Between Two Hearts

PROLOGUE

Walking past the long hallways to my father's quarters, I spotted a woman, maybe in her early 30s, walking inside the office. Slowly, I leaned my head against the wall to listen to them. As I was listening to their voices, I couldn't believe what I heard. Their voices on the other side were their moans and groans as they were making love in my father's office. I gasped and covered my mouth while I heard the annoying sounds on the other side. Then it hit me: my father had betrayed my mom. My mom was the most beautiful and powerful woman in Milan. She was the daughter of the former president of Parker View Co. My father betrayed a faithful and consistent woman. He never realized the things she gave up just to be with him. I took a deep breath and hurriedly walked towards the kitchen. I heard my father banging another woman. I heard him make a terrible mistake. As I walked to the kitchen, I kept on thinking about what happened in my father's quarters. My dad was a well-known business man in Milan. My family owns many businesses, including Parker View Medical Centre. My mom was the most beloved surgeon in Milan, while my father was the most hated. Most people loved my father, and many don't. Moments later, I arrived in the kitchen. Breakfast was already served on the huge table. I saw my mother munching on her dinner as she read the newspaper. She kept reading, not noticing that I had already arrived. I sat and cleared my throat. She looked up straight at me. "Sweetie, since when did you get here?" She asked as she placed the newspaper on the table. "Just now, mom," I replied, not looking into her eyes. "Did you call your daddy?" she said again. "I—i," I stuttered. Should I tell her? "No" It may break her heart. Should I keep it a secret? It may have broken her even more. I shook those thoughts away and replied, "He seems pretty busy, mom." She smiled gently and gestured at the maid. The maid nodded and placed my breakfast on the table. As I was eating breakfast, I couldn't stop thinking about what had happened earlier. "Sweetie, are you okay?" my mom asked, worried. I got to my senses and replied, "Yeah, I'm fine." She smiled and stood up. She finished her breakfast and sat beside me. "I'm going to New York for a few days," she started. "What are you doing in New York, mommy?" I asked as I stopped eating. "Business trips, sweetie," she responded. I nodded and smiled. "Mommy? Can we talk? " I blurted out She stood up and kissed my forehead. "Maybe later, sweetie," she replied, picking up her things. "I'm getting late, sweetie," she added. "See you later, okay?" She kissed my forehead and hurriedlyr walked out the door. I sighed as I leaned back in the chair. I still kept on thinking about what happened. Why did my father betray us? I closed my eyes. I finished breakfast and stood up. I picked my bag up and walked towards the door, not thinking about what happened. I saw a black Toyota car heading towards me. I stepped inside the car, and we drove off to school.

The ride came to a stop, and I walked inside the academy. I was studying for my nursing degree because I wanted to be a doctor like my mother. I never wanted to be associated with my father's business. My father's business involves fire arms and weapons. He sells weapons in every country in Europe and most states in the US. As the only daughter, I was the heir to my mother and father's riches. But I never needed my father, and only mommy was enough. I walked to the halls of the academy and went straight to my locker. As I placed my stuff in the locker, I felt familiar hands wrap my body. I jumped at the feeling, then Tatiana burst out laughing at my reaction. "You seemed tense, Ariadne. What's wrong?" "she asked, still laughing. I rolled at her and slapped her arm. "Ow, what's wrong?" she asked me again. "Nothing," I responded. She pinned me to the locker and eyed me. I raised my brows at her. "You're not okay, girl" she said to me. "I know something's wrong. You can call me, "she added. I rolled my eyes again. Fine, "I said, sighing. Her eyes lit up, and she held my hand as we walked to the classroom. We sat in the room and began to talk. "Come on, Ariadne, tell me," she begged like a puppy. I sighed and began to explain. "Wait, your father cheated on your mom?" she asked. I nodded. She looked worried and said, "Come on, Ariadne, you have to tell your mom." "You know, I can't do that," I replied softly. She shook her head and placed her hand on my shoulder. "No Ariadne," she started. "You need to tell your mother." She added. Maybe she's right. I really need to tell my mom. "I don't know," I said, looking down. She patted my shoulder and said, "You need to tell your mom." I nodded, and she sat beside me as our professor came inside.

When the long lecture ended, I collected my books and headed to the main gate of the academy. I waited for the car to pick me up. Moments later, the car finally came. I went inside, and we drove off to the mansion. As I got there, I took my books and went inside my home. The minute I opened the door, I couldn't believe my eyes. I saw my father with another woman. She was sitting on his lap while they were both sucking their faces off. I gasped at the scene in front of me. As I covered my mouth, my legs and hands began to weaken. I dropped my books on the floor, causing a big thud. The loud thud echoed through the hall. As they turned to look at who caused the sound, they saw me. I was shaking in pure anger. When my father realized it was me, he became as pale as a dead body. He stood up and went towards me, but I was too angry to face him. I ran out of the house to the garden. I cried in anger and frustration. My own father, who was loved by my mother, betrayed her. I sat on the bench and cried my eyes out. Then, my father arrived. He knelt in front of me, explaining what happened, but I was too angry to listen. "Explain it to me clearly, dad!" I yelled loudly. I faced him angrily. "You cheated on my mom!" I added. Then the lady from earlier came to us. "Both of you are traitors!" I shouted. She patted my father's shoulder. I shook my head and looked at them in disgust. I pointed my finger at the lady. "Do you realize that you just ruined my family?" I yelled at her. "You disgust me!" I added. I walked towards them, but my mom stopped me. My mom yelled, "Valentina stop!" She hugged me. "Mommy, dad cheated on you." I cried. She wiped my tears and hugged me tightly. "I know, sweetie," she started. "I already know about them," she added. She looked at them in anger. "I could forgive you, Maximus, but I'll never forgive you for hurting our daughter."

Mom took my hand in hers and led me to my room. She called out to a maid to give us snacks. She sat in my bed as she explained: "I already know about your father." She sighed. "I knew the moment he returned from his trip."She looked at me with sadness in her eyes. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you." I looked back at her. "I thought you didn't know," I told her. "I'm sorry Valentina," she apologized. "No mommy, don't be sorry." I confronted her. "Daddy is the one who should be sorry, mom". She smiled and hugged me. Actually, Valentina, I have something to tell you."

"Let's go to the US"