4. Escape Plan

Caterina woke up with her head still feeling dizzy. She blinked repeatedly to clear her vision. She was very confused about the room she was in, as it was her first time there. The room was very spacious with expensive furniture. Even the mattress she was on was much more expensive than the usual mattress she used.

Caterina looked around. All the objects there were completely foreign to her. They were all high-class items.

The door opened with the presence of a maid. Caterina recognized the maid, so she understood where she was.

“Lucy, why am I here? Does that bastard want me to spend my last moments in luxury before he kills me?” Caterina asked as the maid approached her with a glass of hot tea.

“I don't know. He just asked me to serve you well.” Lucy answered as she was.

No one knew what Leonardo's intentions were. Only he himself knew what he wanted. He didn't want to share his feelings, so he didn't want to tell everyone what his plans were.

Caterina let out a deep breath and unintentionally looked at her body that had now changed clothes. Even the bloodstains on her hands and body from hugging Gabriel had disappeared. She was very clean now.

“Did you change my clothes?” Caterina asked for confirmation.

“Yes, I did. I changed your clothes and wiped your body with a wet cloth on Mr. Bianchi's orders.”

After hearing that sentence, Caterina sighed with relief. At least her body was still awake until now. Not a single man had seen her naked yet. She wanted to keep her chastity until she got married in the future. Who would be her husband, she did not know. Whether the opportunity will come or not, she also does not know. All she knew was that her life was on the line right now.

Footsteps could be heard approaching the room where Caterina was. It made her heart beat very fast. She thought this was the moment of her death.

However, she calmed down when the figure of her father appeared behind the door. The middle-aged man walked over with a panicked expression on his face.

“Kate!” Dante approached; he hugged his daughter, whom he hadn't seen in six months.

Caterina returned the hug. She also missed her father very much. They were forced to lose contact for Caterina's safety. They hugged for a long time, fulfilling the longing in their chests.

“What did you do wrong this time?” Dante asked after he released the hug. He stared seriously, wanting to know how much of a mistake Caterina had made for Leonardo to insist on looking for her.

“I don't know. I didn't do anything.” Caterina replied in frustration, as she didn't know either.

“I asked Mr. Bianchi, but he didn't answer my questions. He also wouldn't respond when I begged him to pardon you. I don't know what punishment you'll get.” Dante looked so agitated.

“I remember; he said that I had leaked the secrets of La Vendetta's organization to other mafia groups. But I never did that. I've been living well out there like you wanted. I no longer have any dealings with any mafia groups. I don't even know La Vendetta's recent activities.” Caterina explained after she tried to remember.

Dante looked very uneasy after he heard that sentence. He knew the consequences of leaking secrets to the enemy. There was no punishment but death. He was not willing for his daughter to die at such a young age. She had worked hard to raise her daughter under criminal activities.

“Mr. Bianchi will finish you.” Dante said weakly.

“What should I do now? I don't want to die. If I die, you'll die too. I don't want you to die with me.” Caterina grasped her father's hand tightly. She looked up expectantly, thinking that her father would be able to give her a way out of this.

Dante looked at his daughter intently. He framed her face with his palms. He looked at that face for a long time. Because maybe this would be their last meeting.

“You need to get out of here. I will help you to get out; you need to get as far away as possible.”

“Then, what about you?”

“I will bear everything for you. Even if I have to die, I will die with peace of mind because you were able to survive. I will be happy because of meeting your late mother.”

“No, I won't.” Caterina did not accept her father's proposal.

“We have no other choice. If your guilt is that severe, not only is your life in danger, but mine as well. If we run away together, it will only prolong the problem. I will replace you for all of this. You're still young; you have a long future ahead of you.”

Caterina shook her head. “I don't want to. If we must die, we must die together.”

“No, Kate. Listen to me, you must live. Go as far away as possible; if necessary, you go abroad with a new identity. Disappear without a trace.”

“But, Dad.”

“You're used to living without me, aren't you? You'll also get used to it if I die. I have failed to be a good father to you. This time I'll protect you; I'll make up for all my mistakes to you in the past. Let me fulfill my duty as your father one last time.” Dante said with full affirmation. He spoke with a trembling voice. His eyes turned red as he looked at his daughter.

“I'm sorry.” Caterina hugged her father tightly. She cried in the man's arms.

Dante returned his daughter's embrace. He gently rubbed the top of Caterina's head, then kissed her forehead for a long time.

“Live well. Don't forget to get enough rest, eat well, and don't think about me. I will live happily in heaven.” Dante gave his final words.

Caterina could only nod.

After saying their parting words, they began to formulate a plan for Caterina's escape.

“Lucy, please don't tell Mr. Bianchi. You won't be involved in this matter, so you can take it easy. Tell Mr. Bianchi that Kate had disappeared from her room when you got back here.” Dante gave Lucy a warning.

“But—”

“Please, Kate's life is in your hands. I'll be the one to suffer the consequences of all this, so please keep your mouth shut at all times.”

Lucy was silent at that sentence; she had no choice but to agree to Dante's request.