Alessia spent the following days feeling like she was walking through a dream—or, more accurately, a nightmare. Her interactions with the Mitchells had grown colder, their patience fraying under her newfound defiance. Giovanni's words had sparked a fire within her, and though she didn't fully understand it, she couldn't ignore the pull toward the truth.

Giovanni stood before a whiteboard cluttered with photographs, notes, and timelines. Alessandro leaned against the wall, his arms crossed, while Sandro typed furiously at the computer.

"Here's what we know," Giovanni began, his tone sharp and focused. "The Mitchells have connections to a trafficking ring. This man"—he pointed to a photograph of the suited individual they had followed—"is involved in laundering money for them. He's also been tied to multiple cases of child abduction."

Alessandro's jaw tightened. "And they've been hiding Alessia all this time. It all fits."

Sandro looked up from his computer. "I've hacked into the Mitchells' financial records. They've been receiving payments for years—large sums, all from shell companies tied to the trafficking network."

Giovanni's fists clenched. "They didn't just take her—they sold her."

The room fell silent as the weight of his words sank in. Alessandro placed a hand on Giovanni's shoulder, his expression grim. "We'll make them pay," he said quietly. "But we need to protect Alessia first."

Giovanni nodded, his resolve hardening. "We'll get her out. Tonight."

The De Luca brothers prepared for their next move as the sun set. Sandro had traced the Mitchells' schedule and determined they would be out for the evening. Giovanni and Alessandro would enter the house and retrieve Alessia while Sandro monitored the situation remotely.

"This has to be clean," Alessandro said as they loaded their gear into the car. "No violence unless absolutely necessary."

Giovanni's gaze darkened. "If they've hurt her, I won't hold back."

Alessandro nodded, understanding his brother's rage but knowing they couldn't afford mistakes. "Let's move."

Alessia sat in her room, her heart pounding as she stared at her phone. The cryptic notes, Giovanni's message, the cold stares of the Mitchells—all of it swirled in her mind, an endless storm of confusion and fear.

A faint noise outside her window caught her attention. She moved to the glass and peered out, her breath catching when she saw Giovanni and Alessandro approaching the house. Her heart raced as she realized what they were doing.

Before she could react, a knock at her door startled her. Mrs. Mitchell's voice was sharp and impatient. "Alessia, are you in there?"

Panic seized her. She quickly climbed into bed, pulling the covers up to feign sleep. The door creaked open, and Mrs. Mitchell stepped inside, her gaze sweeping the room.

"I know you've been talking to someone," she said, her tone icy. "You'd better not be getting any ideas, girl. Remember what happens when you disobey."

Alessia's body trembled, but she didn't respond. After a long moment, Mrs. Mitchell huffed and left, slamming the door behind her.

Alessia waited until she was certain the coast was clear before grabbing her backpack. She stuffed it with essentials, her hands shaking. If Giovanni and Alessandro were here to help her, she wasn't going to waste the opportunity.

Giovanni and Alessandro entered the house through the back door, their movements swift and silent. They navigated the dimly lit halls, their senses on high alert.

"She's upstairs," Giovanni whispered, his grip tightening on the handle of the baseball bat he had brought.

As they reached the second floor, they saw a faint light under Alessia's door. Giovanni motioned for Alessandro to cover him as he approached. He knocked lightly, whispering her name. "Alessia, it's me. Giovanni."

The door opened a crack, and Alessia's wide eyes peered out. Relief and fear mingled in her expression as she saw him.

"Are you okay?" Giovanni asked softly.

She nodded, her gaze darting to Alessandro. Giovanni stepped inside and gently placed a hand on her shoulder. "We're here to take you home."

Alessia hesitated, her mind racing. But the urgency in Giovanni's voice pushed her to action. She grabbed her backpack and followed them out of the room.

As they descended the stairs, the sound of a car pulling into the driveway froze them in their tracks. Giovanni cursed under his breath. "They're back."

The front door opened, and the Mitchells stepped inside. Mrs. Mitchell's sharp eyes immediately locked onto the De Lucas. "What the hell are you doing in my house?" she spat.

Giovanni stepped forward, his stance protective. "We're taking her. She's not yours."

Mrs Mitchell's face twisted with rage. "You think you can just waltz in here and take her? She's ours. We raised her."

"You abused her," Giovanni shot back, his voice low and dangerous. "You've lied to her, controlled her. That ends now."

Mr. Mitchell stepped forward, his expression cold. "You don't know what you're dealing with. Walk away before you regret it."

Alessandro spoke up, his tone calm but firm. "We have evidence of your involvement with a trafficking ring. You've been exposed. If you try to stop us, you'll spend the rest of your lives in prison."

Mrs. Mitchell's bravado faltered, fear flickering in her eyes. She looked at Alessia, who stood behind Giovanni, her body trembling. "Alessia, don't listen to them. They're lying."

Alessia met her gaze, her voice barely a whisper. "You lied to me."

The Mitchells stood frozen as Giovanni and Alessandro led Alessia out of the house.

As they drove away, Alessia sat in the back seat, her mind a whirlwind of emotions. Giovanni glanced at her in the rearview mirror. "You're safe now," he said softly.

Alessia looked at him, tears streaming down her face. For the first time in years, she felt a glimmer of hope. But she also knew this was only the beginning. The road ahead would be long and uncertain, but she wasn't alone.