Everyone stood and bowed their heads, honoring Don Salvatore in prayer. After a moment, Ms. Rossi handed me the microphone, and I accepted it gratefully. I walked to the center of the stage, carefully watched over by a few guards to help with my large gown. After all, this was a grand debut, and every detail was magnificent.
Facing the crowd of luxury and prestige before me, I took a breath, cleared my throat, and raised the microphone to my lips.
"Thank you all so much for coming to my party," I began. "I want to extend my deepest gratitude to the Rossi Family for hosting this celebration. Without them, I really don’t know where I’d be after my father’s death."
I felt my cheeks flush slightly as the room fell into a curious silence, all eyes now on me. Memories flooded my mind—moments spent with Enzo, always the charming one, his laughter filling every corner, and Marco, calm and steadfast, his quiet presence somehow grounding me in ways I couldn’t explain.
"To answer your question Ms. Rossi, yes," I finally replied, my voice soft yet firm. "I believe I have."