Mafia Lord's Mute Sweetheart

Chapter 121: Chapter 121 What do you want to buy?

Without realizing it, Alessio slowed his own pace.

His usual long strides became shorter, matching hers naturally so she wouldn’t have to hurry beside him. He adjusted his rhythm to hers without thinking, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

He glanced down at her once more. She looked so tiny next to him.

For some reason, he found it incredibly endearing.

The corners of his lips lifted ever so slightly before he caught himself.

He quietly looked away.

...Get a hold of yourself. She’s married.

The familiar reminder echoed through his mind once again.

Yet this time, it did very little to quiet the strange warmth growing inside his chest rapidly.

After walking for a while, Daisy suddenly turned toward him.

She raised her hands, her gestures slow and easy to understand, making sure he could follow along without difficulty. Her eyes were bright with curiosity, her expression genuinely interested.

What do you want to buy?

Alessio looked down at her hands before meeting her eyes. Her gaze was warm and patient, waiting for his answer.

He blinked once.

"...A gift."

Daisy tilted her head curiously, her ponytail swaying with the movement. The morning light caught the edges of her hair, making it gleam like spun gold.

For my little brother.

She nodded, then gestured again.

Why?

Alessio slipped one hand into the pocket of his hoodie as they continued walking side by side. His steps matching her pace perfectly, his long legs adjusting to her smaller strides.

"Recently... he’s been focusing on his studies." A faint smile appeared on his lips, softening his usually sharp features. "I want to motivate him."

As he spoke, his usually cold green eyes softened.

He remembered walking past his brother’s room late at night and finding the light still on. Instead of wasting time or causing trouble, Mateo had been studying quietly for hours, his textbooks spread across the desk, his brow furrowed in concentration.

It was a simple sight. Ordinary and unremarkable to anyone else.

Yet it had made Alessio unexpectedly proud.

"He has changed a lot. I’m happy to see him taking his future seriously."

Daisy quietly listened, watching the warmth that appeared in his expression whenever he spoke about his younger brother. The way his voice softened, the way his eyes crinkled at the corners.

She had never seen his eyes look so gentle before.

A soft smile bloomed on her face.

She pointed at him, then placed a hand over her heart before giving him a thumbs-up. Her gesture was simple but sincere.

You’re a good brother.

Alessio looked at her gesture for a moment before letting out a quiet breath. Something flickered in his eyes. Surprise, perhaps or gratitude.

"I don’t know about that."

He looked ahead, his voice calm, almost distant.

"I’ve just been raising them for a long time."

His voice remained calm. Almost too calm. As if he was stating a fact rather than sharing something personal.

"As far as I can remember, after my parents passed away since I was very young, I became the one who looked after them."

There wasn’t even the slightest trace of self-pity in his words. He wasn’t asking for sympathy or trying to make himself look noble. He was simply telling her a small piece of his life, a fragment of his past.

"The eldest brother naturally became responsible. I made sure they went to school. I scolded them when they made mistakes. I rewarded them when they did well."

His voice softened, becoming more gentle and helpless.

"They’re troublesome. Especially Mateo."

He paused for a brief moment before adding quietly,

"...But they’re good kids."

His green eyes softened with deep affection.

"They’re my family. Taking care of them was never a burden. It was simply... what I was supposed to do."

Daisy quietly looked up at him.

He had carried responsibilities that most people his age should never have had to bear. While others were still enjoying their youth, he had become both an elder brother and a parent. He had sacrificed his own childhood to protect theirs.

Her heart tightened.

Without thinking, she slowly reached out.

Her slender fingers gently wrapped around his hand.

The touch was soft, warm and comforting. It wasn’t romantic. It was simply her quiet way of saying...

You did well.

Alessio instinctively looked down. His gaze settled on their joined hands.

Her hand was so much smaller than his. Delicate enough that he felt he had to be careful not to squeeze too hard. Her skin was soft against his, and the warmth of her touch seeped into him like sunlight through a window.

A strange warmth quietly spread through his chest. It reached places inside him that had remained cold for years, thawing something he had long forgotten. Something he had buried deep beneath layers of duty and responsibility.

Without realizing it, the corners of his lips curved into the another softest smile.

Neither of them spoke.

They simply continued walking side by side, her hand lightly holding his.

After a while, Daisy gently released him.

Alessio felt a pang of disappointment.

His hand felt empty and colder. He hadn’t realized how much he had been savoring the warmth of her touch until it was gone. The absence of her fingers against his left a hollow feeling in his chest.

Then she raised both hands and smiled curiously.

So... What kind of gift do you want to buy for him?

Her eyes sparkled with interest, ready to help him choose the perfect present. Her enthusiasm was contagious, and the disappointment faded as quickly as it had come.

Alessio looked at her, at the genuine curiosity in her eyes and felt the warmth return.

"I don’t know," he admitted, his voice softer than usual. "I’ve never bought a gift for anyone before."

Daisy blinked in surprise.

She pointed at him, then made a questioning gesture.

Never?

"Never," he confirmed. "I’ve always just given them money. Or told them to buy what they wanted."

Daisy shook her head slowly, a gentle smile on her face.

She raised her hands again.

Then let me help you.

Alessio looked at her for a moment.

Then, slowly, he nodded.

"Okay."