"We don't lie to protect the other person. We lie to protect ourselves from the consequences. We lie because we don't want to deal with our own feelings. We lie because we don't want things to change. Not by our hand. So a wall starts to build." ― Elisa Marie Hopkins

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Athena Giudici's POV

            MOM AND Andrew were staring at me like I just grew two heads. "Are you fucking kidding us?" Andrew scowled as he stood up so abruptly, toppling the chair he just vacated over backward with a loud thud. I stared at both of them with a determined and unfazed face.

"Yes." I grit out. "Dad shot him, almost killing him-"

"But, unfortunately, he didn't die!" Andrew snickered, cutting me off with a scowl. "He shouldn't have shot, if he didn't fucking kidnap dad, in the first place. If he didn't shot him, What do you think will happen?" Andrew's lips were in thin line, frown creases deepened into a scowl. "Dad could have been shot and knowing how cruel he is and influential that bastard, we may not even know and would think he just left us, but he's already buried six feet under the ground. Do you get where I am going here, Enna?" Andrew glared at me disdainfully.

I stood up and tried to braced myself for the possible impact of the words I'm about to spill. "GIO DID IT TO REVENGE HIS FAMILY'S DEATH!" I cried out in anger and frustrations. I look at my dad who suddenly whipped his head to me, begging. My eyebrow involuntarily cocked, surprised to see his soft eyes, pleading. I was expecting a smug, unfazed face staring back at me, but it wasn't. I wanted to add that he's not just a killer but also a cheater but seeing how shock my family was, I held my tongue. I have no evidence, but there's no secret will not be uncovered.

"Revenge his father?" Andrew's head snap to my dad's direction and so was my mom who suddenly fell into silence, eyes widening when things getting clearer to her.

"You killed his family?" Mom's voice quiver and her eyes were glistening with the tears surrounding her eyes. Disbelief is all over her eyes as she trained her eyes to my father.

Dad slumped his shoulders and his head hangs down further. Suddenly, guilt assaulted me. "Is it right dad?" Andrew asked. His voice held shocked and disbelief, with his tone, lowering a bit.

Dad's head, bob couple times, confirming it. 

"All I thought, you were a kind-hearted man, who were very passionate and would never ever even think to kill a bug with your hands." Mom uttered softly as she shook her head in disbelief. "Why?" she asked after a lengthy paused.

Andrew pulled back the chair and sat, looking blankly at dad.

Dad stood up and walk to the window and staring out at the view from his study. 

The next day, I decided to talk to him. I found them in his study with Mom and Andrew talking. They look happy when they saw me and they thought I'd come to agree with their terms, but they all surprised except dad when I told them, it should be our father that would be behind the bars. 

Dad's resonance pulled me out of my train of thoughts. "Lily Diarte were my best friend and became my life when I hit University. I love her and she loves me, that was I thought. On the night my father held a big party for my sister's birthday, he invited all his colleagues, business partners, and friends. On that night, I brought Lily with me, and I was introduced to my father's friends kids, and there I met Claudio Santorini. He was a man clad with authority and power. A face that can get any woman with just one stare, and a face that would recoil anyone who was trying to take him down. Lily met him too, and I never thought, he's going to be my rival with her." Dad paused for a moment. "From then on, Lily started to drift away from me, then I found out, she was betraying me. She's seeing Claudio behind my back." Dad sighed heavily. "I was so furious. I was beyond mad and I start to hate Claudio. Things starting to change. When dad died in a heart attack, I found myself in his shoes. Then it dawns on me, dad is in an organization that had been track down by the authorities for years and years, yet it is still rampant. A Mafia." Dad turns to face us. "And Claudio was acting as the head, and I found him a challenged to win. After she won Lily's heart, I only lived for revenge. That is, to take him down." Dad's face turns stony. Mom and Andrew were still shocked, yet both intently listening.

