Chapter 175: I Will Never Forgive You

SANCIA

The next day, Isabella, Antonio, and I arrived at our mansion in Italy. Everything looked the same, yet different.

More than a dozen men were spread around the property. We've always had guards, but never to this extent. Papa had always been overprotective as hell.

But this... this was something else.

Lorenzo had been right. My family was being held hostage, whether they realized it or not.

“Come on, Sia, don't just stand there as though you're a stranger,” Antonio said, taking my suitcase before walking ahead.

Isabella smiled. “Come on, let's go see Mama. I can't wait for her to see you."

Although I'm here to see Mama, I can't deny the painful memories this place brings back. Still, I force a smile to hide my pain.

Together, we walked into the house. Aunt Lorena was giving instructions to the maids when she suddenly paused. Her eyes widened when she saw me.

She waved the maids away and hurried toward us.

“Ciao, Zia Lorena,” I greeted nervously.

A second later, she pulled me into a tight hug before stepping back and giving me that familiar soft smile.

“Sancia, how have you been?”

“I'm good.”

“I can see that. You look wonderful. How's Dario? Didn't you bring him with you?”

“No. It's just me.”

She nodded, and for a few seconds, we simply stared at each other awkwardly.

“Zia, is Mama in her room?” Isabella asked, breaking the silence.

“Yes, yes. She just finished lunch. Go on, don't let me keep you.”

We both nodded before taking the stairs leading to the second floor and stopping outside Mama's room.

“Go ahead. She's inside,” Isabella said softly, tilting her head toward the door I was reluctant to enter.

The last time I stood outside this door was three years ago. Mama had been angry then. She had been crying, blaming Dario and me for this famiglia's misfortune.

So my hesitation was valid. I glanced at Isabella, and she smiled reassuringly. Taking a deep breath, I twisted the doorknob and walked in.

“Lorena, where have you…”

Mama's familiar voice died in her throat as she turned toward the door and saw me.

I froze. She looked nothing like the mother I had known all my life.

Mama had lost so much weight and aged considerably over the last three years. I knew she'd been sick, but she hadn't looked half this bad back then.

And despite everything she had done, I couldn't find it in me to hate her. My heart ached for the woman she had become in Papa's absence.

Not at all the sophisticated wife of Don Carmello. My eyes stung with tears. For a split second, her eyes brightened, and her lips curled into a smile.

But just as quickly, it vanished. “What are you doing here?” she asked coldly. “Have you finally realized how hard life is outside these walls?”

“What?” I whispered, taken aback.

She sighed. “Is it money? Do you need money to take care of that boy?”

“Of course not.” I rein in my anger.

“How can you say that, Mama?” My voice came out hoarse. “I'm here to see you. I heard you were sick.”

“Well, you've seen me now. Thank you. You can go back to your life. I don't want or need you here.”

“Mama?” I didn't think her words could hurt me again. But they did.

“You chose to cut ties with us, and I've already accepted that I only have two children. I'm glad to see you're doing well. You can leave now.”

Anger, hurt, and disappointment crashed into me all at once. The tears I'd been fighting finally slid down my face.

“Do you really want me to go?” I deadpanned. “Because if I leave I'm….”

“Of course not,” Isabella cut in as she barged into the room.

She turned to our mother. “Mama, why are you doing this? Sancia came here to see you. You've been talking about her a lot recently. I thought you'd be happy to reunite with her... with both her and Dario.”

Mama glared at her. “I don't know when you started lying, Isabella. Then again, you don't listen to me anymore. I didn't even know you had left the country.”

“Wait, what?” I cut in, glaring at Isabella. But she ignored me.

“I didn't tell you because you would've insisted you didn't want to see her. But we all know you've missed her.”

“I don't remember asking you to bring this stubborn brat here. She chose to leave this family. I don't see why I should waste my time thinking about her.”

I wiped my tears and nodded. “I never should've come back,” I muttered before turning and storming out of the room.

Isabella was hot on my heels. I grabbed my trolley and was halfway down the stairs when she caught up with me.

Her expression was filled with worry. “Sancia, she doesn't mean it. I don't know why she acted that way.”

“I know why,” I replied bitterly. “She still blames me for Papa's death. I don't know what I was thinking when I decided to listen to you and come back.”

She grabbed my arm while holding onto my suitcase. “What are you doing? Where are you going?”

“Away. I'm going back to London. I can't believe I left Dario to come and see Mama, and this is what I get.”

“She doesn't mean it, Sancia.”

“Enough of your lies, Isa. She meant every word.”

“Listen, I know I lied to you, but she doesn't mean any of those things she said to you. Just give her time. Seeing you probably reminded her of Papa.”

“I'm hurting too, Isabella!” I snapped, turning to face her.

My voice cracked as fresh tears streamed down my face. “Papa was my rock, and I'm still mourning him. But why do I get blamed for his death? What did I do wrong?”

“What's going on?” Antonio's voice cuts through our conversation. He was standing in the living room with two soldiers.

He dismissed them immediately and hurried toward us.

“She's trying to leave,” Isabella said, taking a step back as he neared.

“Sia? You just got here. Why would you leave now? What happened?”

“You both lied to me. I left my son and my job for what? Mama doesn't want to see me. I'm missing classes even as we speak, so why should I waste my time here? It's obvious I'm not wanted here, Antonio, so why should I stay?”

“Sancia, I just got you back. You can't leave.”

My heart slammed against my ribs at the sudden change in his voice and face. But I force down the instant fear I feel.

“Why not? I'll stay at a hotel and book a flight back to London tonight.”

Suddenly, he grabbed my hand with one hand and my suitcase with the other before dragging me upstairs.

“Let me go, Antonio! What are you doing?” I demanded furiously, struggling against his grip.

“You are not leaving, Sancia. It's not safe for you out there.”

“What the hell are you talking about?” I yelled, glancing back at Isabella, who remained where she was, watching us with a troubled expression.

“Did you lie to me to trap me here? What the hell is going on?”

“I'm trying to protect you, can't you see?” he replied harshly. Nothing like the man he was a few seconds earlier.

“The war between the Marchettis and us has gotten to the point where only one side will survive. That's why I went to London to bring you home. This is the safest place for you right now.”

“So what? You're going to force me to stay here? Against my wish?”

“Yes. If that's what it takes. Hate me if you want, but I'll do anything to keep you safe,” he said still dragging me despite my desperate struggle.

“If you do this, I will never forgive you. Never. Do you hear me?”

Some emotion flicker in his eyes, before it banished. “I'm sure you will... because I'm your Antonio.”

“No I won't and you're fucking crazy if you think I will allow you to do this to me.”

“You and you,” he barked at the two men standing in the hallway as we reached my old bedroom. “Come here.”

The men immediately hurried towards us.

“You'll stay here and guard her. No one is allowed in or out without my permission. Do you understand?” he ordered.

“Yes, Sir.”

“Antonio, how dare you try to lock me up in my own home,” I screamed. “Just who do you think you are?”

“I'm sorry, Sia. But one day you'll understand that I'm doing this for you.”

He dropped my suitcase and cupped my face. I slapped his hand away, glaring at him with so much hate and anger.

Before I could protest or say anything, Antonio shoved both me and my suitcase into the room and slammed the door shut.

“Antonio!”

The sound of the lock sliding into place froze the blood in my veins. For a moment, I just stood there. Then anger exploded inside me like hot lava.

I threw myself against the door, pounding my fists against it.

“Antonio! Open this damn door! Antonio, don't do this, fucking open the door!”

I kept screaming and banging on the door until my voice turned hoarse and my hands throbbed with pain.

Fuck, Lorenzo was right all along.