“Tony’s long gone, and so is your wife. I’m pretty sure the dead don’t come back to complain about things.” was all Maria said, before knocking back the rest of her drink and standing up. “I’ll give you until the New Year to do as I’ve asked – that’s a few months, which is more than enough time to get everything in order.”
“And what happens if we refuse?” Antonio burst out. “I can’t speak for my father, but I’m not going to call you my mother. Ihada mother, and she’s dead. I sure as shit don’t want another one!”
Maria turned and looked down at him, her eyes cold and terrifying. Antonio swallowed hard, beginning to feel nervous, as she stalked around the table and lifted his chin in her hands. Her fingers were cold to the touch, the skin smooth and lifeless. He looked into her eyes, trying not to show his nervousness, and she chuckled bitterly at him. For a moment, it was like looking at a complete stranger, and he wondered how on earth his father had fallen in love with such an unhinged woman.
“I would suggest you rethink that course of action,son.” She smiled, the smile not quite reaching her eyes. “Everything you have is because of me, and if I don’t get what’s rightfully mine, then neither do you.”
“What do you mean, neither do I?” Antonio retorted, but his aunt merely chuckled and stalked out of the room, followed by her entourage. “Maria?Maria!Tell me what you mean!”
13
Antonio and his father stared at each other for what felt like a lifetime after Maria left, both of them wondering where on earth they could go from here. Her demands seemed less than reasonable, and were made all the more so by David’s deception, or whatever he wanted to call it.
Eventually, Antonio stood and reached into his pocket to call Alyssia, who’d left shortly after Maria’s arrival. He still couldn’t quite believe that his mother was, in fact, the aunt that he’d loved for so long, or that the woman he’d called ’mother’ his whole life was meant to become a complete stranger to him. It felt like a hellish nightmare, and he desperately prayed that he’d wake up soon.
When Alyssia answered the phone, she sounded distracted, so he told her that he would be home soon, and then turned to his father, who was looking at him with a worried expression. Everyone else quietly left the room, each person gently patting his shoulder as they went. Even Damon put a hand on his shoulder, leaving behind his characteristic quips. The room finally felt silent, and the only people who were left were Antonio and his father. Hepicked up a glass, poured out a double whiskey, and knocked it back in one before staring at his father with eyes that were colder than Antarctica.
“You and I have a lot to discuss.” The atmosphere was as cold as his eyes. “I’d suggest you fetch what you need and meet me outside by my car in ten minutes.”
“Son?” David began, but Antonio cut him off, not remotely interested in his father’s excuses.
“I don’t want to hear another word until I see my wife. Nothing you can say will make thisremotelybetter, so close your mouth before I close it for you.”
David looked as if he wanted to argue, but wisely thought better of it. Once he’d fetched his keys and wallet, the two men walked through the house with Reynolds falling in behind them, and got into Antonio’s car. The journey to the house was silent, each man deep in his own thoughts. Antonio was still trying to figure out what he was going to say to her when they pulled up outside, only to see his wife already waiting for him.
Alyssia noticed there was a new sadness about her husband, and she wondered if it had anything to do with the meeting she’d left. Maria’s arrival had warned her that trouble was on its way, and she’d taken the opportunity to slip away before anything happened.
“Apologies for the early arrival,amore, but this couldn’t wait.” Her husband’s kiss on her cheek was cool and distant, much like it had been before the affairs were discovered, and for a brief moment she panicked, thinking that Maria had uncovered even more infidelity. As soon as she saw David, however, she realised it was something far worse than infidelity. A wave of relief washed over her, and she felt the baby kick in sympathy.
“What’s happened?” she asked, her eyes fixed on her husband. “Someone died?”
“I wishIhad!” David quipped, but Antonio frowned him into silence. He raised his hands defensively, but didn’t say anything further.
Alyssia raised both eyebrows, but didn’t reply until they were safely inside. She headed straight to the kitchen, her bump leading the way like a barge. Even though she was fast approaching six months pregnant, she still looked beautiful, and Antonio found it hard to believe just how quickly the time had gone by.
It felt like yesterday that he’d come home to find his wife demanding a divorce and informing him of his impending fatherhood. Now, however, with a short three months before their daughter’s due date, he began to worry more than ever. Would Maria harm Alyssia? Surely evenshewasn’t that unhinged, although after her performance at his father’s house, he was beginning to wonder if anyone was safe.
As Alyssia bustled about making everybody a drink, Antonio tried his best to compose himself. Even now, with his family’s future on the line, he didn’t know if the words would come, but he knew they had to.
Alyssia slid their mugs across the table and took a seat, ushering them into their chairs as well, and took a sip of her drink. Nobody said anything, and Antonio felt a lump rising in his throat. How could he tell his wife that she and their daughter might be in danger because his aunt was completely insane? Even as he thought about it, it sounded like something a particularly sadistic screenwriter might think up, rather than the brutal reality of his past.
“So, what’s so urgent that you came home before midnight?” she joked, trying to lighten the mood. Antonio reached across the table and took her hand in his, taking comfort from her warmth. She looked surprised, but didn’t try to escape his grip, realising something was seriously wrong.
“I don’t know where to start, Lissia,” he began.
Alyssia nodded, taking another sip of her tea with her free hand. “Start at the beginning. I know Maria cameto the house, but I left shortly afterwards. No offence to you all, but I’m too pregnant for drama.”
“I don’t blame you,” David smiled gently, only to see his son glaring at him again. “What? She’s my daughter-in-law, and she’s pregnant! I don’t blame her for leaving!”
“That’s really not the point, Dad,” his son barked at him “What’s important is that Maria decided to demand the moon, the stars, and half the damn universe too.”
Everyone fell silent, hardly daring to speak, until Antonio finally took a deep breath and clasped both of Alyssia’s hands in his own, still unable to look her in the eyes.
“Promise me you won’t get mad at what I’m about to tell you,” he begged, his voice barely audible. “I don’t want you getting stressed when you’re pregnant, but I can’t keep this from you.”
“Why would I get mad, Antonio? It’s not like you’ve slept with her.” Alyssia laughed, before turning serious. “You haven’t slept with her, have you?”
“Hehasn’t, but … I did,” David took a giant swig of his coffee.
