Page 24 of Die for You

The silence is deafening as I wait for some kind of response.

“Valentina believes him to be her father, and you, her mother. Can you imagine what that does to a kid who believes her father was a serial killer and her mother a nun who fell in love with him?

“She believes you abandoned her on the steps of the orphanage. Help me show her that she is worthy. That she is someone worth saving.

“Because like you, I will do anything for the person I love.

“Please, please help me save her.” It’s my final plea.

I wait for some kind of revelation, that perhaps life will cut me some slack.

But Margarette remains still.

I hang my head low and grip my hair in frustration. I thought this would help convince Valentina who Gianna really is.

But now, I—

That thought never comes to fruition because if I believed in miracles, this would be one.

I snap my head up when a hoarse groan leaves Margarette. She is looking at me, like really looking, her eyes begging I hear her because I don’t think many have.

Jumping up, I lower my ear to her mouth as I don’t want to miss a thing. All I hear, though, is jumbled gibberish.

“I don’t understand,” I say, pulling back, beseeching her to try harder.

Her mouth gapes open and closed like a fish out of water, and it’s only then do I comprehend why she can’t speak.

She has no fucking tongue. A tiny stub is where it once was.

“Did Gianna do this to you?” I probe, seeing as the only way to communicate is for me to ask the questions.

She nods slowly, tears filling her empty eyes.

“I’m so fucking sorry. But I’m going to make this right. I’m going to get you out of here.”

She begins screeching and thrashing on the bed. The orderlies come running into the room, syringe in hand.

This is far worse than I thought.

Margarette knows Gianna’s secrets, which is why Gianna took her tongue. Another person falling victim to that fucking bitch.

The need to destroy her is stronger than ever, and I finally have the proof. Margarette, coupled with Aldo’s laptop, has all the evidence I need to show Valentina who Gianna really is.

Valentina can’t come back to America, which means I have to go to her.

Bon voyage…

I need to get my affairs in order so I can fly to Sicily in two days. Impulsive, I know, but this shit show won’t get any better. I don’t have a game plan as such, but all I know is that I need to present Valentina with the damning evidence and hope she finally sees the truth.

She is the link to end this feud once and for all.

The question is, what happens if it does end? Do I want to be in control? Aldo’s business won’t stop just because I do, which means the responsibility falls to Bria. She is more than capable of ruling, but a part of me doesn’t want to give this up.

I finally feel like I have a purpose in life.

An honest, law-abiding life was never on the cards for me. So in a sense, I feel as if this opportunity is my destiny. It also gives me the power I need to ensure I end Gianna’s reign, as well as her life.

A donkey enters Aldo’s former office, which is now mine.