Chapter Two

"No, Father, please. I'm sorry. I'm really sorry. If I knew who the father was, I'd tell you already. I'm sorry…" 

It's been so long since I cried this hard. The last time was when Mother died. I was seven back then. And then Aurora's mother died too, months after. She was five. And then she came to stay with us as the illegitimate daughter of Father and my step-sister.

Crying like this again reminds me of losing my mother, and now I'm on the verge of losing Father too. What sorry case has my life become?

"Irene Dante, listen very carefully," Father says with a tone that shows finality. I stiffen, holding my breath. "From here on, you cease to be my daughter. Get up and get out. Stay gone!"

"Father, no, please. I beg you!" My cries can be heard from a thousand miles, and I run to him, latchin' to his shirt. "Don't throw me on the streets…"

"You leave me no choice, Irene." He replies, turning his taut back to me.

"You can't do this to me, Father. I'm your daughter. I'm your Irene."

"Not anymore!" He shouts, giving me a firm push that makes me fall on the marble floor. Aunt Anna rushes to me to help me up. But Father doesn't even feel sorry. His stare is cold and filled with disgust.

"All I ever wanted was to give you the world, Irene. I loved you so much, and I'm never going to forgive you for hurting me like this."

"I'm sorry…"

"Yeah, me too. This is the end, Irene. From here on, you cease to be a Dante. You're on your own. I only have one daughter now. And that's Aurora."

Father's declaration leaves me shocked and speechless. But then the glimmer in Aurora's face shocks me even more. She has a triumphant smile and flashes me a smirk before following Father upstairs. Her loving nature is gone, and now I know it's all been just a facade.

Aurora never liked me. Despite everything I did to make her feel loved and part of the family, she never felt the same for me. How the hell did it take me so long to notice that?

"We're here." Aunt Anna's voice jolts me from my thoughts.

"Huh?" I reply, feeling a bit dazed, but when I look out the window, it all makes sense to me—the airport. 

I nod, and we alight the car. Aunt Anna links her arms with mine as a way to comfort me and reassure me that I'm not alone.

"You don't have to come with me, Aunt. I'll be fine." I say, trying to be strong, but deep down, it's raining tears. 

"Don't be silly, sweetheart. How can I let you go alone? Your mother will hate me if I don't take care of you and your unborn child. So don't worry about me. I'm coming with you."

"Thank you, Aunt." I smile sadly, glancing at the road. I'm holding on to the last shred of hope as I look out for any one of Father's cars.

I still wish he'll regret his decision and come for me. I still hope he forgives me and takes me back. But after standing around for close to thirty minutes, I feel the hope slipping away from me.

"Let's go in, dear. Or we might miss our flight." Aunt Anna says as she holds my hand, leading the way into the airport and boarding the flight.

Tears flood my eyes as I silently say my goodbyes to La Nostra Terra. I make some quick, silent resolutions as I pull the curtain on my old life.  

To Father, I vow to make him forgive me someday. I never meant to cause him this much pain, and I'll do anything to earn his forgiveness. To Aurora, I vow to make her pay for this. For fooling me, ruining my life, and betraying me like this. To the bastard who got me pregnant, I hope Karma acts the bitch it is and gives him the pain he deserves. For ruining my once-perfect life.

EIGHT MONTHS LATER…

My screams tear through the walls of the hospital as I try to push out my babies. The doctor said I was having twins, and it's overwhelming and equally painful too.

I clench the sheets and grit my teeth as beads of sweat cascade down my face.

"You got this, Irene. You got this." Aunt Anna whispers to me, holding my hand firmly.

"Do I?!" I ask between screams. It feels like the agony I've faced these past months just came crashing down on me right now.

"Yes, you do. Baby. Yes, you do." She sobs, kissing my sweaty forehead.

"I'm so tired, Aunt. So fucking tired!" I push again, screaming so hard I feel my voice has reached its limit. Father…my heart is calling out to him, wishing nothing but to have him next to me right now.

"I know, baby. Just a little more. Think of everything you still have to do. Think of your future. Think, Irene. Think and push."

I take in sharp breaths as I shut my eyes, letting my mind roam. My future. Proving Myself to Father. Earning his forgiveness, punishing Aurora for ruining my life, and proving to the world that I am still the adorable, charming, legitimate, and successful daughter of Leonardo Dante. I owe myself a lot.

With my newly found courage, I push so hard, and my screams follow too. A little while longer, I hear the baby wail. My consciousness leaves me, and I black out.

When I woke up, Aunt Anna had my baby in her arms. The doctor already had my baby cleaned up.

"Where's the other one?" I ask weakly, with a faint smile.

"I'm sorry, Irene. He didn't make it."

"What?" Tears roll down my eyes, and I slowly sit up. "He's a boy?"

"Yeah. A boy and a girl. He had a weak heart. But your girl survived. She's a fighter, like her Mother."

I nod, still in tears. "Let me have her, please." I stretch my arms out, yearning to hold my baby.

"Sure, here you go." Slowly, Aunt Anna places the little bundle of hope into my arms.

Like on cue, more and more tears push their way down my eyes, clogging my vision. Her little eyes open, and I'm awed by their color. Blue. Like the ocean. 

I don't have blue eyes; neither does Father or Mother. Where did she get them? Perhaps, is it a trait from the bastard who got me pregnant?

"At least she's a blonde, like her mother." Aunt Anna says like she knows my thoughts. She sits next to me, smoothing my hair. "Do you have a name for your daughter?"

"Sofia." I chuckle, holding her tiny hands. "Sofia Ricci, if you don't mind." Ricci is my aunt Anna's last name.

"Of course, I don't. You're my family." She kisses my forehead and smiles adorably at my baby. "It's good to have you with us, Princess Sofia Ricci. You have a lot to learn."

"Yes, she does." I agree, staring at my daughter, whose eyes are shut now. I'll teach her everything she needs to know so she doesn't end up like me. "Please don't leave me, Sofia." I sob quietly.

I'll do anything. I'll work so hard so I can give you a better life. I'll give you the world, baby. You'll have so much more perfection than I did. But please, don't abandon me too, like Father did. I beg you.