Exposed to the CEO Behind the Mafia Mask

Chapter 600: Chapter 196 A Father’s Regret

Daniel’s POV

My father studied the photographs of Lila’s injuries from the kidnapping, his weathered face growing paler with each image. The Don of the Martinez family, a man who had ordered executions without flinching, now trembled as he witnessed what his choices had cost. Beside him, my mother pressed a silk handkerchief to her lips, tears streaming down her cheeks. I felt Lila tense against me, her head bowed as if the shame belonged to her rather than the people who had failed to protect her.

”You have nothing to be ashamed of,” I whispered into her hair, my arm tightening around her shoulders. ”You survived Connor’s warehouse. That’s what matters.”

”This is beyond comprehension,” my father said, his voice lacking its usual commanding authority. ”Lila, no words can express my regret. I am deeply ashamed of any role I played in allowing this to happen to you.”

”I need to know exactly what transpired after your meeting with Claire at the Meridian Hotel,” I demanded, unwilling to accept just an apology. The Meridian was neutral territory where family business was conducted away from prying eyes. ”Every conversation, every decision you made.”

My father straightened his shoulders, falling back into his Don persona. ”After our hotel meeting, Claire went silent. I assumed she had abandoned whatever territorial grab she was planning. During this period, I became interested in expanding into legitimate tech investments. A promising company caught my attention with impressive growth potential. As standard protocol dictates, I ordered complete background investigations on the business and its partners. That’s when I discovered Lila was one of the primary stakeholders.”

He looked directly at Lila, his expression softening. ”Learning about your financial independence changed everything. You weren’t some opportunist pursuing my son for access to our operations. You were his equal in every sense. That’s when I ceased my interference.”

”So it was my money that earned your approval, not who I am as a person,” Lila stated flatly, still avoiding eye contact. ”It always comes back to the family accounts and territory.”

”Yes, initially that was precisely my motivation,” my father admitted without hesitation. ”I won’t insult your intelligence by claiming otherwise. I’ve spent decades protecting my children from those who would exploit our name and resources. But today,” his voice gained warmth, ”today I see your true character. The way you helped that woman at the hospital, offered assistance without expecting anything in return—that reveals who you really are. You demonstrated compassion and selflessness during a vulnerable moment. And the woman you helped holds significant importance to me personally. You’ve earned not just my gratitude, Lila, but my genuine respect. Despite everything you’ve endured, you haven’t allowed bitterness or thoughts of revenge to poison your heart.”

His honesty impressed me. No deflection, no political maneuvering—just raw acknowledgment of his failures and motivations.

Though I appreciated his candor, fury still burned in my chest. This was my father—the man who had taught me to shoot, who had attended every school function despite his dangerous lifestyle, yet who had also made decisions that nearly cost me the woman I loved. The complexity of these emotions made forgiveness feel impossible.

”When Claire contacted you saying she knew how to handle the Lila situation,” he continued, ”I told her I was no longer interested in that alliance and warned her that any interference would make her an enemy of this family.”

My head snapped toward him. ”You knew she was planning something against Lila and didn’t warn me? How could you make that choice?”

”I didn’t know specifics,” he defended. ”She merely indicated she had a plan. I believed without our backing, she lacked the resources to act. I didn’t press for details because I didn’t want that knowledge.”

”From your position of power, you assumed she couldn’t move against us without your blessing?” I laughed bitterly. ”You underestimated what a desperate woman with Sullivan family connections could accomplish.”

”Yes,” he admitted. ”I was arrogant, presumptuous, and dangerously overconfident. That’s the truth of it.”

”Dad, you really screwed up,” Sybilla interjected from across the room where she’d been silently observing. ”If I were Lila, I’d have both of you thrown out of here.”

My father winced at Sybilla’s blunt assessment but remained silent, perhaps finally recognizing the gravity of his mistakes. He turned back to Lila with uncharacteristic humility.

”Lila, we’ll leave immediately if that’s what you want. I hope someday you might find it in your heart to forgive an old man’s arrogance so we can begin again.”

”Running away accomplishes nothing,” Lila replied firmly, finally lifting her head to meet his gaze. ”I’m sure you want to repair your relationship with your son. I don’t hold grudges or act from wounded pride. I’m willing to start fresh if your intentions are genuine. I love Daniel, and though I can’t speak for his feelings, I’m not going anywhere. It would benefit all of us if we could forgive each other and move forward as a united family.”

Her response left me speechless. After surviving Connor’s brutality, after learning about the web of lies that had endangered her, her capacity for forgiveness seemed almost otherworldly.

”I won’t run from this,” my father vowed. ”I want forgiveness. I want to be part of this family, and I want you to feel truly welcomed by us.”

”Why didn’t you tell me anything after learning about Lila’s kidnapping?” I needed this answer.

”Because I was a coward,” he admitted, genuine pain flickering in his eyes. ”I feared exactly what’s happening now—that my actions would cost me my son.”

Heavy silence settled over the room until I finally addressed my mother.

”And you, Mom? What did you know about Claire’s plans?”

”Only about the hotel meeting, nothing more.” She dabbed at her tears with the handkerchief. ”I don’t know what to say except that I desperately hope you can both forgive us. I came here today because I heard you were in the city but didn’t visit. Sybilla won’t take my calls. I’m your mother—I can’t bear this separation from my children.”

”Then why can’t you accept who we are and respect our choices?” Sybilla demanded.

”Because I was too slow to accept that you’ve grown up. I’m too proud to admit when I’m wrong. It’s difficult for any mother to trust in the job she’s done raising her children and allow them to forge their own paths in this life.”

”Yeah, you’re proud alright. And you’re still trying to force me into that arrangement with Grant,” Sybilla scoffed.

”That arrangement is absolutely not happening,” I exploded, my voice echoing through the room and causing both my mother and Lila to startle. Even Sybilla looked surprised by my vehemence. ”I was against it before, but after what I’ve discovered about that bastard, he’s not getting anywhere near you!”

”What do you mean?” My father leaned forward intently. ”What have you discovered about Grant?”

I hesitated, having wanted to discuss this revelation with Lila privately first. But events were spiraling beyond my control, and I had no choice but to reveal what I knew. Perhaps this would finally convince my parents to abandon their political machinations involving my sister.