Chapter 113

• The Castellano household was quiet in the days following the confrontation at the docks, the silence a stark contrast to the chaos they had endured. The tension that had gripped the family for weeks was beginning to lift, but the scars left behind were undeniable. Rafael and Maya knew that if they wanted to move forward, they had to focus on more than just survival. They needed to heal.
• Rafael sat across from Dr. Simone, a seasoned therapist recommended by Angelo, whose sessions had reportedly helped others recover from intense trauma. The office was warm and inviting, a stark departure from the cold, calculating environments Rafael had grown used to in his old life.
• Dr. Simone leaned forward, her expression calm and nonjudgmental. “Rafael, therapy isn’t just about uncovering the past—it’s about creating tools for the future. You’ve been through a lot, but this is a safe space to talk about anything that’s weighing on you.”