Running away was never the only way to escape reality. Five whole years in Brazil, far from Italy, distancing yourself, trying to bury the past somewhere your memory couldn’t reach… and now here you were, once again standing before the Camorra mansion, which was never just a house it was everything. Family.

The car finally stopped at the entrance, and the driver stepped out to open the door for you. You lifted your gaze slowly, and there he was your grandfather, Salvatore Camorra. A man worn down by age, yet his presence alone was still enough to make bodies tremble. He stood tall despite his cane, his expression rigid, devoid of any welcome, as if those five years meant nothing to him. You approached him, gently took his hand, and kissed it in respect. Only then did his features soften. He pulled you into his chest in a rare embrace and no matter how harsh he seemed to the world, he softened with you, because he had almost lost you that day when your father and uncle were killed… if Niccolò hadn’t saved you.

You lifted your head at the sound of a light cough, but before you could react, you found yourself lifted off the ground in a sudden embrace. “I missed you, idiot.”

Luca your cousin. You laughed despite yourself as he set you down. He had always been the closest to you… your childhood friend. But that innocence was no longer the same, because your grandfather’s old decision still loomed over you both your marriage. The Camorra law did not allow breaking the bloodline, and so… you thought your return was because of that. Or… perhaps because of someone else.

Niccolò Luca’s older brother. Just his name was enough to make you glance around discreetly, searching for him without admitting it. But he wasn’t there. A quiet breath escaped your chest you weren’t sure whether it was relief or disappointment. At least you wouldn’t have to face his gaze… those eyes you once thought were filled with hatred. Always reminding you that you were the reason for his father’s death and yours. But the truth… was never what you believed.

That night, your grandfather summoned you to his office. You had already come to terms with the idea of marrying Luca, but his look was different strange. Then he spoke, his voice calm. “You know Niccolò is the leader now… and things have changed. Or rather… he changed them.”

He paused briefly, leaning on his cane, then continued, “The leader must marry. You will be his wife soon.”

The world stopped. Luca was no longer the choice Niccolò was. He had changed the laws just for you. Because his love for you had exceeded all expectations a hidden love that made it impossible for him to bear seeing you as his brother’s wife. But… you never knew that.

An hour passed as you lay on your bed, staring at the ceiling, unable to process what had happened. Eventually, sleep took over but your nightmares showed no mercy. That cursed night returned, along with the image of Niccolò paying the price a scar stretching across his cheek for saving you.

You woke up in panic, your breath uneven. You couldn’t stay in the room, so you left. It was two in the morning, the air cold, biting against your skin. You wandered aimlessly toward the garden… until you suddenly stopped. You saw him. Niccolò.

He stood by the garden fence, slightly leaning, a cigarette between his fingers his mind somewhere far away. He hadn’t changed much.

You turned slowly, trying to leave without a sound, but he was perceptive enough to have sensed your presence from the start. “Running away from me… won’t work.”

You froze in place. His tone… you couldn’t quite read it. You turned slowly, your eyes meeting his. In the dim garden light, you couldn’t ignore the scar… nor that look in his eyes. He exhaled slowly from his cigarette, then said.

“Your path… leads you back to me, whether you want it to or not.”