1 Prologue

I was in my room playing dress up on my tablet. It was very cold at that time of the year, so I was cuddled up in my bed waiting for my mum to call me for dinner before I heard a shrill scream from downstairs. I could recognize that voice anywhere, it was my mother's voice.

I rushed downstairs to see what caused her to scream. I stopped my steps when I saw my dad laying on the floor looking battered with my mum beside him crying.

I tried not to scream, so I covered my mouth as tears gushed out of my eyes. I wanted to meet them until I heard my dad say,

"Lo siento mi amour, no fui un buen esposo para ti ni un beun padre para Leona." (I'm sorry my love, I was not a good husband to you nor a good father to Leona).

Then I froze on the spot, I was in shock but I still eavesdrop on their conversation. My dad kept on lamenting,

"Si pudiera retroceder las manecillas del tiempo, nunca me habría unido a la mafia. Necesito que me perdone por favor, mi amor." (If I could turn the hands of time, I would never had joined the mafia. I need you to please forgive me, my love).

He paused out of breath. He sounded so weak. My mum shook her head and sobbed but my dad didn't stop talking.

"Hay algo que he querido decirte, pero no pude. Puedes conseguirlo en mi diario debago de mi cajon. Quiero que corras ileva a Leona contigo porque la persiguen." (There's something I've been wanting to tell you, but I just couldn't. You can get it in my journal under my drawer. I want you to run, take Leona with you because they are after her).

My dad reached for his gun in his waistband and said,

"Te amo mucho Leola y lo siento mucho. Cuida bien a Leona, dile que yo también la amo." (I love you so much Leola and I'm so sorry. Take good care of Leona, tell her I love her too). Those were his last words before he placed the gun by his head and pulled the trigger.

The loud sound of his shot weakened me and made my whole-body shiver. My legs were so wobbly, I could barely move them, but I did. I was so scared, so I ran to him as tears rushed out uncontrollably.

"!Padre! No, no me dejes por favor" (Father! No do not leave me please). I shook him expecting him to jerk back to life, but he laid there lifeless.

I couldn't control the tears that came, and cried out pained at how callous he could be. I felt numb with shock not knowing what to do.

I heard glass shatter and I turned immediately facing my mum. She was holding a piece of broken glass. I saw how she trembled and looked crazy; her eyes filled with a wild look.

She hadn't been herself lately because dad wasn't always at home but now, he's gone, gone forever! Leaving me alone with my mum, that's almost psycho.

"Por favor Leona, perdóname. Es demasiado para mi soportar a mi querido." (Please Leona, forgive me, It's just too much for me to bear my dear). She said walking back, warning me to stay away.

"Sé que eres una chica fuerte. Sé que puedes sobrevivir. Nunca olvides que mamá y papà te quieren." (I know you are a strong girl. I know you can survive. Never forget that mummy and daddy loved you). She said before stabbing herself.

I screamed, gripping my hair by its root as the smell of blood filled the air. I fell to the ground on my knees crying and screaming,

"No! No! ¡Me dejes!" I kept shouting, "¡No! ¡Me dejes por favor!" (No! Please do not leave me!)

The room felt cold, but I assumed it wasn't the room, it was me. I was having this nightmare again, I'm tired of having it. It keeps haunting me and leaving me pained and broken.

I felt someone tap me.

"Leona, wake up." It was him, he pulled me in for a hug.

"I'm here, I'm not going to leave you." He said stroking my hair.

I held him tight looking into his assuring eyes, my body racked with sobs I was shaking in terror. I couldn't utter a word 'because I was struck dumb with fright.

I was sweating profusely leaving the spot I laid on soaked with sweat.

His warm hug calmed me down. He promised that he'd never leave me.

My parents told me that they'd be there for me every time I needed them, but it was all a lie. They took their lives right before me telling me to 'survive in this world alone.'

I was alone surviving before he came to my way and now, he's promised never to leave me.

I believe him 'cause no matter how many times we fight he is always there for me.