A Love So Dark

Chapter Ten

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Leonardo’s POV

My phone screen lit up with an incoming video call from my mum’s doctor. A pang of anxiety hit me—every call from her meant a new challenge. I picked it up immediately, and Miss Torres’ face appeared on the screen.

“Hey, doc, what’s up?” I asked, masking my worry.

“Nothing much, Leo. Your mum’s refusing to take her medication until she sees you,” she explained.

My chest tightened. It wasn’t the first time I’d heard this, but it didn’t make it any easier. “Can you give her the phone, please?” I requested, leaning against the kitchen counter.

“Sure,” she replied, passing the phone to my mum.

“¡Hola, hijo!” my mother’s excited voice came through. Her hair was in a messy bun, and despite everything, she still managed to smile brightly.

“¿Cómo estás, mamá?” I replied softly, trying to match her energy.

Her expression crumbled instantly. “The mean nurse is trying to hurt me again,” she cried, her voice breaking.

“It’s okay, mamá. She’s not trying to hurt you,” I coaxed gently, forcing calm into my voice even though my heart was breaking.

“She’s just trying to make you better. You’ve been sick for a while now, and she’s helping you heal,” I explained.

“But it hurts so much! And blood—blood comes out sometimes,” she whimpered. Her voice became more frantic. “I don’t want to see blood,” she said, tears streaking her face.

I clenched my fist, hating how powerless I felt. “It’s okay, mamá. It’s okay. I’m here with you. Nothing’s going to happen,” I said softly, my voice cracking despite my efforts to stay composed.

“I don’t want to see blood. Blood, blood everywhere—”

“Can you take the phone, Miss Torres?” I asked hurriedly. My mum’s cries faded as Miss Torres’ face reappeared.

“Does this happen all the time?” I asked, my frustration barely concealed.

“No. Sometimes she takes her medication and injections without acting up,” she replied.

“But I thought she was supposed to be getting better. It’s been ten years!” My voice rose sharply, frustration spilling over. Miss Torres flinched slightly, and I immediately felt ashamed.

“I’m sorry,” I said, running a hand through my hair. “I didn’t mean to yell.”

“It’s okay. I understand,” she said kindly.

“Your mother’s case is quite special. Sometimes, memories of the incident resurface, causing her to act out. Other times, she recalls happy moments unrelated to that event, and she’s extremely cheerful,” she explained.

Her words cut through me like a blade. I hated that my mother’s joy was fleeting, stolen by the shadows of her trauma.

“Your presence could help her heal faster,” Miss Torres suggested.

I sighed, guilt weighing heavily on my chest. My mother needed me, but I couldn’t be with her—not until I avenged the person who had done this to her.

“Blood—I don’t want to see blood,” my mother’s hysteric voice echoed again, stabbing at my heart.

“I should go attend to her. We’ll talk later,” Miss Torres said, and before I could respond, the screen went blank.

I set my phone down and leaned heavily against the counter, staring blankly at the wall. The memories of that night came rushing back like a storm—my mother’s bloodied hands, her desperate cries, and the lifeless expression on her face when I’d found her.

The glass of wine in front of me offered no solace, but I grabbed it anyway, draining it in one gulp. I clenched my fists, anger bubbling beneath the surface.

My mother wasn’t the only one who had been broken by that night. My best friend had also been destroyed, drowning in his own darkness. I’d lost them both to the same nightmare.

And wouldn’t rest until I destroyed the persn responsible.

Indie’s POV

The car came to a stop, and I took deep breaths to calm myself. My body was still trembling, my heart racing from the incident earlier. I hated this side of me—the part that still bore scars from those horrible memories. The strong-girl façade I put on couldn’t shield me when faced with moments like this.

Pushing down my emotions, I opened the door and stepped out, coming face-to-face with the man who had just tormented me. My expression shifted instantly from vulnerability to emptiness.

“So, the great cold-hearted Kaius has a bit of chivalry in him,” I stated sarcastically.

