~9~

Adara

I froze when I heard his demand. Children? He wanted me to have his children. What kind of sick and twisted shit was this.

"That's a hard no for me. Nope. I refuse. I'm pretty sure you already have a child somewhere in this country with all the women you fuck. Go and find them."

"I'm not taking no for an answer. Think about it. You could finally have the life you've always wanted, away from your parents, free to do whatever you please. All you have to do is give me a child. Simple."

"Having a child is easier said than done. Even if I wanted a child, there is no way I'm having it with you."

"Why not? Do you have a boyfriend?"

"No."

"Husband?"

"No."

"Girlfriend?"

"No. And no wife either so stop asking."

"See, I see no problem with having a child."

"Says the one who won't be carrying it around for nine months."

"I might not be carrying it but I'll still be there, every step of the way."

"Wow, that helps a lot," I say rolling my eyes. "I'm not changing my mind. I'll live with you. But only because I want my freedom from my home. I'm not having a child with you. You can barely even take care of others, and I don't like you.

"I take care of a lot of people. And I can take care of you. But you won't let me fiore." he says as he places his hand on top of my left thigh.

"Don't fucking touch me," I say as I push his hands away.

He doesn't reply to me but he listens for once. The rest of the ride was filled with awkward silence. I thought of Melanie, wherever she was, if she was safe, if she was happy. And I thought of Jaxen and the time I've spent with him. Even if it was only one day. It's the most fun I've ever had in a long time.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

"We're here," he states as he wakes me up. I slightly jerk away from him and he gives me a concerned look. I pretend that I didn't see it and step out of the car.

"You don't need to come inside. I got it from here."

Even as I say that, I feel his presence that my side immediately. I roll my eyes but continue to walk up to the house. I fiercely knock on the door which was quickly opened by one of my mother's servants, Diego. He looks at me with wide eyes.

"Madam! She's here!" he yells out.

I give him a warning glare and he quickly shuts up. I walk right inside where I'm met with an angry expression on my mother's face as she rushes to the foyer.

"You little-"

"Let me stop you right there Vittoria, I suggest you watch how you're talking to my wife before you continue your sentence." Rey interrupts from behind me.

"I don't need your help," I whisper to him without moving my gaze. " Don't mind him. You little what? Finish the sentence mother."

"You ought to listen to your husband you know, how could you run away?"

"Have you ever considered that I didn't want to be sold off to another person as a wife? Never mind. Don't answer that, because I'm done. Ho chiuso con te, ho chiuso con questa famiglia. Matter of fact, thank you. Thank you for finally throwing me off the edge because now, I don't ever have to see you, or dad's face again and I no longer have to show any of you respect. I have more respect for the servants you claim to be under your feet."

"What is all the commotion!" my father says as he enters the room. "Oh!" he says as he blinks twice at me.

"Oh is right." I glare at him.

"I see you've found her Rey. I told you I wasn't hiding her from you."

"Of course, you wouldn't hide me from him because you're a sadistic, manipulative, bugiardo, who does nothing but sit on his ass and have other people kill for money."

"Watch your tone young lady, I am still your father."

"No. You're not. You lost that title the moment you decided to sell me, which was apparently years ago."

"Honey-"

"No!" I shake my head. "Diego, where is Melanie?"

He stays quiet. But the look in his eyes says he knows.

"Diego. You have five seconds to tell me where she is."

"S-she's in the basement. Locked up," he whispers under his breath.

"Go get her. Now please."

He rushes to the basement and I look back at Vittoria and Vincenzo.

"Hmph, you two have got to be the worse parents in history, I hope you can live with that on your shoulders."

There was silence from the both of them. When I hear the door of the basement open, I gasp as I spot Melanie's form. I rush to her side and place her face in between my hands.

"Mel, did they do this to you?"

She slowly nods and I hug her tightly. I help Melanie hold herself up, and I walk her over to the door. I stare back at my parents and smile. It wasn't a happy one. My smile was hiding all the rage I felt inside for them.

"I hope we never cross paths again," I state before I open the door to leave.

"Oh, and one more thing. Diego, why don't you tell Vincenzo how long you've been sleeping with my mother? Don't look so appalled dad! You've been sleeping with Piera for just as long. Okay bye now, have fun fixing this mess. Tell me when the baby gets here, if you decide to have it!"

Melanie stifles a laugh and we leave the house.

"You are one badass woman my dear," she grins.

"I'm just simply saying what I've wanted to say for years." I shrug as I help her in the backseat of the car.

"How did you even find out?"

"I saw Vincenzo with Piera one night about two years ago when we hosted that party for Vittoria's birthday and while I went to look for her, I saw her with Diego. It was quite funny actually. And recently, I went into her room and found a positive pregnancy test last week."

"Oh the scandal," she laughs.

I look to Rey and our eyes meet.

"You've been quiet."

"If I were a regular man, I'd fear you."

"Ha! Why? Because I speak my mind?"

"Listen, not a lot of women handle situations like this,"

"Well I just did, so you should be scared of me."

"Too bad, I'm not a regular man fiore," he smiles as he pulls out of the driveway.

"I told you not to call me that."

"I'll call you whatever I want to."

"We'll see about that."

"I guess we will. Fiore."