lissa’s POV
The prison gates opened as I walked out, and Ricardo walked beside .
His steps were slow.
He was old now.
Prison had aged him.
His hair was grey.
His face was wrinkled, too.
The car was waiting for us, the driver opened the door, and Ricardo got in. I got in beside him.
The driver settled in too before he pulled away; the prison disappeared behind us.
Ricardo leaned back in the seat. He looked at . His smile was wide. "You did well, lissa. I knew you would. I knew my little girl would never disappoint ."
I smiled, "I told you I could handle it, Daddy. I learned from the best. I learned from you."
Ricardo laughed. It was a rough sound like gravel. "That’s right. You learned from , not like your stupid sister. Too weak. She never had what it takes to survive in this world."
"Ariana was always your favorite," I said. My voice was flat. "Always the golden child. Always the one who could do no wrong. Even when she left. The one you showed the world, not ."
Ricardo was quiet for a mont. His face was guilty. "I’m sorry, my child, I’ve made a lot of mistakes I’m not proud of, but I promise I’m going to rectify them now."
I turned to look at him. At the man who had been my father. The man who had raised secretly away from his family. The man who had taught everything I knew about lies and manipulation and survival.
"It doesn’t matter now, we’ve moved past that, Dad. What matters is what I have. What I’ve taken. What I’ve built."
Ricardo nodded slowly. "Now tell , what are we looking at?"
I smiled a real smile. "I have Dante at the top of my fingers. He signed over the power of attorney to . I control everything, his money, his company."
Ricardo’s eyes glead. "And the children? Ariana’s children? What about them?"
I shrugged. "All of them are with Marcus now. I can’t handle the stress anyway; it’s good he doesn’t rember having any kids."
Ricardo reached over and patted my hand.
"You’ve done better than I ever expected. I’m proud of you, my child. Truly proud."
I looked at his hand on mine, old, wrinkled, and veiny.
"Daddy," I said. The word felt strange in my mouth. "I have a penthouse for you ready sowhere you could lay low until we have everything we need."
Ricardo nodded. "And then? What happens when it’s over?"
I smiled. "Then we disappear and start up a new life, just you and ."
Ricardo laughed again. "I like the way you think, little girl.."
The car pulled up to a building.
The driver opened the door. Ricardo got out. I got out beside him.
We walked into the building.
The lobby was marble.
Gold.
Chandeliers.
The elevator took us to the top floor. The doors opened. The penthouse was huge.
"This is... this is sothing else, lissa."
I smiled. "Only the best for you, daddy. You deserve it. After everything you’ve done for . After everything you’ve sacrificed."
Ricardo walked to the window. He looked out at the city.
"Be careful," he said. His voice was serious now. "Dante cannot rember. He cannot recall his past. He cannot suspect anything until we’ve taken everything. Not until it’s too late for him to fight back."
"He won’t rember," I said. "The doctors said his mory loss is permanent. The trauma was too severe. His brain is too damaged. He’ll never get back what he lost."
Ricardo turned to look at . His eyes were sharp. "And if they’re wrong? What if he does rember? What if one day he wakes up and he knows the truth?"
I t his gaze."Then I’ll deal with it the sa way I’ve dealt with everything else. I’ll know how to handle things, you just don’t worry, daddy."
Ricardo nodded slowly. "Good."
I am my father’s child.
My father had with his other woman, his first lover, not the woman his family forced him to marry.
My mother died at childbirth, and my father gave up for adoption, and although he did co to visit from ti to ti, he made sure I got whatever I wanted... I still wanted more, to be with him just like I’d see on the news when he was up with his perfect little family.
Ariana has always taken everything from , but not anymore. I’m taking it all back.
And she had nothing.
Nothing but pain and loss and grief.
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