Chapter 43 Alessandro Owes Elena Eight Years of Life

The merry atmosphere in the villa swiftly dissipated, replaced by a suffocating silence. All the staff lowered their heads in silence, tiptoeing when they walked in order not to make a sound. Alessandro brought Elena to his study. He shut the door behind them, leaving Lucia alone outside. Lucia stood in the empty hallway, listening to the sounds of Elena sobbing as well as Alessandro consoling the former. Each sound pierced Lucia's heart like a hot needle. She stood outside the door for an unknown span of time. It wasn't until her legs grew numb and Paolo helped her over to a nearby couch that she finally sat down. "Donna Lucia, you…" Paolo was hesitant to speak as he gazed at Lucia's pale face. Lucia silently shook her head. Meanwhile, Elena sat across from Alessandro in the study, tearfully explaining her pitiful past. "Your grandfather… was the one who arranged the explosion," Elena said shakily, her eyes filled with fear. "He's always been against our relationship. He thi