Lucasia sighed softly as she went into her husband's office and quietly sat on his lap straddling him while staring up at him.

“I know you are feeling guilty but it's not your fault, Val. It's not Mr Alessio’s fault either. No one knew her true motives,"Lucasia said, holding Valentino’s face in her hands.

Everyone including Alessio has been blaming themselves for not being able to protect Ace from this heartbreak but in the end none of them were truly at fault. They had been betrayed by a person they thought was a good person.

“We could have lost him, Gattina,” Valentino said, wrapping his arms around her tightly holding onto her like a lifeline.

Lucasia’s heart ached at the thought of losing her precious boy. She was so happy that Ace finally found someone only to be disappointed in the end but somehow she understood Kaida’s feelings and emotions.

“Val, do you really think Ace did the right thing by sending her away?”Lucasia asked softly.

“Of course, this girl was going to deceive us,” Valentino said sternly.

“Val, she was manipulated by a man who she looked up to as a father. We all know sometimes for our family, we are ready to take even the most drastic measures to protect them and make them happy. ” Lucasia said softly.

She wasn't really happy about the situation either but for the past few weeks, she had seen Ace being completely depressed and empty. She had seen her son with bags under his eyes and his hazel grey eyes devoid of any light and warmth. Ace had fallen for this woman, desperately and he was now paying the price for it.

Valentino paused, seeming to think back to his own brother. Lucasia knew by the look in his eyes that he was thinking back to his own past and mistakes. Mistakes he had committed out of love to his brother, Jonathan who was now probably burning in hell.

“We all make mistakes, Val but forgiveness is important” She whispered softly.

“Ace told us everything and it's clear she regretted it, she regretted her actions and we both know she's had plenty of opportunities to kill our son while they were alone but she didn't” Lucasia said, earning a sigh from her husband.

“True but it is up to Ace to choose whether to forgive her or not” Valentino whispered, leaning his forehead against hers.

“He's our son no matter what he chooses to do. We will support him. In the end, we both know, love surpasses everything” Lucasia said, stroking her husband's jawline affectionately.

So many years had passed and they were still as in love as they were with each other at the start. They had many ups and downs. But that's life, It's never smooth sailing and it's how we handle those rough waters that matters.

It's how we respond to adversity, how we rise above challenges, that truly defines us. And Lucasia had faith they could overcome this phase. They always had as husband and wife, as parents.

“I did my best to keep him safe and protect him, Gattina, only to watch him have his heart broken by a woman he's been with for a few months” Valentino said, his grey eyes becoming clearer with sadness.

Lucasia hugged him tighter than ever, wrapping her arms around him. “I know, I know it hurts to see him like that. But We will be with him during this hard time, Val. We will stay by his side”

“You are right. We will, just like we always have,” Valentino replied, hugging her back just as tightly.

                                ***

“Ace is not the same anymore” Ares said as he leaned back against the couch.

“He's barely here. He's going to meetings and taking care of everything but his mind is elsewhere” Alex agreed rubbing his forehead.

Lucasia sighed, drinking her coffee. “I know, did you find where Kaida went?”

“No, it's like she evaporated. There's no trace, nothing. Enzo is still searching,"Ares said softly.

“These two need to talk, they need to fix things. Because I'm sure as hell she's in the same state as him right now and this can't keep going on” Alex said and for once even his blue eyes were not cheerful like they always were. They were troubled and weary.

“It feels like the light of this family has left” Orion whispered softly.

“Ace was our light but he is in a dark place right now and we have to bring him out of it” Valentino said, his face etched into a frown.

“The only way is her,” Lucasia said. She had tried everything to uplift Ace’s mood. They all had but their efforts were futile. Ace was not responsive at all, he had closed himself off even from his parents this time and that worried her deeply.

She just hoped and prayed that Kaida might return. That's truly all she could pray for now, even if she was mad and heartbroken that Kaida could have caused their son's death, Lucasia understood her perspective and knew the girl had suffered a lot throughout her life and she clearly loved Ace. They all deserved a better ending than this. She therefore closed her eyes and silently sent a prayer to God to bring her son back to his joyful and bright demeanour.