CHAPTER 85

CHAPTER 85


Elena

I sat there quietly, staring at her as she fidgeted with her nails. I hate how alike we are.

“So?” I broke the awkward silence, and she finally looked up at me.

“Listen, El, I know I've not been exactly a good mother to you, I left you when you needed me the most.

I'm a terrible mother…”

“Can we skip that part? I'm well aware of how bad a mother you are, but you don't need to remind me of that again. If that's what you came to say, that I'd be best I leave,” I said while attempting to get up when she held my hand to stop me.

“No, wait. I didn't mean to bore you.” I sat back down. She exhaled sharply and pressed her lips into a thin line.

“I left to protect you.” She said slowly, and I scoffed. “Bullshit, tell me something more convincing.” I shot back at her

“Your father…he did terrible things to people.” She said softly, and a tear ran down her cheek.

“What do you mean by that?”

“Your father used to do terrible things I wasn't aware of. He told me that he had a remote job, but he was lying; he was doing terrible things.”

“What terrible things was he doing? Stop beating about the bush.” I was growing impatient.

“Your father, he…he was an assassin.” My mouth parted to say something, but no words came out. I froze in shock as I stared at her.

“What?” I finally managed to speak.

“He was an assassin, a famous one at that who was hired by secret societies to carry out missions.

I didn't find out until he finished a particular mission, and a picture of me was dropped in his pocket where he went. He must have forgotten it was there.

The people who found the photo began tracking me. At that time, you were still very young.

I realised that every time I stepped out, some weird-looking men would be tailing me.” She paused and sucked in a deep breath, then continued.

“I always suffered to lose them. I told your father about it, and after countless confrontations, he confessed.

Devastated was an understatement. Not only was I in danger, but you were also in danger as well.

The people only knew me and were using me to get closer to identifying our home. I was scared for us. I didn't even inform your father and fled, because I knew he was stronger than me, and he would protect you.

If I stayed, I would've placed us all in danger. I didn't leave because I hated you, my love, I left because I was afraid that those men would have harmed you and I wouldn't be able to help you.”

She placed her hand on mine and I immediately pulled it away. My heart was beating so fast and my head was spinning, clouded with so many thoughts.

“Excuses, these are all excuses. What do you want now? Flowers? Mother of the century award? You're telling me that the only way you could save your daughter was to ditch me with your abusive husband?”

“El baby, you do not know how powerful the Cattaneos were, they would've stopped at nothing and I…”

“Wait…what…what did you just say?” Was my mind playing games with me? Did she actually say that name?

“The Cattaneos, your father was the one who killed West Cattaneo, a very powerful mafia gang leader. And his people were after us.”

Oh my God. My mouth hung wide open and I felt my palms grow sweaty. I started hyperventilating as I sat there.

No, this can not be true. This can not be happening.

My father was the assassin who killed Edward's father. I clutched my chest in pain as I sobbed.

“El, dear. What is wrong?” She came closer to me, wearing a worried look.

“What's wrong? Because I'm married to Edward Cattaneo. The son of the man your husband murdered.” She gasped as her hand covered her lips.



Where am I going? I don't know, I just need some space and fresh air. I don't even know where I am. I left my mother in the restaurant and have been walking for half an hour.

My heart is racing, the air is blowing on my face and ruffling my hair, but I feel numb to everything.

It looks like it's about to rain but I don't care. My heart is in so much pain. Why me? Why did I end up with Edward? Couldn't it be another person?

Why is everything about me just pain for him? He doesn't deserve me in his life.

I've caused him enough pain. I can't do this anymore. My tears kept on flowing. It had become dark, and it started to drizzle, but the cold air made no difference.

My tears were running down my cheeks as I walked like a zombie on the sidewalk.

Archer doesn't deserve me, I'm a terrible person from a terrible family.