EPISODE FORTY TWO
LUCA.
The pain Stefano’s face held knew no bounds as he slipped into unconsciousness.
“What do you think you’re doing?”Stefano’s Mom pushed her out of her way. She stared at Hazel who was busy cleaning the blood on her Dad’s face. She didn’t even spare Stefano who was bleeding profusely at a glance.
“He’s here. He held me.. My body. He tried ex.. exploring m.. my body. He…”Amanda sobbed, holding onto my clothes.
“You’re with me now. With Luca. Not him. Not Evans. Not Ricardo. You’re done living in that hell. I’m here.”I cried, hugging her tightly. I hate seeing her in pain. It hurts so much. Amanda has grown fond of me over the years because of how I stayed with her during the times of crisis after her first marriage went down the drain. She calls me anytime there’s a problem or when she’s having a breakdown. I don’t want to see her in this state anymore but Evans caused this again because of some few thousands of dollars.
She looked so tiny and vulnerable, I’m glad because she held herself so well. If this happened months ago, Amanda would have run mad.
“Me.. Megan got hurt.. She got beaten because of me.”She stuttered turning to her direction.
Luckily, Labrinth already wheeled them into the car including Stefano.
The cops were already here, trying to sort things out with Mum.
“She’s already on her way to the hospital now. She will be fine.”I assured her in the softest manner.
“How dare you push my wounded son away like he was some piece of trash!”Stefano’s Mom yelled angrily at Hazel.
“I saw him treat my father like an animal. How did you expect me to react?”She shouted back at Mom disrespectfully. What came over her?
“He ruined us. He ruined my baby’s life. We suffered for years. If you think this man on the floor is one doting father to you and your brother, you had it wrong. And trust me, I will never let us get ruined because Stefano was trying to respect you. Never.”She spat.
“What… What….”
“You saw him stab your own husband and all you had to do was push him away like that!”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t you ever let me see your face until he recuperates.”
After she left, The cops took him and Ricardo away since they were the only ones alive.
The one who seems like their boss came to me with a sly grin on his face. He must be one of Baron minions.
“You will have to follow us to the station to write down a report as the witness or the culprit.”He said the last word with a hearty chuckle.
I rested Amanda’s back on the wall and threw him a punch immediately. Does he even have the guts to laugh carelessly in my presence?
“You son of a bitch. You think your life is safe now that Stefano got stabbed? I will make sure none of you make it alive as long as I’m still in this city. I give you my words.”I threatened.
Hazel stood still crying profusely, I ignored her simply, I don’t want to have a conversation with her right now. This isn’t the best time for us to do that.
“Luca.”Amanda called drowsily.
I knelt down beside her immediately and held her hand.
“I want water.”She demands.
“Of course, you will have it. Let’s go to the hospital first.”I said.
I scooped her in my arms gently and made her leave but Hazel stopped me.
“I… I’m sorry.”
“Fuck it. Hazel. I’m not the one you should apologize to.”I cursed trying not to shout at her the way Mom did to her.
“I didn’t mean to do it. I didn’t know that my father was a bad person. I’m also a victim.”
“A victim? Amanda is messed up because of you. Did you know how hard it was for him to hold back anytime your father made a move? It was very hard for us, Hazel. I’m starting to think that you don’t even deserve his respect anymore because of what you did just now.”
“I’m sorry.”She sobbed. She’s so sincere about the apology, I don’t want her to follow me to the hospital, Mama will lose it.
“Just go home and wait for Marcos.”
HAZEL.
I feel so bad seeing him die slowly. Why did I push him off Dad?
And Dad looks a lot different today after more than six months of not seeing him.
How could I have thought of Stefano hurting my Father?
I shouldn’t have done what I did.
Marcos came to pick Stefano’s clothes and other stuff from the house. He didn’t treat me harshly since he witnessed what I did to his boss but he was so cold to me.
“Get ready to go to the hospital.”He said the moment he entered.
I quickly went to freshen up and picked the important few things I will need.
I packed the soup I prepared for them too in a large bag.
Marcos shot me a stare and collected the bag from me immediately.
“Thank you.”I mutter.
He only nods before leading me to the car. We got to the hospital quite late in the evening because Marcos had to pick some things in the supermarket.
“Has he woken up already?”I asked timidly as he drove into the hospital.
“He’s not. The knife ruptured his organs and he’s not cooperating with the treatment.”He answered in a harsh tone, Tears welled up in my eyes hearing the news. How could my father be so cruel?
“I’m… I’m sorry.”
“And you pushed him off your father. You slapped him, Hazel.”
“I didn’t mean to, I misunderstood the situation.”I defended myself but it’s useless. What I did was wrong. Stefano would never disrespect my father. I knew my father was involved in some shady stuff but I didn’t know he was such a bad person.
“You knew Stefano would never do that to your father except if the situation calls for it.”
“I…”
“Get down”He cut me off calmly.
I realized we were already in the parking lot. He carried the bags singlehandedly and led me to the VIP ward.
He didn’t show me the way to Stefano’s room, we both entered the room where the ladies are, including Stefano’s Mom.
I didn’t even know how to communicate with them. Stefano’s mom collected the small bag from me and led me to a seat but Megan wasn’t having it.
“Why are you helping her mom? Why did you allow her to enter this ward?”She yelled and yanked the drip off her hand immediately.
“Megan! She did nothing wrong.”
“Oh, Christ. I can’t hear more of this anymore. If I’d known you’re the daughter of that monster, I would never have let you stay another minute with Amanda.”She pulled me by my clothes.
Her mom tried stopping her but the death glare she gave her was enough for her not to interfere in any of this.
“We suffered for years. Did you know how hard it was for me to watch how your father sexually exploited Amanda in the most brutal manner with a couple of men? He threatened us and ripped money off us for years. He swore to expose her sextape to the whole world. Did you know how hard it was for Stefano?”She sobbed and slapped me hard across my face without letting go of my clothes.
“I didn’t know any…. My father…. Amanda… That’s not possible. My father wasn’t like that.”
“How could you slap her, Megan? She’s your brother’s wife.”Her mom scolded and tried pulling me towards her but Amanda didn’t let go of my dress.
“My brother’s wife? Never. The marriage will never continue once Stefano wakes up. I will never let Amanda suffer because of you again. Go to hell you whore!”She threw me at the wall in a harsh manner.
“Megan!”Her mother screamed and rushed to me immediately.
I held my tummy, crying profusely.”I’m sorry. I’m sorry.”I kept on rambling on.
Luckily, The doctors who were just coming from Stefano’s room came to my rescue.
They carried me out of the room hurriedly while Stefano’s Mom kept on crying behind us.