The Don's Daughter: Love & Betrayal

Thirty Seven

Ornella

I don't want to do this. With every step I take, I feel like my heart is breaking into a hundred tiny pieces. It's so unfair to me and to her. For the first time in my life, I hate my mother for choosing to be a stripper. Yes, it was her choice. She could have done anything, became anyone but she chose this profession. Growing up with someone like her, I had no choice but to follow in her footsteps. She didn't tell me that I could be a doctor or a lawyer or something else. All she did was teach me how to apply makeup, wear heels and dress like a slut to attract men.

We went from club to club because she was always trying to make more money by dancing for rich men. Now that I think about it, I remember how she enjoyed seducing them and how she'd be happy whenever they fell for her. Somehow she was happy with what she did. Me on the other hand, I can't say I was happy. Content, yes but happy? I've only ever been happy once in my life. The day I gave birth to my two little girls. And that happiness wasn't meant to last long. I wanted so much to keep both of them but it's impossible. I can barely support myself with the money I make. Taking care of two children will be nearly impossible.

So instead of giving her to a family, I've decided to leave her outside an orphanage. This way, I can come back for her after I settle down. I swear I'll come back to get her.

"Just give me a little time my darling. Mommy will come back for you" I whisper putting her beside the door. Fabrizia lent me one of her shawls while the other girls bought a few dresses for my daughters with the little money they saved. It's all Carina will have. A dress, a shawl and a piece of paper with her name on it.

I can't bear leaving yet so I hide outside the gate until one of the sisters finds her. She looks like a kind person who won't mistreat my daughter. I hope she is. I hope they'll treat Carina well, look after her for me till the day I come back to get her. As the door closes behind them, a piece of my heart leaves with her. How do other women do it? Walk away from their children so easily? An hour later I'm still outside the orphanage because I can't bear to turn my back on her. I feel like if I do so, I'll never see her again. But I have to leave because my other daughter needs me too.

Reluctantly, I take small steps away from the orphanage. Walking aimlessly for some time before deciding to go back to the club. Rizzo, who is the owner gave us two weeks to leave. He said that we could come back once my girls were old enough to dance. That is the reason I parted with one of them. If I continue living here and doing what I do, they'll end up like me. Call me a dreamer but I want a better life for my daughters. I want them to be something else, something better.

"Fab" I call out entering our room. Fabrizia is my friend and she also has a child. A baby boy whom she gave birth to a month before I did. I don't know how she's managed to convince Rizzo to let her stay here with her baby for so long "Fab, I'm back. How was she, I hope she didn't...." I stop when I realize the room is empty. Where could she have gone with two children? I spin around getting ready to look for her when a piece of paper that's lying on the bed catches my attention. Walking over, I pick it up

"Nelly, by the time you see this I'll be long gone. I'm sorry for doing this to you but I couldn't give my son to that monster. You've heard the rumors about him and what he's capable of. I can't let my little boy grow up to be like him. So when he came for his child, I gave him your daughter. He didn't know the gender of the baby I was carrying. As a girl, your daughter will live like a princess. Fathers love their daughters and protect them. You don't have to worry now. I hope you'll forgive me for doing this to you. One day I'll repay you for this but until then, don't hate me too much. Fab."