"I won't be long," I told him. I moved past to see Gabe staring. "This isn't finished," I warned him, narrowing my eyes.
As I went to leave the room, Tori appeared. "What the hell happened?" she asked. "We heard a shot."
I glanced over my shoulder at her twin. "You'll have to ask him. For now, I think it's best you both leave."
"Luc?" Tori asked, confused by my request. I didn't bother to answer her. Instead, I pushed past and left the house to break the news to my mother.
Chapter Sixty One
Mia
Aweek later, a small congregation gathered in the cemetery at the back of the church. I clung tight to Luc's hand as if it were a life raft and without it, I would sink under the weight of the guilt and grief. He'd asked me not to attend but I wouldn't let him go through this alone. I’d spent most of the week being sick and had lost my appetite for food, but I had pulled myself together for him.
The only reason Luc had turned up was because of Maria. Things had been strained between them since Luc had visited her that day.
"Mia, stay with Dante," Luc said as Xavier made his way over to us.
"I..." I tried to argue.
"Please," Luc said to me. I could see the strain of the day in the way lines had formed at his brow.
Nodding, I let go of his hand and left his side. There weren't many people around, but I couldn't spot Dante nearby. As I turned to walk back into the church in a bid to find him, I saw Maria approaching me. Her eyes were red, and I felt a sudden wave of nausea.
"Mia," Maria said. "I think we need to talk."
I swallowed the lump in my throat. "I'm so sorry." The words were small and quiet, and I couldn't help but think they weren't enough. They would never be enough.
Maria took my hands and another lump came to my throat making it hard to breathe. "I know what happened," Maria said to me.
"I really am sorry," I told her, on the verge of tears.
"Mia, darling girl," Maria said. Her hands trembled slightly. "My sons are wilful and impulsive but Stefan... he should have listened to you and what you wanted. I'll never understand what possessed him to do such a thing." She shook her head and looked at the floor before she glanced over to Xavier and Luc.
"You're angry with him," I said quietly, trying my hardest to regain some composure.
Maria sighed. "I am. I still love him. He's my first born but I wish he had thought about his actions." A tear dripped down her cheek, but I wasn’t brave enough to brush it away. "He's like his Dad in that respect. He'll never realize just how much he's like him. I know that Luc did what he did to protect you."
I looked away, trying not to let the guilt take over. Luc had spent so much time trying to convince me it wasn’t my fault because it was him who had dealt the fatal shot, but it was all because of me. If I was removed from the equation, then Stefan would still be alive.
"Mia, you're part of his world," Maria told me. "I hate to say it, but these things will happen. You've seen them. Whether you stay or leave is up to you, but I hope you choose to stay."
"Even after all this?" I asked, looking up.
Maria reached a shaky hand out and placed it on my face. "We all have to leave at some point. I wish my baby hadn't left the way he did. I wish it hadn't been at the hands of his brother. One day I hope I can find it in myself to forgive Luc. Until then, I know you're what he needs."
I felt my head spin. I was still trying to find my feet in Luc's world. Still trying to place my steps where I wouldn't fall through the cracks, but I was speaking to a woman who had been a part of this for years. The way Maria could rationalize everything overwhelmed me. She had buried her son today and somewhere in her grief and pain she knew that there had been no other way for Luc to deal with the situation.
Someone called Maria's name and we both looked in the direction of the voice, where a man who resembled Stefan stood a little way off. I felt my heart break at the realization that this must be Andrew, Stefan's Dad. He had no idea of the reality of how or why his son had died or what this world was.
"I expect you'll still visit me, Mia," Maria said to me and I blinked in confusion. "I would miss our chats."
"I... if you still want me to."
"I would like that."
It would give me a chance to try and get Maria to forgive Luc. I knew he'd taken all this on his shoulders but having his Mom freeze him out would hit him the hardest.
"I need to go," Maria said. She gave me a small smile before she turned and ambled towards Andrew.