"Lily was found dead in her own bed, in her apartment. Her blood stained the covers of her bed, her swimming in her own blood. Someone saw Claudio emerging out of her apartment door before they found her body. Claudio raped her, then killed her mercilessly." Dad clenched his teeth. Hatred laced in every word as he spits it out.

"That's why you killed him!" I couldn't contain but my voice held sarcasm and disgust.

"He deserves it. He is a killer and a monster. A rapist!" Dad stared at me, sinisterly.

The tears sprung free from my eyes. I grew up knowing my father was the sweetest. Never it dawns on me that he could kill. 

"I don't blame him why he wanted to kill you. You killed his family." I said softly, feeling so weak.

"I don't want to hear any more of this lies." Mom stood up abruptly and left the room. 

"Mom," Andrew stood up and followed mom.

I stood up and stared at dad for a moment, before turning on my heel and starting to walk away. "I'm sorry, Enna. I will surrender to the authority if you promise me one thing," dad's soft and defeated voice stops me from my track.

I turned around and face him. His eyes look weary and for the first time, he looks vulnerable. My heart clenched for him, but he's worst than Gio. What he did is unforgivable. "You deserve someone better, better than Gio," dad said.

"You want me to avoid him?" I asked, with a blank face.

"Yes." 

I wanted to tell him that he fucks off. That he's worst than Gio, but I held my tongue. Even how much I want to hate him, he's still my father. Seeing him too vulnerable, I contained my anger. And the words "blood runs deep" now truly affecting me. I was torn seeing him this state, yet I cannot tolerate his actions. He's merciless and a murderer. 

"Even if I don't. We all know that he won't ever come back to me. He despised you and so all the people that were related to you," I said bitterly and in my heart, I knew it is true. The reality really hurts like hell, it felt raw and runs deep in my heart.

I left dad in his office alone. As soon as I closed the door behind me, I heard the loud screams of pain and loud banging on walls. 

As I walk farther from that room, I knew, I'm walking farther from him.

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Giovanni Leone Santorini's POV

              "Give me a reason why do I need to believe you?" I stared at the lady, about her mid-seventies. She was a woman in the Autumn of her life. Deep wrinkle lines, that couldn't be concealed by the copious amount of maquillage, graced her visage. A face reads like a road map of time, but her beauty that lost in time were still there. Still, there was strength and wisdom in her amber eyes and, a proud deportment shown in her almost jutting jaw line.

She smiled with confident. "Because I was there to witness the love grows between Carmine and your mother, Alina. Alina, Carmine, Adolfo, and I were friends. And how Carmine watches your mother marries your dad, and betrayed him because of money and fame."

"So you mean to say, Carmine and my mother are in love?" I asked with furrowing eyebrows, frown creases became prominent on my forehead. 

"Yes. And you, they had you. Your-"

"STOP!" I stood up so abruptly nearly toppling the chair backward and paced back and forth at the head of the table, running my hairs with my fingers in confusion. I stop and face her with my hands deep down in my pockets, controlling the rage to burst out. This new revelation is now eating me up, whole. 

"How sure are you, that all this information you're telling me are true?" I asked again, trying to keep my cool intact, not wanting to scare the old lady out of my office. She already looks terrified.

The lady rummaged through her purse and pulled our a small rectangular old album. She stood up and place it on top of my table. "Here is the only proof I can show you," she said trying to convince me.

I took the chair back and started flipping the pages of the old album. With deep brown, edges are coming off, yellow spots on the front hard cover. The first pages were two photos or her and a boy that looks like Carmine, probably in his teens, a two girls that looks like the woman in front of me, and my mom. They both looks beautiful wearing their uniforms, I believed. Flipping pages by pages, the doubts starting to dissipate. I saw how my uncle looks at my mother and so the other way around. They look so much in love. And how close the two were, my mom and the woman sitting across me.

"Why are you telling me all of this?" I asked as I folded shut the album.

