Forbidden Desire 18+

Chapter Twenty Three

ELIO MORELLI

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Lonzo granted me a few days off work so I can go back home and attend my sister's memorial. I didn't tell Isabella. I didn't need the questions, not when I had to get my head screwed on tight for what's about to unfold.

The second my mother sees me she's going to kick off. But I have every right to be here like anyone else. It's a public event for my sister, for anyone to come and mourn. It's been six long years and everyday my heart has never felt the same.

I don't want to blame myself but sometimes I believe that I could have done more. I could have saved her. That's what my mother thinks. She wishes it was me that was laying on the floor in my own cold blood. Not Ariana.

When I arrive at the memorial I stand back. It's always a beautiful service. Well decorated with my sister's favourite flowers–purple tulips. They have a speaker of a poem and others who share fond memories. Then in the afternoon it's a small gathering with close friends and family who share a drink in honour of her life.

The turnout is always big. So many people adored Ariana. I loved her so much. If I could switch places with her I would–in a heartbeat.

I'll never forget the look in her green eyes as she lay dying, begging for help. I remember the way my hands were covered in her blood and she pleaded to save her. My entire vision went blurry and everything slowed down until I couldn't breathe.

Then she was gone.

She died in my arms.

The memorial starts with a spoken word poem about life after death, angels and heaven. I scan the crowd of people to find my parents at the front, clutching together and wiping their eyes for their beautiful daughter.

My chest clenches. I should be there with them. Yet I'm shunned away. Why? I lost her too.

I listen to the poem and feel my heart sink. This isn't how it should be. She should be alive.

The conductor of the ceremony asks if anyone would like to speak and before I think through my thoughts, I raise my hand in the air. Everyone turns around to face me and I find my mother's eyes turning dark and murderous.

My father whispers something in her ear but she shakes her head and pushes him away. Then she starts marching towards me with a clenched jaw and tear stained cheeks.

"I told you not to show your face here," she spits under her breath.

I flare my nostrils at her tone. "I deserve to be here as much as anyone else. This is a public event, open to everyone."

My mother's eye twitches and she shakes her head once more. "How dare you make a mockery out of our family and have the cheek to ask to speak! Ariana would be disappointed, she wouldn't want you here. Not when you left her to die."

"That is not what happened," I grit my teeth.

Her mouth opens but my father steps between us. "Do not do this now," he grumbles harshly. "You're causing a scene and this is Ariana's day. No one else's."

I focus on him and take a large breath. "She's my sister. I should be here as much as any of you."

"I know," he nods in agreement, eyes flicking between mine slowly.

"He does not get to say a word!" She hisses in my face and I flinch from the sound.

My father rests his head in his hands. "Mio Dio."

"I don't care," I scowl. "I'm doing it anyway."

I walk around them and towards the leader of the ceremony. I offer a small smile despite the pressure behind my eyes. I can hear my mother yelling at my father to do something but I ignore them. I never spoke at her funeral or any of the memorials since her death and now it's my turn to say something. To make my peace.