Chapter 6 - The Shadows Gather
Three weeks passed. The mansion was buzzing with frantic energy. The wedding was only two days away. But this wasn't just a wedding. Dean had called for a "Commission Meeting." The heads of the five major families were flying in to attend the ceremony. Dean planned to use the gathering to officially announce himself as the "Acting Boss" due to Massimo's rapidly declining health. It was the perfect coup. Meanwhile, Massimo's recovery was nothing short of miraculous, driven by pure willpower and vengeance. By the third week, he could walk across his bedroom without a cane. His strength had returned. The lion was awake, but he stayed hidden in the tall grass.
Carla continued her daily routine, keeping her head down. But Nina’s daily ritual took on a new meaning. When she brought the basin of water, Massimo would occasionally flex his toes, winking at the little girl. Nina would giggle, keeping their secret. "Uncle Massimo's feet are waking up," she whispered to her mother in the kitchen. "Shh," Carla warned her, kissing her forehead. "It's our special secret, okay? Don't tell anyone." But the tension in the house was suffocating. Dr. Hale was growing suspicious. "His muscle tone in his legs... it's not degrading as it should," Hale muttered to Dean one afternoon in the hallway. "And his heart rate is incredibly strong." "Are you sure he's taking the pills?" Dean asked sharply. "I watch him swallow them every night." "Double the dose," Dean ordered coldly. "I want him practically comatose by the wedding. He just needs to be able to say 'I do' and sign the papers."
That night, when Hale handed Massimo the pills, Massimo knew something was wrong. There were three yellow capsules instead of two. Massimo executed his sleight of hand perfectly, tucking them into his cheek. But Dr. Hale paused. "Open your mouth, Massimo. Let me see." Massimo's heart stopped. If Hale saw the pills, the game was over. Dean would just shoot him in his bed. Just then, a loud crash echoed from the hallway, followed by a child's scream. Dr. Hale spun around and rushed to the door. Carla was in the hallway, holding Nina, who was crying over a shattered vase. "I'm so sorry, Dr. Hale!" Carla cried out, apologizing profusely. "She tripped!" Hale rolled his eyes in disgust. "Keep that brat quiet!" When Hale turned back to the room, Massimo had spat the pills into his hand and swallowed a large gulp of water. He opened his empty mouth for the doctor. Hale nodded, satisfied, and left the room. Carla had caused the distraction on purpose. She had saved him again.
