Despised
Dimitri couldn't get that out of his head—the memories of his two different deaths merged in his thoughts. That day, he received a visit from a man who seemed to know him perfectly.
"Sir, I'm glad to see that you've awakened."
"I don't want to be rude, but I have no idea who you are. My father told me you were my assistant, a person I trust completely, but seeing you, it seems like the first time."
"I understand, sir. My name is Igor Peskov, and as Mr. Petrov mentioned, I've been your assistant for many years."
Dimitri sighed deeply. If anyone could investigate Laura Cassini, it was this man.
"If he's truly trustworthy, I need you to prove it."
"I'm at your service, sir."
"I need you to investigate the lives of Laura Cassini and Luke Lombardo. I want to know absolutely everything about them and if I know them from somewhere."
"I'll get on it right away, sir. It won't be difficult; they are the most powerful families in the northern part of the city."
"Perfect, I want the results as soon as possible."
"You'll have them in the shortest time possible."
Dimitri's assistant knew how to do his job well; he was well-trained. He bid farewell and hurried out to start gathering the information his boss had requested.
"At last, I'll find out who you are, Laura Cassini, and what I have to do with you and Luke Lombardo. You can't be a good person if you dared to betray him."
In the northern part of the city, Laura didn't know how to respond to Luke's parents.
"So, you didn't know that man?" Luke's mother practically shouted when questioning Laura.
"I assure you, I don't know him from anywhere. I had never seen him before."
"We're leaving right now; there's nothing to ensure you're not responsible for our son's death—the one who ordered it. What's in your womb may be nothing but a bastard."
The cruel words of the woman wounded Laura deeply. There was no reason to treat her that way; she hadn't done anything.
"As for the will, it will be contested. Nothing that belonged to my son, you'll be able to touch," James trembled with the fury he felt at that moment. That woman had managed to deceive them.
Lucas, who had seen the news, arrived at that moment. Fortunately, his house was close to Laura's.
"There's no need to talk to her like this. These are baseless news. My cousin trusted Laura completely, and his will shall be respected."
"It seems you've also fallen under this woman's influence. She deceived us too, but upon learning the truth, we can't overlook that she ordered our son's assassination."
"Uncle, please, react. It's clear that someone is trying to frame her."
"We're leaving. We'll send for our things later. I'll go immediately to see our lawyer, then to the police station. This woman must be behind bars."
James and Emma left immediately, feeling furious and deceived. Laura slumped into a chair, not understanding what was happening.
"Laura, don't pay attention. I'll hire a private investigator, and we'll know the truth soon. I won't leave you alone; I'll be by your side."
"Why are you doing this?" she asked as tears wet her face.
"You are my cousin's wife, someone I considered a brother. You carry in your womb the only thing left of him in this world. So, I will help you protect it. Come on, wipe that sad face off. Don't dwell on it; I'll get to work on solving this right away."
Sarah, still hidden, listening, felt her hatred for her sister growing in that moment.
"Cursed woman! First Luke, and now Lucas. I have to come up with a plan to make him hate you too. Everyone must hate you."
She turned around stealthily to walk away. She couldn't stand listening anymore. If she did, she wouldn't be able to control herself. She imagined grabbing Laura by the hair and dragging her across the floor and laughed at the thought.
Laura's grandparents came downstairs shortly afterward, unaware of what had happened.
"Daughter, why are you crying?" The grandmother thought it might be because Lucas resembled her husband.
"They've sent a video to the news implicating Laura in my cousin's death. This is a well-thought-out plan. I offered my help; I'll find the responsible party."
"Thank you so much, Lucas. I'd like to help in the investigation," the grandfather wanted to be useful.
"Grandpa, you shouldn't have gotten up. Your heart is still delicate. Come on, go back to bed."
"She's right, Laura. Come on, let's go. Lucas will take care of finding out what's going on."
Sarah entered Laura's room, took out more jewelry to pay the criminal. She didn't want him daring to come to collect.
The girl took a taxi again. The driver did the same as the previous one, dropping her off a few blocks before. The homeless men catcalled her more forcefully than before.
!
Sarah realized that in her haste, she had forgotten to change. The skirt she was wearing was too short, and as she noticed the attention it drew, she walked faster, almost running. The men began to laugh when they noticed her fear.
She didn't stop until she reached the bar; her breath was heavy as she stood at the entrance, trying to calm down while sweating.
She wiped the sweat from her forehead with her hand. When she finally felt more composed, she walked to the bar to ask for the man.
