Page 7 of Beautiful Vows

My lip quivers, and I struggle to find my words amid the riot raging inside me. “No…” I whisper. “I don’t know.”

“I’m sorry, Aurelia.” Antonio’s voice trembles, but he continues. “You need to watch it. You’ll realize that her death was to save you.” His words are shards of glass piercing my already wounded heart.

Tears well up in my eyes, blurring my vision as I grapple with the enormity of the revelation.

She died for me.

My stomach aches and I feel like I’ve taken a punch in the gut.

She could’ve lived if it wasn’t for me.

My heart pounds in my chest as Antonio walks to the safe. His footsteps are heavy on the tiled floor and the only other sound is our shared breaths.

I brace myself for the truth, uncertain of anything beyond what I’m about to see.

But what if he’s lying?

Is this part of his game?

I lift the gun in my hand to his chest as I watch him closely. My eyes are searching for any hint of deception, ready to shoot if this is pure manipulation. But all I see is raw vulnerability etched on Antonio’s face.

“This is not a trick, Lia,” Dominic says, nodding at my weapon.

I can’t lower the gun. My heart thunders in my chest, unable to slow down enough to entertain that notion.

Anticipation and anxiety intertwine in my stomach as Antonio retrieves a box from the safe. His hands trembling ever so slightly, I know he’s feeling the same way as me.

As he turns from the safe, blood pulses in my veins when I see the small box in his hand. The moment he opens the box and takes out a USB, a sob escapes from my mouth. The sound echoes in the room. A room that now feels suffocating.

I exhale deeply, summoning the strength to hear the truth that awaits in the recording.

The air is heavy with tension, but nothing is as heavy as my heart feels, knowing I’m about to find out answers. Yet, I’m not sure if I’m ready.

“We did everything we could to save you, Aurelia.” Antonio's voice is heavy, like he is carrying the weight of a lifetime of regrets. He slides the USB into a box under his desk and takes a remote control.

“Do you want me to leave?” Dominic asks.

“No, stay,” Antonio says to Dominic, turning to me. “You’re about to see your mother’s last moments. Prior to today, only Dominic, your mom, and I knew what really happened to her. What you're going to see is going to be hard for you, Aurelia, but you need to see this.” He pauses for a moment. “Are you ready?”

When I nod, he presses the remote control. The video plays; the screen illuminating a dimly lit room.

Images flicker to life.

I place the gun on the table when I see my mother’s face. Just seeing her makes me feel tingly all over. My breath catches in my throat as I stare at her. With dark brown hair and brilliant blue eyes, she’s a woman who looks so much like me.

An unsettling ache fills my chest as my heart thumps relentlessly. I long for her presence. It seems stupid. How is it possible to feel a longing for someone I never truly had?

There’s a dull ache in the back of my eyes as I look at her—my mother. My heart breaks all over again when I see the young woman on the screen smile.

I’ve seen photos of her before today, but nothing is like this. Her uncanny resemblance to me leaves me speechless.

I know now why Jove insisted on altering my appearance. It makes perfect sense—a slight change in my hair and eye color was needed. Just enough to differentiate us and protect me from the dangers that lurk in the shadows.

Antonio takes a seat and stares at the screen.

There's a momentary pause.

My eyes widen as I stare at Antonio. “That night...” I begin, staring at his face. Sapphire eyes stare back at me. “It was you. You’re the scent I remember, the scent of bergamot and sandalwood. You’re the man who carried me away.” I pause, waiting for him to acknowledge the truth.

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