"When we were young, we made mistakes," Casaio began, his voice turning soft with memory. "We were always afraid Mom would punish us if we ever raised our voices. Over time, silence just felt safer than provoking her."
Karmen quietly topped off Gabriel's wine, then leaned back into her chair, choosing to stay silent and let the three brothers speak freely.
"I think Mom is planning something," Gabriel said, swirling the wine in his glass. "It's too quiet… and her silence is what disturbs me. I'll let go of everything that happened in the past, if you both help me tonight."
Casaio and Dominick exchanged a long look.
"You really think Mom doesn't want you to marry Amelie?" Dominick asked, his brow rising in skepticism. "I think you're reading too much into this. She supervised every detail of the wedding preparations from morning till evening."
