The angel he lost

At the hotel

Ana Maria pov

"I don't want that b***h here! Not after what she has done. She killed her mother, and then her best friend. I want her out" - I hear my father shouting again, angry and drunk. He keeps smashing things and bursting in anger, almost all the time. I try to cover my ears not to hear the horrible things that he says, but it's impossible.

Luckily, Bianca closed the doors and windows, and in no time I couldn't hear anything anymore. She managed to calm him down. Surprisingly, my stepmother has helped me, during this awful time, even though my father insists on kicking me out.

I feel hot tears falling down my cheeks again, as I crumble in the corner of my mattress. For weeks now, I have barely gotten out of the basement, living in the shadow. I can sense that this darkness is consuming me. My soul and heart are shattered, as I am still mourning the death of my best friend, the girl that was like a sister to me. Meanwhile, I am frowned upon by the whole town, their gossips and hate towards me are ruthless. But the comments by my own family are tearing me apart. 

I tried to visit Sophia's grave, but I couldn't. I heard all kinds of comments and insults, as I was walking down the streets. Father Andrew stopped me and walked me back home. He said that it wasn't the right moment, that I should let the families mourn in peace. As if I wasn't mourning too. He also said that for a while, I should not come to church either, to avoid any scandal, in the house of God. That conversation still haunts me, I can't forget the look on father's Andrew face and how he avoided eye contact all the time.

Flashback

"Are you banishing me from the church, father?" - Ana Maria asked with teary eyes, as her hands were shaking "You don't possibly believe that I have done what they are accusing me of, do you?"

"I am not banishing you at all. The house of God is open to sinners also. But right now, you should show some respect to the families that are still mourning, for their loved ones. Alan's mother is also suffering tremendously, he was a good young man....who fell into temptation. And Sophia... she was so young..."

"Father... I have God as my witness that I am responsible for any of their deaths. I am innocent...."

"Maybe, you should pray that the truth comes to light then, Ana Maria. Because right now, your words are not enough. Please, listen to me and try to avoid going out of home for a while"

Bianca POV

"I don't want that b***h here! Not after what she has done. She killed her mother, and then her best friend. I want her out" - Vincent yelled once again, smashing another glass on the wall, annoying the f**k out of me. With this rhythm, soon we will have no cups or plates left at home.

"Calm down, damn it. The neighbors can listen" - I rushed to close all the windows and the door. "You can't kick her out, she has nowhere to go. Ana Maria is your daughter, after all"

"She is my curse. That b***h destroyed my whole life, the moment she was born. I should have thrown her to the river" - Vincen't answer made me roll my eyes, but it didn't affect me anymore. All these years, and he still has not gotten over the death of his first wife.

"But you didn't. And now it's too late to do such a thing. We have enough problems already." - I just wanted him to shut up! I can't stand this drunkard anymore, nor his daughter. Since the first day, I married this man, I have had nothing but troubles and dramas.

"I refuse to feed and take care of her, I want her out" - he kept cursing, while he could barely stand in his own feet anymore

"Feed her? Feed her? Since the day Ana Maria lost her job, we have been struggling to put food on the table. She was the one feeding you. Your whole paycheck goes for your gambling debts. We need her, you fool"

"Yeah? What do we need her for? No one will marry or hire a murdering w***e. I talked with Arthur, begging to take her but he said he need time to think about it. "

"Don't worry! He will change his mind" - I offered him another glass of alcohol, which he drank all at once. Within minutes he was fully asleep, the sleeping drug I put in his glass was too powerful. But I have to be careful with the dose though, or else it may kill him before it's time. I took a deep breath and counted the days in my mind. If everything goes right, soon enough I'll be a rich woman and get rid of both my disgusting husband and his stupid daughter, at once.

......................

third POV

"Where the hell were you?" - Catherine's voice was low, but very angry, as she smashed the door behind her

"I was ... I was out, to meet Christina. That's all" - Adele replied anxiously. She tried to gain some time, to compose herself, as she took back her coat into the closet.

"You stupid, stupid girl. I warned you not to get out of the house! What if someone has noticed your pregnancy?"

"It's impossible mother... I am not showing yet, and I had my coat on the entire time"

"You talk like you don't know the people of this town. That's enough for rumors to spread widely" - Catherine's voice was venomous, looking at her daughter with disappointment and anger.

"They are already talking about us mother! We have gone bankrupt and the gay son you presumed dead has shown up in the town. Do I need to remember the scandal at Sophia's funeral?" - Adele couldn't control herself anymore, annoyed by the way her mother kept staring at her.

"The only thing that is lacking is a pregnant daughter, that is abandoned by her lover. Oh, God! When did I go wrong?" - Catherine suddenly burst out to tears

"Arthur would never abandon me. He just...he just doesn't know yet" - Adele's voice was shaking too, as much as she tried not to "As soon as I talk to him, we will marry and become a family"

"You wasn't meeting Christine, you were trying to contact that bastard, to tell him about the baby" - Catherine's face suddenly became dark and dangerous

"No, no..." - before Adele could even defend herself, her mother slapped her so hard, it almost made her fell down.

"If you ever dare to disobey me, I will kill you with my own hands"

"Mother..." - Adele cried out in anguishment

"This is not about you or your bastard anymore, you stupid girl. If people find out what we have done, we will lose everything. And you won't get away with blaming your crimes on Ana Maria this time"

.............................

third pov

"Here! Eat something" - Bianka pushed a plate of soup towards Ana Maria "You also need a shower, so get ready after you finish your soup"

"Thank you... Thank you" - Ana Maria forced a weak smile, trying to show gratitude. She took the plate with shaking hands and snatched the entire soup at once.

"You are hungry" - Bianka said looking at her with remorse

"I ... I haven't eaten anything, in three days" - Ana Maria lowered her head

"That's because there is nothing to eat. Since you got arrested and lost your job, we have no income. Your drunk father is useless. This house has nothing but expenses"

"I have some savings, I am sure..."

"I spend those when you were in prison" - Bianka explained irritated

"What?" - Ana Maria looked at her with wide eyes, but she decided it was not the right moment to argue with her. "I wish I could find a job, but no one would hire me... "

" I found you a job already" - Bianca forced a smile "At the hotel, as a night maid"

"What? I can't work in there, not after how everyone is treating me" - Ana Maria replied terrified

"You have to, Ana! It's other that or I can't keep you here anymore" - Bianka's voice was cold

"But... I beg you, don't make me do this. That place is always packed with drunk men and ..."

"You'll work as a maid, you will have nothing to do with them. Get a shower, you start tonight" - she cut her off immediately

"If I talk to father Andrew, I am sure that..."

"Father Andrew will not even bother to listen to you, Ana Maria. Would you grow up and face the reality? These are the consequences of your own actions. Now get ready, we need that money"

...........................

Third POV

"Mr. Anderson? What a pleasure having you here, at our distinguished hotel, sir! We were not expecting you" - the manager himself rushed to welcome Liam, as soon as he saw him at the gates.

"I need a table, and also a suite for the night" - Liam replied coldly. His presence alone was enough to make anyone present turn their heads, to take a glimpse of him.

"The best we have sir. Please, follow me"