Bound To My Mafia Stepuncles novel Chapter 214

Chapter 214

Aria’s POV

I didn’t want to move. My body was sore in ways I couldn’t even describe, and every small shift sent a quiet ache crawling through my limbs. But the thing that held me in place wasn’t pain. It was her. Chiara. She was still curled tightly into my side, her arms wrapped around me like I was the only thing anchoring her to this world. Her breath was warm against my neck, soft and shaky, and her small fingers clutched the fabric of my shirt with a grip that made my chest twist. I rested my hand on the back of her head and gently stroked her hair. Over and over. I didn’t say anything. I didn’t need to. I just held her.

The room was quiet. Almost too quiet. Like the air was waiting for something to break it. My eyes stared blankly at the ceiling. The light filtering in was soft and hazy, like it knew we had all been through too much and didn’t want to shine too brightly today. I was aware of everything and nothing at once. My ribs hurt. My throat was dry. There was a dull throb in my leg. But all I could feel clearly was the way Chiara clung to me. That deep, aching instinct to keep her safe. I cares about her and i know how much she loves Valentina. And that ache in my heart that wouldn’t go away.

The door opened gently, without a knock. I turned my head slowly, careful not to disturb Chiara. Dante walked in first, holding a tray with what looked like bacon, eggs and some bread. Behind him came Enzo. Their eyes landed on me and Chiara. They both froze for half a second. Their faces didn’t show much, but I saw the shift in their eyes. Something heavy. Something that looked like guilt. Matteo was already in the room, standing near the wall, his arms crossed. He didn’t say anything either, but his gaze flicked between me, Chiara, and the others. It was like none of them knew what to say. Like we were all holding our breath, afraid words might shatter the fragile calm we had finally found.

Chiara moved a little, her body stirring beside me. She sat up slowly but didn’t let go of my arm. Her fingers were still wrapped around me, and her face stayed pressed to my shoulder. Her eyes peeked out carefully, wary, like a baby bird too scared to test its wings. I kissed the top of her head without thinking, a soft, lingering kiss, and pulled her a little closer.

Dante stepped forward and placed the tray gently beside me on the bed. He didn’t speak, but his movements were careful, deliberate. I looked up at him. My voice felt small and dry. “Thank you.” That was all I could manage.

He didn’t answer, Just leaned down and kissed my cheek. Soft. Brief. But it filled my chest with something warm I hadn’t felt in days. Something quiet and deep that didn’t need to be spoken out loud.

I tried to sit up more, shifting carefully, and Chiara moved with me. She clung even tighter. Her head tucked into the crook of my side again. I didn’t try to push her away. I didn’t want to. My hand rested on her back, rubbing small circles, keeping her grounded.

Enzo came around the bed and sat on my other side. He picked up the spoon and gently dipped it into the bowl. I turned my face toward him, surprised. “I can…” I started, but he shook his head.

“Let me,” he said quietly.

So I let him. He fed me slowly, one small bite at a time. The soup was warm, soft on my tongue, easy to swallow. Each bite tasted like care. Like someone had tried to make sure it wouldn’t hurt to eat. Our eyes met after the third spoonful. His gaze didn’t waver. There was something in it I hadn’t seen before. Something that sat heavy in my chest. Guilt. Regret. A need to do better. He didn’t say it. But I felt it in every careful motion. In every spoonful.

I reached out and touched his arm. When he leaned closer, I guided him down just a little more. Then I pressed a soft kiss to his forehead. He closed his eyes for a second, and I whispered, “Thank you.”

He looked like that one moment was the only forgiveness he could allow himself. And it broke my heart a little.

I looked around the room. At Dante, still standing by the bed. At Matteo, still near the wall. At Enzo beside me. Their expressions were different, but the weight was the same. They all carried it. That guilt. That ache. Like each of them was blaming himself in a different way. I didn’t have the strength to speak it out loud, but I saw it. And it hurt.

Enzo fed me the last bite, then set the tray carefully on the floor. He didn’t make a sound. His movements were slow, respectful, like he didn’t want to disrupt the quiet safety we had built.

Then Dante moved again. He walked around to Chiara’s side and crouched down beside the bed. She was still tucked into me, still holding on, but he reached out gently. His voice was soft as he said her name, his hands warm and steady as he coaxed her loose. She didn’t fight him. Just let herself be lifted. Her head rested on his shoulder like she had always belonged there. He held her like she was the most precious thing over her back, calming her, soothing her. He didn’t need to speak. He didn’t need to explain. You could see the love in

world. His hand moved slowly small touch.

I watched him carry her out of the room. Her eyes had fluttered closed again, and his steps were quiet, careful. I felt something wet burn behind my eyes. That simple moment held more love than 1 could carry. It was quiet and full and soft and real.

1/2

Chapter 214

When the door clicked shut behind them, the room felt even smaller. But not in a bad way. Enzo and Matteo moved closer on the bed. I didn’t resist when they pulled me into a hug. Their arms wrapped around me like they were trying to shield me from the rest of the world. I leaned into them, resting my head against Enzo’s chest, feeling Matteo’s hand on my back. I didn’t need words. Their presence was enough.

They helped me with my medicine. Matteo held the cup of water, and Enzo steadied my hand when it trembled. I didn’t argue, I just let them help me.

When everything settled again, and the silence stretched soft and deep, I found the question rising to my lips. My voice was quiet, almost unsure. “What about Valentina?”

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