"Just to clear my conscience that had been bugging me all those years. I promised to your mom not to tell to anyone, especially to your father. Carmine found out accidentally when he caught me talking to your mom on the phone and he already had a suspicion that she's carrying his son. When you are two, your mom admitted it to Carmine, and he was very devastated. And because Carmine loves her so much, he promised not to tell Claudio and he made sure, he will never leave you. Even against his heart, he became your father's right hand, and at the same time, your mom and Carmine stole some moments together, especially when Fina founds out that your father, Claudio is still in love with Lily. That he only marries Fina, your mom because of your mom's family is very influential. He reeks influence and power all over Italy."

"So Carmine were my father?" I don't know what to feel. I want to doubt her, but it all makes sense. Why Carmine devoted his life to me. Why he didn't marry and stayed single instead. Now, it all makes sense.

I stared into the woman's amber eyes who called herself, Stefania. "Does it matter now? Everyone's dead. None of them would confirm your statement."

His face reddened. I'm not sure if it's embarrassment or anger. "I had lived with guilt, but I loved her like my own sister and I promised her I would keep it and bury it with me, but when I saw Carmine, lying in his casket, he deserves his son's acceptance." Tears glistening in her amber eyes. "And, you deserve to know the truth," she croaks. "I decided to show up and clear this conscience that had been nagging me, each day, giving me sleepless nights." She wipes the tears that dampened her eyes, delicately. Then she stood up. 

"He killed my mother," I blurted out as I stared at her emotionless. 

She looks not a bit surprised. "Salvo Giudici made you believe, he killed your mom?" She asked. "That bastard planned it all. She knew all about Carmine and your mom and even stole the videos of her and Carmine. Then he uses it to his advantage. He killed your family because he can't accept the fact that Lily love Claudio and picks him," she spits out in disdain. "I believed that Salvo raped Lily and killed her that night." 

"What kind of videos," I asked thinking about the videos we just watch. 

"Carmine is such wicked. He likes to video their kinkiness." She chuckles, shaking his head in disbelief. The same thing I would do. "I think, I'm done with my business here. It's up to you if you believe it or not. Now, I felt like that big rock that had been living inside my chest had lifted out and I feel so much better. If I die now, I know, I will die in peace." Then she took the album with her and headed for the door, quietly.

 I know dad didn't live loyal to my mom. I heard it, but I'd rather not indulge and just ignored it. My dad is not the best dad. I grew up trying to get his affection and trust. To please him until I got bored. We fought, a lot, but he still is my father. Now, knowing the truth, I don't know whom I'm venting my anger. 

My blazing eyes are staring through the doors where that Stefania just disappeared into. 

All these years, I'm living to avenge my father, to the point of ruining my own happiness. Now, it's pointless. Claudio wasn't my father, yet I lived to love him and even I didn't get the love that I expect, I never kept grudges against him. I adored him, and yet my own father, who was there with me all the time, who teaches me to become who I am, the man who showed me love and support that I was supposed to get from the father I thought was my own father, I never get to thank him.

Now, everyone pointing at Salvo. 

                    SAI AND Vito couldn't believe the revelations Stefania just said yesterday, and so am I. I'm still lost and doesn't know where to go now nor what to do now. I have shut my happiness just to get the revenge I vowed to the man I thought was my father. 

"Dirk said, Enna went to the doctor," suddenly Vito said.

My head lit like a bulb. "Why is she there?" Snapping my head to his direction, I frowned deeply. I haven't gone home since yesterday. I'm still in my office and the two just arrived this morning. It's already eleven and I had no energy left to get out of the room after that revelations.

"I don't know, yet. I told him to follow them and know what is she doing in the clinic." Vito responded. 

"And did you read the news?" Sai asked. 

"I haven't opened my computer, not even the TV," I said.

"Salvo surrendered to the authority and now claimed the death of your family. Paparazzi swarmed around the building to get some feedback from you." Sai added on. "What are you going to do now?"

