Chapter 14 - THE LITTLE LION'S WISH
Our relationship grew slowly.
Elena insisted on it.
I agreed.
We went to restaurants.
Walked through parks.
Visited museums.
Sometimes Giulia joined us.
Sometimes she stayed with Elena's mother.
I learned how to live without commanding everything.
How to listen.
How to apologize.
How to wait.
Elena learned that I was serious about changing.
Not perfect.
Not innocent.
But trying.
One afternoon, Giulia asked me to help build a birdhouse.
I stared at the wooden pieces.
“Do you know how to do this?”
She grinned.
“No.”
I laughed.
“Neither do I.”
We spent three hours assembling it.
The roof leaned slightly.
One wall was crooked.
The paint dripped.
Giulia declared it perfect.
I agreed.
Elena watched from the doorway.
She smiled.
“You two are impossible.”
Giulia laughed.
That evening, Giulia asked whether she could speak to me privately.
Elena raised an eyebrow.
I smiled.
“Of course.”
We sat on the porch.
Giulia looked serious.
“Mr. Dario?”
“Yes?”
“Do you love Mommy?”
My heart stopped.
I looked at her.
“Very much.”
She nodded.
“Does she love you?”
I smiled faintly.
“I hope so.”
Giulia thought for a moment.
Then said:
“Daddy's in heaven.”
My throat tightened.
“I know.”
She looked down.
“I don't want anyone to forget him.”
I reached for her hand.
“No one will.”
She looked at me.
“Promise?”
I nodded.
“Promise.”
Then she smiled.
“Okay.”
I looked at her.
“Giulia, your father will always be your father.”
She nodded.
“And if your mother and I build a life together, that doesn't change.”
Her eyes filled.
She hugged me.
I held her carefully.
That night, I told Elena about the conversation.
She began crying.
“Dario…”
I shook my head.
“I meant every word.”
She kissed me.
Softly.
Without fear.
Without obligation.
For a moment, I forgot every title I'd ever held.
Crime lord.
Boss.
King of the harbor.
None of them mattered.
May you like
I was simply a man being loved.
And it was enough.
