The True Face Of Destiny

Prologue Delcima, 22 years earlier Helena Rimes was looking at the little girl she held to her breast, with her eyes filled with gratitude. She had given her life a few hours earlier. The infant was beautiful and embodied perfection in her eyes. She had never imagined that her heart could hold so much love for a being she was seeing for the first time. Yet Helena was aware that time was running out. The door to her hospital room opened and Thomas Crowley appeared in the doorway, holding hands with his four-year-old daughter, Rebecca, born from his previous marriage. Helena smiled and looked at him with a little sadness in her eyes. He was such a wonderful and good man. And she knew he would suffer. Thomas walked over to his wife and kissed her tenderly. — I'm going to take Rebecca to my mother, he said softly. She nodded. — Thank you for this gift of life, said Helena while staring at the baby. — - You seem so happy, but your voice betrays a slight sadness. What's wrong? Helena took a deep breath and forced a smile. How could she explain the inconceivable to him? Even if she owed him the truth, would he be ready to know her when silence was the only solution to what was eating her away? She created a diversion. — Can we name her Cassandra? Cassandra Crowley sounds good. What do you think? Thomas nodded. He kissed his wife again and hugged her tightly to his heart, whispering that he loved her more than anything. He kissed the baby's forehead and, accompanied by Rebecca, he confidently left the hospital room. Helena's breathing was more and more choppy. She got up and put the child in the bunk at the foot of her bed. — If some people trace their destinies, yours, my dear, it is forged in advance. You are so small. So fragile. I offer my life to give you an existence that is already mortgaged. You don't understand what I'm telling you, but they will come looking for you one day, so you will understand everything. You will be terrified, you will be afraid, but I will always be there, with you. I love you, Cassandra.