"It's time to face my happiness. The same plan," I said and stood up. I'm ready to face a new life, with my bambolina.

"We are just waiting for your decision. Everything is set," Vito grinned deviously.

"Good." I took all the scattered documents and stuff it inside my suitcase and ready to head out. "Find out why Enna is in the clinic, ASAP." I headed for the door. Then the two followed me out. I saw my secretary busy tapping on her keyboard.

"Cancel all my appointments for this week. I'll be off." I said and she suddenly stood up realizing it was me who spoke.

"Ye-yes, sir," she stammered.

I turned on my heel and headed to the elevator with Sai and Vito walking on each side of me, and two other, Mason and Morgan in tow.

I saw the paparazzi's trying to break in the entrance door while several of my securities are trying to block them. 

Vito and Sai led me back to the garage and into their black Lincoln SUV.

We drove off the place, and I felt relieved. 

"You can all leave the place. Follow Dirk and find out about Ms. Giudici's sudden visit to Walk-in medical clinic," I heard Vito ordered in a calculated tone.

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Athena Giudici's POV

              AS I was driving through the fifth avenue, I saw the big picture of a curry and it looks mouthwatering. I suddenly felt drooling. I quickly pulled my car into a parking space along the curb when I saw an Asian restaurant. If Bell is here, she would be happy to join me. She loves curry and I never had tried it. I don't like the smell, but seeing the picture on the glass wall of the restaurant, I wanted to try it. Actually, I'm drooling right now. 

As I walk into the door, my phone rang. I quickly fished it out from my purse and accepted the call. 

"Hello, Enna's spea-"

"Hey, where are you?" I heard Dean's voice and I smiled. A Chinese young looking girl approached me with a friendly smile.

"Just one?" She asked with a bit accent.

"Yes," I smiled.

She beckoned me to follow her. "What yes?" Dean asked in confusion, his tone rising a bit.

"Sorry, I'm talking to a waitress. I'm at Pho-mi restaurant, along the fifth avenue." 

"Oh, I'm driving home. I can come and have dinner with you. I'm close to that place," he said and I agreed.

"Actually, a friend is coming to join me. I'm sorry," I told the waitress and she waves it off. She then led me to a four seaters table on one corner, far from the door.

Not long, Dean arrived and I'm glad he didn't open anything about my father and Gio. I don't want to talk about it. I had to leave my condo for two days, going shopping, spa, all these things I haven't done for so long, just to occupy my time and my head, not wanting to think over that talk with my dad. 

Mom left dad, and Andrew is in Los Angeles. I don't know what he is doing, and I deprived myself of watching TV or reading the magazines. I didn't even go to work. 

Another waitress took our orders. I ordered the chicken curry with rice, and Dean ordered a pad thai. 

"I thought you never like curry?" Dean asked me incredulously as soon as the waitress turns her back.

I just shrugged my shoulders in response. He didn't press the matter. "How are you feeling now? Do you still vomit and get dizzy?" Dean asked after a while.

"Yeah," I nodded my head.

"You need to go to the doctor, Enna. You are too stress these past weeks." Dean lectured and I nodded. I was thinking to visit a walk-in clinic tomorrow. This morning was worst. I've never vomited like that before. After throwing every content in my stomach, I felt so sick. 

"Have you talk to Gio, yet?" Suddenly, he asked. 

"No." Tears suddenly brim around my eyes, threatening to fall.

Dean stared at my glistening eyes. I wanted to look elsewhere, but he pinned my eyes. He looks weary, yet something in his eyes I couldn't fathom. 

"Your dad surrenders to the authority and pleaded guilty of killing Claudio Santorini and his family," he exclaimed after a lengthy paused. 

I stiffened. I felt like all my blood was drained from my body.

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A/N: Here you go. We are nearing the end... 

Thanks for all the support and I hope you continue to support Enna and Gio. Thank you!