Chapter 112

“Is it really okay for me to visit him?” Dario asked. “I’m not that good with dead bodies.”

“Hey, watch your words!” I scolded him. He almost sounded like Matteo. “Vince is not dead. He can probably hear us too-so watch your words around him.”

“Got it, I’m sorry,” Dario spoke. “You’re scary when you’re angry, but I like angry women-it turns me on.” He smirked as we walked into the elevator.

“Of course it does,” I smirked back. Dario shamelessly flirting with me despite knowing I had a fiance took a lot of courage, that was for sure. He leaned his hand against the wall and stared at me while I looked the other way and tried to avoid his gaze.

“It looks like Siena loves your rose!” I changed the subject and pointed to Siena, who had put the toy into her mouth. “It appears so.” Dario spoke and kept his eyes on me.

“Look, we’re here.” I smiled, relieved, and pushed the stroller out of the elevator. Serena, you’re not Christian, I told myself over and over again. My awkwardness was not because I felt uncomfortable, but it was because I felt at ease. I felt too comfortable, while I shouldn’t.

“Isn’t that your brother?” Dario asked and pointed ahead. “It is,” I spoke, but my eyes moved to the person walking next to him, Isobel. Beau seemed happy, and so did she. They were laughing with each other and appeared to be having a good time.

“Why are they holding hands? Didn’t she try to get you and the baby killed?” Dario shrugged his shoulders. That was the exact thing Matteo meant by Beau embarrassing the family, but it was not a big deal to me. Yes, people would start talking-and no, I still wasn’t that fond of Isobel, but if she made him. happy, there was nothing I could do.

“Dario, do you know how many times in a week I see my brother smile?” I asked him as he shook his head. “Never, he never smiles. He’s so tensed and done with the world, to the point I sometimes call him late at night, just to check whether he’s still alive-and I barely see him like this.” I told him.

“So you tell me what’s more important. The past or my brother’s future?”

Dario smiled and ruffled his hand through my hair. “I think we can all learn a lot from you. You’re smart, intelligent…hot.”

“Thanks for the compliment, I think you’re right.” I laughed.

“Serena?” Beau spoke, surprised. I looked down at Beau and Isobel’s hand, which he immediately released before he put some space in between them. “So much for bringing Luis to school.” I laughed and walked closer to hug him.

“Yes, I had nothing to do-so I visited Vince, and uh…what are the two of you doing together?” He asked and looked from me to Dario. “No, what are the two of you doing together?” I smiled and looked at Isobel.

“Nothing, we just happened to be at the same place,” Beau spoke as if he was trying to hide the truth, while poor Isobel just stood there with an uncomfortable look on her face. She always had a lot to say, but lately she didn’t. The overconfident brat I met had disappeared entirely and changed into a shy person.

What else could she do when she looked right at the woman and the baby she tried to get killed?

“Let me introduce myself. I’m Dario Orlando-nice to meet you.” Dario broke the awkward silence and patted Beau on his shoulder. “I’ve heard a lot about you.” Beau patted him back before his eyes traveled to “You’re wearing it again.” He spoke while I looked down, embarrassed. Not the entire universe had to know about my relationship problems. “And you must be Isobel Sala.” Dario saved me for the second time and stuck out his hand to Isobel.

Isobel seemed taken aback and stared at his hand before she accepted it. “Or just Isobel, it’s probably not that smart to mention your last name, now that you’re disowned and all.” Dario laughed at his own joke while Beau glared at him. Just when he was about to speak up, I shook my head to stop him. “Are you here to visit Vince?” Beau changed the subject.

“Yes, obviously-I don’t really have much with hospitals, you know that.” I chuckled as my mind went to my delivery. “Yes, I know-you threatened all the poor nurses to give you a c-section.” Beau made fun of me while Dario gave me a questioning look.

“You haven’t told me that story. Is that why you don’t want any babies with me?” He commented while I tried my best to ignore him. “Babies?” Beau chuckled and looked at me for an explanation.

“Beau, you should say goodbye to your niece. Dario and I have to get moving.”

“Siena!” Beau bent down and gave her kisses. Siena went back to her usual babbles and had a one-sided. conversation with Beau while Dario stared at the two them. “I still think it’s horrifying a four-month-old baby has so much to say.” He frowned.

