The morning sunlight spilled through the blinds of Elena's small apartment, painting soft golden stripes across the floor. She had just finished tying her hair into a neat bun when her phone buzzed.
Mama Rossi.
Her heart leapt. Calls from her parents were rare — usually short, hurried, and filled with worry. She answered quickly.
"Mama? Is everything all right?"
Her mother's voice was trembling, but this time it was not with fear. It was with joy.
"Elena, my child! You won't believe it… the debt—it's gone!"
Elena blinked, stunned. "Gone? What do you mean?"
Her father's deep voice chimed in, the excitement unmistakable. "The men came this morning. They tore up the papers. Said we no longer owed a single coin. Just like that! Elena, our farm is ours again!"
Tears filled her eyes. She sank onto the edge of her bed, her heart pounding.
"That… that's impossible. Are you sure?"
Her mother let out a laugh — a sound Elena hadn't heard in years, full and free. "It's true! We thought it was a trick, but they swore the Don himself commanded it. No more threats. No more sleepless nights. We're free, Elena. Free!"
Elena pressed a trembling hand to her lips, her chest aching with relief.
Free… after all these years…
Her father's voice softened. "It must have been your prayers, daughter. Somehow, God heard us."
Her mother added with a smile Elena could hear through the phone, "Now you can live your life without worrying about us. Do your work, chase your dreams. We'll be fine."
Elena wiped her tears quickly, not wanting them to hear her cry. "I… I'm so happy, Mama. Papa… I don't know what to say."
"Say you'll visit us soon," her mother teased. "We want to see your smile again."
Elena laughed softly, her heart lighter than it had been in years. "I promise. Soon."
After they hung up, she sat in silence, staring at her reflection in the mirror. Her cheeks were wet, her eyes red, but her lips curved into a trembling smile.
The debt was gone. The burden lifted. Her parents were safe.
But… how?
She thought back to yesterday. To the way Vincenzo had looked at her, his voice low when he asked if the debt were gone, would she still keep him away.
Her heart skipped.
No… it can't be. He's just a CEO. He couldn't… could he?
Her chest tightened with confusion. Gratitude and suspicion warred inside her, but above all, relief washed through her like a tide.
That day at the office, she moved differently. Her smile was brighter, her steps lighter. Even Goldie noticed.
"Elena," Goldie whispered as they walked past the front desk. "You're glowing today. Did something happen?"
Elena gave her a soft smile. "My family's debt… it's gone. They called me this morning."
Goldie's eyes widened. "What? Just like that?"
"Yes," Elena whispered. "I don't know how. But… it feels like a miracle."
What Elena didn't know, as she sat down at her desk, was that behind his closed office door, Vincenzo Marino was listening to her laughter — and smiling quietly to himself.
Because for the first time, Elena Rossi was free.
And it was because of him.
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