Chapter 5 - Changes

The silence in the Sartorelli car was uncomfortable and unsettling. Not a word had been spoken since they had left the lawyer's office. Emma was curious about the situation, but chose to remain silent. Lorenzzo's cheeks were reddened, while Giovanna was breathing hard as if she were about to explode.

-Tomorrow you will not go to school - Giovanna said as soon as they entered the house, minutes later.

-Why? – Emma asked curiously. That was the first time his mother had asked him to skip school.

-We'll go back to that lawyer and you'll sign a document. You don't need to know what it is, just put your name and it's all over. – seeing Emma make the move to speak, Giovanna raises her hand and spoke seriously – it is none of your business the reason for this. Just do as I say.

Emma nodded silently and went to her room, while Giovanna let the tears flow down her face in an unsettling way.

***

Raquel walked over to the couch where Raoul was sitting, sat on his lap and kissed him passionately. He had gone to look for her at her house, something that never happened.

– Did everything go well today? - He asked between the kisses they gave.

-Splendidly well - Raoul said taking her off him. She straightened her blouse and smiled at the confused woman beside her – I didn't come to have fun today.

– So what do you want?

-I need someone to watch a person's steps.

-From who?

-That's not convenient at the moment - he said mysteriously - just find someone and when you find me keep in touch with him.

Raquel nodded suspiciously, but shrugged when she saw him walk towards her and kiss her, then lead her to his room.

-Didn't I say you didn't come to have fun? she asked smiling.

– Priorities change. - He said seductively as he removed her clothes.

***

The next day Giovanna was more depressed after returning from the lawyer's office where Emma had signed a document and then left. Nobody explained to him what it was about or why he was doing it.

-Mamma, is something happening? – Emma asked naively when she saw Giovanna sit on the couch with her eyes lost. She still couldn't believe what she had done to her own daughter. On impulse, he grabbed Emma by the arm and pulled her down onto his lap.

-Forgive me, my daughter - Giovanna begged crying - one day... you will know the truth and maybe you hate me for it, but I ask you to have compassion and forgive me.

-I will never be angry with you - Emma said comforting her. -but know that I'll be here if you need to talk about anything.

"Thank you…" he mumbled awkwardly. He released Emma and looked at her fondly – it's better to go study, don't you think?

“I will, but… Caroline asked me to go out with her tonight. I can?

-Maybe yes. A distraction will be good. Just leave the address and some contact number. And tell me what time I'll pick you up.

-Thank you mom .

Giovanna saw her daughter smile and go to her room and felt at that moment a light breath in her soul.

“I'll do my best to make sure nothing happens to you, Emma.

***

In one of the large rooms of the Felicità insurance company , two men were toasting each other. One of them was the current president and the other his cousin. Enzo was surprised at the strategic way Raoul managed to solve his problem.

-I was really surprised - Enzo said smiling at Raoul, who was sitting with a satisfied smile on his face holding a glass of champagne .

-It shouldn't be like that, but take me as an example. I am the current president and owner of the majority of the shares and I am still free.

-You are not exactly free, my cousin - he joked - you have a very young wife by the way carrying your name around.

– Nonsense. In a year from now we will get divorced and everything will be perfect for both parties.

-How can you be so cold Raoul? – Enzo asked curiously – for as long as I've known him, at least as long as I can remember, he's been so cold, responsible and merciless. On the other hand, everyone in the family is happy, spontaneous and loving. What did they do to you anyway?

Raoul looked out the window with a serious face. He didn't know how to respond to his cousin and so he kept silent. He had arrived at the place he so longed for, but he wondered what he would do next.

***

A few months had passed since Emma and Raoul's wedding. Emma's parents were relieved not to hear from the Belinni family and were moving on with their lives in a positive light. On a holiday, all of the Sartorelli family packed their bags to travel with the exception of Emma, who had chosen to stay to study with Caroline at her house.

-Remember to take care of yourself - Giovanna said affectionately as she left Emma at the door of Caroline's house. She caressed her daughter's face and kissed her cheek – I love you. I'll be back in a few days, I promise.

- I love you too, mamma - hugged her for a long time as if sensing something.

They pulled away and smiling, Emma waved at her father, who had stayed in the car waiting for his wife. Emma smiled as she saw the car slowly drive away, waved excitedly and then entered her friend's house.

***

- We should have brought her - Giovanna complained to her husband on the way to Tuscany. Lorenzzo just nodded, smiling slightly. He knew his wife and knew she wouldn't stop complaining until he agreed. – But… This marriage of hers is worrying me.

Lorenzzo looked at her quickly and sighed.

-Me too. I don't understand why they chose us out of the blue, besides ... What would they gain by marrying a man that age with a child?

"I don't know," she muttered thoughtfully as she looked ahead. It was strange for a car to pass them at high speed, but he shrugged. She knew there were a lot of reckless drivers in that area. “I think we should consult a lawyer as soon as we return. I don't want Emma to suffer any further. She is still a child.

-I agree, it will not be good for anyone for her to be involved with these people.

Lorenzzo drove calmly, his calm expression soon turned to terror as he saw a car heading towards him at high speed. The car was going the wrong way on a one-way lane. He tried to turn the steering wheel, but the two cars collided, falling off the cliff. Before they fell, Lorenzzo took Giovanna's hand and squeezed it tightly. Whispering a quick I love you, before they fall.

***

The doorbell rang shrilly at Caroline's house. She got up from the couch that was with Emma watching television and when she opened the door she came across a policeman.

-What do you want? – Caroline asked, finding his face strange.

-Is Miss Emma Sartorelli in? – Seeing the young woman in front of him nod, he sighed before seeing her and feeling his heart heavy – Emma?

"Yes," she replied shyly, staring at him.

-I'm sorry - he muttered as he took off his cap - but... There was an accident and... Mrs. Giovanna and Mr. Lorenzzo died.

Emma looked seriously at the man in front of her without reaction. None of it made sense to her. He tried to say something, but his voice wouldn't come out. Caroline who was beside him had the same reaction. In that moment, Emma's fate had changed.