34. Aria
Chapter thirty-four
Aria
I get out of the car and mutter a small ‘thanks’ to the driver Elio sent to drop me here from Mia’s.
“Dad,” I greet him once I enter and see him on the couch in the sitting room.
“Aria,” he says softly. “I’ve been trying to reach you. I called Mia, but she suggested I give you time to come around. My God, I was worried.”
Indeed, he looks worried...broken. And there’s also a faint scar on his lip.
He walks up to me and wraps his arm around me. It takes a moment but I respond to his hug, sinking into his embrace. Just like Mia said, Dad only did it to protect me. Being mad at the only family I have left isn’t the best choice.
I could equally be mad at Mario for being involved in drugs, but Mom wouldn’t want that, especially since he’s dead now. Even Mario wouldn’t want Dad and I to be on bad terms. And most importantly, I can’t be mad at him for keeping secrets when I also have skeletons in my own closet.
“I’m so sorry, Aria,” he breathes into my shoulder. “I just didn’t want you carrying such a weight at your young age. I wanted to preserve Mario’s memory for you.”
“I know, Dad,” I sigh. “It doesn’t mean I’m cool with it, but sometimes we do what we have to.”
He slowly pulls away, and I can see the relief on his face. “Thank you,” he mutters.
The smile that tilts my lips slowly fades when I recall my second reason for coming. I came here to tell him that I’ve forgiven him and also to tell the truth about my marriage to Elio.
“Dad...” I say as I follow his lead and sit on the couch. “There’s something I have to tell you.”
My heart rate spikes as he adjusts himself on his seat. I don’t know how he’ll take the news, especially when Elio is involved in something he’s spent his whole life chasing.
He looks at me with an indecipherable glint swimming in his eyes. “Is it about Elio?”
My brows shoot up as a startled gasp escapes my lips. “How...”
“He saved my life.” Dad’s eyes are anywhere but on mine. I straighten my spine and tilt my whole body towards him.
“Dad?” I call out, tentatively, when he still doesn’t meet my eyes, “What happened?”
I can see his knuckles turning white from how tightly he fists his palm. The frown lines on the corners of his mouth deepen as he talks. “Those bastards had me...they kidnapped me and there was no hope. I thought it was over until Elio came to save me.”
“You were kidnapped?!” I gasp, clutching my chest with wide eyes. That explains the scar on his lip. “You... I didn’t hear anything. God. Are you okay? Who were they? Did you fi?”
“Did you know?” His calm voice strikes through my rambling. I pause and swallow thickly, then it’s my turn to avoid his gaze.
“I?” My mouth opens, but the words feel stuck in my throat. Even though this is what I came here to say, I can’t find it in me to tell him that I’ve been deceiving him all along.
“Tell me, did you know he was in the mafia before you married him? And don’t lie to me, Aria.” He holds my gaze firmly.
I sigh. “Yes. The marriage, Dad, was all part of the plan.”
“What plan?”
“He came to me and proposed a deal. He proposed that I marry him in exchange for protection. He said he’d protect both of us from the mafias that were after you at that time. The cops didn’t seem to be doing a good job, and I didn’t want to lose you, so when you were attacked in the hospital, I accepted the deal.”
Dad releases a disgruntled groan, and his fist on his knees grows tighter. My heart clenches at the act. Dad has every right to be mad at me...I betrayed his trust, lied, and deceived him. Still, I can’t bear the thought of him being angry with me.
“I’m sorry, Dad. I just didn’t want to lose you.” Tears pool in my eyes as my breath quakes.
“Why did he want to marry you?” He stands and walks toward the window, turning his back to me. Tears stream down my cheeks as I stand in place desperately; I can’t bring myself to walk over to him.
“He needed help...information on how fast you were closing in on him, among other things. Dad, please...I’m sorry.”
The world seems frozen in time as thick tension blankets the air. For the longest time, I stand there with nothing but his back to me and the weight of my decision crashing down on me.
“Did he murder my son?”
“No!” I interject quickly. “He didn’t. Mario dealt drugs but not with Elio. I did my research, too. He didn’t, Dad. I promise.”
His fingers clench behind his back as he nods. “Aria. Some things in life are beyond our control. But some things are also avoidable.”
An icy shiver wracks my spine when I get a feel of where this conversation is going. “Dad, please… I?I love him.”
“Love is not enoug?”
“I’m pregnant,” I blurt in a desperate attempt to deter him from thinking like that. Time freezes again. This time, the temperature drops and I can feel every bit of Dad’s emotions as he turns to me.
With eyes wide in shock, he falters backward before fisting his hand. “God. Aria,” he groans as if in physical pain.
His eyes are turning red. Anger, pity, and confusion storm his eyes all at once, but somehow, he maintains composure.
“I’m... I’m sorry,” a loud sob seizes my whole body. I don’t know if it’s enough, but that’s all I can say.
He grits his teeth. “I’m your father, and I have a duty toward you. To lead you down the right path. Elio Donatelli is a good man. He came to save me even when bleeding from his own wounds… He risked his life and identity knowing full well that I’ll put the pieces together and find out who he is.”
Another wrangled sob escapes my lips as my knees start to feel weak.
“...I appreciate him for that…maybe I even owe him one. But this is greater than me and him. It’s about you and what’s best for you. You’re going to be a lawyer, Aria. You have a bright future ahead. And it’s because I love you that I say this,” he finally walks to me, placing a hand on my shoulder, “whatever is between you both can’t work. Deep down, you know what's best for you…” his eyes go to my stomach, “and your baby. I will ensure you make the right decision. Deep down, you know you cannot bring a baby into his world. I cannot let you make a decision that you’d spend the rest of your life regretting. You need to stay away from him.”