Her Flight Back To California.

ALESSANDRA

When I finally arrived in California, it was already 10 o'clock in the night. My heart raced in my chest as I stepped down from the cab I had taken from the airport, standing before a fancy, silver gate, its sleek design reflecting the dim streetlights above.

The streets were hauntingly quiet, but I knew better than to believe that I was alone. Somewhere hidden in the shadows, my father’s security detail was likely watching, their presence cloaked in the inky darkness of the night.

I approached the sleek video intercom, its surface cool to the touch as I pressed a button, a faint click breaking the stillness of the night. Moments later, a voice resonated through the device, crisp and slightly distorted, “Who is this?”

“It’s me, Donato. Open the gate,” I replied, my voice steady and confident, masking the shiver that rippled through my body from the biting cold. The night felt heavy around me, wrapping me in a dark, chilling embrace. It was crucial to make the bodyguard believe that I had every right to be here, or I would never be able to get into the house.

Two minutes later, the massive gate creaked open, revealing my younger sister, who ran out toward me. I braced myself, digging my heels into the ground just in time for her to leap into my arms. Her arms wrapped around me in a tight hug as my mother stepped out, staring at me like she had just seen a ghost.

“You are not supposed to be here,” she retreated from me and hugged her arms when I tried to approach her. I would have been hurt and disappointed by her rejection if I didn't see the fear lurking in her eyes.

We both knew what would happen if Father found out about my arrival.

I cradled my sister’s head against my chest, feeling the warmth of her soft hair against my skin, and begged my mother, “Please, let me stay here for the night. I promise I will take responsibility when Father returns.”

My mother’s sharp glare pierced through me, and I felt a wave of guilt wash over me. “Do you really think that will protect me and your sister from his wrath?” she challenged. Her voice was a mix of frustration and fear, a reminder that she had also suffered a lot because of my father.

Before I could make my escape, my mother engaged in a hushed conversation with the Italian bodyguards, dropping some wads of cash into their hands. That night, I slept in my sister Mia's room, to conceal my presence from the rest of the people living in the mansion.

“Is it true that Leonardo chased you away? What did you do?” Mia asked, her voice barely above a whisper as we reclined on her bed, our legs casually propped up against the wall. The muted images of our favorite soap opera danced on the TV screen, the melodrama swirling around us.

My lips pressed into a thin line of frustration as I reluctantly tore my gaze from the flickering screen. “What makes you think I'm the one at fault, Mia?” I replied, the heat of irritation creeping into my voice.

Mia shrugged nonchalantly, “Because I know Leonardo would never do anything to hurt you.”

I stifled a bitter laugh, forcing myself to redirect my attention back to the flickering images on the screen. Of course, she would say that I thought to myself. Mia harbored a secret crush on Leonardo ever since he saved her from falling from the stairs when she was little. To her, he was her hero and knight in shining armor.

But back then, I was so sad when he got his first stitches on his face because of what happened, but he told me it was a small price to pay, insisting it was worth the pain. After all, he couldn’t bear the thought of seeing me lose Mia the way he had once lost his own sister.

That was the moment I fell in love with him. Because I thought that he would never hurt me. He was supposed to protect me from the horrible things in my life, even himself.

“Perché piangi?” My sister's voice, tinged with concern, pulled me from the depths of my swirling thoughts. Her gentle, doe-like eyes were filled with remorse as she observed me hurriedly wipe away the tears that had slipped silently down my cheeks. “I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that--”

“No, I'm not crying because of that, Mia,” I replied, accepting the delicate tissue wipes she offered, their texture a small comfort in my trembling hands. Mia was young and didn’t deserve to bear the weight of my troubles. I scolded myself for allowing her to witness my vulnerability. “I'm just worried about what will happen when Father sees me tomorrow.”

The mere thought sent a shiver down my spine, tightening the knot of apprehension that had settled in my chest. Father would definitely not be pleased to see me in the house, but there were a few things we needed to discuss alone so I came here to speak to him before leaving this world behind. I hoped to start anew, to live a new life as a normal person.

I wanted to discard my identity as Alessandra De Castello.

Mia wrapped her arms around me, enveloping me in a warm hug. I watched her bury her head in the nook of my shoulder as she tried to reassure me. “I won't let Father scold you, Lexi. Don't be afraid.”

My heart trembled with unspoken emotions but I let her hold me to sleep that night, driving away all the haunting nightmares I knew would plague me that night. There was no doubt that Leonardo was probably tracking me down to California after he discovered my disappearance. Yet, I wanted to allow myself one final, selfish act to spend some time with my family.

Because I knew this was the last time I would see them again.