Valentina's POV

One week has passed by of me staying at my new real home and after visiting the doctor I can see the things that my new found family is doing for me.

Like, Luciano is making sure that I am following my nutrient full diet plan by not letting me overeat.

Although, my food consumption didn't increase in these 7 days.

Still I am trying ! That's what matters.

But I feel bad seeing the disappointed faces of my father & brothers especially Luciano who tried to hide the sad expression behind his smile.

Next comes, Massimo. He is always hot on his tail to make me smile and truth to be said I do smile a lot more when he cracks his not so funny jokes.

I laugh heartily because the smile which Massimo gives me after he realises I am smiling because of him is truly heartwarming.

Next is my eldest brother, Alessandro. He is usually the one who gives me my sleeping medicines but if he is busy Luciano or father takes over his task.

Sometimes, Alessandro & I took walks in our huge garden. We will make some little talks like 'How was your day' or 'How did you spend it'

And honestly, I enjoyed these sweet little walks with my elder brother so much. Alessandro wasn't a talkative person but still in his silent yet protective presence I feel safe yet warm. So I love it !

Because of sleeping pills I am gladly sleeping for at least 5 hours now and I think it is not bad but again if I don't take one pill I can't sleep more than 2 hours which is exactly concerning for my health.

So my father gave me a book to read which would help me to sleep. Even though the idea wasn't exactly his.

I remember my father's words when he was giving me the book.

Flashback

"Valentina." I turned to see my father standing at the entrance of my bedroom.

"Please come inside." I said as I stood up to face him. He came inside and sat on my bed and motioned me to sit as well beside him.

"Here." He said as he forwarded me a medium size thick book and with raised eyebrows I looked at the book then at him.

"Book ? Why you giving me this ?" I asked, frowning.

"Ever heard of 'reading boring books can help you to sleep' ?" Father said and with a small chuckle I took the hold of the book and replied.

"I did. I just don't believe in it." I said while tracing the book cover with my fingertips.

'Restful Sleep' by Deepak Chopra, M.D. That was the name of the book.

"So you read books before going to sleep and it didn't work for you ?" He asked and I shook my head as a 'no'

"Well now it's your chance. Read this book before you go to sleep and then you will know if the famous saying is believable or not."

I looked at him for a second then looked down at the book in my hands.

"Fine. I will read it."

There is no wrong in trying it.

Back then I wanted to try reading books so I could get some sleep but the store room which was my room back in New York has no proper lights so there was anything I could do about it.

That's the reason I used to do most of my school homework or assignments in the library or school itself.

I had always liked to read. Working as a part-time librarian helped me to gain the liking of reading books in my spare time.

"Good." Father said as he stood up while patting my head gently.

He walked towards the door but suddenly he rolled his neck slightly back so he could see me and said.

"Oh ! I might forget to add that the idea of giving the book wasn't mine."

I frowned and was going to ask whose idea was it ? but before I can open my mouth my father beat me to it.

"It was your brother--Galene's idea."

My hold on the book tightened after hearing him.

"Don't say this aloud to anyone that I told you about this little secret." My father ended his words with a wink and a small smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

My lips formed a small smile as I replied back.

"Sure. The little secret is safe with me."

Flashback Ends

It was sweet & thoughtful of Galene to give me a book so I can sleep by myself but I would be more happy if he had given the book by himself to me.

I wonder why he didn't though ?

Was he just nervous ?

But maybe he was still figuring out how to approach me ?

To approach his little sister.

That thought made my broken heart clenched in pain knowing both my family & I had missed about each other so much.

Just because of our so-called jealous dead ass aunt.

Back to the point. The book actually did help me to sleep but for like 15-30 minutes which isn't bad at all. I am sure if I keep reading it will help me to sleep for more time by myself.

Matteo spent his free time with me by watching Italian movies.

Yup ! Italian Movies and I actually had fun watching it along with my brother.

Sometimes, our father joins as well if he is free from his work.

Francesco and I play video games. That brother of mine has so many video games and those games are expensive as heck.

