Adriana's expression changed just as quickly.
Her face turned pale, her eyes widening in exaggerated shock.
"Oh no!" she gasped, covering her mouth. "I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to! Sweetheart, are you okay?"
Salvatore was already on his feet.
He rushed over, apologizing repeatedly to the child's parents, his tone urgent and sincere. Without hesitation, he pulled out his phone and transferred money, trying to smooth things over as quickly as possible. The Don handling civilians. Keeping the peace in a public venue where the Family name floated above every transaction like cigar smoke.
But then the little boy suddenly pointed straight at me.
"It was her!" he cried between sobs. "She grabbed that lady's hand and made her hit me! She should say sorry!"
Every gaze in the restaurant shifted.
All at once.
Adriana turned to me slowly, her eyes filling with hurt, her expression trembling just enough to look real. Her fingers drifted to the pearl at her throat again, holding it like a woman afraid of being struck next.
"Miss Vitale…" she said softly, her voice fragile, "I don't know what I did to upset you."
She lowered her gaze slightly, like she was holding back tears.
"If you have a problem with me, please… just take it out on me. Don't drag innocent people into this…"
Whispers began to spread.
Low voices. Judging. Speculating.
I could feel it.
The weight of every stare pressing against my back. In a place like this, where half the room owed something to the Bellomo name, public opinion wasn't just opinion. It was verdict.
Salvatore turned toward me, his expression darkening instantly.
"What are you standing there for?" he snapped, his voice sharp and cold. "Apologize. Now."
His tone left no room for argument.
"Stop making a scene."
Like I was the problem.
Like I was the one who had embarrassed him.
Like I was the one who didn't belong.
Backed by the murmured encouragement of the adults around him, the little boy broke free from his parents' hold and rushed toward me. Before I could react, he grabbed my hand and sank his teeth into it. Hard. The pain shot through me instantly, sharp and raw, and he didn't let go.
"Hey—" someone gasped, but no one stepped in.