V

My hands clutching the suitcase were wet with sweat. My nervousness and anxiety became one inside me. Insecurity and uncertainty took over sharply, distracting me.

I stepped towards the café before exiting the airport and facing one of my cousins who picked me up. I ordered two cappuccinos and left immediately after paying for my order.

My heart beats loudly inside my chest as I drag my suitcase towards the man with a smile, who is already waiting at the pick-up point.

He pulled me into a hug when I got too close to him.

"Oh my god, I missed you so much." Reynand hugged me tightly. He was one of my cousins who cared about me more than my brother, Cannes. He often came to Milan just like Wienna.

I chuckled softly, releasing the grip on my suitcase and returning his hug. "I missed you too, Rey."

Hug broken, he stroked my cheek gently. "Are you sure you'll be okay?"

I nodded with a swallow. "Sure. I'll be okay. I miss you all. I wouldn't miss a chance to see you."

"But you don't have to stay longer for Andrea's engagement party."

"I never attend any parties, even for Christmas. Once in a while is fine." I shrugged as he put his arm around me, and we walked towards the car parked in front of the airport. "What's the worst that could happen?"

"Other than your parents? They alone manage to make anyone sick." Rey's voice sounded exasperated, not to mention his rolling eyeballs. "That's why you're staying with us. Mommy has already prepared your room, cleaned and organized."

I let out an incredulous laugh. "Gosh, Auntie doesn't need to do that. I'm only here for five days."

"It's needed. We can't imagine what you'll face if you stay at your parents' house." Rey said.

I don't know if I should be grateful for my family. On the one hand, I had parents who didn't love me, but on the other hand, I had uncles and aunts, as well as paternal and maternal grandparents who replaced my parents' love. They even gave me more until I didn't know how to repay them. However, I am very grateful. I am genuinely thankful for the love they bestowed upon me.

"This is for you." I handed him the cappuccino I ordered for him earlier.

He smiled. "Very sweet."

"You're welcome."

>>>

It didn't take long to arrive at the mansion that stood majestically in the middle of a vast estate. It was the home of my paternal grandparents. Grandpa was indeed from the old money of Canada, not just Quebec.

But that didn't make up for all his kids being on the same side as him. He was stern and strict in disciplining them in his countless rules and regulations. But to me, my grandfather was a good man who gave more love than his son, who was my father. 

"Are there many people?" I asked.

Rey shook his head as he closed the door. "Just some household assistant and Aunt Marie. Grandma is shopping with your mom in preparation for the party tomorrow," He smiled at me. "There are no your parents if that's what you're worried about."

"I'm not worried about them because I'm ready to face them. What's going to change about them anyway?" feeling bad and worrying was unnecessary at the moment. I'm trying to be tough and strong in front of everyone. I had already said that to myself the first time I exited the plane.

"I'm just worried they'll make you feel bad." Rey sighed. "At least I won't let that happen."

"You're very considerate," I tilted my head as I observed him. "Don't like me, Rey. I don't want incest here."

"Not like that, damn it." He said.

I laughed, and we stepped into the entrance of my grandfather's opulent mansion. Admittedly, our extended family wasn't from the poor. Out grandfather became the largest marine company holder in the Americas, and Europe. Still, it was all his until it was passed down to an heir: the first child and that went to Uncle Vincent, Reynand's father, and Reynand, being the first grandchild in our family, would automatically be in charge of the company in the future. That's what made him hated by Cannes and my father.

Indeed! They wouldn't accept it and said it was unfair. But the terms were grandfather's. No one could argue with his words and ultimatums.

As for my father, who owned a sizable law firm in Quebec but not in the wealthiest classification of business magazines, but I think everything was enough. My mother could still easily unleash her shopping desires... well, in essence, they were far from suffering. But greed and envy have consumed their souls, and I'm sure that until now, my father is still declaring a cold war with my grandfather over money.

My heart stopped when my eyes caught Aunt Marie coming down the circular staircase, her eyes bulging and striding straight towards me.

"Oh my baby." She exclaimed. She hugged me tightly. "I missed you so much, Cherrie." She continued.

I hugged her back. Aunt Marie was the one who never came to Milan because she was busy with her work. She took on that responsibility after her husband passed away. We only interacted with video calls occasionally, which was inconvenient.

"I missed you too, auntie." I chuckled.

She released our embrace, pushing away the tears that were coming. Her two hands cupped my face, "You're okay, right? Gosh, you've grown up, matured, and gotten prettier. I can't believe it."

I smiled widely. "I'm so fine."

She gave a long sigh. "Thank goodness. You're doing well."

"You're fine too, and you're getting prettier. I think you can have a wedding before Andrea does."

