Page 170 of Arturo's Temptation

“Mrs Ramos, it’s a pleasure to meet you. You are welcome in our home.” Lorenzo politely nodded his head, flashing my mum a smile that didn’t touch his eyes.

“Thank you. You are too kind.”

I led her into the meeting room. It was quiet in there, private too. She lowered herself down in the chair opposite me as Lorenzo sat beside me. Her eyes darted around at the surroundings, looking completely out of place.

“How are you not dead?” I blurted, not being able to hold it back any longer.

“Arturo,” Lorenzo warned, pulling me back, “maybe we should start slow, yes?” I blew out a breath and shuffled in my seat.

“Where have you been, Mum?” I asked, gentler this time.

“With Frank.” The words hit me like a fucking sledgehammer.

Frank? Frank fuckin’ Hamilton.

“That ain’t possible. I watched you die. Fuck, I held you in my arms as you took your last breath—” Lorenzo placed his hand on my shoulder to settle me.

“I don’t know,mi hijo. It was Frank, he planned everything. He wanted to… hurt you. I think that’s why he faked my death. And every day since, he’s kept me trapped in his house,” she sobbed, tears splashing on the glass tabletop.

I jumped to my feet, hurrying to her side. I wrapped my arms around her, letting her tears soak my t-shirt.

“Shh, Mama. Está bien. Estás aquí conmigo ahora.” I soothed.

“I am s-sorry. I should have escaped him s-sooner.”

“How did you get out?” I asked, rubbing her back.

“The housekeeper. I think she hated him more than I did. She helped me escape one day, distracted him so I could slip out the back door. I was meant to be asleep in my room so he didn’t think to search for me for quite some time.”

Bile slithered up my throat. I knew what would happen to that woman now. Frank’s brutality was unmatched, and when someone went behind his back they would suffer for it, regardless as to their reasons.No forgiveness, no second chances.

“How about I show you to your room and you can get some rest, then once you’re up to it we can talk about this more, hmm?” Lorenzo asked, not moving from his seat.

“Thank you. I would like that,” she nodded, rising from her chair. “Mi hijo, I’ll see you and your fiancée later.” She patted my cheek like she used to when I was a boy and the memory hit me hard. Lorenzo ignored the fiancée comment and held the door open for my mum. The moment the door shut, I let out the breath I’d been holding since we left the flat.

My mum was alive… She was here.

I knew I should feel overjoyed… So why didn’t I?

55

I dumpedthe bags on the bed, absolutely exhausted. My mother loved to shop, but at just over seven months pregnant following my mother as she bounced from store to store was getting harder. The sound of the door opening behind me caught my attention.

“Dios mío.I am so sorry. This is the wrong room.” I frowned at the female Spanish voice that floated across the room. Spinning on my heel, I gasped as I came face to face with a ghost. Her raven hair was cut into a bob and lined with grey hairs. Her eyes looked strange though, lifeless and vacant.

“Can I help you?” I asked, stepping closer. Her eyes were steady but her slim frame shook with fear and confusion.

“I was looking for my son… I can’t seem to find him.” She dropped her gaze, unable to keep mine. “This is a very big house.” I cocked my head to one side.

“Your son?” I asked, holding my breath.

“Yes, Arturo? He works here. Do you know him?”

A deep shudder ran through me as she confirmed my suspicion. How? How was this possible? As I took another lookat her, it was clear she hadn’t been taking care of herself. She was in desperate need of a good bath and some sleep.

Clearing my throat, I composed myself and smiled. “I do,” I replied, taking her arm.

“Oh, you are his?—?”

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