**New Beginnings**

I'd always thought of leaving as a distant dream, a fleeting thought that I'd never have the courage to make a reality. But here I was, driving down the highway, the worn-out streets of my hometown fading into the rearview mirror. I felt a mix of emotions swirling inside me - anxiety, fear, and a hint of excitement. I was finally free. Or so I thought. At eighteen, I'd been given a full scholarship to study nursing at the prestigious Ravenswood University, a chance to start anew and leave my past behind. My father, well, he wasn't exactly the type to throw a kid a lifeline. In fact, he was the reason I was leaving. The memories of his cruel hands, his biting words, and his cold, calculating eyes still lingered on my skin like a bad scar. I'd packed my bags and left without a word, not even a goodbye. I didn't want to give him the satisfaction of seeing me break down. As I drove into the night, I felt a sense of liberation wash over me. I was starting fresh, making a new life for myself. The campus lights twinkled like stars as I pulled into the parking lot. I took a deep breath, feeling a sense of trepidation wash over me. What if I didn't make any friends? What if I wasn't good enough? I pushed the thoughts aside and focused on the excitement of starting anew. As I stepped into my dorm room, I was greeted by a sea of unfamiliar faces. I introduced myself to my roommate, Sophia, a bubbly and outgoing girl from California. We spent the rest of the evening chatting and getting to know each other. The next few days were a blur of orientation, classes, and getting familiar with the campus. I was determined to make a good impression and prove to myself that I was worthy of this new life. Little did I know, my past was about to catch up with me. My phone buzzed as I walked back to my dorm, a text from an unknown number flashing on the screen. My heart sank as I read the message. "Emerson, you're not as free as you think." A shiver ran down my spine as I recognized the name attached to the number - Lorenzo Bianchi. My father's name was mentioned in the same breath as Lorenzo's in hushed whispers around town. Rumors of his involvement with the Italian mafia had always circulated, but I'd never thought I'd cross paths with him. As I stood there, frozen in fear, I had no idea that my life was about to take a drastic turn, one that would entwine me with the enigmatic and ruthless Lorenzo Bianchi in ways I never could have imagined. The darkness seemed to close in around me, and for a moment, I wondered if I'd made a huge mistake by leaving home. But as I looked up at the stars, I steeled myself, ready to face whatever lay ahead. I was determined to make a new life for myself, no matter what.