Share
81
Related chapters
Beginning of the end 82
My father led me upstairs.As I entered the room, the air in the room was thick with the sterile scent of medical equipment.It felt strange .The whole room lookedike a hospital room.It is a constant reminder of the battle my mother, Maria was bravely fighting. The room, resembling a hospital ward, echoed with the hum of machines and soft footsteps of attending servants dedicated to her care. My father seems to be spending too much for her care.He told me that doctors have given up, that the cancer might not get cured now. But he wants my mother to have the best medical care.My heart sank as I took in the sight of my mother.She looked so pale and skinny.She was frail and weakened by the relentless grasp of late-stage lung cancer.Tubes and wires snaked across the room, connecting my mother to various monitors and IV drips.Even the scenario scares me.The soft glow of monitors cast an eerie light on her pale face, reflecting the toll the illness had taken. My eyes welled with
Beginning of the end 83
I shifted in my new room. My parents seemed to be beyond excited so they decided to throw a party for me.Of course taking into consideration my mother's poor health, the party consisted of only family people. Me, Sofia, our kids, my father and Salvatore.I don't understand why Salvatore is here, to which my father replied that he is basically a part of our family, he is like a family member.I still need to discuss with my father about the future of my children's education and my job too.I am not sure if it's the right time or place but my brain tells me to put this point forward in the very beginning itself, so that no question about it arises in the near future."I want to talk to you regarding my job." I spoke as we all were almost about to finish our dinner.My father spared me a glance."What job? You have a job." He looked at me and then turned to Salvatore looking for answers."Sir, actually she works in a library. I am really sorry I forgot to inform you about that." Salvator
Beginning of the end 84
I did not want to burden my father with the issues and problems he is totally unaware of. I came here just so I could provide a safe roof for my children. But now that Emma accidentally spoke about it in front of everyone, I have no other option but to tell everything to my father. He looks so concerned.But something I did not expect was Salvatore’s reaction. He looks more concerned and worried about me than my own father.“We will discuss it later, after dinner.” I looked at my kids and then looked at my father, expressing him not to talk about this topic any further in front of the kids. I want to keep my kids out of this crap as much as possible, I want to give them a normal life, out of my past and anything related to the crime world.One of my conditions that I proposed before coming here was that no one will ask me anything about my past, but now it feels wrong after seeing how everyone got worried. I don’t want to keep them in this constant of worry.After the dinner got over,
Beginning of the end 85
Somehow I managed to put a full stop to my father's worries. He assured me that there is complete safety inside this mansion. The security is really tight.We came to the conclusion that my kids need not attend the daycare. And when they grow enough to go to school, then something else will be done. But my father patted me on the back and tried to assure me that till then everything will be sorted.As far as my job is concerned, he told me to resign.It seemed like a big step. I don’t want to be a financial burden on my father. I am already living under his roof, he will be the one responsible for my kids. My job is the only way I feel independent, I can’t let go of it.For the first time in my life I was working and earning money. I gained so much knowledge and I could feel the difference in the old, naive Emilia and the new smart one. What I feel deep inside is that the job gives me an identity.All my life I was a burden to my family (people who adopted me), then the man I married.
Beginning of the end 86
I felt a lingering unease as I stepped into the library after a week away.I thought I was feeling this way because I have been at home for a whole week. Nobody wants to go to work after such a long rest. But it was a different feeling. The air was thick with an unsettling tension, an invisible fear that clung to the shelves and whispered through the quiet aisles. I don't know why was I feeling anxious.Salvatore dropped me to the library and I gave him the exact time when I will be free from work. He told me not to go anywhere and that he will be there to pick me up.My father trusts Salvatore blindly, I got to know that. He appointed Salvatore to take care of my security, but I told him to drop me and go back to the mansion back again.I don't want a bodyguard and I don't want to be a trouble for anyone.As for Aida and Emma, they are enjoying their childhood at my parents' house. They are no longer going to the day care. There are many maids who are taking care of my kids day and
Beginning of the end 87
My legs trembled beneath me as I managed to utter, "How... How are you still alive, Adriano?"This cannot be real.Maybe I am just dreaming with my eyes open. It's just a nightmare.He smirked, relishing my fear, yet offered no explanation. Instead, he asserted, "That's not important now. What matters is our daughter, Emma. My flesh and blood."I feel like puking just as he mentioned Emma's name.I don't want him to take my daughter's name out of his mouth.I hate the fact that he is addressing Emma as 'our' daughter. She is not his. He has no right to her.I recoiled at the mention of Emma, my precious daughter. The idea of Adriano claiming any rights over her sent a shiver down my spine. "You have no right to her," I retorted, my voice shaking but determined.I am willing to stand straight and confident, against this man, in order to keep my daughter safe and sound and out of Adriano's clutches.Adriano leaned straight, a wicked glint in his eyes. "Oh, but I do. I'm her father, and
Beginning of the end 88
Adriano left.As Adriano sauntered away, a chilling parting shot slipped from his lips, "See you soon, darling." The door clicked shut, leaving me alone in the suffocating silence of the office.I sank to the floor, legs giving way beneath the weight of fear and worry.How is he even alive? Am I dreaming? Is this for real?Before leaving he threatened me with one more thing, "Don't tell anyone about me, Emilia. Or I swear on my life I will not only take Emma away from you, but make your life a living hell."His words echoed in my mind, a sinister promise that sent shivers down my spine. The room felt colder, the air heavier, as the reality of his return settled in.I feel sick.I hugged myself, as if trying to shield from the invisible menace Adriano brought with him. Suddenly I was feeling cold. I felt like I was going to have a fever.The simple promise of his imminent return left me deeply worried, my mind racing with the uncertainty of what he might do next. Fear clung to me li
Beginning of the end 89
I kept crying and didn't even realise when I slipped deep in sleep.When I woke up I finally gained my senses. I realised what happened the previous day. I also feel ashamed of my behaviour with Salvatore.I woke up, feeling the weight of exhaustion pulling at me. My eyes felt heavy, and I could still sense the echoes of tears that had stained my cheeks. Swollen and tired, my eyes seemed to protest against the harsh reality of the previous night.The first thought that came to my mind was about Adriano.Dragging myself out of my bed, I stumbled toward the bathroom. The morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a gentle glow. I avoided looking at the mirror, afraid of the reflection it would reveal.As I stood before the bathroom mirror, I looked at my face. My face, looked pale and worn. My eyes, red and swollen, told the story of a night spent drowning in tears. I reached for a tissue, gently dabbing at the remnants of a stress.The water in the sink felt cool against my
Latest chapter
