Three weeks have passed since Stefano's death, and the pain still feels as raw as the day I learned of his fate. Sometimes, I catch myself pretending he's just away on a long trip, that he'll walk through the door any moment with that crooked smile I loved so much. But reality always crashes back, leaving me breathless with grief.

Today, I'm heading to the airport to fly back to Miami. Stefano's funeral was a week ago, a blur of black clothes and tear-stained faces. I cried so much that day I feared for our baby's well-being. But our little one is strong, just like their father. I'm determined to take care of myself and this precious life growing inside me. It's what Stefano would have wanted.

As I descend the stairs, my hand trailing along the smooth banister, Aurora's voice breaks through my reverie. "Are you ready to go?"

"Yes, I am," I reply, reaching the last step. The maid follows behind with my final bag, a bittersweet reminder that I'm leaving this place that holds so many memories.

Aurora gestures towards the living room. "Before we go, I'd like to talk to you about something."

Settling onto the plush couch, I brace myself. "What is it?"

Aurora takes a deep breath, her eyes filled with a mix of sadness and determination. "It's been a few weeks since my brother died, but there's something I think you should know. The real reason Stefano broke up with you after your near-death experience has to do with a woman named Evelyn..."

My heart clenches at the mention of another woman. "Evelyn? Did Stefano cheat on me?" The words tumble out before I can stop them.

"God, no," Aurora assures me quickly. "My brother would never do such a thing."

"Okay, please explain why Evelyn is the reason," I say, bracing myself for the truth.

Aurora takes a deep breath, her eyes filled with a mix of sadness and empathy. "Years ago, Stefano was deeply in love with a woman named Evelyn. They were young, and their love was passionate and all-consuming. She was his first true love, and they were blissfully happy together."

She pauses, the weight of her following words heavy in the air. "But then, one day, of Stefano's rival killed Evelyn. It was a devastating blow, and Stefano was consumed by guilt. He blamed himself for her death and swore he would never allow himself to fall in love again to prevent such a tragedy from ever happening to someone else he cared about."

Aurora's gaze meets mine, a flicker of pain in her eyes. "But then he met you, Andrea. Despite his best efforts, he couldn't help but fall for you. And when you survived Vladimir's brutal attack, Stefano made a promise to himself to keep you safe at all costs. Even if it meant letting you go and breaking both of your hearts in the process."

As the truth sinks in, I feel a wave of emotion wash over me. The pieces of the puzzle fall into place – Stefano's initial hesitation, his reluctance to fully commit, and the abrupt way he ended things between us. It all makes sense now.

"I can't even imagine the guilt and pain Stefano must have carried with him all these years," I whisper, my heart aching for the man I loved. "It explains so much about his behavior, both before and after we got together."

Tears prick at my eyes as I realize the depth of Stefano's love for me. He cared so deeply that he was willing to sacrifice his own happiness to keep me safe. I wish more than anything that he was here now so I could tell him that what happened to me was not his fault.

Aurora's voice trembles as she speaks, her own tears falling freely. "He decided to take a chance on love again because of me because I encouraged him to open his heart. But then the worst happened, and I can't help but feel responsible for putting your life in danger."

I reach out, grasping her hand tightly. "Aurora, listen to me. What happened to me is not your fault, and it's not Stefano's either. The blame lies solely with that monster, Vladimir."

She nods, but I can see the guilt still weighing heavily on her. "I know, but it's hard not to feel like I played a role in all of this."

"You didn't," I assure her, my voice firm. "The reason I was beaten had nothing to do with Stefano or my relationship with him."

Aurora's brow furrows in confusion. "What do you mean? Was Vladimir also a rival of your family's mafia?"

I shake my head. "No, Vladimir attacked me because I refused his advances. It had nothing to do with Stefano being my boyfriend."

Her eyes widen in shock. "Really? You're certain that Vladimir nearly killed you because you rejected him, not because you were the most important person in Stefano's life?"

A bittersweet smile tugs at my lips. "I wouldn't say I was the most important person to Stefano. But yes, the reason for the attack was entirely separate from my relationship with him."

"Oh, my God," she says, tears streaming down her face. "I can't believe Stefano isn't alive to hear this. He would have finally been able to lift some of that guilt off his chest."

I nod, my own eyes stinging with unshed tears. "I know. I wish he had told me the real reason when he was alive. Maybe things could have been different."

"I'm so sorry I didn't tell you sooner, Andrea," Aurora says, her voice thick with emotion. "I thought I was protecting you both, but now I see that the truth could have set him free."

I reach out, squeezing her hand in understanding. "I know why you didn't tell me. You and Stefano both thought that keeping me at a distance would keep me safe. But you couldn't have known that my connection to Ivan had nothing to do with my relationship with Stefano."

As the realization settles over us, the cruel irony of it all becomes clear. Ivan, the man who killed Stefano's first love, had also set his sights on me. But his obsession and the brutal attack that followed were born of his own twisted desires, not some rivalry with Stefano. It was a tragic coincidence, one that had shattered our lives and left us reeling in its wake.

"Thank you for understanding," Aurora says, her gratitude palpable.

With the truth laid bare between us, we make our way to the airport. As Aurora drives, I find myself drinking in the sights and sounds of Sicily, committing every detail to memory. The sun-drenched hills, the vibrant colors, the distant crash of waves against the shore – it all feels like a part of Stefano, a piece of the love we shared.

