Page 134 of Monster in Disguise

Feeling guilty for causing him worry, I hurry him back to the dining room.

"I'm feeling much better now. Let's go together." I stand up and lead him towards the door.

"If you're sure..." He studies me carefully, trying to gauge if I'm telling the truth.

I nod and force a smile onto my face.

He already has enough on his plate. He doesn't need to worry about this too.

The daily barrage of messages is overwhelming. Every morning, like clockwork, a letter arrives at my doorstep. They come in different envelopes with no return address, but I know they're from the same person. It's been a week now, and the notes never fail to taunt me with the secret of Claudia's father's identity.

At first, I tried to open them, hoping for some closure or answers. But after the first few days, I couldn't bear it anymore. The pain of not knowing was too much, so I started burning them instead.

I thought that throwing away the letters would make it all stop. And for two days, there was nothing.

But then, just when I let my guard down, a pop-up appears on my computer screen as I'm browsing the internet in my room. At first, it's blank, but soon words start appearing in the same sentences as the letters I had been receiving.

SILLY GIRL, IF YOU ONLY KNEW.

THE MAN YOU PROFESS TO LOVE – DON'T THINK I HAVEN'T HEARD.

I panic and try to exit out of the window, pressing every key on my keyboard frantically. But it's no use; the pop-up won't go away.

THE MAN WHO RAPED YOU IS CLOSER THAN YOU THINK.

YOU'RE MARRIED TO HIM.

My heart drops as I read those words. My computer suddenly crashes, leaving me staring at a blank screen in shock. Could he be implying that Marcello is the man from that horrific night? The mere thought of it makes me laugh bitterly. This whole charade is just an attempt to make me doubt my husband and tear our marriage apart.

Whoever it was should realize just how far-fetched the idea that Marcello could be Claudia's father is...

I shake my head, determined to put this out of my mind forever.

When dinner is announced, I go downstairs and notice that everyone but Assisi is already at the table. Marcello is deep in conversation with Claudia, and they are discussing some text she'd had to read as part of her homework.

"But it's not very logical," my daughter notes, eyebrows knit together in consternation.

"I think you're just advanced for your grade, Claudia," Marcello nods. "Have you tried telling that to Mrs. Evans?"

"Yes, but she wants me to go the traditional route. She says I shouldn't miss out on anormaleducation." She sighs, clearly disappointed with her teacher's approach.

"Lina, there you are." Marcello gives me a bright smile as I take my seat. I nod at them, urging them to continue.

As the courses come and go, I can't help but stare at the two of them, looking for any similarities. Damnation! Now that the idea was sown into my head, I can't help but think about it.

There isn't much to go off. The only thing they have in common is their lightly colored hair. In fact, the more I stare, the more I realize that it's the same shade of blonde.

Lord! I must be going crazy.

"Lina?" Marcello calls my name, frowning.

"Yes, sorry I didn't hear you."

"You've been lost in thought for a while now."

"Just thinking about my design," I quickly lie, forcing a smile. Good Lord, if he knew what I've been thinking about...

The next course is served, and I see Marcello looking a little disconcerted.

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