He has taught me how to play station games and I am getting better day-by-day in playing those games.

About my angry bird brother I mean Xander who didn't try to talk nor do something in secret like Galene in general did but there is one thing he does is that whenever I am having my food which consists of green-yuck-veggies that has been unfortunately in my diet plan.

Xander makes sure I eat & each vegetable that has been served on my plate by Luciano.

Xander sits directly in front of me and doesn't move from his chair until I have completely eaten my food or at least he can see that I can't eat anymore while pretending to be busy on his phone.

And when I try to leave some not so likable vegetables my brother--Xander, he would glare at me and damn his strict glare is enough for me to eat all those yucky vegetables, quietly.

I can at least whine a bit in front of Luciano and would escape from eating those so-called veggies.

But Xander ? Nah !

Hmp ! Xander is strict but I am happy.

Like if my brother who usually just glares at me like I had stolen his damn phone and pretends like I don't exist wouldn't waste his precious time to watch me as I eat my small amount of food every day for the past one week.

Right ? Right ! He fucking cares about me. Woho !

Last but not the least comes my coldest brother--Dante.

This brother of mine hasn't shown me his face after the whole doctor appointment thingy and that is fucking one week already.

Dante wakes up early before I do or more likely when I come downstairs for my breakfast he isn't present there. He comes late and I am asleep by that time and the cycle continues like that.

Why wasn't he taking care of me like others were doing ?

Was he just that busy ? Or

Is he ignoring me intentionally ?

I can't help but thoughts like these appear in my mind from the past 2 days continuously.

I wanted to talk to him as I ain't mad at him anymore.

Come on ! He is my brother I can't be mad at him for more than 24 hours.

I understand he snitches about my poor health because he cares for me like others do.

Then why wasn't he approaching me like others were doing in one or the other way ?

Maybe I should try to talk to him but then at least I should be able to catch him in our mansion for that. Hmp !

The interesting thing is that none of my remaining brothers or father is bothered by Dante's absence like me.

Like for them it is casual for Dante's temporary ghosting himself.

But for me it is not. Period !

Although, I doubt my 2nd elder brother is a kind of person who will answer my stupid questions about weather or his day I would still like his quiet presence rather than his complete absence around me.

Let's not forget my father. He is the one who always tuck me in to sleep with a lovely forehead kiss.

I finally felt how it feels to have a genuine father--a dad who cares about you & loves you.

I had never felt those feelings from Jack and now I understood ? Because he wasn't my real father.

Jack was a monster who is dead for my own good.

"Sisy."

I opened my eyes and looked up to see the face of the youngest brother of mine. Francesco.

"Hey." I said.

"You are here ? And I was finding you in your room." Francesco said as he took a seat beside me on the couch.

"Came out to have some fresh air." I said as I looked in front of me.

Our Mansion has such a big & beautiful garden. I can't explain in words about the beauty it has.

In our garden, we have almost all types of flowers but my fav one is liliac flowers because it's colours are so pretty.

When father & I were taking a stroll in our garden yesterday he told me something which really warmed my heart so much.

Flashback

"This garden is so beautiful." I said as I stared or more I adored the beauty of this fantastic looking huge green garden.

"Your mom loved gardening." My head snapped in my father's direction who was walking beside while looking straight ahead.

"She did ?" I asked in a whispering tone. Don't know but whenever my father mentions my mother I just feel this weird type of heavy yet calming feeling inside my heart.

I don't know how to name those feelings but I don't hate them as well.

"Yes. She loved to do gardening in her spare time. You see those flowers." He said and pointed towards the liliac flowers. I hummed.

"They are sowed by your mother, Nora. She planted those flowers after coming here in our initial days of marriage and she took care of them as her children."

I stared at my father's face who was like lost in nostalgic memories of his wife.

We had stopped walking a while ago and were now just standing near those liliac flowers.

