-Mia-

I woke in an empty bed feeling cold. I stretched on the comfortable bed, yawning before opening my eyes and remembering the intense memories from the night before.

I sat up, realising that the curtains around the bed were covering it. They never were usually closed.

With my eyebrows furrowed, I went to peek out the curtain only to fall through it and onto the floor. I squeezed my eyes closed in embarrassment before sitting up and turning to see Dante attempting to contain his laughter whereas Vincenzo just bursted out laughing.

"I thought the clumsiness ended in the last three years!"

I rolled my eyes, standing up and fiddling with Vincenzo's shirt on me. "Good morning. How was your sleep?" I asked the both of them, my face warm as I tried to change the subject.

"Alright, you?" Dante asked as Vincenzo simultaneously said, "fine, yours?" With a smirk. Giving him an annoyed look, I replied to Dante by saying, "fine thanks." Vincenzo snorted making my roll my eyes again as his eyes scanned my body.

"Is Liliana already awake?" I asked but Dante shook his head. "Don't think so. It's still early anyway. I'm going to the office, you kids be good," he winked before leaving the room.

"Well, I'm going to shower," I said, moving to the en suite and lifting my arms to stretch only to lift up the shirt so my butt was shown.

Well done, Mia!

"Want me to come with you?" Vincenzo asked hopefully. I turned to face him, "I'm alright. .maybe one day, if you're lucky. ."

I changed into some denim shorts and a loose pink floral shirt that was sleeveless. It was summertime and the weather looked nice outside. My legs glowed as the sun shone on my from the window. I couldn't help but smile as I put on my makeup before skipping down the stairs to see Vincenzo on his phone at the bottom.

I smiled at him as he turned off his phone and let his eyes roam my body. "Like what you see?" I asked, as his eyes finally came to my face.

"Yes, but go back up those stairs and get changed."

What?

"You look sexy as hell and I can't have any other men drooling over you - you're too fine for that."

I tried my hardest not to think about James and rolled my eyes, placing my hand on my hip. "You're right, I do look fine and look sexy as hell so I'm not changing my outfit for your happiness."

He groaned, pulling me to him and kissing my cheek as I groaned also. "Vince! My highlight!" He rolled his eyes, kissing my cheek.

"I've got to go but if I see you with those short shorts on again. ." He chuckled, pecking my lips before leaving me in the corridor confused and little angry.

I sighed, disobeying him by going into the kitchen to see that it was empty and clean. He didn't own me.

"Val's gone out with Dante and the kids." I turned to see Maria with her hand on her bulging stomach with a smile on her face. "You should go to the hospital," Maria told me, "it's boring in here. Go volunteer to help out there."

I smiled at her, "thanks for the idea. I think I will. Will you be okay here?" She nodded, waving me off, "I'll be fine. "I'll just read."

I arrived at the mafia hospital not long after and was carrying a tray of food to a patient in room 12. I opened the door and almost dropped the tray at the sight in front of me.

It was Bianca in a hospital bed, her hair seemed to look more greasy and thin than before and was pulled into a messy bun. She had her wrist in a handcuff tied to the bed. She was wearing a hospital gown and her face looked so sad. Her face was pale and she didn't have any makeup which made her look different than usual. She had dark bags under eyes. She had faint bruises on her face - on her arms and neck as though she had been beaten not just by me. I instantly felt guilty.

"B-Bianca. .hi. ."

Her head snapped up and she looked at me in surprise, her dark eyes staring into mine. She didn't reply so I swallowed and moved towards her, placing the food on the table in front of her. She stared at the food emotionlessly.

"Bianca, you have to eat," I told her, biting my lip.

"I'm not hungry."

Her voice was hoarse and quiet. She sounded so tired.

My face creased in concern. I shook my head and closing the door before turning to her, my face sympathetic.
"What happened to you? Why are you here?"

She chuckled, staring at the white wall. "My liver is dying and there's a long list for new ones. I'm going to die soon. You happy?"

I shook my head, feeling shocked. How? How could this happen?

"No. I'm not happy. Why would you think that?" I asked her, my voice soft. She shrugged, picking up a celery stick before placing back on the plate. "Everyone hates me. What food is this? If I'm going to die soon, can't I get some fucking real food? Where are the burgers?"

I bit my lip, "I'll get you some. Want some chips?" She gave me an odd look, "why are you being nice to me?"

I shrugged a little. "Why not?" Tears sprang into her eyes. She sniffed, wiping her eyes and putting a hard face as if to hide her feelings inside. "How's April?" I swallowed and stared at her.

This woman wasn't heartless. She did have some kindness in her but didn't show it and was blinded by hate.

"She's fine. ."

"Good. ."

"Look, I'm sorry for hitting you that day-"

"I deserved it," she sighed, looking at her hands. "I messed up." I couldn't help but look at her in pity.

