Page 151 of Relentless Sinner

As the grounds are maintained by a caretaker, everything looks pristine, so when we reach the graveside, the snow hasalready been cleared off the marble headstones of my mother and brother.

“Hello, my loves,” Father says in a solemn voice, looking from my mother’s grave to Jacob’s. He lingers on Jacob’s a little longer. “It’s my fault you’re here, Jacob. I’m so sorry, moy syn.”

His breathing becomes ragged, then he looks at my mother’s grave, and tears stream down his cheeks.

In all this time, he’s never allowed me to see him cry.

“Father.” I rest my hand on his shoulder and move beside the chair to face him.

“My life is fading, Jaxon.” His tone is weaker than usual. He rests his head on the back of the chair and stares at me. “I asked you to bring me here today because I think it’s my last.”

I shake my head at him. “Don’t say that. You may have some time yet.”

Listen to me.I am the same guy who couldn’t find it in his heart to give him hope months ago. Now I do, and I know it’s because I’ve changed.

He stares at me, his eyes filled with that regret and sadness I’ve seen so many times. “I’m sorry, my son. I wish that were true for so many reasons. None of them for me. But for you.”

“Me? Why?”

“So that I could continue trying to be the father I should have been to you. There was nothing good about me. I’m ashamed that I married such a good woman, and she died bringing you into this world, and I never took care of you. I was so selfish I messed everything up. Even the relationship I could have had with you.” He pauses for a moment, and I wish I could tell him he’s wrong, but he’s not. “If I could do it all again, I would have loved you the way I should have. I wouldn’t have let you fall into drugs. If you did, it would have been me who got you back on your feet, not someone else’s father. I would never have allowed you to go to college in England to get away from me. And I wouldnever have let you compete for your birthright. You were always Pakhan, and truth be told, you were a better man than all of us.”

My heart warms, and that desire to have his love and respect that I so often told myself I didn’t care for seeps into me. “It means a lot to hear you say that.”

“It is the truth of my regrets, Pakhan. There is no forgiveness for me for all the things I’ve done to you. But I wonder if maybe you could think better of me.” He reaches out one trembling hand to take mine.

I take his hand and hold it, then I nod. “Yes. I can think better of you.”

He gives me a weak smile. “Your mother was right. You were worth it.”

That’s the best thing he’s ever said to me. “Thank you.”

“Welcome, sweet angel, you’re homewith me,you’re home with us,”he speaks the words of my mother’s song, smiles wider, then returns his gaze to her grave, but he doesn’t let go of my hand.

He rests his head back on the chair and we stay like this for a while. Then he closes his eyes, and moments later, his grip loosens in mine.

When I look at him and see he’s not breathing anymore, I know he’s gone.

Epilogue- Gabriella

Two months later

I rest my hand on Natasha’s belly and laugh when I feel her baby kick. She’s having a girl.

Natasha smiles when the baby kicks again a couple of times, and the bright sunlight beaming down on her makes her motherly glow look even more radiant.

I keep my hand there on her belly and savor this moment, knowing it almost didn’t happen.

There were times when I thought I’d never see her again. Now look at us sitting here together, free and happy, on the terrace of her new home in Marseille while our husbands are out on the beach fishing.

Natasha and Alessandro decided to stay in Marseille and start a new life together.

She said there were too many painful memories in New York. And Italy, for that matter. We were always happy when Mom brought us here, so it seemed fitting Natasha chose to live here.

And get married here.

Jaxon and I delayed our visit until now so we could be here for Natasha and Alessandro’s wedding. It took place last weekend and was absolutely beautiful.

Cora and I were both maids of honor, and the whole family turned up to make it a magical celebration. Cora’s wedding will be next. It will be another wonderful event.

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