"Liliac was Nora's favourite flower. I used to give her those whenever she was upset and after seeing her fav flowers her mood will be uplifted in a second." Father ended his words with a small smile tugged at the corner of his lips like 'he can see the smile of his wife as she holds her fav in her hands'

Father crouched down and I followed him. He touched a liliac flower with his fingertips and softly caressed its petals.

"Mine too."

"Hmm ?"

"Liliac. They are my favourite flowers as well." I said quietly but enough to be heard by my father who smiled at me.

"Then I think I should try using the same flower trick on you as well whenever you get upset, no ?" He said with a small teasing smile on his lips.

I giggled. "You can try."

Flashback Ends

"Fresh air ? Do you feel suffocate, sisy ?" Francesco asked, breaking me from my thoughts. I looked at him to see staring at me with worried eyes.

"No. I don't and I am fine." I assuring said to my worried brother.

There is one more thing about my family who has become kind of really protective over me.

Overprotective is a better word.

Like three days ago--

Flashback

I accidentally stumbled over my steps and fell down and a small 'hiss' left my lips and before I could stabilize myself I was suddenly floating in the air.

"W-What are you doing ? Put me down !" I said to Alessandro with wide eyes who had picked me up in a bridal style in his arms.

Instead of replying to me or doing what I said to him. He put me down on the single sofa and kneel down in front of me.

"What are you doi--" He cut me off.

"Where is it hurting ?" He asked.

"I am fi--"

"Valentina. Answer my question." Alessandro said in his deep voice which always made me 'shut up and down as he said'

"Right leg." I answered and watched as he took my right leg in his left palm and with his right hand fingers inspected it with gentleness.

"Is it still hurting ?" He asked and looked at me in the eyes.

I shook my head as a 'no'

"Are you sure ? Do you want me to call doctor ? Or do you want me to take you to the hospital ?" My eyes widen listening to his words.

"Y-You are joking right ?" I asked with a chuckle.

Of course my eldest brother ain't serio--

"I am serious, Valentina." Alessandro said, gravely and I looked at him in pure disbelief return on my face.

"Let me call the doc--" I cut him off, quickly.

"Alessandro wait-wait. I am totally fine. There is no need to take me to a hospital for such a small thing." I said as I hold his broad shoulders to stop him from taking his phone from his pants pocket.

"What is happening here ?"

Someone asked and we looked in that direction to see our father standing along with my remaining brothers except Dante.

"Nothing--" Alessandro cut me off while saying.

"Dad, she hurt her leg."

"No--"

"WHAT ?" Father & my brothers practically screamed.

"Is it bleeding ?" Father asked as he rushed in my direction and my brothers followed him.

"N--" Before I can complete my word father cut me off.

"Is it sprained ? Do I need to take you to the hospital ?" Father asked and I looked at him in disbelief as well.

Like son like father. Biscuit !

"I am totally fi--"

"How did she hurt her leg ?" Matteo asked.

"She stumbled on her footsteps." Alessandro said making me embarrassed. How didn't I notice he was behind me earlier ?

"She is so clumsy." Xander commented while receiving glares in return from our father & brothers.

Good ! He deserves that for adding more embarrassment to me.

Before I can open my mouth to say that it's not a fucking a big deal without cursing our father said.

"Alessandro picked her up. We will be leaving for the hospital. We need to check if she has broken her leg or not." Dad seriously said and Alessandro nodded ready to pick me again but before he could touch me I spoke.

"Fermare !!"

(Stop)

Everyone stops in their places and looks at me and I take a deep breath before so I can speak in one breath.

"First, I am totally alright. Second, I don't feel any pain. Third, there is no need to take me to a hospital. Fourth, see--I can stand up & walk."

Saying this, I stood up and took three steps away from them then came back.

"You know you can tell us if you are feeling slightly pain also.." Father trailed off and my jaw dropped. My three steps ramp walk wasn't enough for him to make him understand that I am okay ?!

Oh biscuit ! Looking at my brother's faces they don't believe me as well.

"Come faccio a farvi credere che sto bene ?" I asked, frustration laced in my voice.

(How do I make you guys believe that I am okay ?)

