In the Name of Family

ly lit club. Michael led the way, weaving through the crowd wit

e with a mischievous grin. "Alright, Damien. Time

e off my unease. "Yeah, you're r

fting back to my grandmother's deadline. The idea of getting married just to please her f

, Michael leaned in close, his voice barely audib

ebrow, curious

replied, his eyes gleaming with excitemen

head. "Come on, Mike.

ous. "I am serious, Damien. Think abou

t where would we find someone desp

t. We can't just pick any random woman of

les. "I don't know, Mike.

l was onto something. Maybe an arranged marriage wasn't such a crazy idea after all. And a

LA'S

y parents sat across from each other, their voices raised in yet another heate

exclaimed, her voice strained with desperation.

frustration obvious. "I know, Maria. But wh

s. Our family restaurant, Rossi's, had been a sign of hop

ce any longer, I spoke up. "Mom,

t attentive. I took a deep breath, finding th

voice shaking slightly. "I tried to get a loa

ers slumping with defeat. "Oh, Bella," my mother whi

ing the weight of my failure crushi

s grip firm but gentle. "We know you did,

ation in their eyes. Our dream of saving Rossi's was sli

in pain. My father and I rushed to her side, fear r

bling with panic. "Dad, we ne

and fall of her chest. It had been three long days since we rushed her here, and the worry had taken a toll on

squeezing her hand g

ce barely a whisper. "Bell

de my own exhaustion. "I'm fin

ace etched with worry and relief.

e strain in her eyes. "Tony, I'm so s

er other hand in his. "The important thing is that

e harsh reality of our situation. The hospital bills were piling up, eating away at our already deplet

d hanging over us. The small comfort of her recovery was overshadowed by the coming f