Open-mouthed, the glimmer of elegant dresses and intricate masks left her aghast. She wore a flowing, turquoise, floor-length gown with shimmery silver straps that matched the mask covering her face. Her eyes looked abound in awe, as they bounced from the hanging glass chandeliers, to dancing couples, to the lavish drapes adorning the French, arched window frames.

Hands reached from behind lifting her off the floor. A high-pitched shriek, followed by a giggle escaped Sofia's lips, as she was swung around playfully in his arms.

"Jean!" She chortled. "Put me down!"

Kissing the side of her neck he did. Sofia turned in his arms smiling up at him.

"Come. I want to show you something." Grabbing her hand, Jean guided her to the main parlor where a beautiful golden mirror hung.

"Ooooh my! That is absolutely gorgeous Jean!" Her voice and eyes in awe. Hesitating, she turned her head towards him, "may I?"

"Yes, of course."

Softly, her fingers traced the priceless frame. "I've never seen anything as beautiful as this Jean."

"I have." The sweet words caught her by surprise, and she turned in his arms. 

Jean bore into her green eyes and slowly, leaned to kiss her. His hand rested on the precious metal, as their lips met. The aurelian frame reverberated, sending electric pulsations down their bodies. 

"Did you feel that? It felt more than a kiss."

He agreed. "Yesss. As if some unearthly vibration came from the frame?!"

"And, who might this young girl be?" Jean's great-grandfathers stood towering over them, making Sofia uncomfortable.

"This is my girlfriend, Sofia." Jeans finger's held tight to her own in comfort and desperation.

"Really?" Dark eyes turned to study the partially covered face. "Sofia? Sofia what?"

"Sofia-"

"Are you- are you an Abelli?" The narrow look turned muddy and his jaw clenched so hard, it could have shatter, from the pressure. 

They had no idea how he'd been able to tell, almost as if he could smell who she was. Her heart beat hard against her chest and the rapid palpitations made it difficult to breath. The color left Sofia's face as she looked from his face, to Jean's in wonder. Was he as nervous as she was?

"Jean?" An inquisitive brow lifted and a sinister smile transformed his lips.

Sofia felt Jean's fingers tremble in the tight-grip of her sweaty hand.

"Bisnonno, io-"

"Niente!" 

His eyes reflected flames and, in his head, Jean chanted a protection prayer. He'd never seen him so angry.

"You disappoint me Jean." The low rumble of his voice unheard by the guest surrounding them. "You know my rule. My one and only rule. NO Abelli's!!"

Everyone's shocked eyes turned to the large man with the lion's roar.  He din't care who heard, who saw, who witnessed, his fury.

"Why?! Why do you hate them so?!"

The back of his hand cracked the young man's cheek. It rouged instantly, and blood dripped from his lip. Utter silence fell, except for a few shocked oohs and gasps from the guests.

"Insolent boy!" Indecipherable words cursed through his lips. The mirror shook and a pit, resembling a black-hole formed inside of it. "You and that putana daughter of mine can rot in that mirror!" He cared no longer who knew. He was untouchable. All powerful. Let them come for him, if they dared.

Sofia sobbed uncontrollably, Jean lost the natural color of his face and Francesco, turned bright-red. Spit and fire, like an erupting volcano, came out of his mouth.

"The mirror!" A shriek came out of one of the guest and all eyes turned to the moving mirror. 

Her face, still beautiful yet skeletal, like one of a corps, fell upon her father. Francesco froze. Flabbergasted and impotent, he feared her... his daughter. The one he'd imprisoned, so many years ago.

As she moved, her head ticked and a ghostly voice rose from her lips.

 "I've been waiting years to see you again, father."

He couldn't speak.

"Tonight, you shall take my place!" 

A hand stretched out grabbing him strongly by the collar pulling him with force. He fought back. Striking and punching at her but, it was fruitless. Her strength, unmovable. 

"I've been preparing for this day, father. Never knowing if it would come but, if it did, I was sure to win. And I will. For Jeans sake. For our family. You, papa, can come live with the devil yourself!"

Pulling with all her might, she took him into the mirror with her and once he was in, the mirror pushed her out cracking loudly, like thunder, then shattered into a million golden pieces. 

At first, she was a creature all were sure to fear, but then, like a caterpillar turns into a butterfly, so did she. Blue light surrounded her and she transformed into the girl she once had been. 

A young man appeared. His clothes from a different period in time, long, long ago. Her face flushed when he smiled and, his arms embraced her with force.

"Amore."

The whisper trickled upon them, like fresh morning due.

"Finally, you're home."

She nodded speechless with tears in her eyes, stroking her belly. With every step she took toward him, it grew full and ripe, and everyone understood, she'd been pregnant before her disappearance. 

Many in the crowd cried, others stood dumbfounded witnessing the impossible.

Florencia turned to face them, "you are free. You both are. To love whom you want. Freely. He, will no longer be our problem. He's were he belongs."

With those parting words, their ancestors disappeared, finally breaking, the unbreakable curse. 

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