Hidden Truths (Truths and Lies 1)

At the same time, I knew Aris needed someone. He was clutching his mother’s body like she was his lifeline, and I wasn’t sure he would be able to let her go on his own.

But before I could decide who to go to, my grandfather took control, demanding everyone leave. He ushered us out the door, and Phoenix walked us to the room my mom and stepdad were staying in. It wasn’t until we were inside, with the door closed, and the silence overtook, that I realized I was trembling. Mom pulled me into her arms and held me while I cried into her chest. I cried for the two boys who lost their mother. For the woman who felt she had no choice but to take her own life. I didn’t know her well, but from the short time we spent together, I know she loved her sons more than life itself. And when the tears began to slow, and it felt as if my tear ducts were drying out, my sadness began to turn into anger. And that was when everything Nora said hit me like a wrecking ball.

“Niles cheated on you,” I say to Mom, sitting up. Her body stills, and her arms tighten around me. “He cheated on you with Kostas’s mom.”

My glossy eyes meet hers, and she nods once. “I didn’t know it was her, though.” Her voice chokes up. “It’s all my fault.” A waterfall of tears falls down her cheeks. “I approached Nora and begged her to speak to her husband.”

A knot forms in the pit of my stomach. “About what?” I ask, but I already know the answer.

“To try to make him see reason. To stop you and Kostas from marrying.” A sob breaks through, past her lips. “I didn’t know she didn’t know you two weren’t really in love. I’m the reason she was so upset.”

Oh, no. It’s not my mom’s fault. I should’ve told her. It didn’t even cross my mind she would approach Nora about it. Now, though, it all makes sense. She told Nora the real reason why Kostas and I are marrying and it broke her. It broke her because our marriage wasn’t just a debt to be paid. It was revenge. It was personal. Because Niles couldn’t remain faithful to his wife! Because he couldn’t be satisfied with what he had right in front of him. My mom wasn’t enough. My brother and I weren’t enough. Nothing is ever fucking enough for him. It’s why he is where he is. He’s a greedy, selfish asshole.

“It’s not your fault,” I say, trying to soothe her.

“I approached Kostas too,” she adds, and the small hairs on the back of my neck rise. “I begged him not to make you marry him. He warned me not to interfere…”

“You were just trying to be a good mom,” I tell her, but even as I speak the words, I know Kostas isn’t going to agree. The minute he calms down and thinks, he’s going to put two and two together, and he’s going to want revenge. Just like his father. And when it happens, my mom can’t be here.

“You need to go back to Italy,” I blurt out.

Her brows knit in confusion. “With you?”

“No.” I shake my head. “You need to go. Now. If Kostas finds out you were the one who told Nora about our wedding being a sham, he’s going to go after you. He thought I said something to her and he was livid.” I stand abruptly. “You need to go. Take Nonna and get on the first flight out.” I look around, realizing Stefano isn’t here. “Call Stefano and tell him you guys need to leave.”

“Talia,” Mom pleads. “I can’t just leave you here.”

“Yes, you can, and you will. I can’t risk Kostas hurting you. Please.” Needing her to leave right away, I grab the bags the driver left in the corner of the room and roll them to the door. “Nonna!” I call out. With everything that happened, she lay down for a nap when we got here. “Nonna, wake up!”

My hands are shaking, and my legs are trembling in fear. I’ve seen what my fiancé is capable of, and I don’t doubt for a second he won’t hesitate to torture and kill my mom if he believes she’s the reason his mother shot herself.

As I’m helping my grandmother to her feet, Stefano and Nonno walk in. They both have blood on their clothes and frowns on their faces. Without waiting for them to speak, I rush over to them. “You have to leave.”

Both men look at me in confusion, and Nonno speaks. “What’s going on?”

I quickly explain to them what my mom said to Nora and Kostas, and my grandfather agrees it’s best for them to put distance between them. “He left in the ambulance with his father,” Nonno says. “I imagine he’ll be there for some time.”