Chapter 37

"Shiloh," the familiar voice calls again.

I take in a deep relaxing breath before turning around slowly.

"Dad. I mean Mr. Dante." I correct myself immediately.

I meet his eyes feeling anxious before looking around for Sylvia since Emma said she would be here.

"Sylvia is not coming. Sylvia called Emma, so we could meet," he says seeing the confusion on my face.

"What’s going on?" I ask feeling nervous again. Something is not right. For one thing, he’s dressed in just a t-shirt and jeans, which is totally different from his usual suit and pants. That says something.

"Shiloh, please sit," he says as he sits down on a bench.

I watch him with curiosity as he waits for me to do the same, but I refuse to follow his orders blindly.

"No. No, I am not taking a seat. If you have anything to tell me, just get it over with because I really don't have time for this." I am so tired of him trying to control everything I do without considering how I feel.

I watch warily as he walks over to me and stands in front of me and focuses intensely on my face. Emotions like guilt, regret, and pain flash in his eyes, making me more anxious with every second.

"Shiloh, there are still so many things you need to know," he says softly. "I tried to keep you in the dark, but I guess it’s time you know the truth."

I stare at him bewildered and not knowing what to say or how to react.

He takes in a deep breath. "I was once a business partner with Mr. Colt. Our family was very close as a result. Sylvia was just a little girl then and your mum was pregnant. I was happy because everything was moving smoothly until a well-respected worker of Colt’s named Benedict, Blake's father, betrayed us. He sold important project plans to our rival for money and power.

"Colt found out about this, so he paid Benedict off and fired him. Colt made sure other companies knew about his betrayal. And while all this was going on, Colt never told me about anything." I listen silently as he explains. I’m dreading what he’s about to say. I know something bad is about to follow.

"But Colt was not aware that Benedict still had the original copy of company details. With those details, Benedict created a fake account under my name to funnel money from my other banks. This went on for some time until I was alerted about the fake account.

"We were able to trace it to Benedict. I was furious because it was also linked to Colt’s company. I cut off all business ties with him and also sued Colt and Benedict for fraud.

"Benedict was nowhere to be found, so I sent my men and the police to find him," he says before stopping momentarily as sadness clouds his eyes. "I was at the hospital with your mum because she just had you and your twin brother."

I gasp. Twin brother? I have a twin brother? Where is he now? Is he doing okay? Why haven't I met him?

"I was so happy watching you and your brother as Sylvia danced happily because she finally had her wish for younger siblings, but that happiness was snatched away so quickly." Tears roll down his cheeks while I wait for him to continue.

"After spending a few days in the hospital, we finally went home. It was just your mum, you, your brother, me, and a few of my men driving behind us. Sylvia was at home preparing a surprise party with everyone. But before we could get home, we were cornered by gunmen. They took you and your brother before we could do anything.

"Later we received a call from Benedict. He told me to sign half of my company over to him if I wanted you and your brother back. I was prepared to do anything to get you both back even if it meant signing my company away, but I got to him too late.

"Colt called him to tell him to let my children go, and he felt threatened. Benedict called and asked to meet alone with no police involved, but I wasn't stupid, so I arranged my men around the location. When we got there, he had three men waiting for my arrival. I signed a fake document in exchange for you and your brother’s freedom. Before we could understand what was happening, two of his men were dead. Police rushed towards us armed and ready.

"The bullet hit him right in the head. But before he was hit, he and his last man shot off three bullets. One went through your brother’s back, one hit my left shoulder, and the third hit your shoulder."

I gasp and turn my head away from him as tears roll down my cheek. My legs feel weak as my body and my heart break.

"I watched him die as the doctors tried to save his life, but nothing could be done. The bullet passed through his heart. They were able to remove the bullet from your shoulder, but you slipped into a coma because of the shock your heart went through."

My body vibrates as sobs escape my mouth. At this moment I feel as if the air is being knocked out of my lungs. Why? Why? After everything Blake's father did to my family, he still had the nerve to seek revenge when I should be the one asking for his death.

I try calming my rage and pain by taking in a deep breath. I stand up straight, closing my eyes while taking deep breaths before wiping the tears.

"This is just too much to take in at once," I say, meeting his worried gaze. "I have many questions I still need to ask but I can't find the right words or the strength to say them."

"I know, but the reason I did all this is just to protect you. I had to tell everyone that you were both dead just to protect you from harm," he explains with sadness. "I know I wasn't the best dad to you, but I want you to know that I love you. I did this so you can have your own life."

