Chapter 50 - Marco

She was standing, finally, and talking to someone—even if it was just Nero. During the five days Angela spent in the hospital, I couldn't help but go there and stay outside her room. Part of it was guilt, I knew, and another part was worry about what would come next.

The memories of my mother begging to die hadn't left my mind, and I feared Angela would do the same.

On the first night her screams echoed from behind that door, I opened it in an instant and ran to her, only to see my sweet, innocent angel screaming and thrashing while asleep. Knowing the only way she could rest was by being sedated tore me apart.

But I was happy she'd decided to leave the hospital—it was her first day away from that place and back in our home. I wanted everything to go perfectly.

"She saw you and recognized your scent." Nero's message arrived on my phone seconds after the car left the hospital parking lot. It was a moment of carelessness—I needed to lay eyes on her and be sure she was whole, even if her soul was broken now.

"Hurry up—I need to get to the church before her," I ordered, reclining back and trying not to think about how this reunion would go.

I knew Angela was blaming me; she couldn't even look at me after we found her and wouldn't let me stay by her side. It was her way of punishing me, just like not letting me touch Filippo.

My brother and Frank had kept me away from the worm I was desperate to kill, but they reminded me she'd claimed his body and all the survivors. Angela wanted revenge, and I couldn't steal that from her.

When I entered the church, I saw the members, our friends, and allies all filling the church where Mel had been baptized by our parents, just like Nero and I.

It was hard to believe that in that coffin lay my little sister, the one I'd always wanted to protect from everything. I managed to wave to a few people on my way and sit in the front pew—the only one with empty seats reserved for family—before the door opened once more.

Angela entered looking like a goddess in black, marching down the church aisle beside Nero. It should have been me by her side, but I didn't want to force her—not at that moment, at least—but I didn't know how much longer I could endure her indifference.

"Hi, Frank," she murmured, stopping at the end of the pew and touching the face of the man who seemed to be in stasis since he arrived there.

"Good thing you came. Mel really liked you," he replied, finally diverting his eyes from the coffin to Angela. "I think I can start now."

He stepped away, going to the center where the dark wooden coffin with white padding held our precious girl. Angela came to my side, and I wished she'd take off those sunglasses so I could see her beautiful pair of brown eyes.

"I'm glad you're here," I whispered when she said absolutely nothing. I saw the exact moment she swallowed hard, lifting her chin and looking straight ahead the whole time. "You look beautiful, by the way. I miss you, actually—we all miss you at home."

Angela let out the breath she'd been holding and slowly placed her small hand over mine, which rested on my leg.

"We'll talk later—now's the time to say goodbye to your sister," that was all she said, and even though Angel was right, I wanted her to at least direct her gaze at me.

The ceremony took longer than expected; several people stopped to talk and express their feelings. I was torn between monitoring how Frank was holding up and paying special attention to Angela. At the slightest sign of instability, I'd pull her out from the middle of all those people.

At least she stayed by my side, with her arm over mine, but it was as if she couldn't assimilate my presence. My little angel was more lost than I could have imagined.

When the day was ending, a light drizzle began to fall, wetting everyone in the cemetery and starting to disperse the crowd, leaving only our family.

"Come on—I'll take you home before the rain gets any stronger," I murmured for Angela to hear and placed my hand over hers, which was gripping my arm. But I wouldn't have done it if I'd known she'd flinch as if I'd just hurt her.

"Let's all go. I believe there's a lot to discuss about the next steps," she replied, her eyes focused on Nero.

"Not today—we'll stay together and not deal with business. Today is about Melissa and your return home."

I was trying, but every word of mine seemed to hit her like a slap, and I had no idea what to do to end it. I just wanted my wife back—I didn't care if it was the vengeful, broken, or dark version; I just needed her back. But that seemed more distant by the minute.

"Go ahead—I'll stay here a little longer," was Frank's response before kneeling on the wet grass beside the fresh dirt that had just covered Mel's coffin.

Taking a deep breath, I stepped away, knowing the only thing I could do now was respect his wish and give him a few minutes alone.

Angela followed me as Nero said something to our brother-in-law, and I'd use that moment to get closer to her. As soon as she entered the car, Angel took off her sunglasses, and I watched her sad, distant eyes wander the small space around us without ever turning toward me.

I stretched my hand to reach her fingers, which gripped the leather seat, but as soon as our skin touched, Angela pulled back instantly, placing her hands in her own lap and twisting her fingers desperately.

"Tell me what I can do to fix this? Ask for anything, and I'll do it—I just want you to look at me again, angel," I pleaded, seeing her stare out the window to avoid facing my gaze.

Nero entered the car in that instant, and he surely felt the heavy atmosphere there—it was so thick you could cut it with a knife.

"You want to help? Take me to Filippo." As soon as the words left her lips, I growled instantly.

"That's out of the question. You're not seeing him!" She wasn't ready to see that bastard—I'd heard her agonized screams during the nights, all the nightmares. If Angela saw him now, she might well end up going mad—or worse.

"It wasn't a request," she replied without looking at me for a moment. "I'll go with or without your help."