Marcella heard murmurs from the other side. Tony's hand on her back stiffened.
"Antony Crawford!"
Uncle Karl named her brother-in-law's brother. He paused looking at her maybe because he could see the shock in her face.
Marcella's hands shook. She couldn't understand how it was possible. Weren't Tony's parents dead? Isn't that why his grandmother raised him?
Are his parents still alive? If they are alive, why didn't she know of them?
Wait… was Andrew adopted? Is that how Tony and Andrew were separated? The will did mention that Andrew "found" his brother later in his life. Was that the possible scenario?
She had a lot of questions. She looked at Tony and he bowed his head not wanting to look at her. She adjusted herself as his hand on her back was uncomfortable. He sat straight with his hands on his lap.
She looked at the Romanos. Paul Romano's face was hard as a rock. Maggie was brimming with tears. She plucked the baby from Mrs. Murphy's hands. Bowing her head, Mrs. Murphy started to sob.
Uncle Karl continued. If both of them were unmarried, Mellissa wanted her in-laws to take care of her children. After their passing or if they were deemed unsuitable to take care of the children legally, she wanted the kids to go to Marcella whether she was married or not.
All along, her sister preferred her to take custody of her children. Marcella was touched.
There was more to the will and Marcella couldn't concentrate on the reading. She stared blankly.
Who is Tony?
The reading was finished. Uncle Karl started rearranging the papers.
Tony stood up first. With his hands in his trouser pockets, he looked around the room. "I have an announcement to make…" he turned and looked at Marcella.
Marcella had forgotten to cover her cheek that had the scratch wound. She felt like floating away. She looked at Tony. He had a deep furrow line between his eyes. He looked spent. Clearing her throat, she stood up.
Whatever the truth was, she needed to have custody of her nephew. She wanted to honor her sister's wish.
"In fact, Marcella and I have an announcement to make," Tony held her hand. Marcella hid her emotions and stepped to his side.
"We are married!" Tony announced loudly.
Uncle Karl stared at them and out of shock he froze. Christopher shook his head in disapproval. Marcella turned to her side as she saw a figure dashing toward them.
Tony pushed her to his back and the next moment, Mrs. Murphy grabbed Tony by the collar and slapped him hard. "How dare you? How dare you! Have you any idea what your father had planned? You just went and ruined it all…" She kept on slapping Tony hard on his cheek.
Tony just stood there and accepted her slaps without any resistance.
"Why did I give birth to you? You've broken my heart. If only my mother~"
What??? Mrs. Murphy is Tony's mother?
Marcella staggered back.
So, Mr. Murphy is Tony's father? Why didn't they raise him? And… why did Tony never mention that he has parents?
"Enough!" Paul Romano shouted. He sounded scary. Mrs. Murphy covered her face and started to sob silently.
Maggie pulled Mrs. Murphy back. Maggie was not impressed at all.
Paul walked up to Tony. "I will have custody of my grandson. Divorce her," he said just like he would order around his staff.
"No," Tony said plainly. Even after accepting so many slaps, there was no change in his demeanor. He was standing tall with his chest puffed and like a predator, he never lost eye contact with Paul.
Marcella expected Paul to go off on Tony. Maybe Tony expected the same, he shielded her entirely from Paul.
"I married her not to divorce. I fully intend to raise my nephew just like Andy wanted me to," he said as a matter of fact.
Marcella gulped. Her hands were shaking. She couldn't believe she would encounter such drama here.
"Son," Paul took a step forward.
There was a tremble in his voice which Marcella didn't expect. She took a peek at Paul. That stoic old man had reddened eyes and his hands were shaking as he reached for Tony's cheek.
"Please, don't make your father beg," Paul's shoulders shook as he bowed his head. He was crying. "Please... Let me have my grandson..."
Marcella staggered back.
Paul Romano is Tony's father?
"Marcella!"
Tony called for her but Marcella ran out of the room. She couldn't breathe. She needed air. It was too much for her to handle.
"Randy Arena?"
She stopped seeing Randy being held back by Henry and his men. He was sweating profusely, and his shirt was crumbled as he was held back by at least four men.
"Bambi! Bambi…" Randi's face lit up as he saw Marcella. "Tony~"
Henry tried to shut his mouth but Randy struggled.
'Let him speak, Henry," Marcella said. The panic in Randy's eyes was so apparent. She wanted to hear what he wanted to say. Her heart raced.
Randy clearly said Tony's name.
"It's nothing important, Bambi. Randy is drunk and spouting nonsense. You know how he was. He hasn't changed a bit over the years," Henry smiled to make it seem like nothing.
Marcella shook his head. "You never were a good actor, Henry. Let Randy speak," she said. Her voice went low as if her words were a command.
The men holding Randy let him go. After all, she is Bambina, the daughter of Don DeAngelo. She was the authority.
"Randy, don't," Henry pleaded with Randy having no way to talk back to Marcella.
Marcella fisted her hands. She could hear loud shouting noises inside the house. But she didn't care about that.
"Randy!" She raised her voice.
"Did you really marry Tony Crawford?" Randy asked.
Marcella looked at Henry. Henry bowed his head. "Yes." Marcella wetted her lips.
"Bambi…" Randy walked closer. "Bambi, what have you done?" Randy placed his hands on his head in distress. "How could you~"
"Come to the point, Randy!" Marcella shouted.
What is the matter? What does Randy know?
"Bambi, don't listen to him. Tony is a good guy," Henry spoke.
Marcella didn't even look at Henry anymore. "Randy," she said gritting her teeth. She lost the last piece of her patience.
"Bambi, Tony knew… Tony knew those men wanted you and not your sister. He held you in the police station to hide you and… We could have used you as bait and lured them out. Missy could have been saved, Bambi. I'm sorry, Bambi, but… Tony is responsible for Missy's death…"
Marcella's heart almost stopped.
Tony did what?