One Hundred & Twenty Four

One Hundred & Twenty Four
It had been a week since Don Matteo showed up at the mansion, and the air still hadn’t settled.

Amara felt it in the quiet moments. In the way the guards doubled. In how Darius checked the gates himself every night. In how she woke sometimes with her heart racing, convinced she heard her father’s voice.

The sea outside the mansion was calm that morning. Too calm.

Amara sat by the window, knees pulled to her chest, staring at the horizon. Two days.

Two days until the anniversary.

Sixteen years since her mother died.

Or…. was killed.

Her chest tightened at the thought. Growing up, that day had always been strange. Heavy but controlled. Her family would gather. Her father would insist on a perfect meal, perfect clothes, perfect silence. They called it remembrance. It always felt more like a performance.

Last night, her phone had buzzed with a single message.

“Don’t forget.”

No apology. No warmth. Just a reminder.

She hadn’t replied.

She didn’t know how.

Footsteps sounded behind her. She didn’t turn. She already knew it was Darius.

He stopped a few steps away, like he didn’t want to startle her. “You’ve been quiet all morning,” he said gently.

Amara shrugged. “Just thinking.”

He moved closer and sat beside her, close enough that their shoulders touched. He didn’t push. He never did. That alone made her throat tighten.

“It’s coming up, isn’t it?” he asked.

She nodded. “In… Two days.”

“The anniversary.”

“Yes.”

Silence settled between them, soft, understanding. The waves crashed below, steady and patient.

“She used to smell like jasmine,” Amara said suddenly. “My mom. I barely remember her face. But I remember that. When she hugged me, it felt warm.”

Darius swallowed. His jaw tightened, but he said nothing.

“I thought she was sick,” Amara continued, voice low. “All those years. I blamed myself for not being a better daughter. For not visiting more. For not asking questions.” Her fingers curled into the fabric of her sleeve. “And now I don’t know what’s worse. Losing her… or realizing I was lied to.”

Darius turned toward her fully. “You were a child,” he said firmly. “None of this is on you.”

She looked at him then. “What if remembering her like this ruins everything? What if I can’t handle it?”

He lifted his hand slowly, giving her time, then brushed his thumb against her knuckles. “Then you don’t handle it alone.”

Her eyes burned.

“I’m scared,” she admitted.

“I know.”

“What if he comes again?”

“He will,” Darius said honestly. “But I won't let him get to you.”

She leaned into him then, resting her head against his chest. His arm came around her without hesitation, holding her like it was the most natural thing in the world.

For a moment, the noise in her head quieted.

“Will you come with me?,” she murmured.

“Of course my love,” he replied. “I'm never leaving your side. Never.”

She smiled faintly, eyes closing as she listened to his heartbeat. Strong. Steady. Real.

Outside, the sea kept moving forward.

And for the first time since she was a little girl, Amara felt like maybe… just maybe..she could too.

Amara’s phone rang just as the afternoon light softened through the curtains.

She looked at the screen.

Valen.

Her chest tightened before she answered. “Hey bro”

“Amara.” His voice was careful, gentle in a way that made her pause. “How are you?”

She hesitated. “I’m… okay. I think.”

“I heard about Dad,” Valen said quietly. “Darius told me he showed up.”

Her fingers curled around the phone. “Yeah. He did.”

“I’m sorry,” Valen added. “I really am. What he did… it wasn’t right.”

That broke her heart. Knowing Valen and their dad had a close relationship.. Now because of her its bad . “Thank you,” she said softly.

There was a brief silence, then Valen sighed. “Listen. I know things are messy right now. I know you’re angry… and you have every right to be. But I’m calling because of Mom.”

Amara’s throat tightened. “I know.”

“The anniversary is in two days,” Valen continued. “Sixteen years. You have to come, Amara.”

She closed her eyes. “Do I?”

“Yes,” he said firmly, but not unkindly. “No matter what’s happening between you and Dad. No matter where you’re staying. This day isn’t about him.”

She pressed her forehead into the pillow. “Everything about that house reminds me of lies.”

“I know,” Valen said. “But Mom doesn’t deserve to be remembered through anger. She deserves a day with family, even if we have to pretend . Both of us need to be there. ”

Amara swallowed hard. “What if I can’t face him?”

“Then face me,” Valen replied. “I’ll be there. I promise I won’t let him hurt you. You won’t be alone.”

Her eyes stung. “You didn’t know either, did you?”

“No,” he admitted. “And that hurts more than I can say.. I never knew she was kidnapped. But just for one day okay?”

She breathed out slowly. “Okay.”

“Okay?” Valen repeated.

“I’ll come,” she said. “For Mom.”

“Thank you,” he said, relief clear in his voice. “We’ll figure the rest out later.”

They hung up, and Amara lay still for a long moment, phone resting on her chest.

The door opened softly. Darius stepped in, reading her expression instantly. “Valen?”

She nodded. “He reminded me about the anniversary.”

“And?”

“I’m going,” she said. “I have to.”

Darius crossed the room and sat beside her. “Then I’ll be there too.”

She looked at him. “It could get ugly.”

“I know,” he said calmly. “But I won’t let anything happen to you.”

She leaned into him, exhaustion settling into her bones. “I just want to remember her without fear.”

Darius kissed the top of her head. “Then that’s what we’ll do.”

Outside, the sun dipped lower over the sea.

Two days felt close.

Too close.