30. Catalina

Catalina

PRESENT-DAY

E nzo's persistent knocking echoes through the bathroom, breaking through my thoughts for what feels like the hundredth time today. My heart sinks as I realize he's come to check on me again.

"Go away, Enzo," I yell back, my voice muffled by the door. Can't he understand that I don't want to see anyone right now?

"Lina, I'm not leaving until you open this goddamn door." His words are harsh and determined, causing a knot to form in my stomach. I can hear him knocking harder now, and I fear he might break down the door.

My eyes squeeze shut as I take a deep breath and try to gather myself. After a moment of hesitation, I finally give in and open the door.

"Lina..." Enzo's voice is filled with concern as he takes in my red and swollen face. "It's been a few days already," he comments with a shake of his head. "I'm worried about you."

Since the confrontation with Marcello, I had taken Claudia with me and left immediately. She had asked countless questions, disappointed that we were leaving so suddenly. But what had hit me the hardest was when she mentioned how much she would miss Marcello.

Good Lord! He has known all along that Claudia is his daughter, but how am I ever supposed to tell her that? Or explain how she was conceived...

As hard as it was for me to process all of this, Claudia seemed to have fallen back into her normal routine of playing with Luca. Meanwhile, I spent my days locked away in my room, crying.

"You shouldn't be worried about me," I add half-heartedly. Enzo already knows about Marcello's betrayal, and it took everything in him not to go after him.

Worry etches deep lines into his forehead as he looks at me, his eyes full of concern. It's the first time I've noticed how much I've been pushing everyone away, consumed by my own pain.

"You don't look fine," he says softly, his voice laced with worry and understanding.

"I just found out the man I fell in love with was the same man who brutally raped me ten years ago. I think I'm doing fine, all things considered," I snap, my tone sharp and defensive. Immediately, I feel guilty for lashing out and quickly add, "Sorry."

Enzo turns to face me, his expression hardened with determination. "I'm going to kill him," he declares.

I grab his arm, panic rising in my chest. "No, please stop. Don't make this more difficult than it already is."

"I'll make sure you get a divorce," he says tensely, but I can only let out a bitter laugh.

"A divorce? You think anyone's going to let that slide? There's no divorce in our world, Enzo."

"There can be," he insists, though there's little conviction behind his words. We both know how things work in our society.

"No... We'll just live separately," I suggest weakly.

"It's all my fault, damn it. I practically offered you up to him," Enzo mutters, anger flashing in his eyes.

"You only wanted to protect me," I say, placing a comforting hand on his arm. "Who could have known, really?"

An uneasy silence falls between us before Enzo breaks it with a hesitant question. "Lina, I know this is awkward, but I have to ask. Are you...?" His gaze drops to my stomach, and I understand what he's asking.

"No. I'm not." The tension drains from his face, and he lets out a sigh of relief.

I understand his perspective. A child would make it incredibly difficult to cut ties with Marcello. While I know that, there had been a deep sense of disappointment when I got my period yesterday. Did I want a baby—his baby? I don't know, and I can't explain why it had hurt me the way it had when I'd seen the first signs of spotting.

Because you love him. As much as you hate him.

The mere thought of him brings a bitter taste to my mouth. The once nameless person with piercing amber eyes now has a face and a name, haunting me in my nightmares.

I try to put on a brave front for Enzo's sake, assuring him that I am fine. But as soon as I close the door to my room, I can no longer deny the truth. How could I be fine when the one person I trusted above all else betrayed me in the cruelest manner? Every time I close my eyes, I am met with the image of him among shattered glass, his expression desperate and lost. It is incomprehensible how he could deceive me and still play the victim.

Taking a deep breath, I push aside these thoughts. I need to compose myself for Claudia's sake.

With determination, I make my way to the bathroom, determined to wash away the remnants of this painful memory with a shower. But as soon as I catch sight of myself in the mirror, my resolve falters. With trembling hands, I slip off the dress from my shoulders and turn to face the mirror. My gaze travels down my back, following the angry scar that forms two distinct letters.

The M undoubtedly stands for Marcello. But what about the C? My mind races through possible names or initials until it hits me like a bolt of lightning.

Chimera.

My heart stops at the realization. The man who abducted me had mentioned Chimera, said that I was a gift for them. Could it be that...

Turning off the water, I quickly fasten my dress and make my way to Enzo, drawn in by the sound of his heated argument with Allegra. As I approach, his eyes meet mine, and he tells her something that visibly shakes her. With a brief urging from Enzo, she retreats, shooting me daggers with her fiery gaze. Though I can't recall ever crossing her, there is no time to dwell on it now.

"What is it, Lina?" Enzo's brows furrow as he takes in my flushed face and disheveled appearance.

"Chimera," I say breathlessly, causing his eyes to widen in surprise. "Have you heard of that name?"

Without hesitation, Enzo guides me towards his study and shuts the door behind us.

"Why do you ask?"

"You know about the C and M tattoos on my back. I believe the C stands for Chimera."

