ℒ𝒾ℊ𝒽𝓉 𝒰𝓅 𝒯𝒽ℯ 𝒟𝒶𝓇𝓀𝓃ℯ𝓈𝓈

85 | The Truth

85 | The Truth

"You told me you loved her. How? How could you love her? She's the wife of your brother." Mia said, stepping out of the cottage.

Austin smiled. "A story first." he said. "When I was young, our parents were arrested by aurors. They abused me. Always used the cruciatus curse on me. Anthony reported them to the aurors and took me to my aunt and uncle, Josephine and Michael Acker."

"Who are they?" Mia asked as they walked further away from the cottage. "I haven't heard their names before."

"A family member. Our family tree goes a long way, sweetheart. The De Martels and The Ackers were connected to ensure purebloods will stay purebloods." He explained. "They were prejudice, you see. Most of their offsprings were made out of incest relationships." he said with disgusted.

"Our families were?" she choked out, feeling disgusted. "So I'm guessing you and Anthony were made out of that disgusting relationships?"

He shook his head. "Fortunately, not but when I became of age, my uncle Michael betrothed me with my cousin, Esmeralda." he said. "Both Esmeralda and I didn't want that but we didn't have a choice."

"You married your cousin?" she frowned.

"No, Anthony helped us escape our tragic fate." he said, smiling. "We were disowned but we didn't care. From there, we live in a muggle village in Seattle where I met the most beautiful woman I've ever set my gaze on, Morticia. She was divine." he said full of admiration. "We were friends, almost more than friends until my brother caught her attention."

"They fell in love?" Mia asked.

"Indeed. When they got married, I stirred away from them. Moved from Seattle to New York. I was jealous, angry, and sad. I wanted a fresh start. A start that does not involve them." he said, staring at the ocean waves. "After a few months, he reached out to me. He wanted to find the spell that could protect Morticia during the war that was happening."

"And you went with him and helped him." she sighed.

"Without hesitation, Amelia. I love Morticia and I owe it to my brother. He always helped me and he was always there for me. I owe to Anthony to help him." he said, sadly. "We spent an entire year finding it without any progress. I had to bring Albus to help us. One evening, my brother told me to stay behind and look after Morticia while him and Albus are out. I did took care of her.... A little too much."

Mia looked at him with a shock look on her face."No. You did not."

"I couldn't resist. She was beautiful and she wanted it more than I. We made love and in the morning, I was so guilty that I left. I went to see Esmeralda. I told her everything out of guilt. Of course, she was fuming mad at me and Morticia." he chuckled. "Esmeralda never really liked Morticia. She claims that Morticia was the reason why my brother and I became.... distant with each other."

They were both silent as they walked back to the cottage. Mia wasn't sure if she should speak or not. She was waiting for him to finish the story.

"The next two months, Esmeralda visited me but she with Morticia." he began once again. "Esmeralda left us alone for some privacy. Morticia told me she was of child. My child. That's when more guilt sunk inside me. She wanted me to run away with her. She wanted to leave Anthony."

"What was your response?"

"Go home, Morticia." Austin said in low voice, walking passed her, he stopped when she held his arm.

"Austin, I love you. I've always love you." tears began to roll down her cheeks. "Please. Run away with me."

"No! I will not betray my brother! Go home! I don't want you!" Austin yelled, harshly.

Shd hastily wiped her tears away. "You already betrayed him the night you impregnated me!"

"Go home. Do not tell him that it's my baby if you want to live." he warned. "I swear to Merlin, if you tell him, I will kill that child inside of you."

"Austin! That's enough!" Esmeralda yelled.

"Take her home, Es. If she tells Anthony about me. Tell me and I will kill that fetus inside of her."

"Ironic, isn't? All Anthony had ever done was protected me from my parents, he gets himself disowns just to help me escape, he always took care of me."

Mia frowned but said nothing. Truth be told, she doesn't like where the story was going. Their family history was dark, disgusting, and filled with agony.

He chuckled, dryly. "You see, almost everyone in this family does something bad for the greater good."

"You sacrificed your happiness for your brother. That's very heroic of you." Mia said, nonchalantly.

"Yes, then my brother sacrificed me for the greater good." he said. "We sacrificed for the greater good." he lets out a laugh that made Mia shiver. "The funny thing is Morticia didn't knew that Anthony killed me to protect her."

"Why? Why didn't he?" Mia asked, curiously.

"Because I'm sure Morticia couldn't deal with the guilt." he said. "That's why I tormented her. I blamed her, cursed her, yelled at her whenever she dreams about me until Anthony died and she killed herself. The guilty drove her to insanity and the death of my brother was too much for her. "

"Why? Why did you do that to her?" Mia exclaimed. "How could you? You tormented the woman you loved. You drove her to insanity for God's sakes!" her eyes glistened with realization. "Is that why you've kept showing up in my dreams? To drive me insane like my grandmother?"

"Oh no, dearest. I've come here to warn you." he lowered his tone. "You remember that Morticia was pregnant. Anthony thought he was he's own son but it wasn't. His firstborn is my child."

"My father is your son?" she stuttered.

"Indeed. Adam De Martel is my son. I protect my own flesh and blood. I came to warn you, Amelia." he said, sternly. "You cannot trust the intentions of your family or your friends. You cannot trust anyone but yourself. "

"Why? Why are you telling me this?"

"Because one day a person closest to you will betray you, just like I betrayed Anthony. When happens, I want you to run. Do not look back. Keeping running. I want my granddaughter safe more than anything else."