⊰ 22 ⊱ Fractured Family Portrait
As I make my way through the hallways of the mansion, I can’t help but dwell on how much has changed. The once lively and vibrant walls of our home now feel somber and heavy, weighed down by the grief and anger that permeate every corner.
It’s been three weeks since the brutal murder of Guillermo and Valentina. Three weeks of watching the man I love grapple with a pain and rage so profound, it’s slowly but surely consuming him. Just last week, Marcel decided it would be best to keep the family together until Luciano has been dealt with. Now, our home is a full house, with Santiago, Alessandra, Levi, his girlfriend Eboni, and their one-year-old daughter Isabelle all under our roof.
*Just one big happy family…*
I pause outside the media room, taking a moment to collect my thoughts. The door is slightly ajar, and I can hear the soft murmur of voices from within, playing from the TV. Gently, I push it open, stepping into the dimly lit space.
Alessandra is curled up on the plush sofa, a soft blanket draped over her sleeping form. The gentle swell of her pregnant belly is just visible beneath the fabric. Beside her, Eboni is stretched out on the recliner, her eyes closed and her breathing even. And finally, nestled in Eboni’s arms, is Isabelle.
Over the past week, I’ve watched Alessandra and Eboni bond over the experience of pregnancy, talking for hours about morning sickness, cravings, and the joys and fears of motherhood.
All the while, I’ve felt like an outsider, unable to relate to their journeys. It’s not that I’m not happy for them—I am, truly. But there’s a part of me that aches for what they have, for a chance to create and nurture a life of my own.
In other ways, I’ve tried to connect with both of them. Eboni, as strong a character as she is, she’s so full of love and bold honesty that it’s oddly refreshing. Alessandra, on the other hand, hasn’t been the same with me. Whenever I try to offer my support and love as she deals with the grief of her parents, she shuts me out, arguably as sharply as Marcel.
*Maybe she blames me for it.*
It hurts, more than I care to admit, to feel like I’m losing my sister-in-law, my friend.
A soft whimper pulls me from my thoughts, and I glance down to see little Isabelle stirring, her face scrunching up as she blinks wide awake. A soft coo escapes her rosebud lips, and I feel my heart melt.
At the sound, Eboni’s eyes flutter open, a tired smile playing on her face as she looks down at her daughter. “Hey, baby girl,” she murmurs, her voice thick with sleep. “Did you have a good nap?”
I step forward, not wanting to intrude but unable to resist the pull of Isabelle’s sweet face. “I can take her,” I offer softly, reaching out my arms. “If you want to rest a bit longer.”
Eboni hesitates for a moment, her gaze flickering between me and Isabelle. I can see the exhaustion etched into her features, the toll the past few weeks evidently having taken on her.
“Are you sure?” she asks, even as she gently transfers Isabelle into my waiting arms.
I nod, cradling Isabelle close to my chest. “Of course,” I assure her, my voice soft so as to not wake Alessandra. “You rest. We’ll be just fine, won’t we, sweet girl?”
Isabelle gurgles in response, her tiny hand reaching up to grasp at my hair. I can’t help but smile, my heart swelling with love for this precious little bundle.
With a grateful nod, Eboni settles back into the recliner, her eyes drifting shut. I slip out of the room, Isabelle secure in my arms, and make my way towards the kitchen.
The house is quiet, the soft padding of my footsteps the only sound echoing through the halls. As I enter the kitchen, I’m hit with the sweet, comforting scent of the rice pudding I made just a couple of hours ago.
“How about a little snack, hmm?” I murmur to Isabelle, settling her on my hip as I reach for a bowl.
She babbles in response, her wide eyes taking in the new surroundings with curious delight. I scoop a generous portion of the pudding into the bowl, grabbing a spoon before making my way over to the kitchen island.
As I sit on a stool, I settle Isabelle on my lap, her back resting against my chest. She’s a warm, comforting weight, and I can’t help but smile as I watch her, marveling at how right this feels—natural.
*This is what I want.*
The thought tugs at my heart, a bittersweet longing that I’ve been trying to suppress. With everything that’s happened, with the constant danger around us, the idea of bringing a child into this world more and more feels like an impossible dream.
*Maybe someday, when this is all over, we’ll have our chance.*
Marcel’s been keeping me at arm’s length, too consumed by his grief and thirst for vengeance to let me in. He spends every waking moment holed up with Levi and Santiago, pouring over intel and strategizing their next move against Luciano, barely speaking a word to me. Slowly, I’ve watched him become a shadow of the man I fell in love with, consumed by his need for revenge, his grief and anger leaving no room for anything else.
I feel so helpless, so powerless to reach him, to bring him back to me. All I can do is watch as he slips further into the darkness, as the light in his eyes dims a little more each day.
All the while, in my own desperate attempt to distract myself, I’ve been secretly spending time with Ben and Pablo. Just last week, they launched the first successful pair of nano-drones, thanks to Rick and some of Marcel’s men recovering the damaged one from the attack site.
But even that victory feels hollow now, as I watch Ben and Pablo turn their attention to working with Rick, using their skills and resources to track down Luciano. They’re all so focused, so driven by the need for justice. And once again, I’m left on the sidelines, watching as the people I love most fight a battle I can’t join.
The sound of footsteps pulls me from my thoughts, and I glance up to see Levi walking into the kitchen. He looks exhausted, his eyes shadowed and his shoulders slumped, but when he sees me with Isabelle, his features soften and a small smile tugs at the corners of his mouth.
“Well, isn’t this a sight?” he teases, making his way over to us. “Never thought I’d see the day Mercy Saldívar went domestic.”
I roll my eyes, even as a smile tugs at my lips. “Shut up,” I mutter, shifting Isabelle on my lap. “I’m just giving Eboni a break.”
Levi shakes his head, a knowing look in his eyes. “It suits you,” he says softly, leaning against the counter. “Being a mom.”
I feel my cheeks flush, my gaze dropping to Isabelle as I reach to feed her a small spoonful. She opens her mouth eagerly, her eyes wide with delight. For a moment, we sit in comfortable silence, the only sound the gentle clink of the spoon against the bowl.
Levi takes a deep breath, as if steeling himself for something. “I’ve been thinking,” he starts, his voice hesitant. “When this is all over, I want to get my GED.”
I blink, surprise flickering through me. “Your GED?” I echo, my brow furrowing.
He nods, a determined glint playing in his eyes. “I want to do better, Mercy. For Eboni and my daughter. I don’t want this life for them. I want to be able to provide in a way that doesn’t involve guns and drugs.”
His words make my breath catch in my throat, a bittersweet mix of pride and sadness welling up in my chest. I know how much this life has cost him, how much he had to give up to keep me safe and provide for me when our parents died.
“Oh, Levi…” I breathe, tears stinging my eyes. “I think that’s wonderful. I’m so proud of you.”
He ducks his head, a shy smile playing on his lips. “It won’t be easy,” he admits, his voice rough. “I have a lot of catching up to do and you know how much I fucking hated school. But I’m gonna do it, Mercy. I’m gonna make something of myself.”
I reach out, covering his hand with my own. “I know you will,” I say fiercely, conviction ringing in my voice. “And I’ll be there to help you. Whatever you need, I’m here.”
He looks up at me, his eyes shining with gratitude and love. “I know,” he murmurs. “And that means the world to me, sissy.”
We lapse into silence once more, both of us lost in our own thoughts. As I hold Isabelle close, feeling the warmth of her body against mine, I feel a flicker of hope.