Page 101 of Victorious Vice

“I’m glad to hear that. Would you mind stepping out for a moment? I have a guest who wants to meet her.”

“Yes, of course. Is there anything else I can do for you?”

“Just give us about an hour. I’ll call for you if we need you.”

“Absolutely.” Renée exits the room, widening her eyes a bit as she spies Mario, and then she goes down the stairs.

I open the door. “Mario, I brought you a gift from Colombia.”

Mario walks in and then stops, nearly losing his footing.

I instinctively put out a hand to steady him.

“I’m not the monster you think I am,” he says softly.

I have no idea what he’s talking about, and I don’t rightly care.

He walks slowly toward Serena. Her eyes hold no recognition, but she does not look frightened. We’ve made her feel safe here.

“My God,” Mario says. “Serena, my love.”

Serena tilts her head, her elderly eyes sunken. “Who are you?”

“It’s me, my darling. Mario.”

Serena’s eyes dart from Mario to me. “No… You…”

I clear my throat. “When I found her in Agudelo’s attic, she thought I was you. Apparently I look a lot like you did when you were young.”

Of course there’s no doubt about that, unfortunately. I’ve seen the photos. I’m a dead ringer for my biological father.

How can I not be? I’m the product of him and his daughter. No other genes had a chance.

Mario closes the distance between him and Serena and kneels—actually kneels—before her.

I’ve never seen Mario kneel before.

He takes her wrinkled hand in his own.

The years have been kinder to him then they have been to her. Of course, he’s lived a life of luxury. She’s lived life as a prisoner, subject to torture.

“I never believed I would see you again,” he says.

“Mario?”

“Yes, it’s me.”

“You… You look different. You’re an old man.”

Mario smiles. Actually smiles, and it seems sincere. “And you’re an old woman, my love, but still as beautiful as ever.”

Serena hasn’t aged well, but underneath the wrinkles, the sunken eyes, the thin white hair, I can see that she possessed true beauty at one time.

Mario brushes her hair gently away from her face, his eyes gleaming with unshed tears. He studies her, looking at every wrinkle, every line that time etched on her face. His fingers trembling, he traces her cheeks, her jawline.

“You were always so strong, my love. Even now, I see it in your eyes,” he whispers, his voice thick with emotion. “You’ve had to endure so much.”

Serena’s eyes are wet with tears. Mario’s touch, Mario’s voice has unlocked something within her.

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