---Serena's pov:
Serena stepped into the quiet warmth of her home, closing the door behind her with a soft click.
The smell of lavender and freshly baked bread wrapped around her like a familiar embrace.
"Nonna."
From the small kitchen, her grandmother turned, her soft eyes lighting up.
"Tesoro, you're home early."
Serena forced a small smile and walked over, pressing a kiss to her grandmother's wrinkled cheek. "I needed some rest."
Her grandmother's gaze sharpened. "Something is wrong."
Serena hesitated.
Then, with a sigh, she pulled the crisp contract from her bag and placed it on the table.
Her grandmother reached for her reading glasses, but after a second, she clicked her tongue and grabbed her sunglasses instead. "These will have to do," she muttered, settling them on her nose before unfolding the pages.
Minutes passed in silence.
Then, her grandmother lifted her head, eyes dark with concern.
"This is not a job offer, Serena."
Serena swallowed. "I know."
Her grandmother's fingers trembled slightly as they rested on the paper. "A private doctor for the Griffin family?" She exhaled, her voice tightening. "That is not an opportunity, mia cara. That is a risk."
Serena looked away. "Nonna, you don't know that."
"Oh, but I do."
Serena met her grandmother's gaze-and for the first time in a long time, she saw fear in them.
"You think I don't know who the Griffins are?" Her grandmother whispered. "You think I don't remember what their name meant back in Italy?"
Serena's breath caught.
"Walk away from this, tesoro." Her grandmother reached for her hand, squeezing it tightly. "Please."
Serena hesitated, looking down at the contract.
She wanted to refuse it . But Nikolai's words echoed in her mind*My grandfather doesn't like refusals.*
Her stomach twisted.
Was walking away even an option?
Serena met her grandmother's gaze-Her chest tightened.
"Nonna..." she hesitated, voice softer now. "What do you know about them?"
Her grandmother's grip on her hand tightened. "Enough to tell you to stay away."
Serena's mind raced.
"Did something happen?" she pressed.
Her grandmother exhaled slowly, her thumb brushing over Serena's knuckles in a way that almost felt like an apology.
"There are things better left in the past, tesoro."
But Serena wasn't so sure.
Nonna sighed, taking off her sunglasses and rubbing her temples. "I should've known this day would come."
Serena's stomach knotted. "What do you mean?"
Her grandmother hesitated, then shook her head. "It doesn't matter." She reached for the contract again, her fingers lingering over the Griffin name. "Tell them no, Serena. Before it's too late."
YOU ARE READING
The Mistake
Romance"She gave her heart to a man she never truly knew. When she discovers the monster hiding beneath his love, it's already too late. Because he's decided-she's his, and there's no way out. ....That was her Mistake "
