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Chapter 38 – Alice
“There he is!” Thea’s celebration sounded at the same moment that Alice bad gleed the bat dish on the table “Our man is full of health!
“Stop acting like I’m a kid who just got back from the pediatrician, Thea Massimo rolled his eyes, as Josiah pushed his chair over to the dining table “I just went to physical therapy, fos still a long way from having regained the health Lonce had.”
“But that can’t stop you from telling us what it was like.” Alice teased him, although the wa more than happy that he had completed his first physical therapy session without leaving there early or cursing everyone around him “So? What did you think?”
“I found it as painful as what I already do at home.” He rolled his eyes, almost making her love hope, at least until he added “But he did some exercises to stimulate the sensitivity of my legs that seemed interesting. I ended up closing a package with a few sessions, to check if this thing will really work for me or not.”
“Great!” Thea sniffed, using her apron to wipe away the tears that were collecting in her eyes Now, please, sit down. I’m going to start serving lunch. Oh, God! Your father would be so happy to see you taking care of your health in this way.”
“Stop it, Thea.” Massimo sighed, moving his wheelchair alone to the empty space next to Millie that Alice had saved especially for him “It wasn’t anything important. Even my father would know that this means nothing to me knowing what my life will be like from now on.”
“This is not true.” Josiah growled “Tommaso would have pulled your ear and forced you to do all the treatments Dr. Lewis suggested from the beginning. He always worried about your health, much more than his own. That’s why he made that will, not only leaving part of his fortune to you, but also asking that Thea and I continue to take care of you as he wished he could.” He sighed sadly “I wonder if he’s very disappointed in us, seeing how long we let you be silent in your own life…”
“I already told you I’m not a child, Josiah.” Massimo sighed, annoyed “It was my choice not to do this from the beginning, just as it was my choice to start physiotherapy now. That simple.”
“Your daddy seems so nice, Massimo…” Millie commented, and the sadness in her voice made Alice swallow hard.
“I wish I could have introduced you to him. He would certainly love to be your step- grandfather.” Massimo’s pat her hair “Now, please, can we all just sit down and have a meal without mentioning doctors or anything like that. Otherwise, you run a serious risk that I won’t be in that office again, the day after tomorrow.”
With a collective shrug, they all resigned themselves to continuing what they were doing in silence. Josiah sat down in one of the empty chairs, while Alice and Thea placed all the lunch dishes on the table, before they could settle down, too. And, of course, Millie didn’t let there be a single second of silence, talking nonstop about her expectations for her fifth birthday, even when everyone already had their food on their plates and ready to eat.1
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At least, until they are interrupted.
“Massimo!” Josh suddenly entered the kitchen, a small envelope in his hands and a distressed expression on his face “Oh, sorry Mr. Bianchi, I didn’t know you were already eating”
“Then wash your hands and sit down to eat with us, young man.” Thea demanded, as only a mother could do “We have rice, roast beef, roast potatoes and…”
“I don’t think this is a good time for this, Mom.” He sighed, regretfully “1. I hate to bother you with this, Massimo, but…” with uncertain steps, Joshua went to Massimo, handing him the envelope “One of the security guards who was with that woman came to the gate just now. He said his employer asked him to deliver this directly into my hands or yours. It seems to be something important about the Bianchi.”
“What a…” Massimo growled softly as he tore apart the envelope, and Alice felt her stomach immediately upset.
“Is… Is this the call for the meeting about who Micah Griffin’s support will go to?” she asked, worried about how Massimo’s hands seemed to grip more and more tightly the noble paper that looked more like an invitation, as his eyes quickly ran over each line.
“Oh, God…” Thea lamented, and her son immediately went to hold her shoulders, comforting her “How can Emma do this to a man who is still recovering from an accident? She’s always
made it very
clear that she hated the fact that Tommaso’s firstborn wasn’t Dante, but that’s
too cruel even for her.”
“No.” Massimo said sharply “It has nothing to do with Griffin, although I’m sure he’ll be there.” He threw the paper on the table “It’s an invitation to the company’s spring party at the Bianchi mansion.”
“Is it that time of year yet?” Josiah muttered nervously.
“Of course Emma wouldn’t miss the opportunity to invite me.” An angry smile spread across Massimo’s face “A meeting where all of High Society will be and where all the shareholders will be present to get more business partners… And Emma will win anyway, because either I show up like that and let them all look at me like I’m incapable or I just don’t show up and let everyone treat Dante like he’s already the new CEO of the company.” His voice distorted until it became a whispered growl, low enough that Millie couldn’t hear “Fuck it. Let that damned old woman win, then. I don’t mind.”
“What are you talking about?” Alice straightened up, surprised “Your condition is improving a lot lately. More than half of your wounds no longer even need bandages. You have to go!”
“Do you have any idea what you’re talking about?” Massimo looked at her harshly “Do you know what types of people will be there? How are they able to devour your insides at the slightest sign of weakness? What do you think they’re going to do to me?”
“I know very well what types of people will be there, because they are just like my mother.” Alice sighed “And that’s exactly why I can tell you that running away from them is the worst
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Chapter an Alle
thing you can do. They will think they intimidated you, that they can control you. I know you still have questions about your condition, but this is the perfect opportunity for you to prove to Emma, and everyone on her side, that it doesn’t matter if you’re in a wheelchair or not. You continue to be a Bianchi and the best option to fill the position that belonged to your father. Believe me, Massimo. Lucy told me about the gossip in High Society. Everyone thinks you are dying and that you have accepted defeat to your brother. If you refuse this invitation, you will prove to them that they are right.”
“I know!” he slammed his fist against the table, distraught “But…”
“You fought hard to get to the position of CEO, Massimo.” Alice continued “They won’t wait for you to recover completely to decide the future of the company. On the contrary, they will do their best to weaken you more and more and take advantage of your fragility. It’s not fair to yourself that you give up now. May you put all your effort to waste. Especially not when you’re still the same man you’ve always been, whether you’re in that chair or not.”
“That’s it…” Massimo lowered his head, breathing deeply for a few seconds with his fists clenched tightly, until he finally looked up at Alice “Very well. I’m going to this party. But you’re going with me.
“What?” Alice blinked in disbelief, not even having time to be happy and relieved with his decision.
“You are my wife.” He crossed his arms, looking pleased with her confusion “You didn’t think it would be any different, did you?”
“I… I…” the words escaped her mind, leaving behind only the memories of having seen Amber prepare so many times to accompany him to an event like that “Of course I will, if you want, but… I don’t think I’ll be able to be as elegant as the other women who will be there…”
“Well then, you better start training your manners.” Massimo scoffed, as if that were the least important thing “Because the party is tomorrow night.”
“What?” Alice gasped, now desperate.
“Thank Emma for that. Always making a point of making this type of event as comfortable as possible for me.” Massimo grunted, picking up the cutlery so he could cut the meat on his plate with a violence that certainly wasn’t necessary.
!
“Are you going to a party, mommy?” Millie asked, amazed “Are you going to wear a pretty dress and ride in a carriage, like Cinderella?”
“I…” Alice stuttered, but Thea didn’t let her continue.
“That’s right, baby!” the old lady stated, her eyes shining in a dangerous way “We are going to prepare your mother and make her the most beautiful woman at that party! Write my words, Millicent.”
“Thea, I don’t think I….”
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Chapter 38 Alice
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“Don’t worry, Alice!” Thea ignored her, imposing like a general preparing for war “If there’s one thing I can promise you, it’s that you’re in great hands!”
