FOREVER MINE

C H A P T E R 7

After gulping down the water he sits back down, folding his hands in front of him.

"A few minutes after, one of Nikolai's guards found him and rushed him to the hospital. After that night, I cut off all ties with Nikolai. I didn't want to be associated with him in any way and that's how he became my enemy. He would make threats such as 'doing anything to get back what's his' and 'bringing my mafia to the ground'. I didn't worry too much about him attacking my mafia because at that time, his mafia wasn't as big or strong as mine."

We stare at our father, completely taken aback by this revelation. I would've never thought that my mother was in a serious relationship with Nikolai of all people.

What other secrets are she hiding?

"Two years pass and that's when I met Emilio," My heart catches as my father looks at me. "Elijah's father, who had recently started his own mafia in Italy. But that's a whole different story. Maybe I'll tell you some other time, if you want?" He asks me and I slowly nod my head.

I'm happy my father is willing to share that with me. It would make things more clear. My father nods in return before looking at all of us again and continuing his story.

"Years past and before we knew it, it was a few nights leading up to Angela's tenth birthday. Nikolai started to pop up again. His mafia being well known in Moscow and his recent attacks on small gangs all around Russia. I had this gut feeling that he was up to something big and wanted to be prepared. So I stationed more men around the mansion and made sure we were ready incase there would be an attack."

"On the night of the party, everyone was on high alert. I had all my men guarding the area and made sure to check all the guests. We were ready incase something could happen but..." He sighs and runs a hand through his hair. "I let my guard down for a few minutes when I watched your mother start to give her speech from the stage while Angela stood next to her. Everything happened so fast. I was ready for anything... anything except for a bomb. A fucking bomb explotion that could've killed everyone..."

My stomach twists remembering that night - the pain I felt. I close my eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath.

"I remember looking for you guys, trying to make sure if every one of you were okay. I've never felt so t-terrified in my life. Terrified that something happened to one of you a-and your mother." A tear escapes my eye, not being able to stay strong anymore. "The moment I found you, Angela, you were unconscious in that boy's arms. It felt like I couldn't breath and I forgot about everyone around me as I picked you up and rushed you to the hospital."

I look at my father his brows frown and his eyes fill with guilt. He starts blinking rapidly before looking down at the ground. "I'm sorry. I didn't think twice before taking you to the hospital. I didn't think to go check on your mother. I didn't think at all." He buries his face in his hands as my eyes blur with tears.

I get up from my chair before going to my father. I wrap my arms around him and bury my face in his shoulder as he pulls me into a hug aswell.

"I'm so sorry, sweetheart." He whispers as I finally let the tears fall from my eyes. "I'm sorry that I couldn't save her. It's all my fault."

I shake my head and pull him closer. "It's okay. I understand, daddy." I whisper back, trying to hold back a sob as he rubs my back soothingly.

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We're all back in our seats, tear stained cheeks still present but it feels like a weight has lifted from my shoulders. And the room doesn't feel so suffocating anymore.

My father clears his throat before finishing the rest of what happened all those years ago.

"When I arrived at the hospital, my right hand man had already gotten a car ready for you boys to arrive moments later at the hospital. Over the phone I had asked him if your mother was with them. I remember the long pause that made my heart race. I could feel that something was wrong as I sat there in the hospital room with Angela. When the words left his mouth that they couldn't find your mother, I was stunned so shocked that I was unable to speak or react normally."

He sighs and looks over at my brothers. "You guys entered the room in that moment and immediately asked for your mother. I felt so. . . helpless and heartbroken. All I could think about was if your mother was hurt, kidnapped or . . .killed. So in that moment of weakness I lied. I lied about your mother being in the safe room at home."

He looks at Mason with a deep frown on his face and swollen red eyes. "Being the oldest brother, you were more aware of what was happening. I could see it on your face when I spit out that lie. When you left the room, I could see that you were trying hard to hold back tears. But like the strong boy you were, you didn't let them fall once. And I'm so sorry for being the cause of those tears." He looks at all of us before saying, "I'm sorry for all your tears."

I sniffle and shake my head, " Stop saying sorry. It's okay, Nikolai's the one to blame not you."

It doesn't look like he believes me but nods nonetheless.

"After that night, I worked hard on trying to find your mother. I knew it was Nikolai but it was difficult to save your mother at the time. My mafia took a big hit. My daughter was in a coma and I didn't have enough resources. So after two weeks had pass of you asking about your mother, I lied. Again."

"Why did you lie? Why couldn't you just be honest and tell us the truth in the first place?" Angelo questions with a small glare aimed towards our father.

"I wasn't in the right headspace at the time. I lost my wife and wasn't able to get her back because I couldn't just attack Nikolai's mafia like he did mine. He was getting stronger and I was a mess." He sighs deeply. "I told myself that I needed to give you guys an easy answer before I could continue on my search to find your mother. But first I needed to build my mafia back up again."

"When I told you guys that your mother died, you were devastated. All of us were mourning. Angela , you were still in a coma for about three more months before I could tell you the same thing. It broke my heart even more when you couldn't remember us in those two weeks after waking up. When you started to remember us and a few more small things, I finally told you. You didn't cry though because you didn't remember her which I was happy about. I didn't want you to feel that kind of pain. I wanted to protect you."

He clears his throat and blinks away more tears. "So as a way to protect you from anything bad happening again, I hid you from the world. I told everyone that you had died along with your mother. And I'm sorry for doing that to you, sweetheart. I just wanted to protect you. I couldn't protect your mother but I vowed to do anything to protect you."

"And please don't blame your brothers for not telling you the reason why I kept you locked up in the mansion all the time. I told them not to. I'm to blame for everything." He finishes and wipes his eyes with the back of his hands.

My lips tremble as I stare at my father. I can't help it as I start crying again. Letting out all of those pent up feelings. A sob racks through my body as I bury my face in my hands.

Warm arms wraps around me as I cry my eyes out. "I'm sorry, Angela."

I bury my face in his chest and wrap my arms around him. "It's okay. I understand. Thank you for telling me."

"I love you, cariño."

"I love you, daddy."

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