After They’re Gone

At that moment, Gabriele was also taken aback. He looked at Stefano, as if he hadn’t expected the boy to comply. However, Kate looked pleased. She looked down at the child who was carefully holding up her dress hem and let out a soft laugh.

“Such good manners.”

With that, she turned and walked toward the banquet hall.

Stefano followed right behind her, his small hands carefully lifting the luxurious fabric. Everyone around stood tall and composed, except him. He was a hunched-over, thin, and fragile little figure.

My eyes stung, and I followed without hesitation. However, Kate suddenly stopped in her tracks and turned back to look at me.

“What are you doing following us? Tonight is an important gathering of the family’s honored guests. You’re not exactly qualified to attend.”

Before I could respond, Gabriele spoke first. “The child is helping. It’s normal for the mother to be present as well.”

Kate glanced at him, but his tone remained calm as he added, “Tonight is your night. There’s no need to lose composure over something so small.”

She stared at him for a few seconds, then suddenly smiled. “If the Don says so, of course I won’t mind.”

Just like that, she continued walking ahead.

Standing there, I suddenly found myself cold. Gabriele had fought for me a way inside, but he had never once fought for us to have a real identity.

On the way to the banquet hall, Kate and Gabriele chatted happily. Meanwhile, Stefano and I followed at the very back, silent the entire way.

The banquet began shortly after. The moment Kate appeared, all eyes in the room turned toward her. However, more than her expensive gown, what drew attention was the child carefully lifting her dress hem.

Someone chuckled. “Miss Smith, this kid is quite sharp. Can I borrow him for a bit? I need someone to serve drinks.”

Another voice followed with a laugh. “I could use him, too. He can come over and carry some plates for me later.”

They spoke casually, as if he were nothing more than a tool that could be passed around. Kate neither agreed nor refused. She simply glanced at Gabriele, but Gabriele, holding his wine glass, said nothing.

My fingers clenched.

At that moment, someone bumped into me from behind and said impatiently, “Move. You’re in the way.”

I looked at that wine glass, then at Stefano, who was surrounded by the crowd not far away. I couldn't hold myself back any longer and broke into stride toward him. However, in the next second, a hand suddenly clamped around my wrist.

Gabriele had appeared behind me without me noticing and pulled me out of the banquet hall. The cold night wind hit me instantly, and I shivered. I shook his hand off, turning to look at him with red eyes.

“Gabriele, what exactly do you take us for?”

He didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he took out an insignia from inside his coat and held it out to me. I stared at him blankly.

Seeing my confusion, he explained in a low voice, “The one she’s wearing is fake. The real one has always been with me, and it belongs to you.”

As he spoke, he pressed the insignia into my palm.

“Once I take over the Smith family, the Carlos family’s authority will be entirely mine. By then, no one will be able to stop me from publicly acknowledging you and Stefano.”

After that, he pulled out two plane tickets.

“For now, take Stefano and leave. I’ve arranged everything in the Switz. Don’t stay here and force yourself to watch this mess.” He pulled me back into his arms, his voice low and steady. “Just be patient. It’ll be over soon.”

I leaned against him, the insignia pressing painfully into my palm. I had once longed for it so deeply, but now that I finally held it, I felt nothing at all.

After some time, I gently pushed him away and said nothing. I simply took the two tickets from his hand and turned back toward the banquet hall.

I could be patient, but Stefano wasn’t even seven years old yet. There was no way I could stand by and watch my son be dragged through the mud alongside me.

When I returned to the entrance of the banquet hall, I booked another flight with the same time, but to a different country. Then, I pushed open the door, and in the next second, I froze.

In the center of the crowd, Stefano stood small and alone. A crimson liquid was dripping over his head, streaming down his hair, and soaking into his clean little suit.

My mind went blank, and everything around me faded into silence.

“Stefano!”