Exclusively Yours – Episode 46

Riccardo’s POV 

“Mother, I beseech you to answer my query with unwavering candor. Are you capable of such honesty?” I mustered the composure in my voice, devoid of any intentions to instill fear.

My mother slowly acquiesced, her gaze locked onto mine, unwavering.

“What transpired during my fourteenth year?”

Instantly, her countenance shifted from tranquility to a restlessness that took hold. A creeping terror began to consume me, despite my prior resolve to not entirely believe Jade’s claims.

“Mum?” I called out.

“My dearest, you…” my mother’s voice trailed off.

“I implore you, do not offer me any excuses. Be sincere with me, please,” I pleaded, tears welling up in my eyes as I closed them, hoping to alleviate the pounding of my heart. “Just tell me, I beg of you.”

“You… were involved in an accídent, my precious,” she confessed.

“And?” I pressed.

“The accídent took the lives of a married couple. When you emerged from your coma, your memory of the incident had been eradicated. Your father and I made a conscious decision not to reintroduce or inform you of these events.”

A scoff escaped my mouth as I laughed hysterically. “Really? What happened to the couple?”

“They diéd,” she replied. “We did it for you, my love.”

“No. Don’t you dare say that!” I yelled, tugging hard on my hair, nearly ripping it out of my scalp. “Don’t touch me!”

My mother flinched, and I almost felt bad. “Riccardo, please listen…” Her hands moved in an attempt to touch me again, and I stepped back.

“No. I’m a kíller. I killéd Olivia’s parents. Those people were Olivia’s parents.”

It was slow, but the realization dawned on her face, and her mouth dropped. “Anastasia and Jeremy Donovan are Olivia’s parents?”

Olivia will never forgive me.

What if she decides to leave me?

What if she hatés me forever?

What if she doesn’t look at me the same way?

I made a pathetic attempt to inhale some oxygen I was quickly losing in my lungs, but no air entered. My head started to spin, and fatigue slowly enveloped me.

“You’re shaking, Riccardo.”

Am I?

Looking down at my hands, I noticed they were truly shuddering. My whole body started trembling, and more breath left me.

“Mum, I will díe if Olivia hatés me.” The words left my mouth with great difficulty. “M-mum, Olivia can’t hàte me.”

My mother gripped my forearm tightly, forcibly making me face her. “Please, calm down and breathe slowly.”

I can’t.

I can’t breathe.

“If Olivia hatés you when you tell her the truth, then she isn’t the one for you,” she dared to say, and I jerked myself away from her.

Does she know how much effort and time I put into making Olivia finally love me?

Does she know what has gone into making Olivia mine?

She doesn’t, and she will never know.

“I can’t believe you right now, Mum. I killéd people, whether it was a mistake or not, it happened, and unfortunately, they were my wife’s parents. If Olivia hatés me, she has every right to,” I said, disappointedly, shaking my head. “You did a terríble thing, and you should be ashamed of yourself.”

With nothing more to say, I walked out of the house, ignoring her frantic calls. Getting into my car, I zoomed off, not sure where I’m headed.

All I know is that my life is about to turn upside down with this news. Everything is ruinéd. Completely and utterly shattered.

How will I look at Olivia when I get home?

How can I look into her eyes and tell her that I am the one responsible for ruíning her childhood?

It is because of me that she has nightmares. I’m the reason she can’t sleep at night when it rains. It is all my fault.

Why didn’t I just díe with them?

At least, I wouldn’t have grown up and found solace in Olivia’s arms. I wouldn’t have even met her. She would have been okay without me in her life.

But, unfortunately, I’m already in her life and will soon be out when she finds out. How will I survive without her in my life?

                              ✷✷✷✷

Olivia’s POV

Glancing up from the screen of my laptop, I looked at Riccardo as he entered the house with slow and cautious steps, as if he were trying not to make any noise.

It is currently past nine in the evening, and he should have arrived earlier, but I understand he’s busy with work.

“Babe, are you okay?” I asked, cradling his face. His eyes were red with exhaustion and something else. “You don’t look fine.”

“I’m fine, Olivia.”

Olivia?

Did… Did I do something?

Just as I was still recovering from the shock, he surprised me again by removing my hands from his face.

“Did something happen at work?” I asked again, stepping forward to meet his eyes. “What is wrong with you? Can you please talk to me?”

“Olivia, I don’t want to talk, please,” Riccardo snapped angrily, causing me to flinch and stumble back startled. “Please, just let me be for just one second.”

“Aren’t you going to eat dinner?” I inquired, stopping him midway as he strode to the stairs. “I ordered something in case you were hungry when you got home.”

He spun to face me again, the tiredness increasingly evident in his eyes. “I am not hungry, Sunshine. Please, just give me a second.”

“If something is bothering you, you can tell me. I’m here for you, I promise.”

“Are you?”

I nodded.

“Will you still want to be with me if you find out the darkést secret of my life?” 

Without hesitation, I nodded affirmatively, determined to stand by this man through thick and thin. I love him wholeheartedly and cannot bear the thought of losing him. 

“What if I tell you that I ki—” Riccardo’s voice trailed off as he shook his head, his expression troubled. With a pained whimper, he left me alone in the living room, climbing up the stairs. 

As I watched him go, confusion and a tinge of húrt lingered in my heart. I wondered what was troubling him so deeply. 

He appeared weighed down by an immense burden, and I hoped he would eventually confide in me. Together, we would face whatever it was… at least, I hoped we could.

TBC 📖✍️