“Nice story!” Beau praised Siena before he focused his attention on me. “So, I’ll see you later?”

“Yes, sure.” I nodded my head and rushed past him. This whole conversation was awkward enough.

“Bye, Isobel!” I called out as I turned my head to look at her one last time.

“I heard she had a big mouth, and now she can’t even greet you, won’t you look at that?” Dario snickered. “Well, she tried to get us killed-so.” I raised my eyebrows. Dario laughed and held up his hands in defense. “I’m sorry, missy-it was just a joke!”

“But will your dad be okay with this?” Dario wondered. No, there was no way and he made it very clear. He was not that fond of Beau in the first place, and Isobel being in the picture only made it worse. I said. whatever I had to say to Matteo, but this was as far as I would go, and I did not want to be in the middle of this sick family feud.

“There’s not much for me to do when all of you are on a self-destruct mission,” Dario muttered as I turned my head to look at him in surprise. “Self-de-what?”

“Nothing, don’t worry about it.” He sighed. I ignored his weird comment and focused on the closed door in front of us. Seeing Vince was always a hard thing to do, and I had never done it without Christian. We were both having a hard time and we both felt guilty-so we had always done it together.

“Let’s go.” I took a deep breath before I opened the door. The usual nurse gave me a polite smile and immediately left the room to give me some space. My eyes moved to Vince, who was still in the same state, and if I didn’t know any better, I would’ve thought he was taking a long nap.

Even though the situation had not improved that much, he was able to breathe on his own. “Come on, wash your hands.” I nudged Dario and pulled him along while he followed my routine.

After we were finished, I moved Siena’s stroller to a corner and sat down next to Vince with Dario on the other side of him. “Can he really hear us?” Dario asked.

“I like to believe he can. Vince loves company-it doesn’t matter who it is, but he never likes to be alone.” I smiled as I remembered not only the time we spend together but also Christian’s stories about Vince inviting strangers to join them at their table.

“You really remind me of him. I think that’s the reason why I like you so much.” I confessed, I missed. Vince’s positivity, and after he turned against me I had to learn how to live without it.

“Did you have any romantic feelings for him?” Dario asked. I laughed at his stupid question.

Feelings? “No, absolutely not.”

Poor Vince had always been open about his feelings and told me he liked me, while I could never do the same. “He’s my best friend.”

“Then we’re not the same.” Dario scoffed. “No disrespect, but we’re not the same.”

“Okay.” I smiled and shrugged off his comment. I pulled out a bible to do a prayer for Vince, while Dario looked at me as if I was crazy. “You carry that around?” He spoke, surprised. “It’s heavy.”

“So is my heart, we can all blame Enzo and Isobel, but he wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for me-so do you mind?” I asked, annoyed. “No, you do you.” Dario laughed and reached to grab my hand.

“Matter of fact, I’ll read a verse and I’ll lead the prayer.”

I was shocked but went along with him anyway and observed his face while he led the prayer. Dario was different from anyone else I ever met. He was kind, handsome, and spontaneous.

Keep your head together, Serena. You can’t do this.

The moment Dario opened his eyes, I stumbled into my chair and felt like running away. I barely knew the guy. I could not like him. I could not coach Christian about not being loyal while I had a dumb crush. on another man. “Amen,” I whispered as I got back to my senses and released my hand.

“Do you already know what you want with school?” Dario asked. I felt so embarrassed to admit it, but I didn’t. I thought I knew what I wanted, but I wasn’t even sure about my future. “I assume that’s a no.” Dario smiled.

“Hmm, let me think.” He spoke as he went into deep thoughts. “You seem like a person who wants to make the world a better place. I haven’t known you for that long-but I don’t see you in school.”

Dario spoke.

“You’re right. I don’t see myself in school either-but I told everyone I would go to be a good example, so I can’t turn back now.” I huffed. I started something I couldn’t finish, and there was no turning back.

“Let me tell you one thing. Going to school doesn’t make you a good person. Listen, we can’t call a school bully a good example for finishing school. That’s not how it works.” Dario explained. He was right.

He was so different from Christian, who I always had to beg for some advice. “I heard you made Christian donate millions to charities.”

