Chapter 62 Truth Over Blood
Zarya's Point Of View
After those months of living in that place, finally. Nakalaya narin ako sa sarili kong kulongan. It felt odd at first, nakakapanibago talaga lahat. But as every second passed by, unti unti na rin nag sink-in saakin lahat.
Those months wasn't easy, but it helped me. Nandiyan pa rin naman ang problema paglabas ko, but at least I regained myself. Kasi sa totoo lang, I was about to lose every sanity left in me.
Surrendering myself is the best decision I have ever made. Doon ko naramdaman na minsan p'wede rin naman palang magpahinga muna. And rest doesn't always mean giving up.
After we left the hospital, dumiretso na kami sa bahay ni ate Yana. The drive here was so quiet, parang lahat ng ingay sa mundo nawala nung lumabas kami ng hospital. I held Iris' hand the whole time, everything felt at ease kapag nandiyan siya.
I brought her here kasi wala na akong ibang mapupuntahan. Di ko siya pwedeng dalhin sa condo ko, nandoon si Aria. I can't tell her about Aria habang on-going pa ang kaso. Sasabihin ko naman, it's just that hindi muna sa ngayon.
Di rin sa bahay namin sa city, maraming mata doon. Ito na lang talaga. Yung bahay ni ate Yana. Ever since I went inside of that hospital, wala ng tao nakatira dito. But it kept clean, dahil sa tulong ni ate Sela at ni Xylla.
Kinakabahan na ako sobra. Yung hearing malapit na, tapos ngayon pa lang namin pag-uusapan lahat ng gagawin. Ang bigat sa dibdib, parang may nakadagan habang hawak ko si Iris papasok sa gate.
But then a car stopped in front of ate's gate bago pa man kami makapasok ni Iris. Huminto kami pareho, napatingin sa dumating na kotse.
The door opened, and it was attorney Vìllor.
Bumaba siya, naglakad papalapit samin habang dala ang isang bag na parang mabigat.
"Good morning, Zarya. And?..." He greeted as soon as he got close, pero napahinto siya when she saw Iris.
I forgot, he doesn't know this woman. "This is Chiara...Attorney Chiara." I introduced her.
Agad naman nag-abot ng kamay si Iris to have a shake hands with Attorney Vìllor.
"Good morning, Attorney." I greeted him back, tumingin naman si Iris at ngumiti nang kaunti.
"Good morning po," sagot niya rin.
Tumango lang ulit si Attorney Vìllor at tumabi na samin, sabay-sabay kaming naglakad papasok sa loob ng bahay.
Pagpasok namin, tahimik pa rin. Malinis pa rin dito, it really shows na wala na si ate. The last time I saw her here, makalat ang bahay.
Umupo kaming tatlo sa mahabang sofa, nasa gitna ako, magkabilang gilid sina Iris at Attorney Vìllor.
Iris looked around, and turned to me. "Is this your house?"
"No, this is ate Yana's." I replied, habang inaantay si Attorney Vìllor sa pag-aayos ng mga papers sa mesa.
She just looked at me, with empathy. "Ah... sorry. It looks nice."
"It is." sagot ko nang mahina. "It was..."
She smiled, pero alam kong pilit lang. I saw the pity in her eyes, and the guilt. Alam ko naman na kahit papano, nakaramdam siya ng guilt dahil sa ginawa ng ama niya. But I never, and I would never blame her for that.
Hinawakan ko ulit kamay niya nang mahigpit, bago kami parehong tumingin kay Attorney Vìllor na nakaupo sa tapat namin, handa na kaming kausapin tungkol sa lahat.
Attorney Vìllor slowly laid down every folder, document, and evidence sheet across the table. Ang daming papel na naka neatly arranged, marked with tabs, highlighted parts, official seals and signatures, all the proof we've been too scared to face until now.
I reached over and held Iris' hand tight. Ramdam ko yung pag-aalinlangan niya, even if she was trying so hard to look calm and steady.
Attorney Vìllor sat straight, folded his hands over the table, and looked at both of us seriously.
"When you contacted me, Zarya." he began formally, "you asked me to take primary charge of this case, with Iris acting as legal counsel alongside me. But I must be clear, we cannot proceed that way. Under Italian criminal procedure,
foreign licensed lawyers are not permitted to serve as official defense counsel, file motions, or appear in court especially not in a capital offense like this. So what we need to do now is—"
"I am fully aware of that provision, Attorney Vìllor," Iris interrupted calmly but firmly, her tone professional and composed. "That is exactly why we requested this meeting. I want to propose a formal arrangement."
