Page 19 of Ashes

“Yes.”

“Hmm.” He pulls his wife with him down the hallway.

Once the doctor comes out, he approaches the Espositos. I can’t hear what they’re saying, but they go through a door that he indicates.

I decide to go after them.

Maybe Paola is awake.

I carefully open the door.

It’s not a room.

It’s a small hallway with multiple rooms.

They’re all empty, except for the one at the end.

I inch closer to the door that’s cracked open.

“What were you thinking?” Paola’s father yells. “How dare you embarrass me like this?”

“You said Victor killed Alex. Is that true?” she asks.

“Yes, but I told you that was in the past. You can’t behave like this! You’re a disappointment and an embarrassment. You will beg your husband for forgiveness. Do you understand me? You’ll cry and beg if you have to!”

What the fuck?

I didn’t kill Alex.

Where did they all get that idea?

“Victor says he didn’t do it,” Paola says. “He says his father did it, but I know that’s not true.”

“What does it matter? What is wrong with you?” her father says. “Your husband is clearly trying to be nicer to you than you deserve, so he lied to protect your feelings. He’s smart and wants your marriage to be successful. Even if it wasn’t him, it doesn’t make a difference.”

“It matters! How can you expect me to live with the man who murdered your only son?! Your heir!”

“I have a replacement in mind. Don’t worry about that.”

“Are you saying I have a half-brother somewhere out there? In front of my mother?”

“That’s none of your business.”

“You’re fucking insane!” Paola screams.

“Language.” Her mother speaks for the first time.

“Yes, Mother. I know you’re afraid of words, and I don’t give a shit.”

“You will stop with this childish behavior,” her father says. “If you don’t, you’ll only make things worse for yourself. Don’t forget that.”

Footsteps sound, and I move away from the door and slip into one of the empty rooms, waiting for everyone to leave.

Once they’re gone, I head to Paola’s room.

I find her on her feet and trying to get the hospital gown off her.

“You’re not going anywhere,” I say.