[BL] The Mafia Boss Wants My Body

Chapter 244: Chapter 244: The Weight He Carried Alone

"Learning to control your reactions is important," he said calmly. "But controlling your emotions and processing them are two very different things."

His eyes shifted to Matteo.

"From what I’ve observed, Mr. Marcone has spent years burying his emotions instead of working through them. He presents himself as calm and composed, but beneath that surface, he’s carrying an overwhelming amount of unresolved pain."

He folded his hands together.

"Right now, his emotional state is extremely fragile. Until he’s ready to be completely honest about what he’s feeling instead of hiding behind that mask, our ability to help him will remain limited. The longer those emotions stay buried, the heavier they’ll become."

The therapist leaned back in his chair, speaking calmly.

"Heartbreak can trigger severe emotional episodes in someone with bipolar disorder, especially when they’re already under significant stress. One of our goals will be to help him rebuild healthy emotional connections and strengthen the support system around him. Over time, when he’s truly ready, opening himself to new relationships and experiences, not necessarily romantic ones, can also become part of the healing process."

"We’re done here."

Matteo’s voice came out as a low, dangerous growl.

He slammed both hands onto the armrests and pushed himself to his feet so abruptly that the chair scraped harshly across the floor.

He didn’t give the therapist a chance to say another word.

The mere suggestion of opening his heart to anyone other than Adrian was unbearable.

Without a backward glance, he stormed out of the office, his heavy footsteps echoing through the clinic hallway.

Mark didn’t follow immediately.

He remained seated, listening carefully as the therapist continued explaining Matteo’s condition, the warning signs to watch for, and practical ways the family could support his recovery.

Only after taking mental note of every piece of advice did he thank the therapist and leave the office.

The drive back to Matteo’s grand estate was heavy and silent. As the scenery drifted past the windows, old memories resurfaced.

Back when Matteo pushed those boys off the high-rise after they targeted Mark at school, their father believed it had simply been a brother losing control while protecting his twin.

Life returned to normal after Matteo’s father used his influence and powerful connections to bury the case. Matteo was never arrested, despite the deaths of the two boys.

To their father, the tragedy had never happened without a reason.

Those boys had spent years bullying both Matteo and Mark.

They were the ones who targeted Mark that day.

They were the ones who pushed him first.

In his father’s eyes, they had brought that fate upon themselves.

He believed Matteo hadn’t attacked them out of cruelty.

He had snapped while trying to protect his twin.

But Matteo didn’t return to normal.

In the weeks that followed, his parents began noticing changes they couldn’t ignore.

His moods became unpredictable.

Sometimes he would shut himself away in complete silence.

Other times, he became unusually agitated, reacting with an intensity that didn’t match the situation.

It wasn’t the Matteo they knew.

The behavior continued, and instead of fading with time, it gradually became more concerning.

Even their mother, who had always believed her son would eventually return to normal, became deeply distressed by what she was witnessing.

That was when their father quietly arranged for Matteo to undergo a full psychiatric evaluation.

The diagnosis came soon afterward.

Bipolar disorder.

From that day on, Matteo underwent intensive treatment and long-term therapy. Eventually, however, his pride got the better of him. He refused to continue, insisting he was perfectly fine and no longer needed anyone watching over him.

The truth was...

He had never truly recovered.

He had simply learned to hide what was happening inside him.

Over the years, he became meticulous about avoiding the situations that triggered him, carefully controlling his reactions and keeping his emotions locked away behind an almost impenetrable wall.

Throughout his relationship with Adrian, Matteo had been in a constant battle with himself. Every day, he fought to keep his temper under control, terrified that if Adrian ever saw the full extent of the darkness inside him, he would be frightened enough to walk away.

That was why his possessiveness became so overwhelming.

The more he feared losing Adrian, the tighter he tried to hold on.

Until, in the end, the very thing he feared became the thing that drove Adrian away.

When they arrived back at the mansion, Matteo walked straight to the master bedroom without saying a word. He closed the door behind him and disappeared into the silence.

Mark remained standing in the hallway for a long moment.

For the first time, he truly understood.

The greatest enemy Matteo had ever faced wasn’t the people trying to destroy him.

