Chapter 23%
“Someone came… I thought it was help,” I told the detective Lucian had called. “But instead, he pushed the car down the hill. He knew we’re still not completely dead, that’s why he did that.”
I know, that man doesn’t want any of us to get away from death that night. He made sure, no one will survive the accident.%
“Any way you can give us a hint about who you think he is?” he asked gently. “Perhaps… a possible suspect you personally knew?“}]
I shook my head twice but stopped when a flash of memory crossed my mind. I grabbed my forehead as the ache returned. Lucian was fast, he caught me before I could fall.
“Don’t force it,” he murmured. “This can wait. It might damage your memory more if you push too hard.”
“I can manage,” I said coldly. “This has to be solved.”
If that man was still alive, then I was still in danger. The Ducani family was, too. I wasn’t even sure if I had been the real target. Chesca was there that night. Maybe it was the Ducanis they were after… and Lorde was one of them. He could be next./
“I saw another shadow before I blacked out,” I added.”
“Another?”
“Yeah. Two of them. One was a woman, long hair… she was the first to turn away. She had a gun. Her body was slim, while the two men… they were both muscular.”
My gaze dropped to Lucian’s hand resting tightly on my shoulder, the grip growing harsher by the second. I winced and pushed it off irritably. That’s when he realized his anger had gotten the better of him.”
“I’m sorry,” he muttered, voice low and ashamed.
The detective typed something quickly on his phone, then gave me a small nod and a smile.”
“If you remember anything else, don’t hesitate to call me, Mrs. Ducani. The more details we have, the faster we can close this case.”
Once he left, Mommy entered the room carrying a tray of food, her face lit with a hopeful smile.
“They said they’re bringing Lorde back to this room,” she announced excitedly.
Relief washed over me. My eyes shifted to Lucian, who stared into nothingness, deep in thought. I narrowed my gaze at him.”
“You have someone in mind,” I said, voice sharp. “Someone who had a motive to kill Chesca that night?”
He looked at me, his jaw clenching hard. He cleared his throat, his Adam’s apple bobbing up and down as he slowly nodded. “Who is it?” Mommy asked quickly.
“I don’t think Chesca was the target,” Lucian said. “It was you, Hes.”
I sat up straighter. “Why would it be me? I had no enemies. I wasn’t even connected to you or the Ducanis back then.“}
“But you were carrying my child. That’s enough reason.“}]
I fell silent. In my memories, my pregnancy had been a secret–something only the two of us, Chesca, and Mommy knew. No one else. “Who else knew about the baby?” I whispered.”
Lucian opened his mouth to answer, but a knock on the door cut him off. Moments later, the nurses wheeled in Lorde’s hospital crib.
I scrambled off the bed so fast I almost fell, but Lucian caught me.”
“Careful, Hestia,” he said.”
He helped me across the room until I reached Lorde. My chest cracked open at the sight of him, so small, so fragile. Tears welled up as I clutched his tiny hand and pressed my forehead to his chest.
“Lorde…”
My son. Not just Lucian’s. Not just someone I loved and raised.}
He was mine.”
“Please wake up,” I whispered through my tears.”
I promise… Mommy’s not leaving anymore. Now that I know the truth, now that I remember everything, I have every reason to stay. I’ll understand everything you do. I’ll work hard until you love me again, until you accept me, until you want me to stay with you for the rest of your life.W
Before, I stayed strong because I thought I had no right to claim him. Because I believed I wasn’t his biological mother.
But everything had changed now.”
“Please, wake up. Mommy’s here,” I whispered, pressing a kiss to his forehead.”
After that, I didn’t move from his side. I stayed even while eating, making sure a part of my body touched his. I wanted him to feel my warmth. To know he wasn’t alone.”
“I have to go for now,” Lucian said quietly. “I need to do something important. But I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
I nodded absently, my hand never leaving Lorde’s. Lucian leaned down, kissed Lorde’s forehead, then pulled me into a hug, planting a kiss on top of my head.!
‘Don’t force yourself to remember,” he whispered. “I’ll be back soon.”}
The door clicked shut behind him, and the room fell into a heavy silence.
Mommy had already left earlier. Now, it was just Lorde and me. Maybe that’s why I could finally breathe, and finally feel. My heart ached for Chesca, for her death, for the betrayal we had unknowingly committed. But my soul was breaking for another reason.
Lucian and I… Our marriage…
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10 39 AM
Lucian and 1 Our mariage…&
It was just a contract after all.
Now that he knew Chesca’s death wasn’t a random accident, he was doing everything he could to fight for her justice. He left us to do that. Left us behind when we needed him most.