"I don't like children. I never have," I swallowed, taking a seat and continuing to listen to her. "I enjoyed drinking and doing drugs but that's why I'm here," she chuckled a little before continuing, "they just hit me hard and I got addicted and took my anger out on April. I know she's a nice kid, I'm just not a fan of kids and because of that I hurt her. I-I didn't mean to. .it just got out of control." Her voice sounded so pitiful and sad.

"Sleeping with Vincenzo? I was trying to get you jealous. I liked him initially and when I found out you guys were dating I got annoyed. I'm. ." She hesitated and made a face as she said the next few words, "I'm sorry for that. It wasn't fair on you."

"It's okay," I replied quietly, the horrible memory of that day floating in my head.

"Nice hickey," she said in a playful tone. I immediately touched my neck, groaning. "Is it that obvious?" I asked, remembering the night before as she chuckled. "Yes."

"Great," I said, rubbing my neck.

"You guys are good together," she quietly said, looking away from me.

"Thanks," I murmured, biting my lip as I asked her, "where've you been all this time. .w-what happened to you?"

Bianca sighed, "kept me in the dungeons. I was beaten a bit. ." She said, with a slight shudder. "Then only eating one meal a day. Two if I was lucky. .then, I couldn't stop being sick and passing out and that's when I found out my liver was dying . . I'm dying. ."

Tears unexpectedly came into my eyes, "Bianca. ."

"Look, I don't need your pity!" She suddenly snapped, "Why are you here anyway?"

"I-I'm helping out."

"Of course you are," she bitterly said before sighing and pinching the bridge of her nose. "I'm sorry. .I just. ."

"No, it's okay. ." I replied, looking down. "I think April would want to see you," I told her after a moments silence.

She shook her head furiously. "Don't bring her here. She hates me and she knows I'm not a big fan of her. Don't underestimate her."

I bit my lip hard.

"I. ." Bianca hesitated, playing by with her fingers. "You and Vincenzo are together right?" I nodded as she slowly nodded too as though she was thinking of something important.

"Could you do me a favour?" She cautiously asked me, her eyes hopeful. I slowly nodded. "I need you to bring me a guy - a hot guy here."

My eyes widened, "wha. .? No-"

"Please!" She begged, "I'm freaking horny and I want some sex before I die!" My face creased. I couldn't say no to her. She was dying!

"You might not be!" I said, abruptly. "You have a chance to live. Don't doubt it!" She shook her head, "stop giving me false hope! I'm going to die tonight! I need you to firstly sneak me in some fast food then bring a hot guy. .maybe two. ."

"What do you mean you're dying tonight?"

Bianca bit her lip before sliding her hand under the pillow and showing me an empty bottle of medicine. My eyes widened.

"Bianca, no! I'm going to get a doctor!"

"You wouldn't fucking dare!" She said in a hard tone with tears in her eyes. "I've already took them and what's done is done. I didn't want to die from liver failure. I want to die peacefully in my sleep, please don't try and stop that. I've taken more than twenty, there's nothing you can do."

A tear slid down my cheek as my bottom lip quivered. "Don't be a baby," Bianca said in a softer tone as she wiped her teary eyes. "I'll be fine. It's what I want."

"But. ."

"Don't, Mia," she pleaded, her voice teary. "Please. ."

"I won't tell. .what about April? You're going to just leave her?"

"No. .she has you. .her new mother."

I gave her a look of surprise, "what? Bianca, you are her mother whether you like it or not. It was your decision to jump on my man's dick so here's the consequence. I can't just replace you!"

She rolled her eyes, "it was some good sex too until you interrupted." I gave her an annoyed look and she held her hands up in surrender. "You wouldn't be replacing me. I was never a good mother to begin with. She needs a female role model in her life. You guys are going to be a family anyway."

I gave her an unsure look and she sighed. "It's my final wish. Be her mother. Look, I've got it all in writing for what I want. .if Vincenzo will allow." Bianca passed me a plain white envelope. "Don't open it until I'm dead."

I sighed, shaking my head. "I can't believe you're dying." She smirked a little, "you gonna miss me?" I couldn't help but smile sadly. "Maybe a little."

"So. .will you?" Bianca asked me, her dark eyes filled with hope as I nodded, giving her her wish. She smiled genuinely. "Good. April deserves someone like you."

I stood, walked over and gave her a warm hug, taking her by surprise. "I'm glad you've changed." She patted my back, "me too."

-Vincenzo-

"Mmh. .who baked this?" She asked, grabbing another pancake and chewing it as thought there was no tomorrow.

"Valentina. .my wife," Dante said, smiling at her as she looked at him in surprise. "You're married?"

"Yeah," Dante confirmed, "we all are except Vincenzo. He screwed that up." I rolled my eyes, leaning back in my chair as I glared at my younger brother.

