Chapter 137: A Tense Reunion

The morning sun spilled through the apartment windows, casting a warm glow across the room. Yet, Tony felt a persistent chill that had nothing to do with the temperature. Today was the day he was supposed to call Tiago, and with each passing hour, the weight of that phone call pressed down on him a little heavier. He stared out the window, his mind a tangled mess of conflicting emotions. Tiago. The name alone conjured a kaleidoscope of memories: childhood friendship, unwavering loyalty instilled by his father, and a strong resentment that had festered over the years. He remembered the wide-eyed admiration he felt as a young boy, watching Tiago lead the Alarcao Family. His father, a man hardened by years of struggle, had spoken of Tiago with a respect Tony couldn't understand. It wasn't the respect one accorded an elder, but a deeper loyalty bordering on deference. Even then, the age difference had puzzled Tony. Tiago was barely a young man himself, yet his father treated him with a