24. Guilty

Caterina woke up when it was already noon. The hot sunlight sneaking in through the gap in the curtains made her eyes a little dazzling. She stretched for a moment, then rubbed her eyes. She got up to sit up. When she got up, she felt her whole body ache and hurt. Now she regained consciousness and remembered what happened last night. Remembering it all, Caterina became hysterical. She was scared, sad, and extremely frustrated.

“Aaaarght!” Caterina screamed at the top of her lungs. She pulled her hair very roughly, hoping that it would make all the bad memories in her head disappear.

The door to the room opened after the scream was heard outside. It was not Dante who appeared from behind the door, but a maid. The woman brought food for Caterina.

Caterina stared intently. She trusted no one now but her father. There was no one she could trust anymore after the man she loved so much had violently raped her.

“Madam, I brought you some fish soup and tomato juice as well.” The woman approached, placing the tray of food on the nightstand. Then she went out.

Madam? Since when had Caterina been called that politely?

“Dad!” Caterina called out to her father. She only wanted her father in this condition. She wanted him to come and comfort her. Because there is no place more comfortable and safer than in the arms of a father.

There was no response after Caterina had waited long enough.

“Daddy!” Caterina called out again but still received no response.

Caterina began to get hysterical, bad thoughts running through her mind. She cried, hugging her knees. Her body was trembling, her body hot and cold. Her whole body was now filled with pain.

The door opened again, and out stepped Dante. His right leg had been broken, just as Leonardo had expected. He walked with the help of a cane. His right leg had been put in a cast; he treated his own leg last night. While his friend could only accompany him with guilt. They apologized repeatedly; they had no choice but to obey Leonardo's orders.

“Kate.” Dante called softly.

The sound of his cane hitting the floor caught Caterina's attention. Caterina looked up; she turned her head towards the source of the sound. Her eyes widened when she discovered her father's condition. She had been crying hysterically, but she suddenly became very panicked when she saw her father's feet.

Dante sat on the edge of the bed. His face looked so tired. It looked like he hadn't slept all night after what had happened.

“Dad!” Caterina hugged her father's body tightly.

Dante returned the hug. He gently stroked his daughter's hair. At least he should be grateful because now he can still hug his daughter.

“What happened?” Caterina asked after she released the hug.

“Nothing, I just wasn't careful going down the stairs.” Dante lied about the broken leg.

“Dad, you're not lying to me, are you? Did Leonardo do it?” Caterina asked for confirmation. She couldn't believe her father had been so careless as to fall through the floor. Moreover, only his leg was broken, while the rest of his body did not show any injuries. If he really fell down the stairs, there were at least a few bruises on his body.

“Why would I lie? That bastard has nothing to do with this.” Dante still did not answer truthfully. He didn't want his daughter to feel guilty if he told her that the broken leg was indeed caused by Leonardo. He no longer wanted to add to his daughter's mental wounds.

“Be careful next time.” Caterina pretended to believe even though she was very sure it was Leonardo.

“You must not have had breakfast yet, right? Shall I bribe you?” Dante smiled at his daughter.

Caterina nodded gently. It was almost noon, and she had just had breakfast. She ate with gusto. Not because the food was good or because she was hungry, but because her father was feeding her.

“Kate!” The voice was heard frantically running towards Caterina's room. It was Alex who had just returned from out of town; he had just found out about the bad news that happened to Caterina. “I just heard about you; are you okay?” The man stared sympathetically.

Dante looked very guarded. Moreover, Alex is Leonardo's accomplice; he does not want to be missed again. He must be really protective in guarding his daughter.

“Did that bastard ask you to come here?” Dante asked sharply.

“I don't know anything about this. I came here because I really care about Kate.” Alex tried to explain.

Caterina was silent, not even daring to look at him.

“I'm sorry, Kate. Maybe this wouldn't have happened if I hadn't said that stupid thing. I overinterpreted Mr. Bianchi's feelings. I thought he liked you.” Alex felt very guilty. This was because Caterina had become very provoked after hearing Alex's words that time.

“So this is all because of you?” Dante looked so angry, he rose to his feet with his fists clenched. Even though his leg was in a lot of pain, it didn't stop him from hitting Alex.

“Never mind, Dad. It's not his fault; it's mine. I shouldn't be influenced by what other people say. I'm the one who knows Leo better; I should have known that Leo hates me so much.” Caterina said in a hoarse voice, holding back tears. Her feelings were deeply shaken every time she recalled Leonardo's treatment of her. This time she had promised to eliminate all her feelings for Leonardo, because that man did not deserve to be loved.

Dante sighed after hearing his daughter's words, his emotions subsiding, and he sat back on the edge of the bed to feed Caterina again.

“I'm really sorry, Kate.” Alex said guiltily.

“Never mind. It's not your fault; I know you have no ill intentions towards me.” Caterina said softly.

“Call me if you need my help. I'll help you as much as I can.”