A Thousand Ways To Say I Love You

CHAPTER LXX

Flashback:

The soft evening breeze carried with it the scent of flowers from the garden that connected the two houses—Matteo’s and Isabella’s. They had always been best friends, spending afternoons running around, laughing, and dreaming of worlds beyond their tiny neighborhood. At the time, Isabella was only 8, and Matteo, though just 12, already felt an overwhelming sense of duty to protect her. They didn’t know what the world had in store for them, but their bond was one of pure, innocent friendship.

One night, a darkness loomed over the household. Matteo’s father, a ruthless mafia, a man ruled by alcohol and a violent temper, had come home drunker than usual. In a fit of rage, he lashed out at Isabella, blaming her for accidentally knocking over his ashtray. The terror in her eyes was clear as she stood frozen, too young to understand why she was being treated this way.

Matteo, filled with dread but driven by instinct, threw himself between his father and Isabella, taking the blows meant for her. Each strike made him wince, but he held strong, determined to shield her. "No, papa, stop! It was me!" Matteo cried, hoping to redirect his father’s anger, even though it made no sense to a drunk man.

Isabella’s mother, who had come rushing in upon hearing the chaos, screamed for him to stop. She knew Matteo’s father was dangerous in these states, but her desperate attempts to protect both children only intensified the situation. In his fury, Matteo’s father pulled out a gun—from his pocket.

And without a second thought, he pulled the trigger.

Isabella’s mother collapsed onto the floor, a single bullet having ended her life. The room went silent, the shockwave of the event gripping everyone in a cruel, suffocating grip. Matteo and Isabella stood frozen in place, their young minds unable to process the horror that had just unfolded before them. Isabella's cries started to break the silence, but before she could fully comprehend what had happened, Matteo moved to cover her eyes, hoping, in vain, to protect her from the gruesome scene.

The guilt, the shock, it all came rushing in for Matteo's mother when she entered the room. Her best friend, her confidante, lay lifeless on the floor. The weight of her husband’s crime was too much to bear, and in her deep grief and guilt, she picked up the gun. A single shot echoed through the room once more, and she lay down beside Isabella's mother, ending her life in the same tragic moment.

Matteo and Isabella watched in utter horror as the people they loved most, the ones who had raised them, were taken away in the blink of an eye. Matteo’s father left the room like a shadow, emotionless, as if nothing had happened, leaving the two children alone with the bodies of their mothers.In the hours that followed, Matteo held Isabella, trying to soothe her cries, though his heart ached with pain.

The morning after, Matteo’s father, who had felt a sliver of guilt for what had happened, made a decision—one that would alter the course of both their lives forever. He ordered Isabella’s memories of the night to be erased, wanting to shield her from the unbearable truth. He made sure Mrs. Cadres, a family acquaintance, would adopt and raise her as her own daughter. In exchange, he would provide everything for her, ensuring she was well taken care of. His guilt-driven promise was upheld.

Matteo, however, wasn’t granted such freedom. His father ordered him to keep quiet, warning him that if he ever spoke of the truth to Isabella, he would be forbidden from ever seeing her again. Scared and confused, Matteo obeyed, burying the trauma deep inside, vowing to protect her from afar.

Back to the Present:

Isabella sat in stunned silence as her adoptive mother, Mrs. Cardres, revealed the truth. Her world, which had already been turned upside down after breaking up with Matteo, now shattered into pieces. She had no idea who she truly was or the events that had led her to this life. The woman she had called "Mother" was not her real mother. Matteo, the man she thought she knew, had kept this secret from her all along.

The betrayal cut deep. How could Matteo have remained silent all these years? How could he have let her live in ignorance?

Tears filled Isabella's eyes as she processed the revelations. Memories began to surface—fragments of a past she had long forgotten. The smell of her real mother's perfume, the warmth of her touch. And Matteo, always protecting her, always there. Now, the truth made their bond feel like a lie.

Mrs. Cadres reached for Isabella’s hand. “I did it because I wanted to protect you,” she whispered. “And so did Matteo.”

But for Isabella, the pain of deception outweighed any intentions of protection. She stood up, tears streaming down her face, and walked out the door. She needed space, time to think, and most importantly, she needed to confront Matteo.

It was time to face the truth.

As Mrs. Cadres held Isabella’s trembling hands, she saw the confusion and hurt in her daughter’s eyes. She took a deep breath, knowing this was a moment that could change everything.

“Bella, there’s more,” Mrs. Cadres said, her voice soft but firm. “You have to understand that Matteo always had your back. He never stopped caring for you, even when circumstances forced you apart.”

Isabella’s brow furrowed as she listened, a mix of anger and curiosity swirling within her. “What do you mean?” she asked, her voice trembling. “After everything I found out, how could he—how could you—let me live in the dark?”

Mrs. Cadres squeezed her hand gently, urging her to listen. “Matteo was just a child when everything happened. His father was the one who committed those atrocities, and the guilt weighed heavily on Matteo. He loved you, Isabella, and in his heart, he felt responsible for your pain because of his father’s actions. Every moment he could, he watched over you, ensuring you were safe, even if you didn’t know it.”

Isabella’s eyes widened as she processed this. “You mean he was there for me? All this time?”

“Yes,” Mrs. Cadres replied, tears welling in her eyes. “He kept an eye on you from a distance. He couldn’t let you know that he was watching because he feared it would complicate things even more, especially after what happened with your mother and his.”

Isabella felt a swirl of emotions—betrayal, love, confusion. “But why didn’t he just tell me the truth? I could have handled it! I could have been there for him too!” Her voice cracked, a mix of frustration and heartache pouring out.

Mrs. Cadres shook her head, her own tears spilling down her cheeks. “He was afraid, my dear. Afraid that if you knew, you would hate him for what his father did. He thought it was better to keep you safe and away from that darkness. He believed that loving you from afar was the only way to shield you from pain.”

Isabella felt the weight of her emotions, like a tidal wave crashing over her. “But, Why did he come into my life then and poured out all his love for me” she whispered, her heart aching. “I thought he didn’t care.”

“Bella, that’s not true,” Mrs. Cadres insisted, her voice breaking. “He cared more than you could ever know. And he still does. He’s been struggling with his own demons, but he never wanted you to suffer because of them.”

As Isabella stood there, her heart conflicted, she recalled all the moments she had shared with Matteo. The laughter, the friendship, the bond they had forged. Could it be true that he had been there for her all along, even when it felt like he was absent?

“I need sometime” Isabella said as he looked at Mrs Cadres, determination seeping into her voice.

Mrs. Cadres nodded "you also deserve the truth from Matteo himself, take your time"

Isabella nodded, resolve washing over her. It was time to confront Matteo, to seek the answers that had eluded her for so long. She needed to know if the boy who had always watched over her still existed within the man she had come to know, and if there was still hope for them after all the pain.

With a newfound sense of purpose, Isabella wiped her tears and prepared to take the first step toward healing and understanding. She would confront her past and the man who had always held her heart, no matter the cost.