Chapter 51: Too many doubts

Ana
The day began with a heaviness in my chest that I couldn't ignore. Valeria's words echoed in my head over and over again. How could my mother be the same person who had blackmailed Valeria? I tried to focus on other things, but my mind always returned to the same question: Could Luisa, my own mother, really hurt me?
By the afternoon, I knew I had to confront her. Paolo had gone out to take care of some urgent business and Martin was handling security. I took the opportunity to visit my mother. The walk to her house felt longer than usual, my mind a whirlwind of conflicting thoughts.
When I arrived, my mother greeted me with a warm smile, but I couldn't help but feel uncomfortable. Her hugs, which used to comfort me, now felt suffocating. I forced myself to smile and act normal as she led me into the living room and offered me something to drink.
"Ana, are you okay? You seem a little distant today."
"Yes, Mom. I'm just a little tired," I lied, trying to hide my discomfort.
We sat down and talked about trivial things, but my mind kept going back to the conversation with Valeria. Could it be true? Could my mother be playing such a twisted game? When I finally said goodbye, the sense of relief I felt leaving her house was palpable.
Back at our house, I ran into Dante. He was in the living room, his expression serious as always, but his eyes softened when he saw me.
"Ana, you look worried. What's wrong?" he looked at me intently, noticing my discomfort.
"Nothing, Dante. Just a long day," I tried to evade the question.
He wasn't fooled and took a step closer, his voice low and persuasive.
"Ana, you know you can trust me. If something is bothering you, let me help you."
The sincerity in his voice almost broke down my defenses. We were silent for a few moments, the tension between us palpable. Finally, I sighed.
"Alright, there's something I need to tell you," I admitted, my words coming out in a whisper. Dante leaned closer, his gaze fixed on mine.
"You know I'll always be here for you."
I felt vulnerable under his gaze, but I also felt a spark of what we used to have. Our shared memories, the promises we had made, it all came back to my mind. There was a moment when I thought he might kiss me, and for a second, I almost let him. But then I remembered Paolo and pulled away.
"Dante, I can't. Not like this. I need to talk to you about something more important."
He stepped back a little, his expression showing a mix of disappointment and concern.
"I understand, Ana. What's going on?"
I took a deep breath, knowing I couldn't keep this to myself.
"Valeria told me something very disturbing today. She believes my mother, Luisa, is the woman who blackmailed her into betraying me."
Dante frowned, clearly surprised.
"Luisa? Are you sure?"
"Valeria is positive. I don't know what to think, Dante. She's my mother, but... if it's true, how could she have done something like that?"
He fell silent, processing the information.
"Ana, you know I've always had my doubts about her. But if this is true, we need to be very careful. We can't trust her blindly."
"I don't know what to do. I don't want to believe my mother could be capable of something so horrible, but I can't ignore what Valeria told me."
Dante looked at me with renewed intensity.
"Ana, no matter what happens, I'll be here for you. I won't let anyone hurt you, not even your mother if she turns out to be a threat."
His promise gave me a small sense of relief, but it also left me with more questions. Who could I really trust? What should I do now?
"Thank you, Dante. I need time to think. All of this is too much."
"Take all the time you need, Ana. But remember, you're not alone in this."
I nodded, feeling a mix of gratitude and confusion. As Dante walked away, I was left alone with my thoughts, trying to find a clear path amidst the storm of doubts that assailed me.
The conversation with Dante left me with more questions than answers. I felt a weight on my heart as I walked towards my mother's house. I knew I needed to confront her, but fear and distrust grew with every step.
When I arrived, Luisa greeted me with a wide smile and a hug that felt empty
"Ana, darling, I'm glad you're back. We need to talk about something important," she led me to the living room, where a map of the city was spread out on the table.
"Mom, I'm here. What is it?" I forced myself to remain calm.
"We have a crucial mission. This is our next target," she pointed to a building on the map. "We need to bring it down, and for that, we need a precise and lethal attack."
My stomach churned as I listened to her.
"How lethal are we talking?"
"There will be casualties, inevitably. But it's necessary to consolidate our power."
My hands were shaking.
"Mom, I'm not sure so many deaths are justified. There are other ways to do this."
Her expression hardened, which worried me. With everything that was going on and the doubts I had, I was afraid that she might do something to harm me or the baby at some point, just because I didn't comply with her whims. It was better to be careful.
"Ana, in this world, mercy is a luxury we can't afford. Every decision we make strengthens our position or weakens it. Do you want us to be seen as weak?"
"No, but I don't want to be a heartless killer either," my words came out with more force than I had planned.
Luisa sighed and approached me, her firm hands on my shoulders.
"Ana, everything I do is to protect you. To protect our legacy. You need to trust me."
"I want to trust you, Mom, but..." my voice broke.
"Ana, I know you're worried about the baby. I am too. I promise I'll take care of you personally during this mission. I won't let anything happen to you."
There was a coldness in her voice that I couldn't ignore, but her words touched a soft spot. The baby's safety was my top priority.
"Alright, Mom. But please, promise me you'll do everything you can to minimize the casualties."
"I promise, darling. But remember, sometimes we have to make tough decisions for the greater good."
I nodded, though the knot in my stomach didn't go away. I knew I had to stay alert, but I also knew that I needed her support now more than ever.
"When is the mission?" I tried to sound as professional as possible.
"In two days. I'll send you the details later," she looked at me with a mix of pride and something I couldn't decipher. "Now, go rest. I need you in top form."
I said goodbye with a hug, feeling her cold hand on my back. I walked back home with the weight of the conversation crushing me. Paolo and Martin were not there, and the silence of the house enveloped me. I slumped onto the couch, staring at the ceiling and thinking about what my mother had said.
Could I really trust her? Was she protecting me or using me for her own purposes? It was getting harder and harder to distinguish between the two.
My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of my phone. It was a message from my mother with the mission details. I sighed, knowing that I had no choice but to go through with it. For the sake of my baby, I had to be strong, but I also knew that I needed to keep my eyes peeled.
Time passed slowly as I waited for Paolo and Martin to return. When they finally arrived, I found myself craving the security that their presence provided. I couldn't tell them about my doubts, not yet, but I needed to feel like I wasn't alone in this.
Paolo found me on the couch and approached, his face showing concern. "Ana, are you okay?"
"Yes, just a little tired," I smiled at him, trying to hide my true feelings.
Martin joined us, his expression serious. "Ana, you know you can count on us for anything. You're not alone."
I appreciated his words, but I knew there were things I couldn't share, at least not yet. I nodded, grateful for their support, but also aware of the growing distrust that was building in my heart.