Chapter 2 - Poison and Betrayal
Dante followed Emma's eyes to his glass. He was a man built on survival instincts, and he caught the subtle, nervous twitch from Marco, his long-time lieutenant sitting beside him.
"Emma," Dante said softly, his tone dangerously controlled. "Translate every single word my mother just signed to you. Do not lie to me."
Emma looked at Marco, whose hand was resting too close to his jacket. "She said... she said the man to your right put poison in your wine glass while you were distracted with me."
A split second of utter silence was broken by the sound of metal drawing against leather. Marco lunged forward, reaching for his weapon, but Dante was faster. He seized Marco's wrist, twisting it violently downward onto the mahogany table. The gun clattered to the carpet.
Dante’s bodyguards moved in an instant, tackling Marco to the floor and securing the room. The other guests sat frozen in shock.
Dante didn't look at Marco. His eyes were fixed entirely on his mother, who sat quietly, her hands folded in her lap, tears streaming down her pale cheeks. For years, Dante had assumed her quietness was the onset of dementia or depression following her hearing loss. He had surrounded her with top medical specialists, expensive bodyguards, and luxury—yet he had completely failed to communicate with her.
"How long?" Dante whispered, looking at Emma. "How long has she been trying to use sign language?"
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Emma looked at Rosa, who signed slowly: Since the stroke three years ago. I hired a private tutor, but Dante was always too busy running the family to notice. He thought I was just fading away.
Emma translated the words faithfully. Dante looked as though he had been struck in the chest. The terrifying mafia boss looked suddenly fragile, consumed by a wave of profound guilt.
