Faith [Donati Clan #1] [Complete]

Chapter 20

DAHLIA

Aggressively, glaring brightness shore upon me as I began opening my eyes. Blinking rapidly, I tried staring at the source. I found someone facing outside of the large window allowing me to view his straight posture, alarming in a way.

I whispered, scared, "Hello?"

Whisking around slowly, the older man peered at me with an unknown gaze. Before he spoke with his soft smile, he stared at my features for a minute longer, "Welcome back, Dahlia."

Dried throat, I tried to find moisture as much as I could, at the same time, I frowned and asked with confusion, "Ho- How do you know my name?"

The older man, unsure, introduced himself instead, "My name is Castillo."

Having a closer look at the older individual, I could see the resemblance from a man that has stolen a special part of my heart, I instantly understood, "You are Matteo's father."

Pure curiosity, he scrunched his eyebrows together and he asked with wonder, "How did you know if you don't mind me asking?"

I replied vaguely, "Your eyes..." They were black as Matteo's, I wanted to say. I continue, "I also have seen the family's album pictures."

He smiled further with a hint of sadness still and continued as he sat on a nearby chair, "I had forgotten about it. I haven't seen it for years." His gaze became unfocused, whispering more to himself than to me, "Is it about avoiding the pain or the past, or both perhaps?"

Orbs shifting to another direction to avoid the entire conversation.

I was able to see my surrounding for a second. I realised that I had never been on this side of the hospital, nicer. In the past, consultations always were held in the other worn-out small clinics. It didn't bother me before, but it made me realise how our worlds are different.

Castillo added after a gap of silence, "Your situation is not looking good, Dahlia."

Gazing back at the Castillo, I wondered about my situation. Could he be referring to my tumour or another forgotten secret? I had a habit to spit lies more than usual, often I seem to forget.

Although this time I did not hide it, I embraced the mocking of my misfortune, I questioned with a fake smile, "Does this mean that my big secret is out?"

Castillo whispered this part, "Out of many. He has--"

Interrupted by another male as he entered with soft steps while bringing his unspoken promises. Matteo stood near the entrance with his pristine suit with missing confidence. When I saw him, his face contoured with tiredness and the bag on his eyes was visible. The most prominent stress feature was how his forehead had visible straight lines.

Broken, him or I?

As soon as, he crossed the threshold, we held our eyes locked, as we resided in our familiar bubble. Our peaceful illusion was shattered when Castillo announced, "I will give you two a moment."

Matteo's father left and the room seemed to be smaller as we kept staring at each other. When his imprisonment disappeared, he sat slowly on the chair nearby my bed and stared at his lap, loss of words.

Eventually, Matteo took a deep breath in before he began, hurt clear on each word, "How could you not tell me?"

I shot him back quietly, "How could I tell you that I was going to die when I didn't want to believe it?"

He tried, still avoiding my gaze, "You had options..."

Still looking at his domineering, I finished, "... but no money or will to live."