Cruel love

Chapter 32 Barbara

I had the worst nightmare of my life. When I woke up and blinked at reality, the fog disappeared I realised I was lying on a hospital bed. I saw Enzo sitting on my left and Arkadi sitting on my right. It was not my dream, it was reality.

I feel like I am going to throw up.
The doctor asked everyone to leave the room to do my tests. Thank God that I got some air to breathe. My mind was absent during the whole procedure, it was focused on the words Arkadi said to me before I fainted.

When the doctor left the room. Enzo and Arkadi came inside again. Enzo kissed my forehead "how are you sweetheart?" I wanted to smile at him and tell him that I am okay like the doctor said to me, but I can't because physically I might be better and mentally I have never been worse.

I ignored Enzo and looked straight at Arkadi. I wanted to know what he meant by his words. I am definitely not his daughter. It can't be possible it is so messed up.

"Tell me the truth, the whole of it".
I demanded the truth from him. I deserve to know it. He nodded at me and sat at the stool across from me.
"It is a long story Barbara. Listen it with an open mind".

"22 years ago,I was young and crazy. I was supposed to rule Bratva New York and take my father's place two years later. I had a burden and responsibilities waiting for me. my father gave me two years of freedom before I could be the boss.

I spent my time like a crazy 25 year old would, partying, drinking, drugs everything. I thought I was chasing my greatest highs, but I was wrong. I was about to experience the greatest highs of all.

One day after another crazy night and head bursting hangover I went to grab a coffee at the coffee shop. Walking across New York Street, someone slammed at me and fell on the street. I was so mad and was about to shoot that person. But the moment the woman removed strands of her hair from her face and stood up. I was starstruck. She pleaded "help me please he stole my bag, everything important is in it." I didn't give a second thought and chased the man running across the street.

I got him. Your mother followed us but she was slower." A smile curved at Arkadi's face. "She was so furious at the thief, she snatched her bag away from him but started beating him and cursing him in Italian.

I smiled at the petty attempts of her. She looked like a mouse trying to harm an elephant. It was a long time that I genuinely smiled. After sometime she left him. She thanked me for helping her. It was my chance I couldn't leave it, i asked her for a coffee. She was a bit hesitant but agreed.

When we went for a coffee I came to know that she and her family recently shifted to New York. I offered her a city tour. I was just looking for a chance to get another date with her. She agreed.

I started taking her out on dates. I got to know her and I fell in love. I didn't tell her about my actual business. We fall for each other's true selves.

But one day she told me that her parents had looked for someone to marry her. Robert Moretti, he worked for the Italian Mafia. We were rivals when I told her about my involvement in Bratva. She was shocked. We decided to end our relationship. Our families were rivals. We didn't have any future.

She got married to your father and I saw the love of my life marrying another man in front of my eyes. I couldn't do anything. I took over my father's place and ruled Bratva.

One day your mother came to me. She told me she can't love Robert she loves
me. I loved her too, she was the only woman I loved in my life. We started having an affair. She got pregnant with you. We were having an affair behind the Italian and Russian mafia's back. It could destroy everything but we didn't care. We were in love.

Until Robert had a serious accident. He was almost dead. It filled Kiara with so much regret. She didn't want to continue the affair. We stopped it. She gave birth to you. I was married off for power. We live our separate lives.

Me and my wife were unable to conceive. She always had miscarriage. She died in an accident a few years ago. You are my only child Barbara.

I never looked into your life. Until at the gala when I came to know you were with Enzo. I asked my men to get information about you. Then I got to know how Robert gave you to Enzo. I was mad at him for treating you like an object.

I decided to bring you to me. We formed a plan. My men even invaded Enzo's mansion to bring you back to me. But it failed.

So I kidnapped Robert killed him and made it look like Enzo did it. I wanted you to be safe and out of this world and you were out but it didn't last for too long. Enzo found you.

Then I was trying to figure out another plan to get you out of this life but then Enzo came to me. So I decided to trade you for him. It was my only chance to have you Barbara, you are my only child, I only wanted you to be safe."

When Arkadi finished his story I was shocked. I didn't know how to react. Enzo was shocked too he was quite as well.

Then I said "you are not my father, Robert Moretti was my dad, he raised me, loved me and even protected me, you could never be my father." Tears started falling down my cheeks, I was silently crying at my misery. I am the most unlucky person ever.