Found and Forgotten

Chapter 42

Massimo POV

It's been a  day and I know I have to tell Zeta too. Our father and younger brothers went out for the day. Enzo stayed back for work and Zeta still hasn't left her room, despite our tries to talk to her. I've decided it is a good time to tell them. Enzo deserves to know too, and I know he will be good emotional support for Z. I sent them both a text asking him to meet me in my office. I made sure Z knew that it will just be us and that she doesn't have to worry about running into him.

Enzo entered first just moments later. "What do you need?" he said. "I have some things to tell you, but we are waiting for Zeta" I reply. He seems skeptical, but just nods. While Enzo is emotionless to everyone else, I've gotten better at reading him. I know he is still curious, but relieved to get some answers. I also see some worry that this involves Zeta. 

A few quiet moments late, soft foot steps are heard in the hallway and Zeta enters a moment later. She's wearing sweats and her hair is in a messy bn. The dark circles are prominent and she looks so exhausted. I hate that I am about to add to her stress and make everything worse. I wish I could snap my fingers and take everything off her shoulders.

She sits next to Enzo and leans on him, nodding for me to start.

"Right. Well I need to have this conversation with all of you, but I think you deserve to know first. I have been lying to all of you for years. Our father was not in hiding for Mafia reasons. He was hiding because I told him that I would kill him if he ever came back."

Enzo seems to be trying to rationalize this, while Zeta just looks relieved in some way. "I knew you also weren't happy with him being here, but why?" she askes. She picked up more than I thought. I debate whether to keep stalling to let her figure it out herself, but I decide to just rip the band-aid off: "I found out that he gave you away because you are a girl, not for your protection."

I see Enzo's eyes snap to me. He has rage in them. I can tell he has something to say, but he focuses on Zeta first. She starts speaking softly, "So everything I went through, all of the torture and abuse, was because he didn't want a girl?" I sadly nod. We all sat for a moment while she was processing everything. Enzo hugged her tight.

"If you knew this, why didn't you get Zeta back sooner?" Enzo spoke.

"I tried. I've been looking for years" I reply immediately.

"We could've helped. Why didn't you tell us?" He asked.

"You were all close with him. I didn't want you to lose your father after you already lost Mom and Z. I also think some of you wouldn't have believed me" I admitted.

I can tell he wanted to argue, but, in the end, he just nodded, understanding my side.

After a long pause, Zeta spoke: "Are you going to tell the others?"

"Yes, later tonight or tomorrow" I reply.

"Don't." I look at her confused.

"You're right. They deserve a parent even if it's fake. What they don't know can't hurt them."

She's so pure and kind. I am so proud of who she is. The only problem is that they're going to find out about the marriage contract. I know I need to tell her but I don't want to scare her.

"Unfortunately, I'll have to let them know" I reply.

She looks at me weirdly, as does Enzo.

"There's something more then, yeah?" He asks, rather he states.

I just nod.

"Before I say this, I want you to know that we are all going to help fix this. And after I tell you, I'm sure the boys will hate our father as much as you and I, Z."

I can see the worry in her eyes.

"Our father still hates women and thinks you're a distraction to our work. So
... He signed you into a marriage contract" I say while holding it up

Zeta is frozen and shock while Enzo darts up and grabs the paper from my hand while exclaiming "What?!"

After he reads it for a minute, he speaks: "he's a dead man. I will torture him everyday for the rest of his pathetic life.

I could see Zeta's head spinning. She was speechless. I try to reassure her.

"I promise you, Z. I'm doing everything I can to get you out of this and I know your brothers will help once I tell them the truth. We have time on our side too since you're only 17. I'm not letting you marry a Mafia man."

She doesn't react really, but she does lean into me. I see silent tears falling down her cheeks and immediately embrace her. I let her cry it out while trying to to reassure her and rub her back.

I'm positive I'm going to kill this man, whether the boys agree or not. He's ruined our lives enough, especially Zeta's.

Zeta POV

I woke up in Mass's room. I feel awful. I hate crying. Suddenly, everything that happened hit me like a ton of bricks. I'm going to be married off unless I want my family to risk being killed. I can't let them die because of me, but I really don't want to Marry some random guy. Worse, a Mafia guy. I want nothing to do with illegal things. I've been taught what not following rules gets you, and I'd rather not live with guilt.

But, as bad as it may sound, I kinda hope Massimo goes through with killing our sperm donor. People like him don't deserve good things.

Mass walks in, breaking my thoughts. "Hey, Z. You're awake. Sorry, I had to answer a call and didn't want to wake you. I didn't intend for you to wake up alone."

I just nod. I don't really mind that he wasn't here. I appreciate that he brought me here instead of leaving me alone in my room. And I appreciate that he cares.

"You okay?" He's asks but quickly follows with"of course not. I mean how are you feeling?"

"Numb mostly."I answer honestly, too exhausted to put up a front.

"But also very frustrated. Frustrated with the storm donor. Frustrated with how difficult my life has been. Frustrated with everything that keeps happening. And frustrated I can't call my best friend about any of it" I rant.

I am so stressed with the situations and with stress comes another wave of grief. The person that grounded me in my stress is gone. This is all becoming too much.

"Have you told the boys yet?" I ask, diverting my thoughts.

"Not yet. But soon. Would you like to be there?"

I think about it before shaking my head. I don't want to relieve this. He puts his arm around my shoulder and squeezes. It is more comforting than you'd think.

"Thank you for being here for me and fighting for me" I say earnestly. He couldn't went along with this marriage to benefit his mafia, but he's putting me first in trying to get me out of it.

I just hope he's able to fix it.

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Author's Note***************

Sorry for the late update. Life has been crazy and stressful lately! Could definitely use all the prayers and good vibes ❤️ I will try to update more regularly. Thanks for reading!