It was the battle raging inside his own mind.

Throughout his relationship with Adrian, Matteo had been in a constant battle with himself.

He knew exactly what he was capable of when he lost control.

That was why he rarely allowed himself to get angry with Adrian, no matter how much Adrian tested his patience.

He swallowed his frustration.

He bit back his temper.

He chose silence over confrontation.

Even when Adrian provoked him, Matteo would rather walk away than risk letting that darkness surface.

The same fear was the reason he stayed away from drugs whenever Adrian was by his side.

It wasn’t because he couldn’t control himself.

It was because he knew the drugs could weaken the control he had spent so long building. If Adrian unknowingly pushed him during one of those moments, Matteo feared he might become the very monster he had spent his life trying to hide.

That was why his possessiveness became so overwhelming.

The more he feared losing Adrian...

The tighter he tried to hold on.

He had spent every day fighting himself to protect the man he loved.

Yet, in the end...

The very thing he feared became the thing that drove Adrian away.

When they arrived back at the mansion, Matteo walked straight to the master bedroom without saying a word. He closed the door behind him and disappeared into the silence.

Mark remained standing in the hallway for a long moment.

For the first time...

He truly understood.

The greatest enemy Matteo had ever faced wasn’t the people trying to destroy him.

It was the battle raging inside his own mind.

Mark quietly made his way downstairs and headed straight for the spacious kitchen, determined to do something, anything, to comfort his brother.

He decided to make Caldo de Res, the rich, comforting beef and vegetable soup their mother always prepared whenever Matteo was struggling.

Taking off his suit jacket, Mark rolled up his sleeves.

Selene stood quietly beside him, handing him each ingredient and utensil as he needed them.

With careful, practiced hands, Mark prepared the soup exactly the way their mother always had, hoping the familiar taste of home would soothe the storm raging inside his twin.

Once the soup was steaming hot, Mark carried the tray upstairs himself. He knocked softly once before letting himself into the master bedroom.

Matteo sat on the edge of the bed, staring blankly into the shadows.

Mark quietly set the tray on the nightstand and stepped closer.

Before he could say a single word, Matteo spoke, his voice calm.

"I’m fine, Mark."

He still didn’t look up.

"I can control it."

A bitter smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

"All these years... I’ve never hurt anyone who didn’t come after me first."

He finally lifted his eyes.

"I don’t spend every day forcing myself to control my temper."

His voice remained steady. "I already have it under control."

He held Mark’s gaze for a long moment before adding quietly, "My mental health isn’t falling apart."

A brief silence settled over the room. "I’m fine."

Matteo’s eyes searched his brother’s face, desperation quietly creeping into them.

"I’m hurting right now. I know that. But I’m still living, aren’t I?" he said. "I go to work. I handle my business. I get through each day like everyone else."

His jaw tightened. "That therapist is wrong. I’ll just find another one."

He looked at Mark almost pleadingly. "I’m not sick. Do you believe me?"

A painful lump rose in Mark’s throat. He couldn’t bring himself to lie. But he couldn’t shatter his brother either. "I believe you’re trying your best," he said softly. "And I’m going to stay with you through all of this."

Matteo let out a shaky breath. "We’ll just find another therapist, okay?" he murmured, desperately clinging to the idea.

Mark gave a slow nod. "Alright."

Matteo reached forward and wrapped his arms tightly around his twin, burying his face against Mark’s shoulder. "I’m fine... okay?"

Mark closed his eyes and held him just as tightly, gently rubbing his back. "I’m here, Teo. I’ll always be here."

They stayed locked in the embrace for a while, the silence of the room heavy with unspoken truths.

Finally, Mark pulled back slightly and took Matteo’s hand.

"Come on," he said gently. "I made your favorite soup. Come eat while it’s still hot."

Matteo gave a small, weary nod. "Alright."

He walked over to the small table by the window, settled into the chair, and slowly began eating the warm soup.

Mark quietly took the seat across from him, watching his brother in silent, painful contemplation.

I always thought falling in love was the best thing that ever happened to you, he thought bitterly.

I never imagined it would become the very thing that broke you. I never imagined you would lose yourself trying to love another human being this much.

Just as Matteo lifted another spoonful of soup...