“Sophia, this is all my fault,” she said, crying.
“I didn’t teach my grandson properly and I allowed him to do something so cruel. Please, I promise he will make it up to you. Only you can help control Angelo’s nightmare disorder. I beg you, please forgive him, if not for his sake, then for the help I gave to your people before … ”
It was just like that scene seven years ago when she came to our village.
But this time, I would not turn back. Angelo’s nightmare disorder no longer had anything to do with me. I didn’t care anymore whether he lived or died.
When Mrs. Lombardi realized that I was serious about leaving, she sighed again and again. She looked like she wanted to tear Maria apart with her bare hands. Meanwhile, the doctor said my body was still too weak and I needed a few days of rest before the abortion could be done.
I booked the appointment for the day after tomorrow and left the hospital with what little strength I had left.
After cremating the bodies of my grandmother and my son, I brought their ashes back to the mansion. But as soon as I opened the front door, something heavy hit me on the forehead. I stumbled backward and accidentally knocked over the incense and candles by the entrance.
The hot wax burned my hand, while my eyes were filled with tears from the pain.
When I looked up, I saw a small cloth doll. It was about the size of a walnut, covered in dried herbs and stuck into a piece of torn cloth that used to be a peace blessing.
I spoke without thinking, “This isn’t from my grandma-”
Before I could finish, Angelo grabbed my wrist hard and shouted with rage.
“If not her, then who else? It had to be your evil Romani Family! Your grandmother embroidered that peace blessing for Maria as a gift, but you dare to hide a cursed spell inside the doll!”
“I’m warning you … if anything happens to Maria or her baby, I’ll make sure you and your dead grandmother are buried with them!”
The blister on my hand burst from the pressure. In fact, the pain made my vision go black for a second. But Angelo wasn’t done. His anger hadn’t cooled at all.
He called for the bodyguard to hold me in place and handed a wooden ruler to Maria.
“She keeps trying to hurt you. You haven’t had the chance to fight back before, but now I’m giving you the chance. Go ahead, Maria! Take your revenge!”
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.