NADIA
With my parents contacts, I found out that Giovanni was still alive. Harmed but alive.
I felt so numb since the last incident and before I left, I wanted to make sure that I learned everything and why everything happened the way they did. "Are you sure?" My mom asked me, she had a whiskey in her hand but like always: she was fully composed.
There were times I envied her strength, her resilience. Her world was crumbling, yet she stood tall, a facade of calmness. But I knew the truth - my father's condition was eating away at her, a silent weight she bore with every step. She loved him with a depth that was rare, a bond that was unbreakable. And he loved her just the same. It was a kind of love I had always yearned for, a connection that went beyond words.
As I sat beside my father's hospital bed, my mother took my hand, a warm smile on her face. "You know, sweetie, your father and I met when we were young," she began, her eyes sparkling with nostalgia. "It was a whirlwind romance, and nobody believed in our love. My parents were against it, they didn't think he was good enough for me. But I knew, I knew he was the one."
"Your father he- he was a young man with a fierce determination in his eyes.He had been part of the mafia, a world that was both thrilling and treacherous. Me being naive and in love, had followed him into that world, adapting to a lifestyle I didn't fully understand."
"As I got older, I understood the gravity of my situation. When Zeke was born, I saw the importance of peace and stability, and I longed to shield my children from the dangers of our world. I wanted you to have a chance at a normal life, free from the constant vigilance and fear that came with being part of the mafia. I endured much as the wife of a mafia boss. I had been tested, tortured, and made to suffer. But through it all, I had remained loyal to your father. And now, as I look at you Nadia, I wish I could take away the darkness that loomed over our lives, so that we could live happily, free from all this."
"Your dad and I had a huge fight, one that left both of us reeling. The words we spoke were harsh. We broke up, and he found solace in the arms of another woman, Victoria. What he didn't know was that, Victoria was already married to Vincent Gray; it was arranged. and their affair resulted in a pregnancy. While he dealt with that, I was struggling with my own issues. I had always wanted a big family, but after having Zeke I faced difficulties conceiving again. When I finally discovered that I was pregnant with you, I was overjoyed. However, the timing couldn't have been worse. I was still reeling from the breakup with your father and wasn't sure if I was ready to be a single mother of two kids," she leaned back. " Meanwhile, Victoria gave birth to a baby girl named Vicky. Your father was faced with the reality of his actions, and the consequences that came with them. Vincent was furious when he discovered the truth and that changed everything,"
Elijah's mother gave birth to a baby girl and there was only one reason as to why Vincent was furious. The baby wasn't his.
Elijah told me my mother killed his mother today.
My head was spinning. I needed to get out of here.
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I sat in the dimly lit room, the weight of the past few days settling heavily on my shoulders. Thank heavens the nightmares had finally stopped; the first two nights had been a blur of restless sleep and haunting images. But tonight was different. Tonight, I felt a sense of resolve wash over me.
Everything about my life had become surreal – school, relationships, even myself. The dynamics had shifted, and I longed for the simplicity of before. I let out a deep sigh, the sound echoing through the quiet room.
My conversation with Mom earlier that day still lingered in my mind. I had asked her for permission to move, hoping it would give me the escape I desperately needed. To my surprise, she agreed, though she made it clear she would still check in on me regularly and provide financial support.
Convincing Zeke to stay behind hadn't been easy, but I needed this – the freedom to forge my own path, away from the familiar yet suffocating comfort of family and friends. The afternoon had been a whirlwind of activity as I booked my flight, finalized my student transfer, and packed what little I had.
Luck had been on my side; everything fell into place with an ease I hadn't expected. I would be leaving for London in 12 days.
Before I left, though, there was one thing I had to do – something that had been weighing on me for far too long.
I picked up a pen, opened my journal to a blank page, and let the words flow onto the paper. Not without holding onto the pendant I gave him hours ago, for whatever reason it was around my neck.
My breath caught in my throat as I began to write a letter to Elijah, the words spilling out in a mix of emotions – sadness, regret, and a longing for closure. This letter was my way of saying goodbye, of letting go of the past and embracing the uncertainty of the future. With each stroke of the pen, I felt a weight lift off my shoulders, a sense of peace slowly creeping in.
When I finally finished writing, I folded the letter, sealed it in an envelope, and addressed it to Elijah. I knew I might never send it, but in that moment, writing it was enough. It was my way of closing one chapter of my life and stepping into the unknown, ready for whatever came next.
At least that's what I thought before I heard the sound of a gunshot. One that would completely shatter me and turn me into someone I never wanted to be.
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