I know that with him gone, it will be a long time before I return to this place that had become so dear to my heart. Even Aurora, my last tie to the island, will soon be leaving for a new life in Chicago. The thought of saying goodbye, not just to Sicily but to the tangible reminders of Stefano, feels like a fresh wound.

As we pull up to the airport, I take one last deep breath of the salty sea air, letting it fill my lungs and soothe my aching heart. A single tear escapes, trailing down my cheek, but I quickly brush it away. I know I must be strong now, for myself and for the child I carry.

With a final embrace, Aurora and I part ways. As I step onto the plane, I feel the weight of my memories, both painful and precious, settling over me like a shroud. Sicily will forever be intertwined with my love for Stefano, a bittersweet testament to the joy and sorrow we shared.

But as the plane lifts off, carrying me back to the life I must now navigate without him, I know that I will carry those memories with me always. They will be my strength, my solace, and my reminder of the incredible love that brought me to this moment. And though the future stretches out before me, uncertain and unknown, I know that Stefano will live on in my heart and in the life of our child, a legacy of love that will endure long after the tears have dried and the pain has eased.

***

A week or two has passed since I returned to Miami, the familiarity of home providing a small measure of comfort amidst the grief that still clings to me like a second skin. Work has been a welcome distraction, the routine of the office offering a semblance of normalcy in a world that feels irrevocably changed. And through it all, the tiny life growing inside me has been my anchor, a constant reminder of the love Stefano and I shared.

Today, I find myself at our gang's headquarters, a place I rarely frequent due to Dad's desire to keep me out of our mafia business. I am on my way to Santiago's office.

"How are you doing, Sis?" Santiago greets me as I enter, his eyes searching my face for signs of the pain I've become so adept at hiding.

"I'm doing well," I reply, sinking into the chair across from him. "And you?"

He nods, a flicker of understanding passing between us. "I'm good. I have what you asked for." He slides a file across the desk, the innocuous manila belying the significance of its contents.

I reach for it, my fingers trembling slightly. "You found all his establishments?"

"Not all, but most," Santiago confirms, leaning back in his chair.

"This is enough," I murmur, flipping through the pages, my eyes scanning the list of businesses owned by Ivan, the man who had taken everything from me.

Santiago clears his throat, drawing my attention back to him. "I already have men scouting the ones in the US, and the Costanzo family is handling the ones in Europe."

I shake my head, a mirthless smile tugging at my lips. "That isn't why I wanted to know the places he owns. I'm not trying to find Ivan."

Santiago's brow furrows, confusion etched in the lines of his face. "What's your reason then?"

I close the file, my fingers tracing the edges as I gather my thoughts. The pain of Stefano's loss still throbs like an open wound, the desire for retribution a constant ache in my chest.

"I plan to burn all of them to the ground," I say, my voice steady despite the magnitude of my words. "I want to take away everything he's built. I want to leave him with nothing, just as he left me."

Santiago leans forward, his eyes widening with a mix of surprise and admiration. "I couldn't be prouder to be your brother," Santiago says, smiling.

"Thank you. Please arrange for a few men to come with me tonight to burn down the restaurant here in Miami."

"No problem, I will get it done."

***

The night air hung heavy with anticipation as I stirred from my restless slumber. My eyes snapped open, my heart racing with a mix of excitement and trepidation for what lay ahead. The soft glow of moonlight filtered through the curtains, casting eerie shadows across my dimly lit room.

I swung my legs over the edge of the bed, the cool floorboards creaking softly beneath my feet. With practiced efficiency, I made my way to the bathroom, my mind already racing through the night's impending events. The shower's warm cascade washed over me, momentarily soothing my nerves as I scrubbed away the last vestiges of sleep.

Emerging from the steam-filled bathroom, I stood before my closet, my fingers trailing over the carefully selected attire. The black cargo pants felt rough yet reassuring as I pulled them on, their numerous pockets holding untold possibilities. I slipped the soft black t-shirt over my head, its fabric clinging to my still-damp skin like a second shadow.

My fingers trembled slightly as I adjusted the black baseball cap, tugging it low over my eyes. The final piece – a sleek black mask – slid into place, transforming my reflection into an enigmatic figure of the night. I paused, taking a deep breath to steady myself, the mask's fabric moving with each exhale. I step out of my room once I put my gun behind my back. I know how to use a gun but never liked them, so I never carried them around.

The cool night air caressed my face as I emerged from the house, a gentle breeze rustling the leaves of nearby trees. I took a deep breath, savoring the freshness of the evening before stepping into the waiting car out front.

The driver parks the van behind the restaurant once we arrive. I step out of the car and walk to the trunk to grab the kerosene. With purposeful strides, I make my way to the front of the restaurant, pouring the kerosene in a steady stream from the entrance all the way to the back. The pungent smell fills the air, and I can already feel the adrenaline pumping through my veins.

Once satisfied with the trail I've left, I exit the building. At a safe distance, I flick open my lighter, the flame dancing in the darkness. Without hesitation, I toss it into the kerosene-soaked path. Instantly, the fire ignites, roaring to life as it consumes the restaurant.

The windows shatter with a deafening boom, and the heat from the flames warms my face as I walk away, a huge smile spreading across my lips. This is only the beginning, Ivan. By the time I'm done with all your establishments in the US, you'll come crawling to me on your knees!