I noticed how Attorney Vìllor's jaw tightened slightly, parang na intimidate siya when Iris started talking. The looked taken aback, almost offended, like he felt his authority was being undermined.
"I will remain your legal consultant." Iris continued steadily, never breaking eye contact.
"But beyond that, I will oversee all case strategy, review every piece of evidence, coordinate witness statements, and manage all case preparation. You will serve as the official court appointed defense counsel of record, appearing for all hearings and filing all required pleadings.
But I will be present for all conferences, all strategy sessions, and will be consulted on every argument presented before the court."
"With all due respect, Attorney Chiara."
Attorney Villor replied, his voice firm and measured, "legal representation follows a defined chain of accountability. I cannot effectively advocate for this case if I am merely executing instructions from someone not formally admitted to practice within this jurisdiction.
That would compromise procedural integrity, and could jeopardize the entire proceeding."
Parang ma nosebleed ako sa kanilang dalawa, I feel like I am just here to listen to what they say na hindi ko naman naiintindihan.
"We don't have any other option, right Attorney?" I asked softly but clearly. "We trust you. But we also need her here...for some reason." Both of them turned to me when I spoke.
He paused for a long moment, tumingin lang siya saamin and left out a long sigh as he stared at the papers on the table.
I knew he was weighing it, this was a high profile case, a conviction would establish his reputation internationally.
Hindi niya pwedeng hindian ang kasong ito, it would be a loss for him.
Finally, he gave a slow, deliberate nod, even though it was clear he was still not fully comfortable with the setup.
"Understood." he said. "We will adhere to proper protocol. I will manage all official court requirements, and you will provide all relevant background, legal analysis, and case coordination. Now, let us review the facts."
He opened the thickest folder in front of him.
"First, the two American nationals arrested."
he explained, sabay turo sa papers. "Both have provided full sworn testimony to the investigating magistrate. They confirmed they were contracted for the attack, but initially refused to identify the party who hired them. But not long after, they have formally identified the mastermind as...
Eric Valenti."
My grip on Iris' hand tightened instinctively. I could feel her trembling beside me. Alam ko kung anong tumatakbo sa isip niya, na the father she trusted, the man she thought was honorable, was the one who ordered Yana's death. It felt like every word was hitting her harder than the last.
"All financial trails confirm this." he continued professionally. "Payments were routed through three separate shell companies to obscure the source, but every transaction eventually traces back to accounts controlled directly by Eric Valenti. There are no other viable suspects."
He looked directly at Iris, his tone gentle pero sobrang seryoso. "Attorney Chiara, every piece of evidence we have collected points unequivocally to this man. There is no alternative narrative that aligns with the facts."
Iris nodded slowly, but didn't speak. Alam ko na agad kung anong nangyayari sa isip niya, so I just stared at her at bahagyang nginitian siya to ease her tension.
"Now regarding the schedule." Attorney Vìllor went on, habang ino-organize ang mga papeles.
"Eric Valenti will arrive here tomorrow. He will be formally served with the charge sheet and undergo preliminary questioning. The arraignment and first hearing will be held the day after. I have also been informed that he has retained a team of highly experienced defense attorneys,
known for exploiting procedural loopholes and delaying proceedings. We must be methodical, precise, and fully prepared for every possible line of attack."
"Tomorrow?" Iris asked, her usual tone vanished. Nawala yung Iris na matapang magsalita.
I saw the fear flash across her face right away, the thought of facing her father, under these circumstances, was clearly breaking her. I squeezed her hand again.
"It's okay if you need more time—" I started.
"I will be there." she cut me off immediately. "I will face him."
Attorney Vìllor gave a solemn nod. "Be prepared. He will attempt to frame this as a personal vendetta. He will challenge your credibility, your motives, and your standing in this case."
He gathered all the documents back into his bag.
"That covers the essential points for today. We will reconvene tomorrow morning to review your witness statement, outline examination questions, and finalize our initial position before the court. There is still a substantial amount of work to complete."
We all stood up and walked him out to the gate in silence. Nang makasakay na siya sa sasakyan niya and eventually drift away, naiwan lang kami ni Iris na nakatayo doon.
I kept glancing at her, over and over. She looked exhausted sa lahat ng narinig niya, like she was carrying the whole world on her shoulders, but she stood straight.
I kept brushing my thumb over her hand, again and again, letting her feel I was right there, through every hard part, every painful truth, every fight ahead.
Hindi lang naman kasi ako ang naiipit dito, siya rin naman. Her brother died without even having a change to meet him. Worst, it was all her dad's doing. Tapos siya pa ang tutulong na mag-handle ng case na 'to laban sa sarili niyang ama.