"I know," My younger sister said, "I can understand that, but you? Who would of thought Dante Rossi would stay committed?" Dante rolled his eyes with a playful grin on his face as Leonardo laughed, "that's what I said when they got married!"

We all laughed even Dante. "Yeah, I guess I have came a long way. Who would of thought that I'd have kids? Freaking little versions of me!"

"Yeah, but they all look like Valentina," Leonardo butt in. He wasn't lying. Ariana looked like the exact replica of her mother. Alex was a mix between them. Matteo? Wasn't sure yet. I snorted, fist bumping my brother as Dante scoffed. "They look like me." Liliana grinned widely. "I'd love to see them."

"I'll show them to you later," Dante told her as she smiled.

I stared at my sister. Sister.

She hadn't changed that much but I could still see her younger self there. She was so short and fragile compared to us. We all had brown hair however Lili was blonde and looked more like our mother.

She was a funny child when we were young. We were all close as children - we had to be. I only saw her personality come out when we were alone. She was always scared and upset. We all tried to keep her happy but I was hard.

I was once beaten so hard that I could move or breath properly. My vision and hearing were going funny but I could hear her screams and pleads for our father to stop hurting her but I couldn't move or yell. I couldn't save my own sister.

I had nightmares for days with her screams in them. They haunted me for a very long time.

My own sick, evil and bastard of a father raped my only and precious sister twice in one day.

I could still remember the day when he left her room, his hands stained with her blood with a black leather belt in his hand.

Flashback:

"Papa, no, please!" She screamed, her voice echoing around the house.

I shuddered. I was in so much pain. Papa had come home angry and locked mama in her room and she was crying loudly, banging on the door for him to open and to stop hurting us. "Take it out on me!" She would yell, "it's not their fault!" , "Please!" He wouldn't listen.

"Vincenzo. .?" I heard Dante call for me. My eyes slowly moved so I could see my brother. My eyesight was fuzzy and I couldn't see well. I felt like I was going to throw up and I could barely hear properly.

"What . . Do . .we do. .?" Dante asked, his voice pained and strained.

"Nothing," Leonardo said, his body in an awkward position on the ground. "Nothing. ."

Our sister was in a room, pinned to the bed being attacked and abused. She was screaming in pain, her voice was so high that it pierced through me. My head was pounding and I was breathing heavily.

"I'm . .going to . .pass out. ." I murmured but Leonardo grunted. "Stay awake. .no matter what."

"I . . can't . ."

"Yes . . you can," Cristiano groaned, holding his stomach. I scoffed at him, causing me to groan in pain. "You didn't . . even help . .me."

He winced, squeezing his swollen eyes closed as my sister screamed again, a loud slap of the whip echoing around the house.

"I know . . I'm sorry . ." My older brother replied before his body went limp as he passed out.

"Great . ." Leonardo mumbled, his eyes closed. "Screw it . . Sleep. . I'm sorry, Lili. ."

I kept my eyes open as my other brothers passed out.

Stay awake. Stay awake. Stay. . .

Hours later, I awoke by my brother wiggling me. "Get up!" Dante snapped. I groaned, coughing blood about to snap back when my father came out my sister's room, his hands covered with dried blood, his belt in his hand, cut into two.

My eyes widened as he left the house casually.

"Lili."

We barged into her room, seeing her on her small mattress, curled up in a ball sobbing. Dante fell to the ground, his injuries taking the better of him. Leonardo yanked him up, holding him upright.

I swallowed, walking over to her bed and sitting on the edge. My eyes widened as I saw her face.

Scarred, blood dripping from her wounds. Red crossed around her face. I didn't recognise my sister anymore.

She was naked and shivering, wounds all over her as her blood soaked the bed.

"Where is she?" I heard my mother cry and she ran into the room, hesitantly going towards us. She fell to her knees sobbing. "My poor children," she cried in Italian.

Liliana abruptly moved towards my mother who held her to her chest, cradling her like a baby. "I'm so sorry," she repeated over and over again, kissing my sister's forehead as she sobbed.

"Come, my boys," she whispered. We slowly made our way to her. She cuddled us all equally, sobbing loudly and uncontrollably.

"I'm so sorry!" She sobbed.

End of flashback.

"Vincenzo!"

I snapped out my trance glancing around to see my siblings staring at me in concern. I flinched as Dante reached for me.

I felt sick. Incredibly sick. Bile rose up my throat, I ran out the room, bursting into the kitchen and vomiting into the bin, my body shuddering as I coughed.

Someone was patting my back. I leaned into the bin for a moment, breathing heavily before spitting and moving away from the person and running to the bathroom, brushing my teeth and trying to shake off the horrible feeling in me.

"Are you alright?" Liliana quietly asked as I spat for the final time before wiping my mouth. I nodded, moving past her.

