Chapter 24 CASSANDRA Emilios driver, José, is waiting for her when she lands. I thought you were with Mr. Rodriguez, José, she says. No, maam, he answers, and she knows thats all shell get from him. When she gets to the mansion, Emilia is surprised to see her. I had to handle something in New York, she explains. Emiliano cant seem to leave work behind, even for a few days. Cassandra lets out a heavy sigh at Emilias words. Is Alex awake? Ive missed him. I just put him down for his nap, Emilia tells her. Why dont you freshen up while I have Annah make us some tea? Cassandra hurries upstairs to the master suite. All her clothes are already there, along with Emilios. After a quick shower, she joins Emilia on the patio. I asked Annah to move the rest of your things into Emilianos room. Thank you, she says, sipping her tea. Her mind wanders back to Emilio and what he might be doing. Shes dying to call him. You love my son, Cassandra, Emilia says, catching her off guard. I can see it in your eyes and the way you look at him. Cassandra doesnt know what to say, so she just nods. Emiliano doesnt know, does he? No, Cassandra whispers, setting her cup down. Mother… I-I need to tell you something. Theres no need, Cassandra. I already know. Emiliano is my sonI raised him. I know him. Even though he married you for my sake, Im glad he chose you. You love my son, and thats enough for me. I always hoped hed find a woman who would love him for who he is, not his money. A woman who would make him happy and put a smile on his face… Youve done that. Thank you. Emilia places her hand on Cassandras, and Cassandra feels a pang in her heart. She rushes to Emilias side and hugs her. Im sorry… Im sorry for lying to you, for deceiving you. Tears stream down her face. Its okay, my dear. Emilia strokes her back. I understand. You will bring love into my sons life, and therell come a time when he needs it. Cassandra wipes her tears and looks at her, puzzled. Sit down, Emilia instructs, and she does. Im telling you this because I trust you and know youll never tell anyone what Im about to say. Are you okay? Emilio said you had a heart attack. Im fine; my health is good. Its whats inside thats eating me up. Cassandra takes her hand. Mother…? Carlos isnt Emilianos real father. What? Cassandra asks, shocked. Yes, my dear. The life everyone thinks Emiliano has led is a lie; Carlos wasnt his father. Does Emilio know? No. Im terrified to tell him the truth. I dont know how hell react. Emilia smiles faintly. Emilianos father was a very handsome man. Any woman would fall for him; he was charming, well-groomed, polite, a smooth talker. I was young and naive, and he swept me off my feet. We had an affair for seven months, and it was passionate and amazing. He was an incredible loververy attentive, showering me with expensive gifts, jewelry, and clothes, treating me like a queenand I fell in love with him. But as they say, if something seems too good to be true, it probably is. When I found out I was pregnant, I was overjoyed and couldnt wait to tell him, but when I went to his house, I discovered who he really was. Cassandra squeezes her hand. He was a drug dealer. A rich one, yes, but the image hed created for himself was all a lie. What was his name? Cassandra asks softly. Victor, Emilia answers. When I found out who he really was, I couldnt bring myself to tell him I was pregnant. He was a powerful man who led a dangerous life, and I didnt want that for my child or myself, so I left and never looked back. What about your family? Did they know? What did they say? My family knew, and they were ashamed of me, but they still took me in. Their only concern was how they would face society and their taunts. In our family, we dont believe in abortion; its a sin and illegal. So, I was two months pregnant when I met Carlos. I wasnt showing yet, and he liked me and started courting me like a perfect gentleman. I knew it wouldnt last because soon Id start showing, so one night I told him the truth over dinner. To my surprise, he said hed marry me and accept my child as his own. Carlos talked to my family, and they didnt object. After that, we got married in the same church where you and Emiliano were married. Surprised, Cassandra says, Emilio never told me about the church. Why would he? He might act like he doesnt care, like hes heartless, but hes not. He doesnt know it yet, but hes going to fall for you, and hard. Ive seen how he is with you… Hes a different man, gentler, softer. Cassandra switches gears. Carlos was really noble to take Emiliano in as his own. What about Emilianos real dad? Is he still around? Emilia shakes her head. He died when I was eight months pregnant. A deal gone wrong, or so the rumors said. Cassandra cant help but gasp. It was for the best, Emilia says. If hed known about Emiliano, he wouldve taken him and forced me to stay. That scared me, so I kept quiet and left. Carlos was a good man. He treated Emiliano like his own. Their bond was stronger than most fathers and sons. And Emiliano really loved him, Cassandra adds, and Emilia nods. Did Carlos know about Victor? They were half-brothers. Cassandra is stunned by this revelation. Carlos told me when Emiliano was a year old. Carloss dad had an affair with Victors mom and Victor was the result. No one knew, but Carloss dad confessed on his deathbed. The birthmark behind Alexs ear… Cassandras voice trails off. Its a family trait. Victor had it, Carlos had it, their dad and granddad had it. Thats why no one questioned Emilianos parentage. They were brothers, but they couldnt have been more different: Victor a drug dealer, Carlos a businessman. How Victor ended up like that, Ill never know. Did Carlos have any kids? He couldnt. Thats why he didnt hesitate to marry me. He also felt guilty about his dads actions. His dad supported Victor financially, but wasnt there for him. Carlos was looking for Victor when we started dating. Thats how he found me… Our meeting wasnt a coincidence. What do you mean? He somehow knew I was pregnant. He never told me how, but he felt he owed it to Victor to take care of me and Emiliano. Did you and Carlos love each other? We had an understanding. We shared a bed, but we didnt really love each other. Victor had my heart. Despite his dangerous lifestyle, I loved him. We cant choose who we fall in love with, Cassandra whispers. The heart has its own mind. Youre right, it does. I knew your marriage was a sham to fool me. He probably married you because I wanted to see him settled and with kids. But I know you love him now, no matter how much you deny it. Hes playing a role for the world and his family, but youre in this because you love him and cant imagine life without him. Cassandra stands and moves away from Emilia, lost in thought. He can never know how I feel. I can handle him not loving me, but I cant bear him knowing the truth and playing the good husband out of guilt. It would break me, Emilia. Please, dont tell him. Your secrets safe with me. But I know he can love, and I want him to love you. Hell be crushed when he learns the truth about his past, and hell need you. I want to tell him about his dad, but I cant. Hes the spitting image of his father, and hes turned out better than I hoped. But I know he has the same ruthless streak as his dad. He hides it because hes scared of what he might do. Thats why he lives the way he does: to suppress his inner cruelty. He has nightmares that keep him up at night. Hes always had them. He doesnt see it yet, but he needs you, Cassandra. Youre the light that can chase away his darkness. Your love can set him free. Emilia touches her shoulder, and Cassandra turns to see her mother-in-laws tear-filled eyes. Never leave him or give up on him. Hell need someone when he learns the truth, and I want you to promise me youll be there for him. I will, she promises. Of course, I will. *** Dinner is peaceful, and afterward, Cassandra spends some time with Alex. But as she climbs the stairs to their room, her mind keeps replaying her conversation with Emilia. She wonders how Emilio will handle the truth. Learning that his life has been a lie wont be easy. Emilias confession also explains why Emilio never shares a bed with heror anyone. His nightmares must be terrible. Cassandra sits on the bed and scrolls through her phone until she lands on his number. She wants to call him, but she doesnt want to give him the wrong impression. She sighs deeply. How will she face him? How will she keep the truth from him? Was Emilia rightwill Emilio learn to love her? Can she really heal his wounds? Cassandra decides to have faith that things will work out. 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