90

Faust

I didn't sleep much that night.

Lost in thought, I watched Francesca on the bed in the corner, the even rise and fall of her chest as she slept. A son. I hadn't lied when I said I preferred a daughter. Children brought a lot of headaches, a lot of worry. I did everything I could to mold Giulio into the man who would lead my family, but I failed. He did not want.

You have to let Giulio choose.

Two weeks ago, before I was shot, I wouldn't have cared about your feelings. He was the Ravazzani heir with a duty to me, to the family, and his wishes didn't matter.

But I could no longer say that this was still the case.

As I bled on the sidewalk, I thought about those I was leaving behind, including Giulio. My good boy, who only argued with me once, and it was because of his lover, Paulo. He would do whatever I asked, even at the expense of his own happiness. But did I want that life for him?

I hated my own father, who never showed any consideration for my thoughts or feelings. We weren'