Mark my words when I say that I will not regret burning this animal on the cover of human skin. At some point, I wished he was there, together with his brother so I could burn them both.
My mind raced as I connected the dots. The fact that Camilla's involvement with Pablo was not as innocent as it appeared only angered me.
He had used a false identity to get close to her, likely as part of a larger plan arranged by his bigger brother. The mastermind behind all of this. The implications were chilling, a scheme of revenge and manipulation that had circled Camilla in its web.
Aidan Del Monte. Pablo Gonzales. His audacity required strength and will. A very good reason to have to live a fake life for more than five years.
The passion, the motive to do such a thing was what made me rage with anger, burning like a fire within me.
How could he have played such a heartless game with Camilla's emotions? Masking himself with the skin of a fairy just to act as her boyfriend, Showing her all the good things on this earth to crush her like that? The hidden cruelty of it all left a bitter taste in my mouth.
As I dug deeper into the information, another disturbing surprise came to light. Camilla's mother had suffered from kidney problems for years, eventually leading to kidney failure.
What caught my attention was the timing of Marcus's involvement. He had somehow known about her mother's condition and had provided the necessary funds for a kidney transplant.
So it was a coincidence? Hell no! His appearance at the right time, and his knowledge of Camilla's mother's condition – all pointed to a calculated move on his part. A part that Pablo became useful. The little naive puppet. Now the dots started to connect.
The more I dived deeper into the details, the clearer it became that there was a hidden agenda at play. Marcus's actions were not motivated solely by kindness or compassion.
There was something deeper, something darker driving him. It was not love either. It was something secretive. Maybe something that tormented him for a long time. It left me with wonders on how he could be so motivated to ruin someone else's life.
Or maybe. Just maybe, what if he also knew about Camila's history of three men who were involved in love affairs with her mom?
Considering he planned this game for a long time, he must have more details than me. He must know the real truth. Or maybe he witnessed the truth.
My heart beat a little faster at the thought I always tried to ignore, what if she was my half-sister?
I glanced at the puzzle box. I bought two of them this morning and gave one of them to her earlier, a reminder of the innocence that still existed within her world.
Exactly how many eggshells did she have to walk on until now? If what I thought was true, what condition would she be in if she found out about it too? Being married to a half-brother? Could Marcus be that crazy and determined to ruin her?
Taking a deep breath, I reached for my phone and dialled a number. "It's time," I said firmly when the call was answered.
"We need to gather more information about Marcus Del Monte and his connections. I want to know everything. And Camilla's mother. I want to know everything including where she is right this moment."
"On it, Sir," With that, I hung up the phone. I got up from my seat, my footsteps echoing through the room as I paused in front of the window, staring out at the cityscape below.
My thoughts churned, a tempest of anger and frustration that swirled within me. How could he have done this to her? How could someone find happiness in someone else's fragility?
"The Del Monte brothers," I said his name through gritted teeth, my voice low and filled with venom.
"You may have thought you could manipulate her, that you could use her for your gain. But mark my words, I won't let you get away with it. Your games end now."
I stood before the full-length mirror in my elegantly appointed bedroom, my reflection a study in contrasts.
The dark suit I wore exuded power and sophistication, a fitting image for Alejandro Montellia, the heir to the Montellia empire. But beneath the polished exterior, a storm of emotions raged within me.
My gaze shifted to the portrait on the wall, a picture of Juan Montenegro, a mere staff member in the Del Monte Mansion. The guy who appeared in the world in the name of protecting a woman while still in low key and finding justice for his first love.
I looked back to the mirror and adjusted my tie, my thoughts wandering around the name, Camilla. She was so damn beautiful and I did not understand why she had to pay for a crime she didn't even commit.
I reached for a pair of sunglasses, slipping them on to shield my green eyes from prying gazes. A necessary precaution, considering the position I occupied in the shadows of both her life and mine.
My blonde hair, carefully styled, completed the transformation from the Del Monte mansion's staff member to an affluent businessman.
Stepping outside, my security team were aligned in two lines as I passed between them. One of them opened the door of my Lamborghini Centenario Roadster.
"Thank you," I smirked before getting inside and storming off the mansion. Arriving at the hospital, I was met with the sight of my security team – a formidable presence that ensured Camilla's safety.
"Is there anything I should know?" I asked and one of them answered.
"No, sir,"
"Good."
The guards stationed outside her door greeted me with a respectful nod before allowing me to enter.
I knocked on the door slightly before walking inside the room. Her attention came to the door as I opened it. In her hands was a puzzle box that I left her with this morning.
"How have you been, princess?" She smiled upon hearing the last word. She was a princess and I was determined to make her my queen someday.
"I'm fine. You look dashing," Her dark brown eyes illuminated the room more brightly than the lights of the room. Her teeth were shiny and too white to even be true. Everything about this woman was too good to be true.
"Not as beautiful as you though" And that one made her laugh. She was in those sick hospital gowns and I understand why she laughed, which suggested she would not understand when I said she looked beautiful. Anything would fit her slim body. Anything.
I looked at the puzzle in her hands, each side contained more than one colour. She also looked at me and her lips formed dimples as she looked at me in disappointment. She failed to put all the colours in one place.
"Don't be sad, the first time is always hard." I told her. She nodded as she kept looking at it but I could tell that was not about the puzzle box. It was more about her life. Her life is reflected in that puzzle box.
Nothing was right and every time you try to make something right, something else shatters that the one before appears out of the blue.
My heart ached. The thought that this could be what she is thinking right now broke my heart completely. I stepped closer and sat beside her bed. I slowly took the puzzle but still, let her hand hold it.
"Princess, we are going to solve this puzzle together. We give it some time and it will be sorted out. Okay?"
She sobbed and nodded. Her fingers tightened around mine, her touch grounding me in the moment. "Alejandro, I…" she began, her voice faltering.
Meeting her gaze, I found a mixture of uncertainty and unspoken questions in her eyes. "Yes?" I prompted gently, a silent encouragement for her to share her thoughts.
Her hesitation was noticeable as if holding onto something she struggled to convey. "I appreciate your presence," she admitted at last, her voice heavy with meaning.
"I'm glad I can be here," I responded, sincerity colouring my words. "And I hope to make each day a little brighter."
A mixture of warmth and vulnerability danced in her smile, mirroring the intricate emotions that surged within me. "You already are."