As Tiger trained the Mercado Family, Lucas sent Lion to the Abate Family. Much like what happened with the Mercado Family, but only Marco and Carlo challenged Lion’s capabilities. However, Lion was even more ruthless. While Tiger had slapped faces with each dodge, Lion flicked a rubber band at their faces with every evasion. Before long, Marco and Carlo’s faces were swollen and red as they accepted their defeat.
Like Tiger, Lion conducted an assessment of each member of the Abate Family. He finished more quickly, though, as the Abate Family had fewer members than the Mercado Family, allowing him to start their training sooner.
Meanwhile, Lucas, Victoria, and Vivian traveled to Appia Antica. This was where Vivian’s sister’s birthday celebration would take place-a sister she hadn’t seen in more than twenty years. Vivian was originally from this area, and her parents lived in a luxurious villa there. As they drove, Vivian felt a mix of excitement and anxiety. She wasn’t sure if her parents were still alive, given that she was now in her 40s or 50s. She also didn’t know what her other siblings looked like anymore.
In the car, Victoria noticed her mother’s nervousness. “Mom, everything will be fine. It’s been so long, and I’m sure they’ll be thrilled to see you,” Victoria said gently, her voice soothing.
Vivian sighed, looking out the window at the passing scenery. “I hope so, Victoria. It’s just been so many years. I don’t even know if they’ll recognize me.”
Victoria reached over and squeezed her mother’s hand. “Family bonds are strong, Mother. Time may have passed, but the love remains.”
Vivian nodded, though her heart still fluttered with nerves. “I suppose you’re right. But you know, I was an outcast back then. I’m not sure if they’ll accept me now.”
Victoria gave her mother a reassuring smile. “People change, Mother. And so do families. You’ve grown, and I’m sure they have too. This is a chance to start anew.”
Vivian took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing thoughts. “I just can’t help but wonder how much has changed. What if they still see me as the same person I was?”
Lucas, focused on driving, chimed in with a reassuring tone. “Mom, whatever happens, we’re here with you. You’re not alone in this.”
Vivian appreciated their support but couldn’t shake her apprehension. “Thank you, both of you. I just hope they can see past the old me.”
Victoria leaned back, thoughtful. “Mom, sometimes we have to give people a chance to surprise us. You might find that they’re more understanding than you expect.”
The journey was long, and the road stretched ahead of them, lined with ancient trees and the whispers of history. The Appia Antica was a place of beauty and memories, a fitting backdrop for such a significant reunion.
As they approached the villa of the Bellini family, Vivian took another deep breath, trying to steady her nerves.
“Mom, we’ll just wait for Dad here. He said he’s almost here,” Victoria said, glancing at her phone after receiving a text message from her father.
“Your Dad should have just come with us,” Vivian replied, a hint of annoyance in her voice.
Victoria smiled, trying to lighten the mood. “Mom, he said he has a surprise, which is why he didn’t want to ride with us. He hasn’t even told Lucas or me what it is.”
Vivian sighed, her curiosity piqued. “Alright, I’ll go inside and say hello. You two follow when you’re ready.”
Taking a deep breath, Vivian approached the villa’s door and knocked.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
The door opened moments later, revealing a housekeeper who looked utterly shocked to see her.
“Mi-Miss Venice?!” the housekeeper stammered, eyes wide with disbelief. “I thought you were already at the venue behind the villa?”
Vivian smiled, ready to clarify. “I’m not Venice. I’m her younger sister.”
The housekeeper stood there, stunned, unable to believe her eyes. Venice, the birthday celebrant, was Vivian’s older sister and her spitting image, only a year apart in age.
At that moment, an elderly man with a cane hurried to the door, supported by an elderly woman. Both appeared to be in their 70s or 80s. They, too, were taken aback at the sight of Vivian, momentarily speechless.
Vivian’s heart raced as she faced them, but she managed a nervous smile. “Mom, Dad, how have you been?” she asked, her voice tinged with both hope and anxiety.
The two older adults were visibly surprised, their eyes widening in recognition and disbelief.
“Viv-Vivian?! My daughter? Is that really you?” the woman exclaimed, her voice trembling with disbelief as she gazed at her daughter.
The elderly man beside her, equally astonished, sought confirmation. “Is she… is she really Miss Vivian?” he asked, his voice filled with a mix of hope and uncertainty.
The housekeeper, who had served the Bellini family for many years and witnessed their past struggles, stood by, equally stunned.
Vivian took a deep breath, her heart pounding. “Mom, Dad, it’s me, Vivian. I’m sorry it took me so long to-” Before she could finish her sentence, her mother enveloped her in a tight embrace.
“My dear daughter, it’s been so long since you left. I thought I would die without ever seeing you again,” her mother sobbed, her voice choked with emotion. “Vivian, my dear, please forgive me for driving you away back then. You have no idea how much we wanted to find you, but your father fell ill after you left. He took your absence to heart. Vivian, my love, I never meant for things to turn out the way they did. I hope you can forgive me and give us another chance. We tried to find you, but your father had a stroke during that time, and we had to rush him to the emergency room. If I had known what would happen, I would never have cast you away. I would have welcomed you and your husband with open arms.”
Her mother paused, taking a deep breath to steady herself before continuing. “When your father started to recover, we searched for you, but someone told us that you and your husband had been killed. We refused to believe it and kept looking, but we found no trace of you.”
Vivian’s father, his eyes filled with tears, stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her. “Vivian, my daughter, please forgive me. I was a negligent father. I couldn’t find you when you needed me the most. During those years, I felt helpless, thinking there was nothing I could do. But I never gave up hope that I would see you again. Forgive me for all my shortcomings. I love you so much, my daughter.”
Vivian felt a whirlwind of emotions-sadness, fear, joy, and regret-swirling inside her. “I never imagined you weren’t angry with me,” she whispered, her voice trembling.
Her mother gently stroked her hair. “Oh, Vivian, if only you knew how much we missed you.”
“If I had known, I might have come back sooner,” Vivian admitted, her voice filled with regret.
“But you’re here now, and that’s what matters,” her father reassured her, pulling her into a tighter embrace.
Tears streamed down Vivian’s face as she held her parents tightly, finally releasing years of pent-up sorrow and remorse. It was a moment of healing she had longed for, even if she hadn’t realized it until now.
The housekeeper, standing nearby, was moved to tears by the heartfelt reunion and joined in the embrace, sharing in the warmth and love that filled the room.
For several moments, they wept together at the villa’s entrance, lost in the emotions of their reunion. Just then, a voice called out from outside, catching their attention. They turned to see who it was, and Vivian’s parents were taken aback by the unexpected sight. The housekeeper also turned and froze in surprise, unable to believe what she was seeing.