Mafia Lord's Mute Sweetheart

Chapter 57: Chapter 57 When did you last eat?

Daisy’s head snapped up, her eyes widening as she looked at James, then at Alessio, then back at James. She shook her head quickly, her hands waving in front of her like she was trying to push the offer away.

No. No, that is not necessary. I am fine. I will eat later. Please do not trouble him.

James ignored her completely.

"Alessio," he said, his voice firm but kind, carrying the gentle authority of an old man who had lived long enough to know when he was right. "She will not listen to me. She thinks I am an old man who worries too much. But you are young. She will listen to you."

Alessio looked at Daisy.

She peeked at him from under her lashes, then quickly lowered her head, her cheeks turning pink with a soft flush that spread across her fair skin. Her hands were clasped tightly in her lap, her fingers twisting together nervously.

Alessio stood up, his tall frame unfolding from the chair with a quiet grace.

Daisy peeked at him again, then lowered her head once more, her caramel hair falling forward to hide her face.

"Come," Alessio said. His voice was calm but magnetic, the kind of voice that made you want to obey without thinking, that pulled at something deep inside you.

Daisy did not move.

Alessio waited for her, patient and still.

James crossed his arms over his chest, his old eyes glinting with amusement. "Go. Both of you. I will be here when you come back. Margaret will be back soon. I am not alone."

Daisy looked at James. He was glaring at her, but his eyes were soft and warm, filled with the kind of love that only a grandfather could give. He was not angry. He was just worried. He always worried about her, even when no one else did.

She stood up slowly, her legs feeling unsteady beneath her.

She walked toward the door, her steps hesitant, and passed Alessio without looking at him. She could feel his presence behind her, tall and solid, following her out of the room.

The door closed behind them with a soft click.

Daisy stood in the hallway, her arms wrapped around her stomach, feeling small and nervous like a child waiting to be scolded. She turned to face Alessio, her eyes meeting his for just a moment before dropping away.

He was looking at her, his green eyes sweeping over her face, her thin cheeks, her pale skin, the dark circles under her eyes that spoke of sleepless nights and endless worry. His gaze was intense, but not unkind.

Daisy pulled out her phone, her fingers trembling as she typed.

You do not have to do this. I am fine. I will eat later. Grandpa just worries too much.

She showed him the screen.

Alessio read the words, then looked at her. "You have not eaten breakfast," he said.

Daisy shook her head.

"Lunch yesterday?"

She hesitated, then shook her head again.

"Dinner?"

She looked down at her feet, unable to meet his eyes.

Alessio was silent for a moment, the weight of his stillness pressing against her. "When did you last eat?"

Daisy did not answer. What could she tell him? That she had eaten fresh grass from the garden like a goat? That she had been surviving on scraps and air, slowly fading away in that cold mansion?

She typed slowly, her fingers moving with hesitation.

I do not remember.

Alessio looked at the screen. His jaw tightened for just a fraction of a second, a tiny tell that most people would have missed. Then he turned and walked toward the elevator.

Daisy watched him go.

He pressed the button, and the doors opened. He stepped inside and turned to face her, his green eyes steady on hers.

"Come," he said.

Daisy looked at him with wide eyes, her heart pounding in her chest. She hesitated for just a moment, then walked into the elevator.

The doors closed, sealing them in the small space.

They stood on opposite sides of the elevator, the silence stretching between them like a living thing. The elevator began to descend, the floor numbers ticking down one by one. Daisy looked at the numbers changing, her heart pounding in her chest. She could feel his presence beside her, tall and dangerous, radiating a heat that made her breath catch and her skin prickle.

She typed on her phone, her fingers moving quickly.

I am sorry. For the other night. For leaving without saying goodbye.

She held out the screen.

Alessio read the words. "You apologized already," he said.

I know. But I wanted to say it again.

"Why?"

Daisy hesitated, then typed slowly, each word carefully chosen.

Because you were kind to me. And I was rude. And I do not want you to think I did not appreciate it.

Alessio looked at her, his green eyes unreadable.

The elevator stopped at the ground floor, and the doors opened. He walked out, and Daisy followed.

❀┈┈┈┈❀

The hospital cafeteria was on the first floor, near the main lobby. It was a large room with long tables and plastic chairs, the smell of coffee and toast hanging in the air like a warm blanket. A few nurses sat in the corner, eating quickly between shifts. An old man read a newspaper near the window, his glasses perched on his nose.

Alessio walked to a table near the back, away from the other people. He pulled out a chair and sat down.

Daisy sat across from him.

He picked up the menu and scanned it briefly, then looked at her. "What do you want?"

Daisy shrugged.

"Not helpful."

She typed.

I do not know. I have not been to a cafeteria in a long time.

Alessio looked at her for a moment, something unreadable passing through his eyes. Then he stood up. "Wait here."

He walked to the counter, and Daisy watched him talk to the woman behind the register. He pointed at something on the menu, and the woman nodded. He paid, then walked back to the table and sat down.

"Food will come," he said.

Daisy nodded.