SERENDIPITY

~38~ The Truth And The Accident ✔️

"Rafaela," he called out, stepping towards me with a smile on his lips.

"Don't," I shook my head, raising a hand to halt his advance. He paused, taken aback by the coldness of my reaction. "And my name is not Rafaela," I hissed.

"Dear..." Grandma began.

"No, Grandma," I interrupted her before she could launch into a lecture about forgiveness. "I was only gone for three days, and that was enough for you guys to betray me," I yelled. "All the effort I've put in for the past four years is crumbling before my eyes. Why? Just tell me why. You could have given me a warning before all of this happened." At this point, tears streamed down my face uncontrollably, and any attempt to wipe them away would be futile.

"We didn't betray you, Ella," Grandpa interjected, his voice filled with sincerity. "We don't even know how he found out the truth." He walked towards me. "Don't make a rash decision now, don't do something you'll regret, Ella. Remember, Mia was once in your shoes, and what advice did you give her? Just... just listen to him," he glanced back at Grandma and nodded, before leaving the room together.

"I think I should leave, Mariella," Daniel spoke from beside me.

I had almost forgotten he was there. I nodded and offered him a small smile. After he departed, I turned around and directed my gaze at the only person I had gone through hell to maintain two different identities for.

"What can you possibly say to justify yourself, Mr. Leonardo de la Fuente?" I spat out, tilting my head to the side, awaiting his response, my expression deliberately blank.

He nodded and took a deep breath. "You might want to sit down for this."

"I prefer it this way," I replied dryly.

He gave a slight nod, his gaze locking with mine. "I'll never forget the day I first laid eyes on your mother, Mariluz. It was back in high school, right here in Boston. She was this quiet, straight-A student, always dedicated to her studies. Meanwhile, I was your typical jock, the quarterback of the football team. We became friends during our freshman year, though not the closest of friends, since she didn't quite fit into my usual circle. But there was this other girl, Catalina, always by Mariluz's side. She was just as beautiful as Mariluz, but there was something about your mother that captivated me."

"Fast forward a year, and our interaction remained limited to friendly smiles in the hallways and hellos during shared classes. Then, sophomore year came along, and destiny played its hand when we were paired up for chemistry class. That's when everything changed. We...fell madly in love. At first, I fought against it, hesitant to accept it because she didn't fit the mold of what I thought my ideal girl should be. I worried about my friends mocking me. Catalina, the girl I always saw with Mariluz, turned out to be the unexpected matchmaker. One fateful night, my parents took me to some fancy business gala, and there I met Catalina. Turns out, our parents were business partners, and they discreetly hinted that we were meant to join our families through marriage. It seemed absurd, considering Catalina was the one playing cupid for her friend. But you know what? Mariluz and I decided to take the plunge and start dating. We took it slow at first, not wanting to rush anything, but all bets were off by senior year. We had been together for two years and were certain about our feelings. From then on, our relationship took a more...colorful turn, let's just say."

"During that tumultuous period, the pressure was mounting as Catalina's family and mine were determined to solidify our relationship. They orchestrated countless gatherings, dinners, and events, all with the intention of binding us together. One thing led to another, and before I knew it, I found myself entangled with Catalina intimately. We were both under the influence that night, but I understand that's no excuse. Soon enough, I discovered that Mariluz was carrying my child, and my parents learned the same. In response, they whisked me away to New York to finish my senior year, but not before I had a chance to meet with Mariluz. I made a promise to her that I would return and claim my place as a father to our unborn baby, as soon as I could break free from my parents' grasp. Little did I realize the surprises that awaited me," he chuckled bitterly, pouring himself a glass of strong wine to soothe his troubled soul.