Chapter 24

I descend to the living room and go to find my Nona to give her the news that Morgan has awakened. She was watering her plants in the garden. After my father's death, my grandmother found refuge and strength by tending to her garden. It was what gave her a reason not to collapse emotionally.

"Nona?"

"Yes, my dear. What happened?"

"Morgan woke up."

"Great news! How is he?"

"Well, a bit too well. He woke up talking nonsense."

"What kind of nonsense?" she asks, curious.

"Oh, never mind. Come on, let me help you," I hold her hands to assist her in leaving the garden.

"Let's go, let's meet this young man."

"Just so you know, he's not a good person, Nona. Don't have high expectations. He's rude, cruel, I'd even bet he might be a psychopath," I gesture with my hands.

"But there must be something good about him since you went through so much to save his life."

"Yes, because he still owes me something. Once he's paid me back, then he can leave."

"Don't talk nonsense, my daughter. It's God who decides who stays and who goes. Let's go inside."

As we enter the house, Morgan is busy preparing lunch. He seems to be trying to ingratiate himself with my grandmother. Unbelievable.

"Well, well, what do we have here?" Nona exclaims as she looks into the pots.

"I apologize if I've been a bit intrusive. Laura told me what you did for me, and I wanted to somehow show my gratitude. After all, you saved my life," he says, placing ingredients on the counter.

"Thank Laura. She arrived here with you, desperate and afraid that something might happen to you if you took any longer. If she hadn't arrived when she did, you wouldn't have made it."

"I remember her being terrified. But between us, Nona, may I call you that?"

"Yes, my son, of course," she smiles.

"But he's quite audacious. Now he even wants to steal my grandmother from me?" Laura interjects.

"What are you talking about, dear?" Nona asks, confused.

"Never mind, Nona. Laura is still shaken by everything that's happened to her, and that's what love does to people. It makes us afraid of losing," he smiles as he speaks.

"Yes, and so much love that you want to squeeze them until they break," she says, giving his wound a light squeeze.

"Ouch! That's a lot of love, my Laura," he whispers in her ear. "You can't run away from what you feel."

I distance myself from Morgan, irritated. How dare he, that audacious guy, call my grandmother "Nona"? And he even wants to earn her affection? He's gone too far.

"Come, Nona, have a seat. I'm finishing up lunch. While it's cooking, let's have a chat," Morgan says.

"Yes, my son, of course. Come, let's go to the living room. I'll show you some family photos," she suggests.

"I'd love to see Laura's childhood photos. She must have been an adorable child."

"I'm going to my room. I can see you two are getting along well. Excuse me," Laura exits.

"Don't mind her, my son. She's stressed. She had to summon a lot of strength to get you into the car and evade the people who were following you. She arrived here with you almost lifeless, spent the entire night by your bedside, crying, afraid that something might happen to you. Give her some time."

"I don't remember anything. All I recall is finding out they were heading where she was to try and kill her."

"Who did this to you?" she asks, curious.

"I'll tell you everything, from a few days ago when I learned about the War."

"Go ahead, my son. Tell me without too much detour."

"It was four days ago..."

*** 4 Days Ago

Morgan had let Laura go. Not because he wanted to end everything he felt for her, but because he was afraid someone might hurt her. The best option at that moment was to let her go. If she came back, it should be of her own accord. Laura's eyes were tearful and dissatisfied with everything she had learned about Morgan. Seeing her cry was like something inside of her was dying. After Laura left, Morgan went to Loren to attempt a peace agreement. He had never begged for anything before, but for Laura, he was willing to do the impossible.

"I was a bit surprised and intrigued by your call," Loren says.

"We need to talk in person. It would be better."

"Then tell me what's so important."

"I know you're still suffering from everything that happened to our son. It was difficult for me as well. But I don't remember anything after the accident or what led me to act the way I did with you. All I know is that our marriage wasn't based on love, and you know that."

"And was it important for you to tell me something I already know? To tell me everything I've heard before?"

"I haven't finished yet. It's not about repeating what you already know, but about what you'll do after I've said what I need to. I want you to leave Laura alone. She's not to blame for anything. You've developed an unhealthy obsession with her, blaming her for everything, even for our son. You used to be fair, and now you're blaming an innocent person."

"So you're going to leave Laura alone, and blah, blah, blah. The same old script. You don't know how devastating it is to lose a child and never be able to have another, to watch your marriage crumble. And the worst part is knowing that she'll get the life that was meant to be mine. She'll be able to give you the children you always wanted, take the place that should be mine. And me? I'll be just a lonely woman for the rest of my life, hollow inside," she wipes her tears as she speaks.

"There's nothing I can do to fix the past, but I can try to build the future. If you end this rivalry with Laura and promise to leave her alone, I'll come back to you and forget everything I feel for her. And I promise I'll do my best to be the husband you need," he lowers his head as he speaks.

"And what guarantees that you won't meet her behind my back?" she questions.

"When was the last time I lied to you?"

"Alright, Morgan. I'll talk to my father. But I can't assure you that he'll remain silent after we were humiliated in public with your fake engagement and Niklaus' death."

"I'll deal with your father. I'm talking about you not crossing paths with Laura anymore. That should be sufficient."

"Let's say I agree, what will happen?"

"I'll tell Laura something that will make her hate me."

"Then do it as soon as possible. When you've done what you need to, come back to our house in Venice. I'll be waiting for you there."

"And why Venice?"

"I want you far away from anything that could facilitate your deceiving me."

Loren agrees with Morgan's proposal, no matter how hurt she is, she still loves him. However, before heading to Venice, she leaves a small preview of what would happen to Laura if Morgan were to deceive her. After departing, she orders her men to take action.

"Hello, Faruk, this is Loren. I need a favor you owe me. I want you to find out where Laura Lancellotti is and give her a little taste of what it's like to cross paths with Loren Bélier. After that, I want you to give Morgan a little scare."

"But ma'am, how am I going to do this with Dom?"

"Either you do it, or I make him aware of all the business deviations you've been involved in for years. Do we understand each other?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"I knew I could count on you. Goodbye."

Faruk carries out what Loren requested. He locates Laura's whereabouts and orders shots to be fired at her house. Later, he commands a group to invade Morgan's location and give him a scare. Since Faruk is one of Morgan's subordinates, he knows Morgan's movements well. Upon entering Morgan's house, one of the men gets shot and ends up revealing Loren's plans to Morgan.

*** Present Time

"She's never going to stop pursuing my granddaughter, is she?" Nona says, perplexed after hearing the entire story from Morgan.

"She won't. Her family is very powerful, and with her brother's death, many people turned against me. They didn't consider the fact that he nearly assaulted Laura."

"Do you love her, my son?"

"Since the first day, I saw her. That's why I'm asking you not to tell her anything. I want to have one last happy weekend with her before I go to Venice. I can't bear the thought of anything happening to her."

"Alright, I haven't hired anyone. I just hope that in the future, God reunites you both."

"I'm not religious, but if there is a God, I hope he's listening."