MARTIN’S gaze shifted between Anthony and Carmela, his expression one of compassion and quiet wisdom. Martin wasn’t trying to push them toward a decision, but he wanted them to see the truth he believed was inevitable—that Clarissa’s future might lie somewhere beyond their reach, in a realm they could not entirely control. It wasn’t just about letting her go; it was about accepting a part of her they had never fully understood.
Carmela shook her head slowly, her lips pressed tightly together as she fought against the surge of emotions threatening to overwhelm her. She looked down, gathering her thoughts before speaking, her voice barely a whisper.
“I can’t bear to lose my daughter, Dad.”
Her words hung heavy in the air, filled with a quiet determination. She had spent endless nights
