I stare at the door, as if it’s daring me, and tiptoe toward it.
I could sneak out, find an ATM, meet with Dasha, and no one would notice,right?
Sounds easy enough.
40
I walkinto the conference room and lower myself onto a black leather chair. Antonio’s already seated at the head of the table, his face unreadable. Julian, Leo, and Damien are also here.
I texted them during the flight, asking them to meet with me here.
My chest feels heavy as I say, “I have something to tell you.”
None of them speaks. Just wait for me to continue.
It takes a good five seconds before I can get, “Aurora is still alive,” to leave my mouth.
It’s about time I’m honest with them.
The room explodes in response.
“You’re fucking joking,” Damien snaps.
“How long have you known about this?” Antonio slams his fist on the table.
“Man,” Julian says, shaking his head.
“Explain—now,” Antonio roars.
I blow out a long breath, and then that’s exactly what I do.
I tell them how my mother called that day, hysterical. She said she didn’t have much time, but needed me to promise that I’d protect Aurora. I tried to talk her down and ask where shewas. She wouldn’t say. Only said she loved me and would see me in the afterlife.
Then, I heard it.
The impact of her hitting the guardrail.
Glass shattering.
The splash as the SUV went underwater.
She didn’t scream once.
On the phone, I kept yelling her name, but she never answered.
She drowned in the lake before I could even help her. It killed me to end the call and dial 911 for help.
Later, Maggie called me, crying. She said my mother left a letter for her to give to me.
Shutting my eyes, I clear my throat and repeat her words in the letter.
Her handwriting was the sloppiest I’d ever seen—so unlike my mother. She didn’t have the letter locked in some drawer, waiting for the right moment. Her last words were written in a rush.
And I’ve had them memorized for years.
Emilio,
I’m so sorry, honey, but I have to go.
