IN THE DARK.

12

Mia

It was a night prior to my escape. My emotions were getting the best of me. I couldn't help but cry every time i thought about my Charlotte being alone crying out for me and no finding me anywhere near her.

I knew Maria was going to take care of her. I had zero doubt in my mind that she was going to protect my child with her life.

The girl was so selfless. She stayed even when she didn't want to only because she couldn't leave me behind alone and now i was leaving but she was still here so she could be with my baby.

I spoke with Zio Martino earlier in the day where he explained everything further. His people were going to pick me up right after i walk out the doors of the estate. In words, it all seemed easy but i knew it wasn't going to be as easy as it seemed.

I begged him to find a way where i could take Charlotte with me but he explained that it wasn't safe and the sight of a woman walking out of the estate with a baby was going to give it away.

I heard my Nonno's voice again. She sounded a lot better than she did the last time i spoke to her. She said she couldn't wait to see me.

Despite of all the reassurances from Maria, My heart still wasn't at ease.

I didn't know if it was all going to be worth it in the end.

But then I figured it was normal.

It was how every mother was supposed to be.

But it was my only chance.

I had to talk to Emiliano. One last time. I didn't wanna be a naive human being who sulked on one sided love for their entire life only to be humiliated from the other side. I wanted to talk to him about the only thing that still somehow connected us both and it was my child.

At the end of the day he still was her father.

She was still his blood and flesh no matter how much everyone denied it including himself.

Over the past year, i tried to avoid him as much as i could.

Sometimes i succeeded, sometimes he came in front of my eyes much to my dismay.

I stood in front of his office as my palms refused to just knock on his door.

I didn't wanna seem weak.

But that's exactly what i was going to look like in front of him right now and i knew it.

I finally gathered some strength to knock on his door.

"Come in." He said from the other side.

I couldn't fathom the look on his face when he saw me. His face was devoid of any emotion but at the same time it contained so many things i couldn't read.

"What happened ?" He questioned me spinning looking away from his laptop for a brief moment and then going back to what he was doing.

"I want to talk to you about something." I said

The last time i wanted to talk to him was the time when i was pregnant and his reaction resulted in my poor broken heart.

"Yeah ? What is it ?" He asked. Still looking in his laptop.

"It's about Charlotte." I whispered and he looked at me.

"What is it ?" He asked looking uninterested.

"I...." I stopped for a second before speaking.
"Emiliano.... i wanna know if something happened to me would you make any effort to take care of Charlotte... would you stop your family from hurtin...." He stopped me in between by talking.

"Are you sick ?" He asked and i shook my head.
"Remember what i told you when you stood on this exact same spot last time ? I told you not to expect anything from me." He said looking back to his laptop.

"She is your blood." I whispered.

"I didn't ask you to keep it. I told you very clearly what my intentions were with your child. I didn't wanted this kid with you. You kept it, now it's your problem. Don't bother me about these stupid things. Now get out." Emiliano's words were venom. Pure venom. But I couldn't just stand there and listen to him insulting me.

"You know what ?" I said wiping my lone tear, making him look at me.
"I fucking curse the day i fell in love with a monster like you. I fucking hate myself for falling into your arms and on your bed. Don't you have some empathy in your heart ? You don't respect me ? okay. Understandable. But that's your child you're talking about... don't you feel anything in your heart when your mother calls her a dirty bastard right in front of you ? When you know damn well she's no bastard, she is your own blood. She is your child, Emiliano. You might be running a Mafia organisation acting like brave and mighty in front of the world.. but in reality you're a coward... a coward who can't even accept his own baby." I said it all. Tears running down my eyes.

I couldn't hold back anymore. He was quiet. He didn't say a word.

"You used me according to your convenience and threw me away when you got bored of my body." I whispered the last thing that was on my mind and left slamming the door behind me.

I couldn't sleep the entire night.

I stayed awake, watching my child's sleeping form.

Charlotte was going to be 11 months in 2 days.

There was no guarantee i was going to be with her on her first birthday and it broke my heart.

I had to leave the estate at 5:30 in the morning. Right now it was 4. My heart beat accelerated way beyond my understanding as i kissed my baby girl sleeping in my arms.

I didn't know the time when i heard Maria whisper.

"Time to leave, Mia."