Page 114 of Forgive Me, Father

We settled at a small café nearby, the scent of espresso thick in the air.I ordered a latte, and we dove into a conversation about techniques, color, and the soul of art.To most people, the passion for brushes and canvases was lost in translation.But Lorenzo understood.And so, the hours slipped away unnoticed.

Before I realized it, the clock chimed five.

“Crap,” I muttered, glancing at my watch.“I’m so sorry, I have to go.”

Lorenzo chuckled, waving it off.“No worries.I’ll see you next weekend, then?”

“Definitely.”I smiled, reaching for my bag and slinging it over my shoulder.We exchanged goodbyes, and I pulled out my phone, checking for messages.To my surprise, there was nothing from Alfonso.Not a single text.

My brows furrowed in confusion.It wasn’t like Alfonso to ignore me all day.The sudden sting just below my ear made me flinch.At first, I thought it was a bee, but then dizziness swirled over me, and I knew it wasn’t.

Before I could react, my eyes fluttered shut, and the world slipped away, my body crumpling toward the ground.

THIRTY-SIX

THE WHITE RABBIT

My father had doneit again.Nico had to drive me somewhere safe—somewhere I could scream and let it all out.

I needed to unleash it, to break something, to feel like I had control again.I could’ve taken down a few guys before the weasel crawled out, begging my father for mercy.

He swore it couldn’t have been Kai that almost killed Fiona.He knew his son.He begged for twenty-four hours.

My father gave it to him.

I still said kill all of them, before any other innocent blood was going to spill.

I remembered that today was my bride’s first painting class.She’d been so excited to start something new.I hoped she was enjoying it.

A couple of hours later, we sat down to dinner, but I felt too sick to eat.My bride still hadn’t texted me back, and the worry gnawed at me.I wasn’t going to lie, I was getting anxious.I called her number, but it went straight to voicemail.

Great.Maybe her phone died.I needed to have that talk with her about keeping it charged.

“Boss,” Nico’s voice came from behind me, his tone urgent.“There’s an emergency.”

I frowned, pushing my chair back.“Excuse me,” I muttered to my father.

He looked up, brow furrowed.“Alfonso?”

“There’s an emergency, Dad.Give me a few.”

He nodded, unaffected, and went back to his meal.I walked out of the restaurant, Nico handing me a phone.

“My mom,” he said.

I took the phone, my stomach tightening.“What’s wrong?”

“It’s Camilla,” his mom’s voice trembled on the other end.“She hasn’t come back, Alfonso.I’m sorry to bother you, I know you’re busy, but it’s past six.I’ve tried calling her…”

“Yeah, I know,” I interrupted, already feeling the panic rise.“Her phone’s going to voicemail.I’ll be back soon.Stay calm, and call me if she shows up.”

“I will.”

The call dropped, the line going dead in my ear.

“Get the SUV ready and call the pilot.We leave now.”

Nico didn’t hesitate.He nodded sharply and rushed back into the restaurant, phone already pressed to his ear as he moved quickly to make the arrangements.