Chapter 68 - She's the villain!

Joana

Fernando's screams, in that distant memory, asking me to forgive him while he stabbed me, were so lucid that they left me in a state of shock for a few seconds. I didn't even hear when Maria returned with the glass of water.

"Mrs. Casanova, don't faint."

"What did you say?"

"Here's your water, drink some to improve the pallor of your face." She held out her hand and offered me the water.

The glass was modestly small, I took all the liquid in a few sips and handed it back empty. I thanked her with a nod as she walked away towards the window. Ah, as if only water could calm everything I felt inside. That feeling consumed me in such a way that I had never experienced such anxiety about meeting someone again as I did at that moment. To see Fernando again and hear what he had to explain to me, I hoped his defense would be convincing.

"Give me some time alone, Maria," I muttered between my teeth, lightly massaging my temples in a circular motion. "I need to think, maybe being isolated for a while will help me get better from this headache."

"I'll be outside the room, if you need anything, don't hesitate to call me." She said promptly and left the room.

I got up from where I was and went to the window, choosing a random chair nearby. I took a deep breath, feeling my chest tighten as my eyes filled with tears and lost themselves in the green horizon. At that moment of deep reflection, my mind raised a barrier to overcome.

What could have motivated Fernando to fatally wound me in the past? What were we doing in that dark hut? When the memories of that terrible experience in the hut came back with the same intensity, I couldn't hold back the weight of the tears, letting them run silently down my face.

Although the pain that resurfaced in my heart and stomach was tragic, I also remembered all the adventures we had shared together. Having Fernando by my side was like tossing a coin, heads, or tails?

"How could someone who was once so important have caused me so much pain?" I muttered, disappointed with the outcome of life.

The painful memories, mixed with feelings of sadness and loneliness, slowly enveloped me. However, despite all the suffering, when I saw the sun's rays penetrating the clouds and illuminating the vastness of the earth, I knew it was time to break free. It was time to move on and rebuild myself. After all, the man who had hurt me in a past life was not the same Fernando who had asked me to marry him.

"I hope you come back soon, Fernando. We still have a lot to talk about." I thought aloud, what a terrible affliction not to see him walk through the door.

~

Fernando

"Don't pay any attention to him, Raul." I said, raising my hands and asking him to calm down.

"The soldier doesn't know anything." Filipe added fuel to the fire.

"He's just speculating and jumping to conclusions. Are you going to believe this man, Raul? I was never behind any kidnapping." I replied firmly. In the end, I was telling the truth, Felipe was always the mastermind of the kidnapping, I just took the blame instead of someone else.

I accept my share of the blame, I confess that I took the first step with what my brother and I were planning, but it was all his idea. Every step and detail of how to carry out the kidnapping were his responsibility. I didn't even suggest any tips on how to kidnap her. I never intended to hurt her physically or humiliate her, my aim was simply to take her entire fortune for ransom and then set her free.

"There's no cause for alarm," said Filipe.

"Shut up! You bastard!" Raul shouted, exposing a fragile and explosive side that I hadn't seen before. "I want to hear the duke's explanation."

"Put yourself in his shoes, soldier."

"He's not just a soldier, he's my friend, Filipe."

"It doesn't matter what he is to you, my brother, but to me, he's nothing but dust. Another thing, I assure you that our secret is safe with me and not with him, why don't we kill him here and now?" His proposal clearly demonstrated his villainy.

"I'm here, if you want to kill me, go ahead." Raul tried to advance, but I stopped him.

"Isabela will never know that you were with me, planning her kidnapping. On the other hand, Fernando, I just need you to let me go. I promise to behave, I'll be like a tomb for everything that's happened here."

"If what your brother says is true, Fernando, you're a little shit. How can you think of hurting Isabela? She's your bride. You can't even imagine the suffering she'll go through, isn't? You're not a man, you're a child who needs urgent correction. Did you have anything to do with the recent kidnapping?"

"No! I would never get involved with Lucia, let alone Jaime."

"This conversation is making me sick," said Filipe through clenched teeth.

"Shut up, I'm going to pass your sentence soon." I gasped. "Honestly, I don't know what to say."

Raul took a few steps away from me.

"I'm sure you'll feel the same relief as me when we've resolved this misunderstanding. I've been trying to make peace with her for days." I looked into Raul's eyes from where he stood, hoping that my words would have an effect.

Likewise, I knew that my attitude was subject to questioning, but I also had full confidence that he saw me as a loyal ally. I was determined to correct my mistake and resolve this outstanding issue once and for all. As I searched for the right words to explain my situation, I noticed a change in Raul's gaze.

The look of mistrust had turned into a curious expression. He seemed to want to better understand what had happened between Isabela and me. I never imagined that he would be so interested in worrying about my fiancée. Had Isabela managed to touch that deserter soldier's heart?

"Raul, I know I'm not a complete man, as you mentioned, I was a scoundrel blinded by Felipe's wickedness, I didn't even think about the consequences this would have on Isabela's life." I paused for a moment, waiting for my words to dissipate into thin air.

Raul remained silent, processing everything I had said. I could see the gears of his mind moving as he reflected on my words.

"That's why Lucia did what she did, she's getting back at you!"

"What? What do you mean?" I retorted, finding the comparison unfair.

"You committed the same crime with all your ex-fiancés, didn't you? There's no other reason for what she did."

"Lucia is the master of evil, she's a disgusting villain, and she's decided to act on her own. But, my dear friend, make no mistake, you know me too well to think that I could hurt a lady. And I can't tell you everything I've found out, either."

"Don't be stupid, aggression isn't just limited to physical acts, words, and attitudes can also cause immense suffering. To understand them, don't act like you're talking to another man, that won't work."

Raul, reluctant to understand the situation, insisted on not understanding me. He has his rights as a friend, but I wasn't willing to humiliate myself indefinitely to make him understand. After all, the one who really deserves my redemption and explanations is Isabela.

"Don't let him fool you, soldier. My brother wants to seem like the hero, the son who was always the most loved by our late parents, as well as the faithful and protective husband, but he's just as vile as I am." Filipe added and walked towards the exit, but I was quicker than him and grabbed him by the shoulder.

"After all, if life is full of villains and heroes, you have to choose which role to play. In this case, I prefer to be the hero who seeks truth and redemption, even if that means I have to feel everything I've practiced, but you've always preferred the shadows. Why, instead of continuing to set fire to what has already been resolved, don't you choose to atone for your mistakes, just like I'm doing?"

"Please let go of my shoulder, avoid forcing me to take any harsh action."

"Are you really determined to resolve things this way?"

"I'm tired of swallowing my words. I've always had a deep hatred for you, and I envy your ability to show up. Why don't you die once and for all or leave this castle of mine? Everything here belongs to me, and you were never welcome."

With a sudden movement, he released my hand from his shoulder and stopped right there, while Raul stood like a stone in front of him, between the door and the room.

"Do you need help dealing with these two rats, my dear fellow?" I heard someone's voice come out of nowhere, making a high-pitched, crackling sound that came from behind me, sending a shiver down my spine at the surprise with which it came out.