Chapter 4

Carla~

"We're here, Madame!"

The taxi brought me to a slow stop in front of an old rusty gate. I smiled at the familiar sight as I opened the door to alight.

The compound beyond was quiet, eerily so but it always felt like a strange kind of home to me. Beyond the walkway stood the old building where Alessandro Lockwood lived.

He hated visitors, despised being fussed over. But somehow… he tolerated me.

He always wanted to see me, enough that I came here whenever Xavier pushed me away too far. Enough that he let me bring him news that should've come from his own son.

The moment I stepped inside, the caretakers perked up. Recognition softened their tired faces.

"Carla!"

"Welcome, Madame Lockwood!"

"It's been a while!"

Their warmth eased something tight in my chest. A woman in a crisp uniform hurried forward; Marie. Her smile was the brightest of them all.

She was the head caregiver.

"Carla, dear. We weren't expecting you today."

"Is he in his room?" I asked.

Marie let out a dramatic sigh.

"Stubborn old man has been in there all day, refusing to come out."

I blinked. "Again?"

"And he refused to eat," she added, lowering her voice as if it were sensitive classified information.

A laugh escaped me before I could stop it.

"Of course he did."

It was one of Alessandro’s many antics.

Marie shook her head. "You know how he is. Maybe he'll listen to you."

"I'll take it from here," I told her, giving her hand a gentle squeeze.

I made my way up the stairs, the wooden steps creaking under my weight. At Alessandro's door, I knocked gently.

No answer.

I tried again.

Still nothing.

Sighing, I pushed the door open just enough to peek in.

There he was, back to me as he stared blankly out the wide window. Not moving, not acknowledging anyone. But it wasn't new or strange to me.

Apparently, Alessandro wasn't the man he used to be. Age had carved sharp lines into him, stolen some of his strength, and forced him into a wheelchair. But the power? The presence? The authority?

Still very much alive. Very much like Xavier.

I stepped fully inside.

"Father," I whispered softly.

His entire body went rigid. Slowly, he turned his wheelchair with effort. The moment his eyes found me, they widened in excitement.

"Carla?" His voice cracked in disbelief.

He opened his arms to me, and I didn't hesitate.

I leaned in and hugged him tightly as he held me with surprising strength. And I heard him mumble something about how long it had been since he felt a warm hug. I laughed softly, pulling back.

"Marie says you haven't been eating," I said, eyeing the untouched tray on the table.

Alessandro scoffed and turned his head away like a stubborn child.

"What use is this shitty food anyway?"

I raised a brow and stood up straighter.

"You need to eat it to stay healthy and alive." I scolded lightly, letting my hand drift to my stomach.

"Healthy enough to meet your grandchild."

His head snapped toward me.

His eyes widened, shimmering with emotions.

"You're not joking." His voice trembled.

I shook my head, smiling.

And just like that, the stubborn old man sighed dramatically and surrendered. "Fine. But you're feeding me."

So I did.

One spoon at a time, watching him chew with the reluctant obedience of a child.

Halfway through the meal, his voice broke the quiet.

"That boy treating you well?" Alessandro asked, and I instantly knew who he was referring to

My smile froze.

Not now, I begged silently.

"I hear he's been frolicking with some redhead whore." He continued dryly.

I forced a smile. Forced my voice to stay even.

"They're just ...friends."

"Hmph." He scoffed. "That what he told you? Boy is worse than I thought."

The food suddenly felt heavy in my hands. I placed the bowl aside.

"I failed you, Carla." Alessandro's voice softened as he reached up to cup my face with surprising gentleness.

"I failed to raise him right. Wasn't around through most of his childhood."

"Don't think like that," I murmured. "Just focus on your health. You're the only one I have on my side, remember?"

Silence settled between us. But it was the comfortable, reassuring type.

Eventually, he cleared his throat.

"I need to use the bathroom."

I stood immediately. "I'll wheel you..."

"Nonsense!" He waved me off. "What do you think I am, handicapped?"

"I can help myself to the damn bathroom, thank you!" He sassed.

I rolled my eyes but stepped back, watching him wheel himself stubbornly out of the room.

With a sigh, I sat on the edge of his bed, rubbing my hands together. His words replayed in my mind… especially the ones about Xavier. Why did I still defend him?

Why did I still hope? Or was I still lying to myself?

CRASH!

A violent, sickening sound echoed from beyond the room, snapping me out of my thoughts.

My heart jumped into my throat.

And without thinking, I bolted for the door.

I ran down the hallway, panic scraping at my lungs. And when I finally reached the stairs...

I froze.

A choked gasp ripped from my throat.

Alessandro lay at the bottom of the staircase, his body twisted in unnatural angles. He wasn't moving, and he didn't seem to be breathing.

My heart stopped at the gruesome image, knowing what this meant.

However before I could make a move, a scream echoed from the below floor as one of the caregivers rushed forward.

Her eyes found me very quickly, her expression instantly turning to an accusing one.

"You did this!" She sneered. "You pushed him down the stairs, you murderer!"

I was stunned. Too stunned to say anything in my defense.

More of the caregivers arrived the scene, all pointing accusing fingers at me. All calling me a murderer.

And I just stood there, frozen. I was yet to wrap my head around what had just happened.

Until someone suddenly grabbed me by my wrist, shaking me out of my daze.

Marie.

"We need to leave. Now!" She said, pulling me away.

My legs moved before my brain registered.

I was now on the run.