55: Unwelcome Visitor

                                    

                                          
Vicenzio DeLuca was a name not unfamiliar to Sicily. He was once a highly respected doctor, one that had tremendous influence on the Italian medical community, as well as his circle of friends. Vicenzio had a reputation, and no one dared cross him. He carried influence, powerful connections and money. 
Then, the incident happened, and four people died. It had become national news when it was reported that a doctor operated on seven people with no food or sleep at Paolo Calvinho Hospital.
No one quite understood how the case played out, but the doctor, who remained anonymous to the public, got off with no charges. But, the DeLucas knew. The DeLuca name meant something in Sicily. It carried influence, as was clear with the family lawyer that sorted everything out. 
While Vicenzio had once been a famous doctor, he was not a famous father. Carina used to bend over backwards to please him, putting her mental health and wellbeing on the line in desperation for him to pay her a compliment. 
She helped her father when no one could... when no one would. Just like Maya, Carina was the daughter that her father didn't deserve.
It took Carina a long time to realize how terrible Vicenzio was. He had manipulated her into believing that he was some sort of hero, but as she got older, his excuses lost their meaning and the truth presented itself. 
And then, once Andrea had passed and Carina called to inform her father, his response chilled her to her bones. 
"Lo sapevo già. stai chiamando per farmi perdere tempo?"
He already knew... and was accusing her of wasting his time. Vicenzio's only son had died, and there didn't seem to be any care in his voice. No grief, no sadness, no anger... nothing. 
Carina had abruptly hung up, and had not spoken to him since. That was the final straw that broke the rhetorical camel's back. She had known she'd reunite with her father eventually. She'd come to accept that fact, and imagined how the moment would take place a million different ways. 
Yet, Carina could not have anticipated this moment, because he was here, and he was angry. But, it wasn't just her or Maya. Their bambine were here. There were children here, and Vicenzio's wrath knew no bounds. 
"Maya, go to the bambine. Stay there. Make sure that they do not wake, and if they do, keep them calm," Carina pleaded, wiping away the tears that escaped her eyes. 
Gabriella stood silently, ensuring Lucia was tucked in, combing through Sarah's messy hair. All three of them were beyond thankful that the girls were so jetlagged and deeply asleep; they didn't need to experience this. 
"No, I'm not leaving you with him." Maya demanded, shaking her head vigorously. 
"He will weaponize you, and I cannot have it. I cannot hear him say cruel things about you." Carina sniffled, and Maya shook her head. 
As much as she respected Carina, loved her, and respected her wife's decisions, Maya wouldn't stand for Carina to go to the door to see her enraged father. She knew how time and time again, Vicenzio had hurt Carina, left her in shambles, and Maya refused to allow him the opportunity to do it again. Carina didn't deserve this pain. 
"I would not be a good partner if I let him say cruel things to you. He has hurt you time and time again, and he does not get to hold that over you any longer." Maya murmured, and Carina choked on a sob. 
"Carina, do you trust me?" Maya asked softly, her hands on her wife's cheeks, cradling her face as if Carina was the most precious thing in the entire world. 
To Maya, she was. Carina was her everything. 
"Of course I do, amore mio." Carina insisted tearfully, and Maya smiled gently.