"Oh my God," she smacked my shoulder. Rey laughed behind me. "You're completely insane!"

"But maybe you can. I mean it."

Aunt Marie shook her head. "I won't get married before you do."

"Gosh, I'm not even thinking about getting married," I replied.

"Don't be like that. Your children are what everyone in the Renaud family is waiting for."

I just snorted in disgust at that and looked away. I put my arm around my aunt's shoulder, and we started up the stairs to grandfather's room while Rey went the other way, giving us time. "Maybe you should have waited longer. I want to make a lot of money first." Auntie chuckled. "So, tell me how Grandpa is doing?"

"He's weak, probably age, and his sugar is so low." Aunt Marie sighed softly. "I've given up."

I sighed softly. "I'm sorry for being absent all this time."

"It's okay, we understand." She said. "More than anyone, you're the one who deserves it. Happiness and everything. We're well aware of what they've done to you."

My heart shifted. I swallowed and stared at the large wooden door before us.

"I'll leave you two alone." she backed away. "He still remembers you. He's not senile at all. He looks very healthy, but he can only sit on a mattress and wheelchair with his favourite soap opera."

"Thanks for the information, auntie." I chuckled briefly before pushing open the door.

It was a brown room with a warm and cosy aura. My grandfather was lying in a hospital bed, except it was significant and used sheets and blankets according to his preferred colour: brown. He was leaning against the headboard, looking down to read a book, but then looked up when I entered. His eyes widened, he removed his glasses, and his mouth opened. His expression of surprise was so evident on his face that he straightened up. I stepped towards him and immediately hugged him tightly but gently.

He hugged me back. "Chère."

"I missed you, Grandpa," I said with a tightness in my chest, my tears coming out slowly as we broke the embrace.

"I miss you too, Chère. I thought you had forgotten all about us." He smiled, his eyes glazed over, but he held the tears back.

Grandpa had always been a stern and demanding man, and he could always keep his emotions from surfacing, but sometimes he would show his softer side. I also learned from him not to show my sadness because it made me vulnerable and allowed others to see my weakness. I might become so tough because of his teachings. It might just leave a little empathy in my heart, which is fine because I can't survive if I don't have hardness in my heart. I wasn't born like this but I made to be like this.

"I can't possibly forget all of you. You mean the world to me." I hugged him back.

The door opened, and the startled exclamation calling my name made us break the hug and stare at Grandma in the doorway. She stepped straight towards us with her surprised face mixed with disbelief.

I chuckled, hugging my grandmother when she was near me. She hugged me tightly, and I could tell she was crying because her crying was so loud.

"Oh my God, Cherrie." She said. "I can't believe you're here." She continued hoarsely.

"I'm real," I replied.

Grandma broke the hug and stroked my face. "You're getting older."

A snort sounded from grandfather. "It's been two years since we've seen her. You're overdoing it. Stop making her uncomfortable, Raina."

"It's been so long, and you're annoying." My grandmother retorted, hugging me back with endless words about how I had grown up so much, how I had lived in Italy for so long.

Meanwhile, I stared at the doorway where my mother stood there, no expression on her face, just flat, and then she walked towards us slowly. Looking at me, she turned her flat expression into a gentle smile.

Grandma's hug that finally broke away made me turn back to her. "Tonight, we'll make dinner together. All the family members will come to welcome you," she said.

I nodded. Turning to hug my mom, "How are you, Mom?" I asked flatly.

She hugged me back. "I'm fine."

And I quickly let go of our awkward hug, and nodded briefly.

"Can I invite Andrea's fiancé?" she asked Grandma and Grandpa.

They both nodded in agreement. "Yeah, Abi had to see him, didn't she?"

"I'm curious."  I gave a slight nod.

"Well then, get some rest. Your room has been cleaned. We'll gather later tonight. You can rest for six hours." Grandma said.

"She's coming home with me, Mom," Mom said quickly.

Grandpa shook his head. "And let you judge her? I won't let that happen. She will be here until she returns to Milan. No one can violate that." Grandpa replied firmly.

My heartbeat jolted.

Mom looked at me with her bitter smile, "Alright, then."

>>>

I was in the room I used to use when I stayed here. It's been nine years, but nothing has changed. There was still my doll sitting in the centre of the bed. There are still pictures of me and action figures standing up, lined up in a small drawer next to the large wardrobe where my clothes are.

My aunt said this room was always tidy, and my grandparents forbade me from moving things around or throwing them away. Realizing that they were still the same... brought tears to my eyes and made me feel loved.

I never felt any of this from my parents. In fact, from the last time my parents leaving my room abandoned, never cleaned or even looked at, and I was sure that my room had turned into a warehouse by now. Whatever it is, I don't care anymore, and I'm sure they don't regret not caring for their youngest child either.

