A Lifetime With You by Athrhteera

Chapter 31

Alena

"Mama! ***a!" I called out, despite having to force my voice out due to the soreness but I was happy to see them here. They looked worried as they were careful with hugging me, afraid if they were going to hit any painful spots. "Oh, my baby... my sweet little girl." Mama said, wiping away her tears before kissing my cheeks.

Her hands were slightly trembling, yet she tried her best to hide it all away. She was always trying her best to appear strong while Ana, she was already crying her heart out like a little child. It made me smile, knowing she was concerned as I pulled her in for a hug.

"Hey, don't cry. You You look silly." I joked.

She cried even harder; her tears were spilling on me.

"How could you say that? I was worried about you!"

"I know... I know." I slowly rubbed behind her back, trying to comfort her.

Well, I hadn't looked in the mirror ever since I got into my room and I was sure I looked as horrible as I expected myself to be but, my husband was looking at me as if I was the most beautiful woman in the world so, it gave me a small confidence boost.

Mama and Ana were looking at at me as if I was broken.

Mama and

They were shaking their heads, trying to hold back their tears. Yet, they failed miserably.

"I'm glad you're okay." Ana said, her eyes were red and puffy. "I'll be fine... Matteo's here to to take care of me," As I turned As I turned to

look

at my husband, he was standing beside me with both of his hands in his pockets. He wasn't looking at me like he was before because he was too busy glaring at Papa and my brother, Alexei. They were staring at each other as if they were throwing daggers. The three of them were practically glaring at each other but they didn't bother to say a word. I could see Matteo tensing up at the sight of him clenching his jaw while Papa and Alexei were doing the same.

I knew it, they were going to blame him for what happened to me.

"Matteo?" I called out, immediately grabbing his attention.

"Yes,

Yes, baby? Matteo leaned in, tucking a few strands of hair behind my ear before giving a long kiss on my forehead. It was calming enough, and both my Mama and Ana were touched by the scene. Their eyes were in awe as they smiled, loving the way my husband was treating me. "Can I please have some water?" I asked. "Of course, I'll be back."

He left the room, passing by Papa and Alexei.

They stopped looking at him as soon as he was out of sight and were now looking at me. Alexei came to stand beside me

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while Papa stayed still in his spot. I knew after what happened at the house, Papa had his ego and didn't want to apologize- he didn't think he was at fault here.

"I thought he was going to protect you." Alexei said.

Instead of asking about my condition, he decided to put the blame on Matteo. It wasn't Matteo's fault to begin with. We were sleeping and it was late at night, nobody expected anything to happen, especially when we thought Sofia wasn't capable of doing that. We didn't think her as a threat.

"You don't know the full story," I replied.

""I don't have to. He

"Stop it, Alexei." Magot you into this,"

xei." Mama interrupted, still caressing the back of my hand. "We didn't come here to pick a fight. We came here to see your sister. So, you can decide to drop whatever it is in your head, or you can leave."

but I was happy she did. I just didn't have the strength to argue with my brother

voice. There was no need to

it was Papa or Mama-he knew to respect them and he wasn't the one to rebel. It showed clearly until he grew up, following everything Papa said regarding the

not sure, Mama."

matter. You're in recovery now and I'll be with you all the way,"

Ana,

Ana and

Despite the

So, it

was trying my best to ignore them. it didn't bother me when Papa was only standing at the corner of the room without saying a word. He looked worried about me but if he wanted to keep holding onto his anger, he could do that. wasn't losing anything. A few minutes later, Matteo came back into the room with a jug of water. He placed the jug on the desk before pouring me a glass and helped me to drink. My whole family watched everything-while my sister and mother were smiling, my brother and

it

mafia thing than anything else. They weren't exactly enemies, but they weren't friends either. The Russians and the Italians

in to check

as a

Matteo?" Mama asked,

"Alena was attacked."

were you when she was attacked? Did you plan to get her

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shifted to his behavior, and I didn't realize

shook her

the truth. We can never trust the

by my side, continuing to caress my head before smiling. He found it funny, but I knew he was just trying to ignore his anger-he could push him away and punch him on

the Russians." Matteo

said a word Why did you even marry my sister? Did you expect to get

the

your sister because I love her. If it's about power, I already have more than enough. I never came to visit you in

why was my

supposed to to

and Ana

they spoke. Alexei had raised his voice while Matteo replied calmly. In this situation, Alexei

the "Don't worry, Alena. Let

frowned, shaking my head as I tried to defend my husband-who

act,

I have, that I will never hurt my wife. Sofia broke into our home and attacked her when I was upstairs. We were sleeping and

she died-well, I assumed she died

"How did she die?"

"Car accident."

"I heard of it.'

The

must know I'm not

hit a dead end. Five years ago, Papa was still the Pakhan, and he heard many stories about the mafia leaders. He knew about their backgrounds and what had happened

you trust him, Pa." Alexei

talk about this now."

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you're letting him go?

should talk about this another time. Do you understand that

nodded, keeping

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began to check on me. They checked my pulse, my oxygen level and asked a few questions. They wanted to know about any side effects I could be experiencing after the operation, and they said I was strong enough to handle this. The effects were going to wear off in a

Forte

things to do, he wanted Mama to take care of me. Mama was more than happy to come to the

come over whenever Matteo wasn't

need a lot of rest."