CHAPTER SIX

I looked at my father and for a moment I was speechless, disbelief freezing my words. I also glanced at Mom, hoping—no, pleading—for a sign that this was some twisted misunderstanding. But her face mirrored Dad’s expression: as if I was demanding for a child I never have…as I I was crazy, that was how they are looking at me.

My body trembled as I now realize what my parents are demanding from me. Yes, I knew that I must pay a price for returning leaving them and then return back….but not this…not with my own daughter. I made the decision to come back home because of her, not to lose her.

“No,” I breathed, shaking my head. My lips trembled as I struggled to form words. “Dad… please… tell me this is some kind of horrible joke. Bella… she’s my daughter. She's also your own granddaughter!”

Dad’s gaze hardened. “No, she is not! And.. will never be a Roderigo.” He thundered. “ You have humiliated me far enough and now you will abide by my own decisions. That ‘child,’ as you call her, will be placed with a family who can raise her properly. Someone who’s fit to care for her.” He paused, and his voice turned venomous. “While you… you will erase every trace of that disgraceful man or his offspring from your memory.”

The words slammed into me like a physical blow, fury bubbling up from deep within. I felt trapped..suffocating ….under the weight of his words. I tried to breath out but I just can't. My child… my Bella, being taken away, given to strangers as if she were some object to be discarded?

I'm still alive, hale and healthy. My..my child will now be given to another person to maltreated? The thought of it alone, makes it more unbearable for me.

I can't allow it...no, I will never allow anyone to separate me from my child.

“NO!” A surge of strength I didn’t know I possessed propelled me forward, breaking free of Mom’s grasp. In a blink of eye, I lunged at Dad, clutching his shirt, my face inches from his. “I never knew you could be this cruel even to your own blood,” I spat, voice quaking with rage.

“ You can take away anything, anything you want but not my child…” my lip trembled. “ Not Bella. Bella is mine, and I’ll fight anyone who tries to take her from me. You hear me? She’s mine! So, give me back my child!”

But Dad only looked down at me, an unsettling calm in his eyes. “Maya, do you really think that child…a child tainted by his worthless blood…belongs here? Belong to be called my grandchild? No, she will be raised far from this house, and you will learn to forget her.”

The pain that flooded me was indescribable, twisting my insides, stealing my breath. I felt as if the floor had opened beneath me, plunging me into a pit of despair and helplessness.

“Maya!” Mom’s voice pierced the haze, but I barely registered it, clutching Dad’s shirt with desperation. “i don't care if she is worthy of being your granddaughter or not but she’s worthy of being mine, so give her back!” I screamed, my voice raw and broken.

I could feel my sanity slipping, anger and despair blending until I could hardly see straight. My hands gripped tighter, willing him to feel just a fraction of my agony.

That’s when I noticed it—the smile on his face, cold and satisfied, like he was reveling in my suffering. Like he's enjoying seeing me like this. I was surprised that a father could be like that…how could he?

Gently, he patted my head, and the touch made me recoil.

“Remember this feeling, Maya,” he said, his voice dropping to a chilling whisper. “Remember every bit of this pain, the fire and fury in your eyes. I want you to carry it with you. Remember what it feels like to be powerless, cast aside, your own child torn from you. Use that feeling, that anger, that rage,” he leaned closer, his eyes boring into mine, “to drive my empire forward. Because my empire will always be number one, no matter the cost.”

My grip slackened, hands slipping from his shirt as his words sunk in. Hot, angry tears streamed down my face, blurring my vision. “Dad… how could you do this?” I whispered, broken.

I released Dad’s shirt, feeling all my strength drain away as I fell to my knees.

He stepped back, his face hard. “Show no weakness, Maya. This world has no place for sentiment or foolish attachments…not even love.” He turned away, walking to the window side.

“You will leave for Italy, complete your studies, and when you return, you will take over this empire. Trust me, one day, you’ll thank me.”

My voice was barely a whisper. “Thank you? You’re… taking my daughter from me… and you want me to thank you? You are a monster!”

He turned back and looked at me and he gave a light chuckle. “ Monster? Actually dear, it was the harsh reality of this world that turned me into one and that's why I…Marcus Roderigo, will always be the number one in this world.”

A flicker of impatience crossed his face, and he gestured toward the young woman by the door. “That woman,” he said, pointing with a dismissive wave. “Her name is Mia and she is Bella’s ‘mother’ now. Bella will be registered under her name, and when you leave for Italy, they’ll go with you. But know this: Bella must never know you as her mother.”

My heart shattered, and I felt myself crumbling. “Dad!” The word escaped in a strangled cry. " How can you be so cruel to me? please do not do this to me."

" The decision has been made and if you are not satisfied with it...then she will be given to another family to raise."

Tears flowed down heavily at the thought of my daughter not knowing me as her mother. I would have to watch her growing up calling another woman 'mother.' Wasn't that more cruel even than death itself? How could he asked me to make such decision?

Mom stepped forward, wrapping me in a stiff embrace as if the gesture could somehow make this nightmare go away. “Maya,” she said softly, her voice a whisper of steel. “We know it’s hard, but you have to understand. This is for your reputation… for the family’s image. You must be flawless if you’re to inherit what’s rightfully yours.”

I looked at my mother and wondered if she was given that same choice, would she did the same? The weight of her words pressed down on me, suffocating.

“ And remember, our alliance with the Bane family is still intact. You should prepare to marry Kingsley once you return.”

I shut my eyes close as I dare not object to his decision. Not now…but maybe later. Mom pulled me closer, but her embrace was cold, unfeeling.

Hot tears poured down my cheeks, my mind unable to grasp the cruelty of it all. Through the blur of tears, one thought rose above the despair, a spark of defiance igniting within me. “Lance Wells,” I whispered, the words laced with venom, my heart pounding with a hatred that threatened to consume me. “I swear… you will feel every ounce of this pain. When I return, you’ll face the wrath you so richly deserve.”