chapter 4

Next morning
The Salvatore Family Breakfast Table
NovelToon
The grand Salvatore dining hall buzzes with light and chatter. The family rule is clear: no matter what breakfast, lunch, and dinner must be had together. But togetherness here is an illusion, and no one knows that better than Alaric Salvatore.
Alaric  salvatore (ML)
Alaric salvatore (ML)
*He walks in — a black tailored suit, posture like a blade, presence enough to silence whole Italian Mafia But not this room. Not his family*
Alaric  salvatore (ML)
Alaric salvatore (ML)
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Vittorio Salvatore
(ML grandpa)
Vittorio Salvatore (ML grandpa)
* Vittorio Salvatore, the former Mafia King, lights up the moment he sees him*
Vittorio Salvatore
(ML grandpa)
Vittorio Salvatore (ML grandpa)
(warmly) There’s my boy. Come, Alaric, sit by me.
Alaric  salvatore (ML)
Alaric salvatore (ML)
*Alaric gives a nod and quietly takes the seat beside him — the only place that ever felt remotely safe*
The others? Keep talking. Laughing.
Isabella salvatore (ML stepmom)
Isabella salvatore (ML stepmom)
*Adjusts a napkin neatly. She doesn't look at him*
Francesca Salvatore(ML aunt)
Francesca Salvatore(ML aunt)
(to no one in particular) You’re dressed already? Isn’t it early for your… departure? ❄️
Alaric  salvatore (ML)
Alaric salvatore (ML)
(Soft but firm) Some things demand to be done on time. ❄️
Matteo Salvatore(ML stepbrother)
Matteo Salvatore(ML stepbrother)
*Matteo Salvatore, his younger brother, smirks.*
Matteo Salvatore(ML stepbrother)
Matteo Salvatore(ML stepbrother)
Says the guy who treats every family meal like a funeral. Maybe smile for once, big bro.(said sarcastically)
Leonardo Salvatore( ML uncle)
Leonardo Salvatore( ML uncle)
*Leonardo Salvatore, his bitter uncle, mutters toward his wife Francesca.*
Leonardo Salvatore( ML uncle)
Leonardo Salvatore( ML uncle)
Always the center of drama. Like his existence is our burden.
Marco Salvatore
(ML 2nd uncle)
Marco Salvatore (ML 2nd uncle)
*Marco Salvatore, the more mature uncle, just sips his coffee, eyes unreadable. Beside him*
Elena Salvatore(ML 2nd aunt)
Elena Salvatore(ML 2nd aunt)
*Elena, his wife, gently whispers something to Luca, their aloof elder son, who is too busy scrolling on his phone*
Adrian Salvatore (ML 2nd cousin)
Adrian Salvatore (ML 2nd cousin)
*Adrian, the quieter cousin, glances at Alaric, visibly uncomfortable. He opens his mouth — then closes it again. He butters his toast in silence*
Vittorio Salvatore
(ML grandpa)
Vittorio Salvatore (ML grandpa)
(Cutting through the noise) I saw the Eastern Docks report. You handled it like a king, Alaric. Two nights. Clean sweep.
Alaric  salvatore (ML)
Alaric salvatore (ML)
(low voice) It had to be done.
Vittorio Salvatore
(ML grandpa)
Vittorio Salvatore (ML grandpa)
No. It takes more than duty to lead. It takes power — and restraint. You’ve mastered both.*smile*
Leonardo Salvatore( ML uncle)
Leonardo Salvatore( ML uncle)
(dryly to Francesca) Or maybe he’s just good at covering his messes.
Francesca Salvatore(ML aunt)
Francesca Salvatore(ML aunt)
(smirking) Let his grandfather pamper him. Someone has to.
Isabella salvatore (ML stepmom)
Isabella salvatore (ML stepmom)
*Isabella, still not looking at him, turns to Adrian.*
Isabella salvatore (ML stepmom)
Isabella salvatore (ML stepmom)
(Sweetly) Eat more, sweetheart. You're looking thin.
Alaric  salvatore (ML)
Alaric salvatore (ML)
(Softly, a flicker of desperation) Do you need anything… ma?
Isabella salvatore (ML stepmom)
Isabella salvatore (ML stepmom)
*She doesn’t react. Doesn’t even blink.*
Isabella salvatore (ML stepmom)
Isabella salvatore (ML stepmom)
(to Gianna) Gianna, your college bag's in the hallway. And take your umbrella.
Gianna Salvatore
(ML stepsister)
Gianna Salvatore (ML stepsister)
*Gianna Salvatore, his stepsister, grins and nods, oblivious to the tension.*
Luca Salvatore (ML cousin)
Luca Salvatore (ML cousin)
(To Alaric, snickering) Big man with a big empire, still ignored at home. Tough luck, huh?
Vittorio Salvatore
(ML grandpa)
Vittorio Salvatore (ML grandpa)
Growling) Watch your tongue, Luca This table exists because of him.
Matteo Salvatore(ML stepbrother)
Matteo Salvatore(ML stepbrother)
*Clenched his fist*
Alaric  salvatore (ML)
Alaric salvatore (ML)
*Alaric lifts his coffee cup. The tremble in his hand is subtle. Only Adrian notices and quickly looks away*
Alaric  salvatore (ML)
Alaric salvatore (ML)
(quietly) I’ll be leaving after breakfast.
Matteo Salvatore(ML stepbrother)
Matteo Salvatore(ML stepbrother)
Should we throw a party? Or maybe a silent parade? ❄️
Alaric  salvatore (ML)
Alaric salvatore (ML)
( soft yet deadly). You wouldn’t survive the opening speech.
The table goes quiet. Then Vittorio barks a laugh and claps Alaric on the back.
Vittorio Salvatore
(ML grandpa)
Vittorio Salvatore (ML grandpa)
That’s my boy. Steel wrapped in silence. *laugh*
Alaric  salvatore (ML)
Alaric salvatore (ML)
(softly) Silence isn’t strength. It’s survival.
Alaric  salvatore (ML)
Alaric salvatore (ML)
*He places his napkin down, rises, and bows slightly to Vittorio.*
Alaric  salvatore (ML)
Alaric salvatore (ML)
Thank you, Dada. For the meal.
He walks out. Not one voice calls after him. Behind him, the table erupts again — laughter, chatter, and everything that excludes him.
Vittorio Salvatore
(ML grandpa)
Vittorio Salvatore (ML grandpa)
*watches the door long after it closes.*

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