He ignored me and extended his arm for me to hold. I ignored him, too. But he forcefully grabbed my hand and intertwined it with his.

“What the f**k is all this about? Where are we?” I asked, examining the unfamiliar surroundings. It was dark, but I could make out a building that resembled a restaurant.

The door to the restaurant opened, revealing two waiters standing by the entrance.

“Welcome, Mr. and Mrs. Amalfitano,” they greeted in unison. I cringed at the title “Mrs. Amalfitano.”

“I am not—” My words were cut short by a hard squeeze to my hand from Kaius.

“We’ve been expecting you two all evening,” one of the waiters said nervously, his unease written all over his face.

Kaius merely nodded, and the waiters stepped aside to let us in. The restaurant was empty except for a table placed in the center. Rose petals were scattered everywhere, accompanied by red and white balloon decorations and scented candles. It exuded romance, but the setup only made my heart ache.

The waiters pulled out chairs for us, and we sat down.

“Do we really need to make this public?” I asked as soon as they left.

“I’m not going through this with you again,” he replied curtly.

“If people know I was married to you and then got divorced, no one’s going to want to marry me again,” I whined.

“It’s funny you think you can ever get married,” he retorted, making me scoff.

“I have plenty of guys dying just to have my attention. And newsflash—I’m not the cold-hearted and ruthless one,” I snapped back.

“At least I’m not a psycho,” he shot back, and I gasped.

“I am not a psycho! You’re the psycho one,” I said angrily.

“Marrying you is already a dent in my reputation, and trust me, I don’t want to be seen with you.”

“That’s if you even have a reputation,” I murmured under my breath.

“All you know how to do is put on a poker face and force people to give you what you want. You’re an emotionless jerk who scares everyone away,” I added.

“What did you say?” he demanded, but I ignored him.

The tension eased briefly when the waiters arrived with trays of Japanese Wagyu, Beef Lobster Thermidor, and Truffle Mashed Potatoes. The delicious aroma made my stomach grumble, and my eyes widened as the food was set on the table.

Kaius gave me a disgusted glare, but I didn’t care. I picked up my cutlery, ready to eat, but he stopped me.

“What?” I snapped in a whiny tone.

“We have something more important to do,” he said, pulling out a ring box. He opened it to reveal an expensive diamond ring.

“What?” I asked again.

“Your hand,” he demanded.

“If you’re trying to propose, don’t you think you should at least do it the right way?” I said sarcastically. He ignored me and reached for my hand, but I placed it under the table.

“I’m not here to play games, Marcella,” he said firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument. I sighed and stretched out my hand. He slipped the ring onto my finger, and I immediately scowled at how uncomfortable it felt.

He then placed a bouquet of red roses in front of me. I scrunched my nose and pushed it away.

“I don’t like roses,” I said.

“Do you think I care about what you like?” he asked coldly.

“Do I have to put up with everything you throw at me?” I countered.

He shoved the bouquet back toward me, and I knocked it to the floor.

“Are you crazy?” he yelled, his anger simmering beneath the surface.

“Don’t think I’ll always tolerate your childish acts. I can hurt you in ways that will make you wish you were dead,” he said, his voice low and menacing. “Now pick that bouquet up.”

His dark blue eyes bore into mine, and I obeyed, though resentment bubbled inside me.

Out of nowhere, a man with a camera appeared beside our table. Kaius pulled my hand into his and posed.

“Make sure this gets to the press. I want to see it all over the news tomorrow, but don’t show her face,” he instructed.

The photographer nodded and left. Kaius stood and began walking away.

“What about the food?” I called after him.

“You can eat at home,” he replied.

“But this is going to go to waste!” I protested.

“I don’t have time to wait for you to eat,” he said.

I turned to the waiter nearby. “Can you pack it up, please?”

The waiter handed me a paper bag. “Here you go, Mrs. Amalfitano,” he said, smiling shyly. I returned his smile, ignoring Kaius’s scoff as I caught up with him.