Page 131 of The Devil's Deal

She sighs, her fingers laced together. “Your mom was planning on taking you and running away. Francesco found her a man who could create fake passports and gave her money to help her wherever she’d be going. He didn’t know where, and neither did I.” She slouches a little, peering down at her lap. “He didn’t want to know in case you father tortured him. They started out as friends.” She glances up at me. “But the closer their friendship got, the closer they got. And she fell in love with him, and he fell in love with her.”

Her gaze drifts to Dom, who’s listening intently.

“He was a good man,” she tells him. “He was willing to give her up just so she could be saved.”

From the corner of my eye, Dom’s jaw rattles.

“She called me in the morning, the day she disappeared,” Aunt Kirsten continues. “She left a voicemail, saying she thought your father knew about her plan to disappear. She sounded afraid, and when I found out she was gone, I just knew he killed her.”

“He did,” Dom grates with a tremor in his breath. “He killed her, my father, and my baby brother, who was only eight.”

She gasps, her eyes bathed with tears, her fingers falling over her lips. “I knew she was dead but hearing it…it’s hard.” Wiping under her eyes, she shuffles in her seat. “I’m sorry for your loss, Dom.”

He leans back, ankle bopping over his knee.

“I’m sorry I never said anything before, Chiara. Your mother didn’t want you to know anything about Francesco until you really had to.”

She gets up, kneeling beside me, clutching my hand.

“Please, forgive me,” she begs, tears shining brightly in her eyes.

“I understand.” I nod, my tone cut with so much turmoil.

Clearing her throat, she rises to her feet. “She left you a letter.”

“What?” My pulse quickens. “Why didn’t you ever give it to me?”

She purses her lips. “She asked me to only give it to you when you came looking for answers. I wanted to respect her wishes.”

“Where is it?” I stand up instantly.

“I’ll get it.” She pats my hand. “Sit. I’ll be right back.”

A moment later, she returns, handing me a white business envelope. I quickly remove the paper inside, unfolding it, unable to wait another second without reading my mother’s words.

Dear Chiara,

If you’re reading this, it means I’m gone. I’m sorry, baby. That was never my plan. You were my whole world. Are my whole world. No matter where I am, you’ll always be my everything. You’re the only good thing I did in my life.

When I met your father, we were both young and fell in love so fast. My parents were old-fashioned, wanting me to marry young. They liked the sort of family your father belonged to, so they had no objections when he asked my father for my hand. Back then, all I saw were hearts, even when he was possessive over what boy spoke to me or looked at me. I brushed it off as him loving me. I was a fool. I know that now.

Your father was awful to me, to us. It’s my fault. You should’ve never been on the receiving end of it, but by that point, all I could do was run away. And I tried, but I think he knows and that’s probably why I’m dead now.

Plop.

Plop.

Tears drip down onto the black ink, smudging over her words.

I hadn’t even noticed I was crying. I swipe under my eyes, ignoring them, and continue to read.

With Francesco’s help, I planned to take us to France, so we could eat our crepes and wear our fancy dresses like we’d always pretend to when you were younger. Do you remember that? I’m sorry we never got that chance. I wish I didn’t have to leave you, especially knowing who you’re left with. It kills to even write this letter. My heart’s breaking with every sentence.

Please, don’t be mad at your aunt. This wasn’t her story to tell. I asked her to only give you this letter when she felt the time was right.

I love you forever. I’ll always be with you.

Hold on to your aunt, and to Dom. It’s okay to hold on to the strength of others when we need it.

---