a tool for negotiation.
Previously, Grazia felt fortunate to have had a love affair with Andrew, free from the compulsion to marry someone she didn't like. But now, everything had changed. Andrew was gone, and she had to marry a man she didn't love.
The man named Rocco, whom Grazia was supposed to marry, she had seen a few times before. He looked fierce, with a scar on his face, making him appear particularly menacing. Despite exchanging greetings, they had never spoken. Now, Emanuele wanted her to marry him!
She met up with Isabella, hoping to confide in her. Isabella reassured her, mentioning that she would persuade Emanuele. However, in her eyes, this idea seemed rather naive and cute.
Isabella might underestimate Emanuele's determination.
After parting ways with Grazia, Isabella returned home, waiting for Emanuele to return. As the night dragged on, she fell asleep on the couch, and Emanuele still hadn't come back.
Emanuele returned to the apartment at 3 AM. As he entered the living room, he noticed someone lying on the couch. Without looking, he knew it was Isabella. They had a disagreement the night before, making it an unpleasant encounter. Now, seeing Isabella waiting for him, he found it somewhat rare.
Approaching her, Emanuele observed the girl in a silk slip dress that emitted a faint glow in the dim light. Her dress and hair scattered on the couch created a picturesque scene.
Emanuele leaned down and kissed Isabella, then gently lifted her into his arms, intending to carry her to bed. He moved cautiously, afraid of waking her. However, due to Isabella's troubled thoughts, her sleep was light. When Emanuele placed her on the bed, she woke up.
Isabella opened her eyes and looked at Emanuele. Initially, her gaze held the softness of just waking up, but after a while, she regained her composure.
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