Page 22 of Beautiful Vows

Peering over the edge, climbing ivy covers the rear wall of the house. I cock one leg over the white balustrade plinths and reach to grip the ivy that clings to the exterior walls. After giving it a tug to make sure it can take my weight, I throw my other leg over the balustrade. Only stopping for a beat of my heart as doubts swirl in my mind, questioning whether my battered body will endure the descent.

You have no choice, Lia. Get on with it.

With each agonizing press of my feet against the wall, I grimace, holding back the groans I want to release.

Only when I reach the bottom do I let out a small moan. I take a quick look around before rushing across the open gardens, not stopping until I reach the base of the wall that spans the perimeter of Antonio’s estate.

I peer up at the daunting climb that spans before me. Frustrated tears stream down my face and my shoulders slump. I’m not sure if I have any energy to climb the wall.

Right when my hope is fading, a metallic clank to my right jolts me and I watch as the gate slides open, shattering the tranquil morning atmosphere.

With a flicker of hope, I swiftly hide in the nearby bushes, keeping my eyes fixed on the open gate, and waiting for any trace of activity. But to my surprise, no car arrives.

My attention returns to the house, and I meet Antonio’s gaze through a window, his form visible even from this distance. As he raises his hand in a small wave, I nod, a silent gesture of thanks, before I gather my resolve and stride through the open gate.

I take half an hour to ride to Dominic’s home to pick up my backpack. And it takes another few minutes of wasted time to consider if kidnapping my sisters and running away with them forever would be detrimental to my cause or the perfect way to save all of us together.

Recalling my mother’s words, each syllable echoing in my ears, begging me to look after my siblings was hard to ignore, but I need some time to process my feelings before I talk to them about who we are.

I need to be alone. And I only plan for a few weeks of alone time, enough time for me to collect my thoughts and decide on my plan of action.

I take one last look at my sister’s home, desperate to see a glimpse of either girl, but know each is probably asleep in their beds.

With a heavy heart, I pick up my backpack. Slipping it over my arms, before throwing it over my shoulder and securing it onto my back.

I straddle my motorbike once more and start the engine as I think about my life.

I’m not just Lia, the girl who turned into an assassin seeking vengeance for her mother’s death; I am also Aurelia, the daughter of two worlds, caught in a web of secrets.

Yet amid the chaos, I know I will find my truth, untangle the lies, and pave a path toward redemption. Whether it’s for my mother, for myself, or for the family she fought so fiercely to protect. I’ll do it.

I don’t know what to do about either of my father’s. Both protected me my entire life, both with the same purpose, but in unique ways.

Or what to do about the three men who stole a piece of my heart when I swore it wasn’t for taking.

I groan. I definitely need some time away to work out what I want.

As I ride away from my sisters, a heavy feeling settles in my heart, making it hard to focus on anything else.

But I have to. I turn on my Bluetooth and say, “Call Jove.”

It’s not until I hit the highway that he finally answers, “Hello Lia. What’s the problem?”

“I need for my inheritance to be released.”

“Lia. You know that means everyone will know you’re alive,” he warns.

“They already know. And having the funds to do everything I can to keep myself alive is what I need now.”

“Where are you going?” he asks.

I ignore the question as I demand, “I also need the details of my tracker.”

He sighs.

“Do it, or I’ll have my body scanned and have it permanently removed.”

“But if you get kidnapped...” he mutters.

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