100: Until I found you

Rafael's lips curled into a faint smile as he recounted the conversation with his father. "He told me that one day, as the firstborn son, I would inherit the responsibility he carried. He believed in my ability to protect those I cared about. At the time, I was too young to fully comprehend his words, but in that moment, I felt like I was on top of the world, as if my father was telling me I was special."

His voice carried a tinge of sadness, and tears welled up in my eyes. "I'm... sorry," I murmured.

"There's no need to apologize. That night marked the beginning of my journey into adulthood. He also warned me to be cautious in choosing whom to trust, as caring for others came with risks."

"That's a terrible thing to tell a young boy," I said, my voice filled with empathy.

Rafael raised an eyebrow. "Is it? He was preparing me for a life within the dark realm of a mafia family. After that day, I respected him even more."

"Why are you sharing this with me?" I mustered the courage to