Page 64 of Brutal Truths

To him, I became an obsession.

When I tried to end it, he refused to even hear me out. For the first time, I felt genuine fear. I knew, without question, he would kill me before he let me go.

After that, I was never permitted to go anywhere on my own. He imprisoned me in a house he coerced me into buying with my trust fund. A home I once loved, but soon came to despise.

On one of the rare nights he took me out, we went to London. That’s when I first met Ramon. I was seated at the bar, appearing to be alone, though I never truly was. Someone was always watching when my captor wasn’t there to do it himself.

It didn’t take long for Ramon to notice me. He was an observant man, his sharp, knowing gaze, picking up on my distress almost immediately. Without hesitation, he offered his help.

At the time, I didn’t know who he was or what he was capable of, so I refused him. Told him I was fine, that it had simply been a difficult day. Rather than arguing or pressing me for the truth, he took the seat next to me. Stayed and engaged in casual conversation until the man he was meeting arrived.

It may surprise you to learn that the man I met that night was nothing like what others believed him to be. There was a gentleness to him, a quiet strength that didn’t demand attention, but was simply there. He made no move to take advantage of my vulnerability. Instead, he offered something far more meaningful, a sense of calm I hadn’t felt in a long time.

That is the version of him I hold onto. The one I will always remember.

Our time that night didn’t last nearly long enough.

After excusing himself and affirming it was a pleasure to meet me, he got up and left. I watched him go, my confusion turning to shock when I realized who he was meeting. Panic hit me all at once as I stared at the man who’d broken me into a thousand pieces.

I rushed to my feet, desperate to leave before he noticed me. I couldn’t bear the thought of him seeing me like that, and I knew I couldn’t withstand another rejection, not after all I’d been through.

My escorts, tasked with ensuring I remained in place, stopped me and insisted I sit down. What happened next was something none of us were prepared for.

That was the moment I realized just how dangerous the man I had entrusted my heart to truly was. He showed no hesitation, no fear of the men who stepped in and told him to mind his business when he asked what was going on. Instead, he drew his gun and shot them both, devoid of any emotion.

Witnessing a murder firsthand was new to me. It’s something you never forget.

My memory of what followed is hazy. I believe I passed out. When I came to, I was no longer at the bar, but in a suite, with Ramon confronting the man my heart would always belong to.

When it was over, I was left with a choice: Ramon, or the man I loved and who would only break me again. I let my heart lead me that night and I’ve never regretted what followed.

Certain decisions are unquestionable, particularly when they bring about outcomes greater than you could have ever imagined.

You.

I know you have questions after such a crazy tale. Let me do my best to answer them now.

Is Ramon your father?

No, not biologically. But he loved you. He just wasn’t great at showing it.

How did he become your father, then?

He intervened when the situation worsened. The man I was involved with called in a favor. Ramon agreed to help us. It may sound strange to you, but had he not done that, I’m not sure either of us would have ever made it out of London alive. He saved our lives, and I will forever be grateful for that.

So, why did I poison him?

I wish the answer were straightforward. It was fear, plain and simple. We had a falling out, and Ramon was no longer interested in giving me refuge. I panicked. I knew that if he kicked us out of Hermosa Islas, the man obsessed with me would find us. His life was consumed by his delusion about me. He kept finding ways to reach me, sending gifts he thought were promises he’d one day come for me.

King Ramon’s guards were the only barrier between us and him. They kept us safe—until now.

Without their protection, we are left exposed. That’s a risk I refuse to take with you. I can handle my own troubles, but I will not allow you to be drawn into them. You deserve a life untouched by this.

I trust Antonio to do right by you. If he cannot care for you, he will find someone who can and ensure your safety under the watchful eyes of the royal guards.

Who is your father?

This is a question I know the answer to in my heart, but not one that we ever validated.