"Gerald said you'd come. Go up; the second room on the right is yours."
"No, tell him I came down."
"He won't. He drank until dawn, and you'd better go up now because he was about to go looking for you at your house."
Sarah cursed under her breath, climbed the stairs to the indicated room, knocked on the door repeatedly until she heard Gerald's voice allowing her to enter.
"Wow, doll, I thought you wouldn't come. Come in, and close the door. I don't want anyone to know about our deal."
"Well, it seems the man downstairs knew you would come for me."
"Hush, give me the rest of my payment."
Sarah took out the jewelry and handed them to the criminal. Gerald tossed them aside onto the bed, then grabbed her by the neck.
"Some jewelry is missing; it's less than last time."
"That's not true; this should settle our deal."
"No, darling, but I know how I'm going to collect."
The man began to run his hand up Sarah's leg. Shortly after, she found herself naked on the bed, paralyzed by fear.
"Your first time, interesting," the man said as he inserted his fingers between her legs. Sarah bit her lip; she wanted to destroy that wretched man, but her strength was not enough to defend herself.
!
Sarah felt deep nausea; the contact and breath of that man seemed infernal.
Gerald took her chin, pressed his mouth against hers. The girl pressed her lips, and the man forcefully pushed his tongue into her mouth, moving it from side to side, causing Sarah to gag.
"Stupid, you dare to be disgusted when I'm kissing you. Now I'll teach you."
He forcefully spread her legs, entering her body without delicacy. With the cruel thrust, Sarah felt the worst pain of her life, one she couldn't have imagined existed.
While the man moved rhythmically, in her mind, the girl begged for it to stop.
"You're a disgrace," she shouted when the man moved away.
"I'm going to take a shower; when I come out, I don't want to see you. And you know you can't report me because I'll tell everyone what you've done."
Sarah got up as soon as the man entered the bathroom, placing her hand on her abdomen; the pain was very intense.
She dressed as quickly as possible and left the room. The man behind the bar began to laugh upon seeing her.
"Uhhh, he dispatched you very quickly. A beauty like you, I would keep her in my room for three full days."
Despite the pain, Sarah began to run towards the street; a trickle of blood ran down her legs. She had to endure the obscenities shouted by the men on the sidewalk.
A bit further, she was fortunate to find a taxi, which, upon seeing her condition, agreed to stop.
She gave the address of her best friend; she didn't want to go home. They would notice that something had happened, and she could get into trouble.
At night, on the south side, Dimitri received Igor again.
"What has happened?"
"I bring the results of the investigation."
"So fast?"
"They are well-known people; it's easy to research their lives."
Dimitri took the folder Igor had brought and proceeded to read its contents. After Igor bid farewell, Dimitri focused on the information.
"Laura Cassini, 22 years old, heiress to the Cassini fortune. The eldest daughter of the Cassini couple, who died years ago in an accident. She was raised by her grandparents, Ana and Oliver Cassini. Her sister is named Sarah, 18 years old, and no other relatives are known. She works as a reporter for the morning news, 'Noticia al día.' She married Luke Lombardo, who was murdered during their wedding celebration. She is the sole heir to all her husband's assets.
Luke Lombardo, 32 years old, known as the Night Wolf in the business world. A ruthless but fair CEO, owner of an empire and president of Shangri Tech Lab, the country's largest technology company known as the Lombardo Empire. Murdered during his wedding celebration. Survived by his wife and parents. The police department has no leads in the case so far."
The provided information was concise but sufficient. Dimitri examined the two attached photographs.
"So, you are Laura Cassini. Who would have thought that I had you in front of me a few days ago?" The girl was beautiful, with long, straight blonde hair flowing down her waist. A short fringe framed her face, accentuating her emerald green eyes.
He then shifted his attention to the photograph of Luke Lombardo, scrutinizing it. He was certain that he knew this man from somewhere.
Dimitri called Igor again, asking him to come immediately. A few minutes later, Igor arrived.
"Is something wrong, sir? Was the information not sufficient?"
"If that woman is a reporter, I need you to contact the news station. I will give an interview, and I will only give it to her."
Igor left determined to fulfill his boss's order. That same night, Dimitri had another dream. The same girl whose face he couldn't see handed him a small white box adorned with pastel-colored ribbons.
Upon opening it, he felt a sense of happiness he hadn't experienced in a long time. Inside the box were tiny shoes. As he looked up, he saw that the woman smiling before him was the same Laura.