Chapter 31

Marcella

The plane ride back home was unnervingly quiet. My mind buzzed with thoughts of what lay ahead, and Killian was quieter than his usual reticent self, which was deeply concerning. When it was just the two of us, he would at least make an effort to talk, even if it was just in monosyllables. But now, he hadn’t said a single word, and that was more troubling than anything else.

My thoughts drifted to Alexandra, my baby sister. Since our parents died, I had tried my best to shower her with love, despite being a teenager myself. At just eighteen, I had to take care of a twelve-year-old, navigating the tumultuous years of adolescence while working three jobs to provide for her. If nothing else, she could have at least considered the hardships I endured for her before betraying me. Sleeping with my fiancé was one thing, but actually siding with a mafia maniac and plotting to kill me was the ultimate betrayal.

As the plane landed, my heart pounded with the thought of seeing her at my home—bound and awaiting her deadly fate. A part of me was reluctant about what was to come, but I knew it was inevitable.

Killian took my hand and led me down the stairs of his jet straight to his Aston Martin. "How did this get here?" I asked, surprised.

"I always keep a car here for emergencies," he replied nonchalantly. His wealth continued to astonish me; being a mafia don certainly came with extravagant perks.

"I'm scared, Killian," I whispered after a few moments of silence. The protective bubble we had created during our two days in paradise was about to burst in the worst possible way.

"I know, Mia belleza," he sighed, taking a turn onto a familiar route.

I frowned as I recognized the shops I used to walk by regularly. "Where are we going?"

"You'll see," he said, concern flaring along with suspicion.

"I don't think I would like it," I whispered to him, but he did not reply.

I closed my eyes as he stopped right in front of what used to be my bakery. I wasn't ready to see my hard work burnt to the ground.

I heard Killian sigh and the sound of the door opening and closing. Panic gripped me when I felt my door open. "Come on, Marcella."

I shook my head and closed my eyes tighter. I felt his breath on my face and knew he was close. "Open your eyes, Marcella." I shook my head again and heard him breathe out a chuckle. The next thing I knew, I was in his arms and out of the car.

I yelped. "What are you doing?"

"Well, you didn't get out, and I needed you to."

I wrapped my arms around his neck and buried my face in his chest. "I don't want to see it, Killian. I can't see my dreams burned to the fucking ground."

He sighed heavily, causing me to move with him. "Trust me. Please." I looked up at him. It was his 'please' that won me over. I nodded and pulled back, making him put me down on my feet.

He took my shoulders and turned me around, and my heart stopped.

My hands moved to cover my mouth, which had dropped open in shock.

I turned to Killian and saw him fighting a smile. "I thought it was burnt. Wh—How?"

I turned back to my perfectly intact bakery. It was exactly the way it was supposed to be. Killian wrapped his arms around my shoulders and placed his chin on my head. "I had Jonah get everything fixed while we were in Paradise."

Tears welled up in my eyes as I took a hesitant step towards the door. "You did this for me?"

"Of course, Mia belleza," he whispered, his voice soft and sincere. "You deserved to have your dreams restored."

I turned back to him, my heart swelling with gratitude and love. "Thank you, Killian. This means more to me than you can ever know."

He smiled, a rare and genuine expression that softened his usually stern features. "Anything for you, Marcella."

As we walked hand-in-hand into the bakery, the familiar smell of freshly baked goods enveloped me, bringing back memories of happier times. It was as if the past few months of turmoil had been washed away, leaving behind a sense of hope and renewal.

But the moment of peace was fleeting. As I looked around, I couldn't help but think of Alexandra. Her betrayal had cut deep, and despite the joy of seeing my bakery restored, a part of me still ached with the pain of her actions.

Killian must have sensed my change in mood. "We'll deal with Alexandra, Marcella. But for now, let's focus on what we've reclaimed."

I nodded, knowing he was right. We had to take things one step at a time. And right now, the first step was rebuilding our lives and our dreams, one brick at a time.

Everything was just the way it was supposed to be. Tears streamed down my face as I took it all in. I thought I had lost the one thing that was truly mine, but it was still here, thanks to my amazing husband.

I turned to see Killian still standing in the middle of the bakery, looking at me with so much love. I couldn't stop myself from rushing towards him, jumping into his arms, and kissing him with all the unspoken emotions I felt. I hoped he could feel the depth of my love for him.

"Marcella?" A voice called out, pulling me away from Killian. I turned to see where it came from and found big eyes staring back at me, filled with shock.

"Lexi!" I screamed, pulling away from Killian and rushing towards her, slamming her into a hug, which she returned just as fiercely.

"Oh my God, Marcella, I missed you so much," she cried, her own tears flowing freely.

"I missed you too, Lexi. How are you?" I pulled away from her and stepped back to really look at her.

Lexi looked different—older, more worn. The spark of mischief that had always danced in her eyes was dimmed, replaced by a shadow of regret and pain.

"I'm... better now that you're here," she said, her voice trembling. "How have you been?"

I glanced back at Killian, who was watching us with a guarded expression. "It's been rough, but I'm managing."

“And Alexandra?” I tensed upon hearing her name but I shook it off.

“She’s fine too.”

“She was here, Marcella, when it happened.” Lexi looked at me with so much remorse that it took me a second to catch her meaning.

“No.” I turned away from her, but I knew deep down she was right. I could not put anything past my sister anymore.

Killian moved towards us and looked at Lexi. “Are you sure?”

Lexi nodded. “I was working late that day because the customers were a lot, and she came in wanting to help me out. I knew something was wrong then, but I had no power to stop her, Marcella. You know I just worked here. And she’s your sister.” She was crying, but I still couldn’t believe it. My sister was the worst thing to ever happen to me. “The next thing I knew there was fire everywhere and someone called the fire marshals. It was so bad.”