CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED AND FORTY NINE - THE KIDNAPPING OF MARCO

Xavi buried his face in her shoulder, his small body shaking with silent sobs. Rebecca stroked his hair, murmuring soothing words, even as her own eyes filled with tears. Later that night, as Xavi slept fitfully in his room down the hall, Rebecca confronted Luca in their bedroom. "We can't go on like this," she said, pacing the room. "Xavi is suffering. He can feel how unwelcome he is here." Luca, loosening his tie after a long day of meetings, sighed heavily. "What would you have me do, Rebecca? Throw my entire family out? They're set in their ways. Change takes time." "Time we don't have!" Rebecca exploded. "Every day that passes, Xavi withdraws more. We're losing him, Luca. And for what? To appease your uncle and his cronies?" Luca's eyes flashed with anger. "Watch your tone, Rebecca. These are delicate matters. The family's stability—" "To hell with the family's stability!" Rebecca shouted. "What about Xavi's stability? What about his happiness? Isn't that more important than