Page 82 of Die for You

Perhaps that’s why Gianna finds solace behind these walls, for she too exercises these practices.

It doesn’t surprise me when she pushes the doors to the chapel open. She knows what took place here. She knows how I was defiled over and over. It was because of her that Father Merry took his sick perversions out on me.

But I also had my revenge here.

I peer up at the large golden crucifix behind the altar and remember the one which once stood before it, the one I hung Father Merry from.

I’m unable to wipe the smile clean as it’s one of my favorite memories of all.

“Why are you here?” Gianna asks, breaking my tranquility.

Looking at her, I see the real Gianna for the first time. I see a selfish coward who I am going to thoroughly enjoy torturing endlessly until death seems a mercy.

Her attire is her standard black jumpsuit and flashy jewels, with not a hair out of place. Her makeup is flawless even at this time of the night.

But it’s all for show.

I can’t believe she’s my mother. The woman I have pledged my loyalty to for all these years is the monster I was hunting all along.

“I’m here because I need your help.”

Gianna folds her arms across her chest, indicating she’s listening.

“I don’t deserve your forgiveness. You’ve done nothing but care for me since I left this godforsaken place. And in return, I know I let you down. But there’s a reason.

“When I arrived in Italy, I was…I was pregnant. I didn’t know. But I had the child in secret. It’s the reason I vanished for so long. You had every right to throw me out and disown me, but you didn’t. And for that, I am eternally thankful.”

“The child is Lennon’s?” she asks, pretending she doesn’t know.

I nod. “It’s the reason I didn’t want anyone knowing about her. I kept her hidden as best I could, even from you. I’m sorry for that.”

Gianna has the nerve to appear hurt by my actions. “I would have supported you…just how I always have.”

“I know, but I couldn’t allow my child to suffer the same childhood I did. So I vowed to be the best mother I could be. To be the mother my mother was not.” My words are filled with emotion and meaning because they are directed to Gianna.

“I still carried out your orders, but the reason I couldn’t harm Lenny was because he is the father of my daughter.”

Gianna remains unmoved, confirming what a heartless bitch she truly is.

But I am past being hurt.

“You allowed your emotions to get in the way once again. Have I not taught you anything?” She scolds me like I’m a naughty child who disobeyed a simple order.

But there’s nothing simple about this.

I take her reprimanding me and cast my eyes downward. “I know. It won’t happen again.”

“How can I trust you? It’s because of your weakness that I struggle. Lenny has been nothing but a thorn in my side since the moment I adopted you both, and after I have given you everything, this is how you show me gratitude.”

Her gaslighting techniques won’t work anymore. Quite frankly, they’re making this so much easier.

“Please forgive me. I’ll do anything.”

“What’s different this time?”

Here goes…

“Because my daughter is missing…and I suspect Lenny is the one who has her as revenge for keeping her a secret from him. I need your help and the help of your men in taking him down. I can’t do it on my own. I’ve tried.