OLIVER Kids were annoying and messy. I did not know when I would build my patience with them. Even when Sara was pregnant, she made me sign up for a class that taught how to become a better dad to your kids. I did not grow up with the best father, so I did not know how to be one. But I was willing to take that step for Sara and our unborn child. Everything crashed when they died in that accident. I would have loved my kid, no doubt, but I was not sure of how much patience I could exercise around them. I was limping down the hospital reception while Dante was walking slowly behind me, speaking to whoever was on the phone. I was not interested in their conversation. All I wanted was to get home, change and sit in the bathtub for a long while. I hated being handicapped, and I was angry that I had to use the help of others for a while. I hated leaning on anyone so much. As I was almost at the door, someone ran and fell beside my good leg and smeared ice cream all over the hem

ELLEN I got the anonymous notes on my desk for a few more days and I became suspicious of Dante. He was nicer to me, and we worked more informally than formally in the office. I wanted to confront him about it, but I wanted to be sure he was the one dropping those notes for me. I would not deny that alternating between the office and Oliver's house was difficult. I was exhausted most of the time and I was getting farther and farther from Sophie. Kennedy would soon return to New York and anxiety kicked in. I thought of how to joggle Sophie and work again. Lily and I had a very tough argument about working at Oliver's mansion and we said some really awful things to each other, so I could not ask for her help. With Kennedy's help, I got an apartment and was still furnishing it. I tried hard not to let any of it affect my job at Oliver's mansion. For the first week, nothing went wrong between Oliver and me. He just seemed uninterested in me and only spoke to me when necessary.

ELLEN I did not hear from Tony for a few days as I had expected. It made me wonder if it was the Tony I knew or some other man with the same name. But I was confused and wondered if it was another Tony. What was he doing with my daughter and why had he told her I was his friend? I was in danger and was putting everyone else in danger. Knowing Tony, he would dig into Sophie's existence and would find out that Oliver was her father and might come for him. I did not exactly like Oliver, but I will never want to drag him into this mess. The worst was that I could not talk to anyone about it. Tony was a psycho and might kill anyone that offered to help me. Lily advised we should tell the police, but I was scared out of my body. I had moved out of Lily's place and stayed in a rented apartment and instructed the door attendant never to let anyone up without ringing me first. But Tony broke all protocols. Oliver stared at the phone I placed before him and dropped the spoon.

ELLEN "Where is Sophie?" I asked, looking him straight in the eyes. That was the reason I came here. His grin disappeared and was replaced with a frown and a pout. "Is that the first thing you will say to me after all these years, Dolcezza?" He stood in front of me now and grabbed my hair from behind, pulling it backward and making my chin tilt, and giving him access to my neck. He sniffed my neck, tickling me with his stubble. I stood still, enduring his touch and trying not to remember those gory memories we shared. He started planting kisses all over my neck while mumbling. "Oh, Dolcezza, how I have missed you, your scent, your touch, your velvet skin." I could not take it anymore, so I shoved him away from me. He took a few steps back and smiled a crooked smile. "I see you are not the happiest person to see me return." He shrugged and stretched out his hand towards the man in the suit and he gave him the fat cigar. He put it between his lips and

ELLEN “Triple your salary?” Lily yelled. “Are you fucking kidding me?!” I was in the kitchen preparing dinner while Lily helped Sophie arrange her puzzle. It has been two days since I submitted my resignation at the Monero Empire. Oliver paid me extra; above what he was supposed to pay. I was surprised when the alert came and I decided I would return the extra. “Yeah. I thought he bumped his head or something and I would have accepted the offer.” “Wait, are you saying you did not accept it? I thought you said you would think about it? Is that not what you said?” Lily asked in disbelief. “No. I told him I cannot work for him again. I don’t want to involve him with...” my words trailed as I remembered Sophie was there. Kids were smart and when adults speak, they always pretend they were not interested in the conversation, but they pick up everything one said. I made a sign to Lily telling her it was Tony. I did not want to get involved with Olive