Most of their questions revolved around the explosion at the conference. It dawned on me that they were here not because Gio had called them, but because they wanted to know what had transpired at the hotel conference.
“Ma’am, we really need to get your statement.”
“My wife said she can’t remember anything. Let her rest.”
The house staff quickly came to assist me inside. Gio didn’t follow me right away because he was still speaking with the police.
I suddenly remembered Mariana. “Mariana?” I asked one of the household staff.
“Sir Gio is the one who knows Miss Mariana’s condition, Ma’am.”
I was torn. Did I want to talk to Gio? I still wasn’t entirely convinced by what Nicolas had told me, and I intended to find out the truth. Whatever Gio said, that’s what I would believe.
I was in my room, and the household staff was taking care of me, helping me with bathing and changing since I wasn’t in the right state.
The door opened, and Gio walked in. As he closed the door, he immediately approached me.
Gio embraced me, and in that moment, I could feel how worried he was. “Tell me what happened, Millie.” He let go of me, and in his eyes, I saw a mixture of concern and anger.
“How’s Mariana?” That’s what I’ve been wanting to know since earlier. “Is she okay? I didn’t sustain many injuries from the explosion because of her quick action and protection.”
“Mariana’s in the hospital. Ivan and Bailey, they’re both dead.”
I knew that! I was fully aware they were dead because I saw the gunshot wounds on them. They didn’t die due to the explosion; they were shot, and I knew Nicolas was responsible.
I breathed a sigh of relief, knowing Mariana was safe and in the hospital. Gio tightly held my hand. “Millie…”
I desperately wanted to speak and tell Gio everything, but I was stumbling. I didn’t know where to start, and I wasn’t even sure if I wanted to delve into this.
“I’m fine, Gio. I just need to rest.”
“Where were you? Did someone abduct you?” he asked.
Gio always knew when something was troubling me. He sensed when my behavior changed, noticed every little detail about me. He knew me inside and out, but as for him, I hardly knew anything.
I tilted my head. I just needed to calm my mind. I needed some time to sort through my thoughts, and afterward, I would ask Gio about what I’d learned.
“We’ll talk later, Millie. Have something to eat. I’ll arrange your meal and have it sent here.” Gio touched my head and kissed my temple before standing up.
He didn’t immediately leave and looked back at me. He released a deep breath before finally leaving the room.
When they brought my food, I had no appetite. My thoughts were all over the place, and I didn’t know where to start. If only I hadn’t been so bothered about my mother’s death, I wouldn’t be delving into this with Gio. It’s probably not true. I trust Gio, and I’m sure he would never do this to my mother. He wouldn’t frame Papa just to cover up his own wrongdoing. Gio isn’t like that. I know him, and I know my real husband.
I forced myself to eat. When the household staff served me, “Where’s Gio?” I inquired.
“He’s just outside, talking to some people. Sir was very worried about you earlier, so he rushed home when he received the call that you were missing.”
I wanted to be pleased by what I heard, but my lips betrayed me. I returned to my meal and finished it quietly.
A little while after I finished eating, Gio re-entered the room. I caught him on the phone when he came in, so I remained silent.
I waited for him to finish his call. “How are you, Millie?” he asked me.
“I’m fine,” I replied, watching him approach. “Why did you come home? I thought you were in Russia. The travel time takes hours if you were in Russia. It’s a bit surprising to see you here so quickly.”
“Since we finished the signing earlier than expected, I was planning to surprise you. we were already in the airport when I received the call about what happened to you, so I rushed home.”
That explanation made sense.
“Tell me what happened, Millie…”
I could still sense the concern in his voice, but it was accompanied by a determination to find out everything. Gio would spare no effort to identify those who took me or attempted on my life.
“Gio, some men took me. I tried to fight back, but in the end, I failed. They brought me to an unfamiliar place. They didn’t hurt me, but…”
I glanced up at Gio. He was just waiting, as if expecting me to say everything before he spoke. I cleared my throat before continuing.
“They mentioned something about my mother’s death.”
“Isn’t it already proven that your father killed her? What more do they need to say?”
“That Papa didn’t kill her. Mama didn’t die from illness; she was… killed by someone else.”
I took a deep breath, searching for the courage to say what I wanted. I swallowed my fear. I still believed that they were trying to tarnish Gio’s image in my eyes, so I shouldn’t be afraid. Gio wouldn’t do that. How many years ago did my mother die? I was still very young at the time. He had no capacity to kill at such a young age.
Gio didn’t react. He patiently waited for me to finish.
“They told me, Gio,” that I was drowned in my own voice, I started, clearing my throat before continuing. “They said you killed Mama.”
I noticed the surprise in Gio’s face. I quickly stood and forced a smile, even as I felt the weight of my emotions and the urge to cry. I approached Gio and held both his arms.
“That’s not true, right?” I shook my head firmly, as if I were trying to convince myself more than Gio. “It’s not you, is it? They’re just trying to tarnish you in my eyes. I don’t believe it, Gio. You have no motive for doing that, right?”
I maintained a forced smile on my lips and waited for Gio to speak, but he didn’t. I saw a gradual cooling and darkening in his eyes as he gazed directly at me.
“Gio, tell me it’s not true. They’re just trying to ruin you, right? They probably think I’ll believe and get angry at you. It’s not true, Gio…”
I waited for Gio to speak, but he still didn’t. I shook him gently, knowing that his denial was all I needed to believe.
“Why won’t you answer, Gio? It’s not you, right? You have no reason to do that! They’re just trying to tarnish you in my eyes.”
Tears overwhelmed my words. I didn’t even realize I was already crying while trying to convince Gio to deny what I was saying.
“Millie, listen to me…”
When I saw how shattered Gio’s expression was and how sad his eyes were as he looked at me, I broke down even more.
“Gio, please… tell me they’re wrong! You didn’t kill my mother! You couldn’t…”
I was about to move away from Gio when he quickly caught me and held me in front of him. Our eyes met again, and I couldn’t see his expression. Why does he look guilty?
“I’m sorry…”
That’s when I froze. My lips quivered as I stared at Gio. Maybe my appearance right now screamed fear, fear of facing the truth that what Nicolas told me earlier might be… true.