Chapter 61 The Letter
Anushka's P.O.V.
I look from the computer screen to Courtney. I always blamed Stewart for my mom's death, but I didn't think he actually killed her. I wish I could bring him back to life just so I could kill him myself.
"I'm glad he's gone," I say quietly. I close the file and move on to the next one. It's my mom's diary. I don't want to read it now because I know it will be too emotional. However, when I see the next file, I know it will be even worse. It's a letter from my mom to me.
"Do you want to read this later?" Jordan asks me. I know it will be hard, but I want to read it now.
"No." I take a deep breath and begin reading.
My Dearest Anushka,
If you're reading this, then I am already gone. I need to tell you something that I kept from you for far too long. Stewart is not your father. I'm so sorry that I didn't tell you the truth about who your father was. The worst mistake I ever made was marrying Stewart. You were forced into a nightmare that I couldn't get out of. I know I never told you anything about my past, so I'm going to tell you now. I hope it will help explain why I kept this from you.
I was born to wealthy parents who weren't expecting me. They were older and had never been able to have children. I had everything I could ever want and was sent to the best private schools. When I was a senior in high school, I fell in love with Santino Buccheri. He was so sweet and loved me so much that I was sure we would spend the rest of our lives together. I didn't find out until my freshman year in college that he was part of the Italian Mafia. Santino asked me to marry him, but I refused. I didn't want that life for me or my future children. It broke my heart to end our relationship.
After Santino, I didn't want to have another relationship with anyone else because I was still in love with him. Both of my parents passed away before I graduated from college. I was so lonely and heartbroken I felt lost. They left me everything they had, but I didn't care about money. I just wanted to feel whole again.
A few months after I graduated, I attended an event that raised money for underprivileged children. My parents and I attended every year, and I felt like I owed it to them to continue the tradition. While I was there, I met Christov Kondrati. I knew who he was and that he was part of the Russian mob. I tried to resist him, but he was relentless. He sent me flowers every day until I called and told him to stop. He then showed up at my house and begged me to go to dinner with him. I didn't want to, but I gave in, hoping to let him down easy. That's not what happened.
We spent hours together talking about everything. Christov told me about his five sons and how he had never loved any of their mothers. He told me a little about his business and his fears of bringing his sons up in that lifestyle. After that first dinner, we spent almost every minute together. I once again fell in love. Santino was my high school sweetheart. Our love was young and innocent. With Christov, I knew who he was, but I saw something in him that pulled at my heart, and his sons were the sweetest little boys.
Christov asked me to marry him, and I considered it, but I turned him down. Even though I loved him and was practically living with him, if I ever had a child of my own, I didn't want them in that environment. He understood, and we continued our relationship.
When I found out I was pregnant with you, it was the happiest and hardest day of my life. I knew I couldn't tell Christov about you, so I left him. I told him I wanted to have children, and I didn't feel like I could with him. He tried to convince me to stay, but I was adamant. No matter how hard it was, you were always my priority. I have a feeling a part of him knew I was pregnant, but he never said anything.
After I left Christov, I slipped into depression. I was so happy about having you but scared of doing it alone, and I missed your dad so much. One day, when I was coming back from a doctor's appointment, I ran into Stewart. He seemed kind, and I was so lonely that I agreed to have lunch with him. He saw how sad I was and took advantage of the situation. We married a month later, and I told him I was pregnant with his child. He believed me. When I went into labor, I pretended you came early.
At first, everything was okay. I never loved Stewart, but he seemed decent enough. However, that changed when you were about a year old. He didn't say anything to me, but I think he discovered you weren't his daughter. I kept a diary on my laptop locked in an encrypted file, but I believe he was able to get into it. That is the only way he could have found out.
When he began abusing me, I decided to write this letter. I was scared that one day he would kill me. In front of you, he was verbally abusive, but behind closed doors, he would use his fists. I should have left him, but I couldn't. Stewart didn't know about my family or the money I inherited. We didn't have a prenup, so if we got a divorce and it came out that I was wealthy, he would be entitled to some of that money. Before he and I got married, I put it all in a trust for you that you'll have access to one month after your twenty-fifth birthday. As my widower, Stewart is entitled to everything if anything happens to you.
I hope that by the time this letter is delivered to you, you are happy and have a family of your own. I saved a copy of the letter on my laptop in a hidden file and sent one to my family attorney.
I'm so sorry for not telling you all of this sooner. If you want to have a relationship with your father, please talk to him. He is a sweet man and will understand if you don't want anything to do with his family business.
I hope that above all, you find love and happiness. You are an amazing young lady, and I know you will do incredible things with your life. I love you so much.
Love,
Mom