After They’re Gone

I rushed forward and pushed Kate away.

“What gives you the right to touch my son?”

I checked his face over in panic. Only when I realized it was red wine, not blood, did I finally manage to breathe again.

Seconds later, a sudden commotion broke out behind me. I turned around to see that Kate had fallen beside shattered glass and broken plates, her wrist cut by a sharp piece of porcelain. Yet, I knew I hadn't pushed her nearly hard enough to cause a fall like that.

The banquet hall doors suddenly flung open, and Gabriele strode in. The first thing he saw was Stefano, drenched in red wine. In that instant, his expression changed sharply, and he instinctively moved toward Stefano.

However, before he could take another step, someone beside Kate cried out, “Don Carlos, Miss Smith is injured!”

Gabriele froze mid-step. Then, he turned and walked straight toward Kate instead.

“Who did this?” he asked.

Immediately, people around made mocking statements.

“All the kid had to do was serve drinks. He was the one who couldn't keep his balance and ended up spilling it all over himself. How dare he blame Miss Smith for this?”

“What nerve, to accuse the future Donna like that.”

“It’s the child of a servant. He must have had a poor upbringing and no discipline.”

“Don’t talk about my mother like that!”

Stefano finally lifted his head. His face was still stained with wine, his eyes red.

His voice trembled as he said, “She did it on purpose. She waved her hand and knocked the glass I was holding–”

“Enough.” Gabriele cut Stefano off sharply, the fingers at his side clenching slightly. “Where do you think this is? Who allowed you to raise your voice like that?”

Stefano froze, and in that moment, whatever light remained in his eyes went out.

Gabriele didn’t even look at him again as he ordered, “Take him out.”

Right at that moment, Kate spoke softly. “Wait.”

She stood with help, smoothing her wrinkled dress, her gaze falling on Stefano.

“My dress is ruined, and I fell because of this incident. At the very least, shouldn’t he apologize before he leaves?”

I was shaking with rage. “Miss Smith, don’t push it–”

Before I could finish my sentence, Stefano gently pulled my hand away and walked up to Kate.

He did not cry or argue. With his head lowered, he apologized, “I’m sorry, Donna.”

The entire hall fell silent. Even Gabriele’s expression shifted slightly.

Stefano then turned to Gabriele. His face was still wet with wine, but his eyes were eerily calm.

“I’m sorry, Don Carlos. I failed to live up to your expectations.”

Gabriele hesitated as if he wanted to speak, but Stefano had turned away and walked out of the banquet hall. Only at the doorway did he finally stop and look back at me. His eyes were red, but he did not cry.

“Ma, let’s go. I don’t want to stay here anymore.”

At that moment, we hugged each other tightly.

That night, we packed our things in silence. Stefano took every medal he had earned over the years and threw them into the trash.

“They’re worthless,” he said flatly.

Yet, when he turned away, I could see his red and teary eyes.

Before we left, I placed the family insignia I had coveted for many years back onto the table.

When Gabriele saw our packed luggage the next morning, his expression softened slightly. He walked up to Stefano and patted his shoulder.

“Yesterday was just a test. It’s part of becoming an heir.”

Stefano lowered his eyes and murmured a response.

At the airport, the crowd moved in a blur. The butler could only escort us to the security gate.

“Miss Macrino, someone will be waiting for you on the other side.”

I nodded. After they left, I tore up the two tickets in my hand and threw them into the trash. Then, I took my son and walked toward another boarding gate.

Three hours later, Gabriele was on a golf course with Kate when a call came through.

The voice on the other end hesitated to speak. “Don Carlos, we’ve been waiting in the Switz for five hours. The two people you mentioned still aren’t here yet.”