"Okay fine. We believe that you are okay." Massimo said and I released a breath of sigh in relief.

My family is unbelievable !

Flashback Ends

That's what happened three days ago.

I wondered just because I fell down and slightly hurt my leg my family reacts like these then how will they react after seeing my bruised body ?!

A shiver ran down my spine just by thinking about that.

"Fine, if you say so." Francesco said, nodding.

"Btw why were you finding me ?" I asked.

"Oh ! Si, dad was calling you in his cabin." My head snapped in his direction.

"For what ?"

"I don't know." He said, shrugging his shoulder.

"You should go. Dad is waiting for you right now." I nodded my head and we stood up and made our way inside our mansion.

"Am I in trouble ?" I asked, nervously to my brother who chuckled.

"No sisy, you are not."

"Then why is he calling me from his cabin ?"

"I don't know but I know that you aren't in any trouble." Francesco said then dropped his left arm over my shoulders as he brought me close to his side.

"Besides, I highly doubt that dad will ever scold you if you get in trouble someday."

"Why do you think like that ?" I asked, looking up at him.

"Oh ! My dear sisy. Dad will melt like ice if you give him those puppy dog eyes of yours." He said, smirking and I side eyed him.

"Francesco, I don't give those weird eyes to anyone."

"Really ? But I can remember someone giving those weird eyes to Luciano to let her eat a second cup of vanilla ice-cream."

I blushed and looked away.

"I-I wasn't. I was just requesting Luciano to allow me to eat one more ice-cream." I stated, clearing my throat.

"Yeah-Yeah~~" Francesco sang, teasingly and I nudged him in the stomach with my elbow.

"Ow~~it hurts sisy !"

"It should duh !" I said and shrugged his arm from my shoulders.

I walked a bit away and took faster steps to my father's cabin but my brother caught up to me.

"Ok-Ok fine. I will stop now but seriously don't worry. Dad might just want to talk about something."

I hummed. "I hope so."

We reached the cabin's door.

"After you're done with your talk with dad; come find me--I will be in my room okay ?" Francesco said.

I nodded. "Si."

Giving me a peck on my cheek he left me alone standing outside our father's door.

Taking a deep breath I knocked on the door and heard a 'come in' and I entered inside the home office.

"Have a seat, sweetheart." Father said, smiling gently and I took a seat opposite to him.

Looking at his face I can assure myself that indeed I wasn't in any trouble. Thank the biscuit !

"Francesco said you want to talk about something ?" I prompted.

"Si. But before that I want to know how you are doing here ?" I raised my eyebrows listening to those words.

"Sweetheart, I am asking you this question because I want to know if you are finding yourself comfortable here."

He took a deep breath then said.

"A lot of things happened to you and I am unsure of how you are handling all this but please let me know if you are dealing with something. I am here to always help you, you know."

My broken heart warmed up with my father's sweet words like always.

Now do I say to him that this past one week has been the best day of my life.

I smile, I laugh, I enjoy myself that I hadn't been done from so long but fuck I am doing all those things because I am here.

Because I am with my real family who literally treats me no less than a princess.

"I am comfortable here. You all made sure that I was comfortable here and yeah I will surely tell you if something is bothering me." I said, smiling at him.

'Except for my dark past I am ready to tell you anything.' I thought in my mind.

Father smiled. "Bene."

(Good)

"So let's come to the point that I have called you here, yeah ?"

"Yeah."

"Valentina, I think it's time for you to join your studies back. I have already enrolled you in your brother's--Franceso school and you will be going to school from next week onwards."

*'*'*'*'*'*'*'*'*'*'*'*'*'*'*'*'*'*'*'*'*'*'*'*'* Hey yo beautiful & handsome people. This is Chapter 12. Hope you like it.

Moretti's care for their principessa~~

Tell me which one was your favourite caring act in the whole chapter ?

Target🎯 :- 25 Likes 150 Reads on Chapter 12

See you in the next chapter ~

Take care, bye.

Thank you, everyone : )

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