Against the Mafia's Odds

oom. His dark hair was slicked back, revealing a prominent forehead, and his piercing brown eyes se

s tone warm, yet professional. As he quickly checked Don Vincenzo's vital sig

o Sofia and Dante. "Excuse me, are you

ady and calm. "I'm like an adopted s

a moment before he spoke. "I see. In that case, I'd

e easy. They followed the doctor out of the room and into his office, a small, cluttered space wit

ome more serious now, his brows drawn together. "Please, have a seat," he said, his v

air was suffocating, and her pulse quickened. She could alread

torm of emotions that simmered just below the surface. She could f

ike a death sentence, and Sofia's breath caught in her throat. "It's a chronic condition that requires immediate treatment. His heart is no longer p

r eyes started to sting, but she quickly blinked the tears away, trying to remain composed. Her father ha

"It's serious, and we need to act quickly. He should remain in the hospital

to say something, to ask questions, but nothing came out. All

ce, calm but firm. "How serious is it

, he can live with this condition for some time. But without

ce. But this... this was different. Her father wasn't just a parent to her-he was her protector, her rock, the one who had

s expression remained neutral. "We'll make sure he get

nurses prepare a room for him. But you both need to convince him to s

ruthless, and strong-willed. He wouldn't want to let anyone see him weak, no

red her father's strength, but she had never seen him like this. Weak. Vulnerable. The man

his face pale but determined. His eyes were sharp, still holding

say?" he asked, his v

he had to tell him. She couldn't protect him from

ve congestive heart failure. It's serious. You need to stay here for t

t? How could she admit that her father, the man who had survived eve

ed with anger. "I'm not staying in this hospital," he

please!" she pleaded. "You need to stay. This isn't just so

how he operated-he was the Don. He was always in control, never sho

you are. But you can't ignore this. We're not trying to take control from you. We're

a low growl. "I'm Don Vincenzo. Nothin

ve to be invincible all the time," she said, her voice

e quickly regained his composure, and his stubbornness returned full forc

shout at him, to beg him to understand, but instead, she reached for his han

ne. I'll check on you later, sir." He turned to leave, but before he walked out, he cast one

ing down on her. She had always feared losing him, but now, the fear was different- she was terri

as shifting, and she wasn't sur