I rested on my favorite apple-scented bed while sending a message to the group that included Hannah, Vittoria, and me. Saying that I had arrived in Montreal and was resting, I turned off my phone momentarily. I began to relax myself and prepare myself for tonight. At the same time, I realized that I was really in Montreal. IIt's not like I was unconscious during the trip, but my energy was already depleted from having to deal with my asshole ex-boyfriend. I needed something tangible to make me forget everything about him.

But a soft knock on the door stopped me. I stepped up to the door and saw Aunt Marie behind it. "Are you asleep?" she asked.

I shook my head. "Not yet. What's wrong?"

She handed me a gift-like parcel box. I frowned at her. "A package courier is coming, and this package has your name on it."

I took it. "I didn't order anything."

"Who knows? Maybe it's a gift from your friend who's here." Auntie smiled coquettishly. "But I can smell that this is your secret fan."

I rolled my eyes. "Come on. I don't have anything weird like that."

"You do now."

"Aunty!"

"Okay, fine." She laughed. "Enjoy your rest. I'll be back later in the afternoon."

I nodded and closed the door after waiting for her to move away. I sat on the side of my bed and opened the rectangular gift, my heart beating anxiously.

This was strange.

Fear almost made me put the thing on the table and choose not to open it. But my curiosity won out. I pulled the ribbon on top of the box and opened the box.

My heart shifted, and I started to move to the other side of my bed when I saw what was inside.

There was nothing there but roses, the thorns that had been trimmed away.

My head was spinning. Everything inside me shook painfully. My breathing was laboured and unsteady as I searched the box again. What might be the indication of the sender of this damn parcel.

There was nothing.

No name, nothing.

I threw it over the side of my bed.

The rose lay on the floor.

>>>

My footing was stiff. My foot seemed to be planted on the ground in the backyard of my grandparents' house. That tension that seized my chest appeared suddenly. I took it as a sign of bad situations and nervousness.

Well, maybe it was the second option because tonight, I had to receive many questions from my extended family and reunite with my parents and brother and sister, who didn't think I existed. My father nodded twice with a flat face and asked how I was doing. That was it, and then he had a conversation with one of my uncles. My mother was busy sitting with my aunt after throwing me a smile, and I could almost see her eyes rolling after seeing me.

Cannes and Andrea, as I described, didn't think I existed. Andrea was busy chatting with Titania and Alexandra, our other two cousins, without being sensitive about them, who were even disgusted by whatever she was showing off.

Plus, I hadn't fully recovered from what had just happened. That damn box with the roses... I didn't expect that I would receive that. Even though there wasn't any blood or some kind of dead animal in it, I was still scared to face that it was a mysterious delivery. I hope it's just a prankster.

I'm already tired of my work and my problems with my family. Let's not have the Stalker problem sneak in there.

I was standing under a large tree, with the ever-present Rey by my side, who was talking to Wayne (my other cousin) and Titania, who had just arrived, while babbling in a low voice, "I swear I'll laugh at her for a whole month when she doesn't get married to her fiancée." She looked at me. "It's wonderful that she antagonizes you because you no longer have to hear her arrogant words."

"Believe me, I'm also so grateful that she's silenced me," I replied with a chuckle, taking a slow sip of my white wine.

Titania shook her head with a harsh chuckle. "You know what? After she and her ex-boyfriend broke up two months ago. I've had to put up with all her ramblings and crazy outbursts. I'm so sick of it."

I raised an eyebrow. "You should just stay away from her."

"I already stayed away from her," Titania replied. "But she was getting annoying by saying bad things about me to my friends. Until now, it still happens."

Oh, my bitchy sisteur. She will never change. I feel sorry for whoever became her husband.

"By the way, no one has told me about who her fiancée is,"

She raised an eyebrow at me in surprise. "Not yet?"

I shook my head.

"Ah, maybe they forgot." She shrugged. "Lucky for that bitch, she got a man from the richest circles: one of Dimitriou. I don't know what's so unique about her body that she can get a man like that."

I choked on my wine. My heartbeat almost stopped. "Di-Dimitriou?"

Titania nodded casually while staring ahead. "Maven Dimitriou."

My body froze as the name left Titania's lips. So did the excitement of Andrea's voice saying, "Finally, you're here!"

I turned my head forward slowly.

My heart was racing, an explosion hitting me right in the stomach.

At first, I thought I had misheard.  But there was nothing wrong with my hearing.

The one standing hugging and greeting my grandparents and parents was Maven Dimitriou.

The one my sister is hugging is Maven Dimitriou—the man who trapped me and took the precious thing inside me.

And he's my sister's fiancé...