I hug him and put my head on his chest, welcoming the feeling of having my dad right here. My emotions are not at all calm, but I just want to enjoy this feeling of him caring for me and not that cold father I grew up with.

"We all love you," he says kissing my hair.

I force out a smile. "I gave Emma a file and some bags. Tomorrow your mum will be hosting a party and she would love for you to attend," he says and waits for my reaction.

I nod with the same forced smile on my lips. "Okay, I will be there."

"That’s good." He nods and kisses my forehead. "I know all this new information is overwhelming, so I want you to take your time to think over your next plan of action. It’s okay for you to cry and feel sad, but don't stay down for too long," he advises, patting my hair gently with an encouraging smile.

I wave goodbye and force myself to walk back to Emma's car. I feel like there’s a weight on my chest.

"Are you okay?" Emma asks walking towards me with a concerned look on her face.

I sigh and try to control my emotions. I don't want to bother her with any of my issues right now because I don't even know where to begin. So, I just force a smile.

"I met with my dad, not Sylvia." I shrug nonchalantly. "No need to worry. Everything is okay between us now," I say, laughing slightly to appear happy.

She studies me for a few seconds, not believing the false excitement on my face. She chooses not to push me, which is a relief.

"If you say so. Get in the car. Let’s go," she says with an intense look that makes my smile falter.

I sigh loudly before getting in. She pulled out of the park with a worried expression on her face. I watch the buildings, cars, and people pass by while fighting my tears back.

We come to a stop as the traffic light turns red. I keep my head turned to the window, but a sob shakes my body. Her hand pats me on my shoulder.

The tears rush from my eyes as my breathing becomes labored. I stuff my face into my palms and quake with sobs while Emma pats my hair gently. I don't know how long I cry, but when I get myself together, Emma's car is already parked in front of the house.

She pulls me into a hug and pats my back as I try to take in a relaxing breath.

"Shiloh, I am always here for you, so please don't try to hide your problems from me," she says softly while hugging me tightly.

I take a deep breath and find tears running down her cheeks. I wipe the tears on her cheeks.

"Emma, I am feeling so overwhelmed right now with all this new information, but please don't feel bad or worried. I just need some time to myself to understand everything before I tell you anything," I say holding her hands in mine with a pleading look.

"I understand. Just know I will be right here if you need a shoulder to cry on," she says.

I hug her again.

"Thank you," I say before opening the door.

"Wait. Your dad told me to give you this file," she says, pulling a file and some bags from the back seat. "I will be here tomorrow at 7 pm to get you ready for the party. And guess what?" she asks, looking excited, which I know is an act to make me smile.

"It’s a masquerade party. Can you believe it? I can't remember the last time I attended a masquerade party, and I am so sure it’s gonna be dope," she says with a wide grin.

I shake my head with a smile. "Okay, Emma. See you tomorrow," I say closing the door.

I open the door and walk in to find Chole on the couch feeding Wilmer while she watches a TV show.

"Welcome back," she says.

I smile and kiss Wilmer on the forehead.

"Chole can Wilmer please stay in your room tonight?" I say as I take a seat beside her.

"Okay. Is everything alright? You look worried," she says with concern.

"Yeah, I am okay. I just need a good night’s rest," I say before making my way to my room and wishing them good night.

As soon as I close the door behind me, I slide down and rest my back on the door. My tears run freely down my cheeks as I go over everything my dad told me.

I clap my hand over my mouth not wanting to make any sound that will alert Chole. My body shakes as fat tears roll down my cheeks.

Why? Why? He was just a baby. I didn't even get the time to see him or play with him before his life was taken away by that evil man. He didn't even get to see the world. This is just too much to take in.

I remember the file and the bags lying on the floor beside me. I wipe my cheeks before opening the two bags. The bigger bag contains a well-packed dress while the other contains a shoebox and a jewelry set.

I push the two bags away and pick the file up. Inside, there is a white file with Shiloh Malia Dante written boldly. "What is this?" I whisper bewildered.

I open the file and see documents like my birth certificates, my school results, my admissions letter, and other documents, but the name written on each of the documents is Shiloh Malia Dante and not Shiloh Malia Sante.

"What is all this?" I say, looking at every document again to make sure I am reading them right.

"Does this mean my other documents are forged and these ones are the original documents?" I gasp. "Everything was made up. My name was just a lie to keep the real truth from me."

I can't believe this. I was living under a false identity.

I run my hands through my hair angrily as tears run down my cheeks. "Why do things have to be so complicated?" Why is all this happening right now?