Enzo falls deep into thought at my words.

"Please tell me why you think that."

With Marcello's cryptic mention of Chimera in connection to the nun's murder still fresh in my mind, I recount all the details from that fateful night.

"That bastard..." Enzo growls, clenching his fists in anger.

"Enzo?"

"He's obsessed with you, Lina. Fucking obsessed. It all makes perfect sense now..."

Confused by his sudden outburst, I press for more information. Threading a hand through his dark hair, Enzo continues.

"Think about it. He came to me seeking a marriage alliance and then suddenly you were forced to leave Sacre Coeur because you were being threatened by the Guerras."

A frown tugs at my lips, my stomach turning with unease at his implications. Can Marcello really be capable of such malice?

"Isn't the timing a little too convenient?" His voice drips with sarcasm as he gives a harsh laugh.

"But that would mean..." My words trail off, but he continues to spell it out for me.

"He terrorized you on purpose, so you would turn to him for comfort. He became your savior after every traumatic event." A disgusted look crosses his face, and I take a step back in shock.

It all makes sense now.

Father Guerra's strange behavior... The mysterious nun... And then the missing finger.

Only someone who had access to the house could have taken Claudia's ring, just as Enzo said.

"Dear Lord!" My hand flies to my mouth as I try to process everything, blinking rapidly to hold back tears.

"He's a monster, Lina. He manipulated you into thinking you needed him. It's not love you're feeling." Enzo's words are like a punch to the gut, and I can feel the tears threatening to spill over.

But as much as I want to deny it, his reasoning rings true. Marcello's actions were calculated and cruel. How could I have been so blind?

"You need to let everything sink in," Enzo says, shaking his head in disbelief as he pours himself a drink from the cabinet.

"Can I have some too?" I blurt out suddenly, hoping maybe the alcohol will numb the pain. Enzo pauses for a moment, looking at me with a mixture of concern and understanding before pouring me a glass as well.

I hold the glass with both hands, staring at the amber liquid.

Was Marcello really behind everything?

All those reassurances, the kind words, the tender touches. Were they all a lie?

I feel my eyes tearing up, so I quickly tip back the glass, swallowing the contents. The fire traveling down my throat makes me choke.

"But why? Why me? What did I ever do to him?"

"Some people are just unhinged, Lina. It's not your fault. But it worries me. Someone like that is capable of anything."

"You're right. That's why I'm scared for Claudia. What if he uses her against me?"

"You shouldn't go anywhere for the time being. At least until we figure out what we can do."

"Don't do anything dangerous, Enzo," I add, knowing he has a tendency of putting himself in the line of fire for others.

"I don't like this, Lina. I don't like it at all. I'll double the number of guards. Just stay put, okay?"

I nod, assuring him I'll follow his lead when it comes to safety. The last thing I could ever do would be to put my daughter in danger.

It takes me another few days to come to grips with the shocking realization that Marcello had been behind everything. The betrayal cuts deep, and I struggle to believe that someone I trusted could be capable of such manipulation. But as I reflect on his actions and my own gullibility, it becomes clear that he was a master of deception. He preyed on my vulnerabilities, taking advantage of my past as an abandoned outcast fueled by the desire for acceptance.

As angry as I am at myself for falling for his lies, I'm even more devastated by the fact that it was all a facade. Pulling myself together, I push back the tears that threaten to fall once again. Claudia, who had finally found a sense of normalcy in our makeshift family, is now confused and hurt by our sudden departure.

"What was it you wanted to ask me?" I look down at the textbook she's clutching in her small hands. Her features are drawn back in hesitation, unsure if she should voice her thoughts.

"I was reading this problem." She points to the text and explains her disagreement with the formulation.

After carefully considering her perspective, I respond, "I don't see any issue with it." She lets out a frustrated sigh.

"Of course you don't!" Claudia pouts, her tone laced with bitterness. "Marcello would have agreed with me." She crosses her arms defensively.

Her words hit me like a punch to the gut. Marcello may have been a manipulative liar, but he had also been a source of comfort and support for Claudia. Now that he's gone, she feels lost and alone.

"But Marcello's not here," I say calmly, trying to defuse the situation.

"And whose fault is that?" Claudia snaps before storming out of the room.

"Claudia!" I call after her desperately, but she's already out of sight.

Damnation! This is exactly what I didn't want to happen. She's already bonded with him, and suddenly I'm the bad guy for separating them.

What would she do if she knew he's her father?

She'll understand... She must.

I'm still ruminating about how to best handle Claudia right now when someone knocks on my door.

"Come in."

Allegra peeks her head inside, a shy smile on her face. Shocked would be an understatement for what I'm feeling as I see her walk inside, her countenance completely different from before.

"Am I bothering you?" she asks in a voice that I don't recognize. Too saccharine and lacking her usual bite.

"No," I frown. "What did you want?"

"Enzo called. He said the house's been compromised."

"What do you mean?" I draw back, panic overtaking me.

"He wants us to go to a safe house. It's urgent. Get some things; a car is waiting for us."