“I also heard you went through a lot in the past. How about starting your own charity to prevent stuff like that from happening to other children?” Dario suggested. It all sounded very nice, but there was only one problem. “I don’t know anything about that kind of stuff, and I don’t know anyone willing to help me.”

“He’s right in front of you and his name is Dario Orlando. I’ll help you.” He immediately offered his help. “Think about it, and if you really want to do it-I’ll help you. You’re an Alfonzo, so you’re influential, rich, and powerful, don’t waste your time at school, and don’t miss out on spending time with your daughter.” Dario advised. For some reason, nothing other than the truth left his mouth.

Instead of Christian, who could only say I didn’t have to go if I didn’t want to, Dario gave me an actual reason and actual advice.

Stop comparing him to Christian, I told myself and took a deep breath. There was no point in comparing because there was no competition.

“Tell me about your childhood How was it?” I asked, but just by one look. I could tell that he wasn’t ready to discuss that He was such an open book and yet so closed. “We’ll save that for the next date” He winked while I felt my cheeks glow. “This was not a date.” I managed to get out.

“Anyway, what was the thing you wanted to discuss?” The thought had suddenly occurred to me.

Dario sighed and grabbed his phone. “My dad hasn’t sent the picture yet, so you’ll have to wait for a little while)

“What picture?” I laughed at his weird behavior and waited for an answer. “Let’s cut to the chase.

Christian cheated on you.” Dario frowned.

I opened my mouth in surprise before I burst out laughing and tears almost fell from my eyes. “Is that your big news?” I laughed while he gave me a startled look. “I know, and it’s unfortunate, he’s an asshole- we’re on a break, and it’s really not your business.” I nodded my head.

“How do you even know? You’re unbelievable.” I chuckled in disbelief. “You’re okay with him making you out to be some kind of fool?” Dario scoffed. “Well yeah, what can I do? We fought about it.

What’s done is donc “Serena, the way he has you wrapped around his finger is so sad. You can do much better.” Dario spoke with a disappointed look on his face. “How could you let that assistant in your house and talk to me about her like it’s nothing while she’s a home-wrecker?”

“A what?” I spoke, confused. “I-I don’t understand.”

“He’s disgusting.” Dario scoffed. “So you don’t even know.”

I clenched my fists and my head was spinning as I slowly began to realize his words. Gina?

“You don’t know what you’re talking about.” I spat out and stepped towards the stroller. “That’s enough bullshit for today. Come on-let’s leave!”

How did he have the nerve to stick his nose into my life and to accuse Gina like that?

“You don’t know Gina, she’s a good person, and you don’t even have proof, so you should mind your own business.” I turned around while Dario placed his hand on my shoulder. “Serena, these pictures were taken six months ago, and you told me Gina has been working for him for only four months. I’m sorry but I never lie.” Dario spoke as he turned me back around.

My eyes moved towards his phone, and just like that, I had forgotten about how weird it was that he had these pictures in the first place. “Now think, where were you when these pictures were taken, and why would she leave your house in a mini dress?”

Six months ago. I went through the timeline in my head and wished for it not to be true, but there was no denying it. was at the safehouse.

He lied again.

“Why are you even doing this?” I asked as tears rolled down my cheeks. I didn’t know, and I didn’t have to know. My heart was already broken enough, and I didn’t have to know that Christian lied to me again just a few hours ago.

He just couldn’t stop lying.

“Why are you trying to ruin my family? Why!” I cried as I thought about Gina, who held Siena in her arms. Christian let Gina hold Siena in her arms, and he didn’t say a word.

“I’m saying this because I want to make you a stronger person. I’m not trying to ruin you-I’m trying to heal you.” Dario spoke as he wiped away my tears. “Stop crying. He doesn’t deserve your tears.”

He pulled me into a tight hug while I cried in his arms and let out all of my sadness. Christian lied to me again, right after I allowed him to come clean.

Was it really a one-time thing, or was that another lie?

Dario rested his forehead against mine and cupped my cheeks before he stared into my eyes.

“Look at what he’s doing to you? This is not me. This is all him. I’d never treat you like that.”

“I’ll give you some space, and when you’re ready to let a real man take care of you, feel free to let me know.”