05. New Godmother?

Isla’s POV

He ignored me.

The car ride was completely silent, and I peered at the scenery outside.

Papa promised to take me to visit the whole world after I was 18, and our first destination was supposed to be Dario’s home. Now I am really on the way there, only my father wouldn’t be with me anymore.

As we walked to the entourage of parked cars waiting for us, I couldn’t help but let my mind wander.

  

Dario had refused to answer my question. Even after six months, nothing had changed.

  

After nursing a crush on him for the last five years, I had spent every birthday and full moon asking the moon goddess for one thing— a mate bond with Dario.

Reality had given me a slap in the face. A slap that cost me the most important person to me. Another wave of pain slammed through my mind, and I bit my lips to stop myself from crying out. I know that Papa wouldn’t want to see me crying.

  

The car rolled to a stop, and I peered through the tinted windows at the huge mansion before me.

Dario was at my side as soon as the car doors opened. “We are here,” he muttered, then placed his hands at my back and led me to the giant doors of his house.

“Dario!” I heard a gleeful female voice as we stepped through the doors, and my body stiffened as I watched a woman throw herself into Dario’s embrace. 

In my presence.

“Brenda,” Dario called out before prying her off me. “Why are you in my house by this time?” He asked, and my eyes narrowed. 

I stared at the woman. So, she was the reason why Dario rejected me. He needed a mature woman, not a baby girl like me, by his side.

Her carefully drawn brows raised at me. 

“Who’s this?” She asked Dario without turning her eyes away from me. 

“Isla is my goddaughter. She will be staying with me from now on.” 

It’s one sentence. But the pain scratched my heart. Just that, this time, it didn’t hurt like before. 

I now knew what real loss meant, and nothing could compare to the aching hole that Papa’s death had left in my heart.

I took one deep breath, forcing myself to remain standing as the lady walked toward me. 

“Oh my, I’m so sorry, darling,” she gushed and then pulled me into her embrace. 

Her fucking embrace! I didn’t hide the warning in my eyes as I glanced at Dario. He either took his wife or whatever this woman was away from me, or I was going to… 

“Isla is not a fan of strangers, Brenda.” 

Brenda pulled away at lightning speed, and embarrassment coated her cheeks. “I just wanted her to know that she was welcome here,” she muttered, hanging her head down. 

I glanced at Dario. Was this what he liked, or rather, who he liked?

“Also, as her godmother, I won’t be a stranger for long,” Brenda added, and that was it. I stepped forward, ready to speak my mind, but Dario was ahead of me. 

“Don’t get ahead of yourself,” he warned in a dangerously low tone that had me taking two steps back. 

I had known him all my life and knew exactly what that scowl on his face meant. 

There’s no telling who he is talking to, but the fear that slithered through me is more than enough for me to stay put.

“D..Dario…” Brenda started, her mouth pulled in a pout, and I stepped forward, interrupting her. 

“Can I know where I’ll be staying?” I didn’t want to watch him pull her into his embrace and console her.

For now, I’ll steer clear of the two of them, and as soon as Papa is buried with Mother, I will take my leave. 

Even though I was just eighteen, I knew the exact amount of properties and bars my father had in the heart of Italy. If I went to his manager, getting a place to stay and enough money to survive would not be a problem. 

Dario called one of his men to lead me to my room, and I followed behind the guard, my heart thudding in my chest. 

With every step, I resisted the urge to turn back and look at them, and when the elevator door closed, and there was no Dario hurrying after me, I allowed my back to hit the wall, defeat coursing through me.

Just today, I lost my Papa and Dario.