"Talk to me," Liliana said, her face filled with sympathy. "You zoned out and threw up. What were thinking about?"

I turned to face her, shaking my head and staring at my precious sister. I pulled her into a tight hug, "I love you, Lili." I heard her sniff, "I love you too, Vincenzo."

"I was in and out of the care system," she started, fiddling with her hands. My phone suddenly vibrated.

Fuck yes!

I pulled it out, the message I had been waiting to see all day finally coming through. I couldn't help but grin. I was going to get my life together.

I heard a clear of someone's throat. I looked up to see Leonardo glaring at me. I licked my lips, glancing sheepishly at my sister. "Sorry, Lils."

"If it's important, you can go," Liliana genuinely told me. I shook my head, fighting the urge to leave the room and call the centre. I put my phone away, full attention on my sister.

"Um. .where was I?" She asked, more to herself before continuing, "so yes, I was in and out of the care system, I ran away many times but they always found me. In and out of foster homes and group homes. I didn't ever speak so no one really knew what happened to me. I was just a missing child to them - with no family. I was twelve I think? Yeah, twelve," she said, her eyebrows creasing a little in confusion.

"It was in a middle of the night but I woke up and I felt someone touching my . . my breasts," she looked anywhere but us, not wanting to catch our gaze. I clenched my jaw in anger as she continued.

"I didn't see who it was but I think it was the new care worker. I kicked him and ran away in the night, only to be caught by some men," her eyes were teary. She blinked a few times and Dante passed her a tissue. She thanked him, dabbing her eyes. "I was kidnapped and led into sex trafficking. ." She looked pained as she explained some more.

"I was sold to a kind man at first. He didn't touch me, he just made me clean with some other girls. He then died and I was sold again to another nice man," she shivered a little, wrapping her arms around herself as if she was suddenly cold. "He was real nice to me out of all the other girls," Liliana bitterly said, looking down as a few tears spilled out her eyes.

"H-he was around forty."

"God," Leonardo said under his breath in anger, his hands in tight fists. I was fuming, my face was hard and angry and I tried my hardest to contain my anger.

"He would make me sleep in his bed and touch me every night," she sighed, wiping her cheeks. "I was his 'little princess'."

I almost vomited again.

"I had a miscarriage," Liliana told us, now crying silently. Leonardo exhaled loudly, placing his head in his hands while Dante stood, pacing backwards and forwards in the room. "By fifteen, I was smoking pot, doing drugs and being a prostitute. . I was addicted and wanted to stop but he forced me to. I wasn't allowed to go to school. I don't even know how to read or write," Liliana whispered, swallowing before letting out a sob, wiping her eyes again.

"He tried to make me different. I started to understand the circumstances that I was in and realised that life wasn't normal. I tried to run away many times but he wasn't having it. He tried to sleep with me again one night but I . . I stabbed him and ran away. I had never felt so guilty in my entire life."

"You have nothing to feel guilty for," I spat out, causing her to snap her head towards me. My face softened, "sorry."

"It's okay," she told me, dabbing eyes again. "I had some money from the prostitution so I managed to buy myself a small apartment when I was eighteen and got myself a job as a barmaid. It was the only thing I could find. It was a coincidence seeing you in that cafe shop. I knew it was you and couldn't stop staring but I had to make sure. I was scared you would resent me."

"I'd never to that," I genuinely told her.

"I'm nineteen now," she told us, with a small smile.

"May second," I murmured, gazing at her as she looked at me in surprise. "I could never forget." That caused more tears to slid down her cheeks. I moved to her and she automatically laid her head on my chest, sobbing in my shirt and I held her close, protectively.

"I wish I never ran away. I'm so sorry," Liliana cried against me.
"It's okay. You don't need to apologise," Dante warmly said, sitting back down as he looked at her in sadness.

"I can't believe you've been through all of that," Dante quietly said, his eyes filled with guilt.

"I thought about you guys for almost every second of every day. I was so homesick. I missed mama," Liliana sobbed, "oh, mama. .where is she?"

"I will tell her about you," I softly told her, stroking her hair. I made a mental note to call my mother later on. "She'll come."

"I want to know who the hell hurt you. Do you know their names?" Leonardo bursted out, his voice angry.

"I. ." Liliana shivered a little. "I don't know his real name."

"Nicknames?" Leonardo asked, "I'm going to track this mother-"

"Don't swear," Liliana's angelic voice said. "Sorry." She swallowed, "you won't like them. They won't help."

"Tell me, Lils, anything might help."

"D-daddy. .big-"

"No, stop," Leonardo harshly said, rubbing his face with both hands. "Sorry," Liliana mumbled as Leo shook his head. "No, it's not your fault. We're here now," he firmly told her.

"No one is ever going to hurt you again. You have us - you're safe now."

___

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