THE BADDEST PRINCIPESSA

Chapter Thirty Six - Finding Home

ARIA POV

The loss I experienced today was not just about losing my family but also about losing my trust. I now live in another dysfunctional family ruled by lies and betrayal.

Apparently, my mum cheated on my brother's dad with his brother. I was made as a result of the affair. Was I a mistake? Why does everyone keep lying to me? I hate it here. I'll never feel at home here.

"We're here, Aria." As I peer out of the window, I see a 5-star hotel in front of me. That must be where my sperm donor is staying for now.

My social worker opens my door and walks with me to the lobby. I then see him. He has a big friendly smile on his face. He doesn't appear to have any remorse despite what he's done. Typical homewrecker. He has destroyed a family. I will never be part of his family. To me, he is nothing.

I don't smile back at him, and his smile drops to a frown. "Come on, Aria, let's go see your brothers" he ushered me through the foyer.

"Who? You just made me leave my brothers," I snarked as we walked.

"Believe me, I understand this is hard for you, but you have half cousins and half brothers." He stops, bends down to my level, and places his hands on my shoulders.

"Because you had an affair", I laugh in his face. He brings himself back up, takes my hand into his own, and starts walking with me again.

"Yes, it was more than just an affair though, Bambina", he sighs.

"Don't call me that" I stepped back and pulled my hand out of his. He huffs and looks at me pleadingly as he gestures me to fall him to our suite.

He walks me inside, and all my cousins barely acknowledge our existence.

"So they're mad at you two, huh?" I sneer towards my sperm donor.

"Enough, Aria, it's been a long day, so will you drop it for a second."

"I am sorry but weren't you the one who had an affair and abandoned me. How long have you known about me?"

"Just before you left, I realised that you could be mine, but I didn't want to cause any more pain."

In my sneer, I said, "You let me live in an abusive home. I hate you.".

"I know. I thought I was doing the right thing. I watched out for you, but I saw your mother moving on without me, and I wanted her to be happy."

Yes, she was happy. She was delighted with how the drugs made her feel, but she didn't like me. My pathetic stepfather hated me, too."

"I don't know what to say."

"How about taking me home. Away from you."

"Enough of that! You aren't safe with your half brothers so you will be coming with my sons and me to Italy,"

"What?! I don't even know Italian, and you expect me to move there!"

"You'll learn because guess what you have no choice", he yells.

"You will never be my dad. You are nothing to me," I told him. He walked away in tears threatening to spill.

After Ricarcado left, Brio walked over to me with sympathy in his eyes. He wrapped his arms around me. "I'll show you your room," he said and started to guide me to my room for the night.

RICARDO POV

I had to walk away from Aria. It was too overwhelming, and it hurt me to see her in so much pain. It kills me to take her away from Ales's care. Despite his age, I know he can run his mafia and family. My daughter is my primary responsibility, however. Following the DNA test, I went home as I felt it was in the best interests of both families. When I found out Aria had gone missing after the house raid, I knew I had to take her with me to know where she was and if she was safe.