PROLOGUE

The Morreti Family

The Morreti family was the most feared Mafia clan in all of Europe. At its head stood Giovini Morreti, bound in a loveless marriage to Lisa. Their union was never built on affection, only on necessity. Together they had six children-five sons and one daughter.

But the family broke apart. After one final bitter fight, Giovini and Lisa decided to separate. Giovini kept the sons under his wing, grooming them into heirs of his empire. The daughter, however, he entrusted to Lisa.

He loved his little girl-Lily-far more than he loved his sons. The Mafia world was too cruel for her, and Giovini refused to let his princess be swallowed by its darkness. The boys, though devastated, accepted their father's decision. They too adored their sister beyond words, willing to take a bullet for her without hesitation.

But the parting shattered them.

Five-year-old Lily clung to her father and brothers, her nose red and eyes swollen with tears.

Lily: "Papa, please... I don't want to go with Mama. I want to stay with you and my brothers!"

Her sobs tore through their hearts, yet they had no choice. To protect her, they had to let her go.

Alex, the eldest, forced himself to speak coldly: "Lily, we don't like you. Just go and stop annoying us."

The lie burned him inside, his voice breaking even as he pretended to be frustrated. Lily's small face froze in shock. She believed his words, believed they hated her. And so, clutching her mother's hand, she left.

The boys couldn't bear to watch her disappear from their lives. Once the door shut, their strong Mafia hearts broke into pieces.

Ten Years Later

Lily was now fifteen. Her mother had long neglected her, while friends became her true family. Rose, a girl two years older, cared for Lily like a child, shielding her from the loneliness that haunted her life.

She rarely returned home, but one day she did-only to find her mother dead. The police stepped in and, after uncovering her lineage, decided she must return to her brothers.

Lily begged them not to.

"Please, let me stay with my friends. I don't want to go back to that cage."

But the officers were unmoved. "This is our duty."

Her fate was sealed.

At the Morreti Mansion

Inside his office, Alex Morreti was working through stacks of mafia dealings. Beside him, Ethan, the second eldest, assisted with strategies. The younger brothers were in the basement, extracting information from an unfortunate enemy.

The silence broke when Alex's phone rang.

Police Officer (P): "Hello, umm... Alex Morreti?"
Alex (A): "Yes. Who's this?" He ask coldly.
P: "I'm a police officer from Milan. Do you know... Lily? Her mother passed away. She has no one now. Records show she is your sister. Can you be her legal guardian? If not, we'll place her in an orphanage."

Alex froze. The words sank in, and for a long moment, he couldn't respond. His face betrayed an emotion Ethan hadn't seen in ten years.

P: "Hello? Are you there?"
Alex (steadying his voice): "I'll be her legal guardian. I'll take responsibility for her."
P: "Alright. When will you come for her?"
Alex: "Today."

Before the officer could reply, Alex cut the call. His expression was calm, but his eyes carried a storm.

Alex: "Lisa is dead. Lily will live with us now. I'll be her guardian."

Ethan's body went rigid. His breath caught, and his eyes shimmered with tears.

Ethan (whispering, almost broken): "M...my baby... Is it true?"

Alex gave a slow nod.

Alex: "Yes. Our sister is coming home. To her real home."

Tears finally escaped Ethan's eyes as he muttered, "Thank God..."

Alex rose to his feet, resolve hardening.

Alex: "Cancel all meetings. I'm going to pick up my sister."
Ethan: "I'll come with you."

Alex paused, weighing the thought, then finally agreed.

Alex: "Fine. Inform the others. Our princess is coming home."

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Words: 629
Sorry for any grammer or any other mistakes.
I will try to upload long chapter