Mafia's Surrogate Bride Chapter 99

Aria's POV

My heart felt lighter than it had in weeks as Jennifer and I walked through the bustling streets of Florence, our arms linked like old friends. The morning sun cast warm golden light across the cobblestones, and for once, I allowed myself to simply enjoy being out in the world without fear or anxiety clouding my thoughts.

We stopped at a small flower shop tucked between a café and a vintage bookstore. The air inside was sweet with the scent of fresh blooms, and I found myself drawn immediately to a display of white roses near the window.

"These are perfect," I said, touching the soft petals gently. "Jessica has always loved white roses. She says they remind her of fresh starts and new beginnings."

Jennifer smiled at my choice, but then her eyes lit up as she spotted something else. "And what about this little fellow?" She held up an adorable stuffed rabbit, its soft gray fur pristine and its button eyes bright with manufactured innocence. "Every young lady should have something to cuddle when she's feeling poorly."

The gesture was so thoughtful, so genuinely caring, that I felt tears prick at my eyes. Jennifer barely knew Jessica, but she was already thinking of ways to bring comfort to a sick girl she'd never met.

"She'll love it," I said gratefully. "Thank you for thinking of that."

As we made our purchases, I found myself chatting easily with Jennifer about everything and nothing—the weather, the best shops in this part of the city, her favorite recipes for recovery meals. It felt natural, comfortable, like spending time with a beloved aunt or mother figure. For these precious few hours, I could almost pretend I was just a normal young woman going about her day, not someone bound by contracts and circumstances beyond her control.

The taxi ride to Sant'Anna Hospital passed quickly, filled with easy conversation and anticipation. I clutched the white roses and stuffed rabbit in my lap, imagining Jessica's face when she saw them.

\-

We arrived at the hospital with time to spare, and I practically bounced on my feet as we rode the elevator up to Jessica's floor. The familiar sounds and smells of the hospital no longer filled me with dread—instead, they represented progress, healing, and the promise of a healthy future for my beloved sister.

"Room 314," I said to Jennifer as we approached the familiar corridor. "She'll be so surprised to see us."

But when we reached Jessica's room, my footsteps faltered. The bed was empty, neatly made with crisp white sheets, no sign that anyone had been there recently. My heart began to pound as a cold wave of panic washed over me.

"Where is she?" I whispered, the flowers trembling in my suddenly unsteady hands.

Jennifer was already moving toward the nurses' station, her expression shifting to one of professional concern. I followed on unsteady legs, my mind racing through terrible possibilities. Had something happened? Had her condition worsened? Had she been moved to intensive care?

"Excuse me," Jennifer said to the nurse at the desk, her voice calm but urgent. "We're looking for Jessica Rossi in room 314. She doesn't appear to be in her room."

The nurse looked up from her computer, her expression immediately apologetic. "Oh, you just missed her. A woman came to visit about an hour ago and took Jessica down to the hospital gardens for some fresh air. Family member, I believe—she had all the proper authorization."

"What woman? What did she look like?"

"Elegant lady, very well-dressed. Dark hair, expensive clothes. She said she was Jessica's aunt and had permission to take her outside for a short walk." The nurse's expression grew concerned as she saw the alarm on my face. "Was there a problem? She had all the proper paperwork..."

"Jessica doesn't have an aunt," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "She doesn't have any family except me."

Jennifer's face had gone pale beside me. "What was this woman's name? Did she show identification?"

"Let me check the visitor log," the nurse said, now clearly worried. She flipped through pages quickly. "Here it is—Benedetta Russo. She signed in at 10:30 AM."

Benedetta.

The name hit me like a physical blow.

The woman who knew dangerous secrets and might very well see me as a threat.

"Jessica's immune system is still compromised," I said urgently, trying to keep the panic from overwhelming me. "She needs to stay in a clean environment. Outside air, other people—she could get sick from exposure to germs and bacteria."

It wasn't entirely true, but it wasn't entirely false either. Dr. Martinelli had emphasized the importance of limiting Jessica's exposure to crowds and uncontrolled environments during her recovery. But more importantly, Jessica was alone with a woman who had every reason to want me silenced.

What if Benedetta had connected Jessica to me? What if she was using my sister to send some kind of message?

"We need to find them immediately," Jennifer said, her voice carrying an authority that made the nurse snap to attention. "Can you contact security and have them check the gardens?"

"Of course, right away." The nurse reached for her phone, but I was already moving.

"The gardens are this way," I said, my voice tight with fear. "I know exactly where they'll be."

I'd spent countless hours in those gardens during Jessica's treatment, finding quiet corners where I could think and worry and plan. If Benedetta wanted privacy for whatever conversation she was planning, she'd head for the secluded area by the small lake where visitors rarely ventured.

As we hurried through the hospital corridors, my mind raced with possibilities, each one worse than the last. What did Benedetta want with Jessica? What did she know about my identity? And what lengths would she go to protect the secrets I'd witnessed?

The stuffed rabbit in my arms felt like a mockery now—an innocent gift for a sister who might be in terrible danger because of my involvement with the Cavalieri and Montrosso families.

Please let her be safe, I prayed silently as we pushed through the doors leading to the hospital grounds. Please let this just be a misunderstanding.

But deep in my heart, I knew this was no misunderstanding. Benedetta Russo didn't do anything without careful calculation, and her sudden interest in Jessica could only mean one thing: she was making a move in a game I didn't even fully understand yet.

The Florence sunshine that had seemed so warm and welcoming earlier now felt harsh and threatening as we rushed toward the gardens, where my sister waited unknowingly in the hands of a woman whose secrets could destroy us all.

As we rounded the corner toward the lake area, I spotted them immediately. Benedetta was pushing a wheelchair along the gravel path that led directly to the water's edge, her elegant figure unmistakable even from a distance. Jessica sat small and fragile in the chair, the hospital blanket draped over her legs, completely unaware of any danger.

My heart stopped as I watched Benedetta guide the wheelchair closer and closer to the lake.

She's going to hurt her. She's going to hurt Jessica to get to me.

"NO—!"

Without thinking, without considering the consequences, I broke into a desperate run across the manicured hospital grounds.