"Let me get Claudia." I stand up, grabbing some clothes on my way.

"She's already in the car with Luca."

"Why didn't she come to me?" I ask. It makes little sense. Claudia would have come to me first...

But then I remember our argument and I sigh. Okay, maybe not this time.

"Never mind, lead the way."

In front of the house, a big SUV is waiting. Allegra is the first one to get in the front seat. I don't even think as I get in the back.

"Allegra? Where are the children?" I ask, noting there's only one other guard in the car, but no sight of either Claudia or Luca.

Allegra chuckles, shaking her head in amusement.

"You really fell for that."

"What?" I frown, immediately making to open the car door. Just as my fingers touch the handle, the man in the other seat presses a cloth to my mouth.

My eyes go wide and I start struggling. It's only for a moment, though, as I lose consciousness.

I wake up with a massive headache, my eyes barely opening.

"Wake up, bitch." I think I hear Allegra's voice before she slaps me across the face.

The blow is strong enough to make me see stars, but also to get me more alert.

"Claudia... where is Claudia?" Good Lord, did she harm my daughter? The mere thought of something happening to her has me trembling wildly with fear.

As I regain my awareness, I realize I'm lying on the floor, my hands and legs bound. Allegra is pacing in front of me.

"I don't care about your daughter." She shrugs her shoulders. She stoops in front of me, a disgusting smile stretching on her face. "But you... you're finally going to get what's coming to you."

"What do you mean? Why are you doing this?"

"Why?" She laughs hysterically before slapping me again. A ring catches in my lip, and I feel a rip. Damn! "It's all because of you." Her eyes are manic, her nostrils flaring with anger.

"What did I do to you?" I never understood her attitude. I can even count on one hand how many times we've interacted before, and never was I anything but courteous to her.

"You stole Enzo from me. Don't think I don't know. He's been visiting you weekly at that fucking convent. No brother, not even a concerned one, would do that. You think I don't know you've been fucking him?"

What is wrong with her?

She keeps on going with her delusions, implying that I'd been staying at Sacre Coeur so I could have illicit assignations with my own brother. What in God's mercy is that reasoning?

The more she talks, the sicker she sounds.

"Enzo is my brother. How can you even say that?" I ask, repulsed by the very thought.

"You..." She spits out, coming closer and jabbing her finger in my forehead. "You are the reason he rejected me. You... you..." Her words are hurried and incoherent. "You made him hate me."

"Allegra, do you hear yourself? Enzo is my brother, for God's sake! There's been no impropriety between us." I try to reason with her, but she becomes even more volatile, her grip bruising as she wraps her fingers around my neck. She's sputtering so much nonsense that I become lost.

"... after he's done with you, I'm going to enjoy breaking you." Her mouth turns into a twisted smile, and I can only see a deranged person acting on delusions. Good Lord, does Enzo know? But then I suddenly catch what she's saying.

"Who's he?"

She chuckles, falling back on her butt and laughing.

"He's going to play with you first. And I get to watch." I don't understand what she's saying, but the more time I spend in her presence, the more afraid I get. She's mad, and that means she's unpredictable. Does anyone know I'm missing? What about Claudia and Luca? Are they at home, or did she take them somewhere too?

Both Allegra and I turn our heads as footsteps echo down the hall. Soon, the figure of a man dressed in a suit appears in the doorway. Allegra jumps to her feet and dashes to his side, wrapping her hands around his neck and peppering him with kisses.

"Enough!" He raises his palm to stop her.

"Why?" Allegra pulls a face, but the man simply pushes her aside, heading straight for me.

"And the girl?"

"I don't care about the brat." Allegra shrugs, her expression bored.

The man turns towards her, his expression murderous.

"What did I tell you, Allegra?"

She straightens herself, probably realizing the displeasure in his voice.

"To get Catalina and Claudia." She lowers her head in subservience, a first.

Who is this man?

"And?"

"I couldn't be bothered looking around the house for her. She was easy to get." She points at me, puckering her lips like a spoiled child.

"You disobeyed me." The man simply states, unbuckling his belt.

"I'm sorry, Master." Allegra suddenly says, getting on her hands and knees.

"You need to be punished." The man's steps are calm and measured. He reaches behind Allegra, and in a smooth swipe, he slides the belt over her back. There's a piercing sound as the leather meets her back, but she doesn't even whimper. In fact, if I look closely, I can see her purring.

What?

"You did it on purpose, didn't you? You wanted me to punish you."

"Master..." She moans.

What seemed an erotic dance suddenly turns gruesome as he grabs her by her neck and smashes her face against the floor. A whooshing sound escapes her lips, her eyes rolling back in her head. The man seems disappointed by that, so he kicks her in the stomach with his foot.

"You must excuse me." He turns to me, shaking his head in disgust at Allegra's pitiful form on the ground. "Where are my manners?" He dusts the sleeves of his suit before regaling me with a smile.

"Long time no see, Catalina. Let me introduce myself."