48: For Eternity

MADELINE

Dante Massimo's demise should have brought me satisfaction, a sense of relief that the man who had caused so much pain and suffering was no longer a threat. For years, I had witnessed the relentless pressure he exerted on my father, forcing him into unsavory dealings and manipulating him at every turn. Tales of Dante's brutality and mistreatment of even his closest "family" members were well-known, painting a portrait of a man devoid of conscience or remorse. Yet, as the news of his demise reached our ears, it failed to evoke any emotion from Victor or me.

The weight of the silence between us grew heavy, suffocating the room. Seeking solace, I wrapped my arms around myself, attempting to ward off the chill that seemed to seep into my bones. Victor's frustration was palpable, his jaw clenched tight with unspoken words. But instead of pressing me for answers or offering comfort, he stood by the window, gazing out at the world as if detached from its passing rhythms.

Victor, t