Confusion

Cara's POV 

I once heard the sound of the summer rain was like a balm to a soothing ache.

Whoever said that was wrong. 

My ache wasn't being soothed. If anything, I've just become more aware of how empty the enormous room was. Sitting on the bed behind the covers, staring blankly at the rain as it drew patterns on the window, I looked like a beauty locked up in a luxurious apartment by her beast.

Maybe they were right. Just that a balm couldn't be applied to a heart injury. 

The last time I was here, I left with a giddy feeling, hoping to be back as soon as we achieved our goal.

The goal had been achieved. But I was the only one back.

Heavy thunder cackled as though it was laughing at my predicament. Ever since I met Adonis, it's been one issue or another. I don't think we've ever gone a month without blood being spilt in the mansion.

I knew what I signed up for when I agreed to be with a mafia man, but it was beginning to seem like all he was surrounded by were lies and enemies.

I'd been counting the hours since we found the letter. Forty had gone by, yet there was no trace of him. The more time it took, the more my resolve crumbled. 

I wasn't as strong as I thought.

The lingering voice in my head was back. 

Telling me it was all my fault. I should've been shot. Not him. However, I didn't feel guilty. I was thankful to him.

He saved not only me but our child too. What more could I ask for? Where else would I find someone willing to give his life for me?

The words it echoed were different this time. They weren't words of guilt but of restitution.

His lifestyle may be dangerous, but he was in control before I came.

Was I bad for him? 

"Cara?" 

My head turned in the direction of the voice to see Luca, and an irritated look flickered across my face. When did he return? Why?

It was rude of me, I know.

He had been checking up on me at various intervals since I left Adonis's study almost two days ago. The signs I had been ignoring caught up with me at last, and I spent a whole day feeling sick. 

Luca was so worried and didn't waste a minute before reaching out to Doctor Bruno, who advised that I take enough rest for my well-being and that of my baby.

They couldn't have been more wrong.

Being alone in this room was making me feel more restless. 

He was just trying to be there for me, but I didn't want that. I wanted a positive update on the situation. His frequent visit was beginning to piss me off, but I did my best to look grateful—feigning a smile.

"How are you feeling?" 

He walked towards me, but he wasn't alone this time. Cecelia wasn't far behind him.

When did she get back?

"Hey!" I greeted weakly. She sat beside me, giving me a much-needed hug that would've brought tears to my eyes if I wasn't so determined not to cry. 

"Luca told me everything. It's not your fault, Cara. He did it because he loves you. He wanted you and your baby to be safe." 

I nodded. 

What else could I do?

She was right—even I knew that. I was the one with the problem. The reason he had been fighting off one battle or the other. 

He loves me, yet I didn't even get to tell him the same. That was an error on my part. Knowing his need for reassurance, I should've, but I kept thinking it wasn't time.

I wasn't sure.

I glanced at both of them, and the look of sympathy in their gaze threw me off. 

I didn't want anyone's pity. It was all an act anyway. No one understood how I felt. They both had each other, so why were you acting like they knew what it felt like to have someone you cherish go missing?

Exhaling heavily, I shook off the gloomy feeling—my facial features turned hard, and I pulled out of Cecelia's hold, pushing back the covers.

"Any update?" 

My question was directed at Luca, but she replied. 

"The men got a signal on one of the GPS." 

I sat upright. 

"Where?" Luca replied this time.

"I have the best trackers on the team on it. We'd know soon." 

Scrambling around for my phone, I hurriedly got out of bed. The movement was a bit too fast, and I staggered—Cecelia was quick to help me.

"Take me to them," I ordered.

He blinked.

"No." 

"Excuse me?"

"You need rest, Cara. Being around them would only make you more apprehensive, and you'd slow down their work." 

Crossing my arms over my chest, I fixated my eyes on him as a pissed-off expression adorned my face.

"Why would I do that?"

Cecelia cleared her throat, and my gaze found her weary ones.

"Everyone's been walking on eggshells around you, Cara. You made two maids cry today, and I heard you said some unrepeatable things to Dr. Bruno." She stifled a laugh. "He's kind of scared to see you again." 

"Dr. Bruno was being unnecessarily caring. I do not feel as sick as I look." 

Luca gave me a once-over.

"Yeah... whatever you say. The maids were also unnecessarily caring?" 

"No. They were being unnecessarily loud." I huffed, earning a snort from Cara, which she quickly disguised as a cough at my glare.

I didn't understand what was funny to them, but I didn't want to—there was no time to.

"I want to be updated. Take me to them, Luca." 

"No, can't do." He asserted again. "I knew you'd get bored soon, so I brought Cecelia to keep you company for the main time. You will be updated when there's something tangible to report." 

His words were like bonds, holding me back, yet I reluctantly agreed. I wanted an update, and if he was promising to give me one, there was no need to go down anymore.

Something else was more important.

"Fine. I'll stay back, but on one condition: when you get the location, I'm going with you." 

He parted his lips to deny my request once again until his eyes meant mine, and he knew I wouldn't take no for an answer. 

This was more than just finding Adonis. It was solely the lead I had to know who my birth parents were. 

Luca gave me a small nod of his head.

The next five hours were spent with Cecelia trying to divert my attention from the matter at hand by telling me of her recent travel and places she'd like to visit again.

At some point, I picked that she was an air hostess but that was all my brain could process.

It explained why she was always travelling.

Any other day, it would've been so intriguing—not today. I was in two minds, and her talks were nothing short of a disturbance to me. 

When she at last slept off, I basked in the silence of the room, my heart beating rapidly at the tension I felt while waiting for Luca's call. 

And when it finally came through, I pulled on the biggest smile I could, knowing that whatever tonight would bring, would change a lot.

Nevertheless, I was looking forward to it—because unlike anyone else with doubts, I knew Adonis would return with me.

Alive.