190

190
Emilia’s POV
The morning light spilled into the room, soft and golden, warming my skin as I sat by the window. I hadn’t been able to sleep much. Too many thoughts raced through my mind, all tangled up in the chaos of the past weeks. I’d escaped Alonso’s villa and returned to Alaric, but nothing felt settled. Every quiet moment was reminded me that something-or someone-was still lurking just out of reach, threatening to shatter this fragile peace that we were having right now. Every quiet moment reminded me of how easy it was for those men to get to us.
The sound of footsteps echoed down the hallway, steady and purposeful. A few seconds later, the door opened, and Alaric stepped in, a folded piece of paper in his hand. His expression was dark, his jaw clenched tightly.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, sitting up straighter.
He didn’t answer right away. Instead, he closed the door behind him and leaned against it, holding the letter up for me to see. “This arrived for you this morning.”
“For me?” I frowned, reaching for it, but he didn’t hand it over.
“It’s from Alonso,” he said flatly.
His words hit me like a punch to the gut. I stared at the letter, my chest tightening. “What does it say?”
“I didn’t open it.” His tone was clipped, but his eyes betrayed the storm brewing inside him. “I wanted to show it to you first.”
I hesitated, my fingers curling into the fabric of my dress. “Why would he send me a letter?”
“That’s what I’d like to know,” Alaric said, his voice low and dangerous.
There was something in his gaze that made me uneasy. He wasn’t just angry-he was hurt. And underneath that hurt was a simmering rage, the kind that could ignite and consume everything in its path.
“Let me see it,” I said quietly.
He didn’t move. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“It’s addressed to me, Alaric.”
His jaw tightened, and for a moment, I thought he was going to refuse. But then he sighed and crossed the room, handing me the letter.
I unfolded it carefully, my heart pounding as I read the neat, precise handwriting.
‘Dearest Alessandra,
I know I am likely the last person you wish to hear from right now, but I beg you to read this. I made mistakes-mistakes I can never undo-but I acted out of a desire to protect you.
There is so much you do not yet understand about your mother, about your past, about the world that has shaped you into the remarkable woman you are today. Please, give me one more chance to explain myself.
I will not force you to come to me again. Instead, I offer this olive branch. Should you wish to hear the truth, I will wait for you at the villa on Sunday.
With all my heart,
Alonso’
The words blurred as my eyes filled with tears. My emotions warred within me-anger, confusion, curiosity. I wanted to crumple the letter and throw it away, but a part of me longed for answers.
Alaric’s voice broke through my thoughts. “What does it say?”
I handed him the letter without a word, watching as his eyes scanned the page. His grip on the paper tightened, and by the time he finished reading, his expression had darkened even further.
“He’s manipulating you,” Alaric said, his voice cold.
“Maybe,” I admitted, though my voice wavered. “But he’s offering answers, Alaric. Answers I need.”
His gaze snapped to mine, sharp and angry. “You don’t need anything from him. He’s using your confusion to get to you.”
I stood, crossing my arms over my chest. “And what if he’s not? What if he really does have answers about my mother? About me?”
Alaric stepped closer, his presence overwhelming. “Do you trust him?”
“No,” I said firmly.
“Then why are you even considering this?”
“Because I deserve to know the truth!” My voice cracked, the frustration and hurt spilling out all at once. “You can’t expect me to just forget everything he said. He’s the only person who might know what really happened to my mother, to my family.”
Alaric’s hands curled into fists at his sides. “And what if it’s a trap? What if you walk into that villa and never walk out again?”
“I’m not going back to the villa,” I said. “But I need to hear him out, Alaric. I need closure.”
He shook his head, his eyes filled with a mix of anger and desperation. “I won’t let him hurt you again. I can’t.”
“He won’t,” I said softly, reaching for his hand. “Because I won’t let him. And neither will you.”
For a moment, he said nothing, his gaze locked on mine. Then he pulled away, pacing the room like a caged animal. “This is exactly what he wants,” he muttered. “He wants you to doubt yourself, to doubt me. He’s trying to drive a wedge between us.”
“Alaric-”
“I should’ve killed him when I had the chance.”
His words sent a chill down my spine. I stepped in front of him, placing a hand on his chest to stop him from pacing. “You can’t let your anger control you.”
He looked down at me, his jaw tight. “I’m not going to sit back and let him pull you into his games.”
“I’m not asking you to,” I said. “But we need to be smart about this. If he’s lying, we’ll find out. And if he’s telling the truth…”
He exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. “If he’s telling the truth, it doesn’t change anything. You’re still mine. You belong here, with me.”
His words sent a warmth through me, but they also infuriated me a bit. “This isn’t about choosing sides, Alaric. This is about figuring out who I am.”
“And who you are is Emilia,” he said, his voice fierce. “Not whatever name he’s trying to give you. Not whatever past he’s trying to drag you into.”
I touched his face, my thumb brushing against the stubble on his jaw. “I’m Emilia. And I’m yours. But I need to do this-for me.”
His eyes searched mine, and for a moment, I thought he was going to argue again. But then he sighed, his shoulders slumping in defeat. “You’re too damn stubborn for your own good.”
I smiled faintly. “You love that about me.”
He didn’t deny it. Instead, he pulled me into his arms, holding me tightly against his chest. “If you’re going to do this, we’re doing it on my terms. I’m not letting you out of my sight.”
“Fair enough,” I whispered, closing my eyes as I leaned into him.