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“You want to know what you signed, Alfonso?” I smiled at my husband across his desk, my fingers tapping the folder. “Just another contract, Jay. You handle these things better than me.” I almost laughed. He never read anything I put in front of him. Four years of marriage ended with one careless signature. I had been the perfect wife. Quiet. Loyal. Grateful. Until the first Christmas, when he brought my adoptive sister home. “This is Anne,” he had said. “My real love.” After that, I became invisible. Every lie was forgiven. Every bruise explained away. Every tear ignored. Last Christmas, I bled on the floor and lost our baby while he ran after her. This Christmas, I watched him button his shirt and lie straight to my face. “Will you wait up for me tonight?” he asked softly. “Of course,” I said. “I always do.” Anne leaned against the wall, lipstick smudged, smiling like she’d already won. “You should try harder, sister,” she whispered. I looked at her and finally felt nothing. What they didn’t know was that my real family had come back. That Mafia Moretti blood ran through my veins. “Merry Christmas, Alfonso,” I said as I walked out. “This year, I’m the gift. And you’re the price.” —————————— Prologue Jay - 'Karma has a new name, and it’s Jay. This festive season, every day will be filled with misery for Alfonso and Anne. My revenge starts today, and by the time I delivered all twelve gifts to him, everything Alfonso worked for would have crumbled beneath his feet. Call it my version of the twelve days of Christmas. There will be no Merry Christmas for my now ex-husband. He has been a naughty boy these past four years and his list has been checked twice. Coal in his stocking is too good for him. His stocking will be filled with misery and regret. Not even Santa can save him from me this year. Oh, ‘tis the season, hubby. This is my season for revenge.' .................. Jernail Walters was the beloved heir and adopted daughter of the Walters family. Until her new husband brought the true Walters heiress home on Christmas. Instead of getting the Christmas gift she wanted from her new husband, he announced to her parents that the woman with him was their biological daughter. That was the day that everything changed for Jay. Lies, secrets, affairs, and abuse, became her new norm. Until last Christmas when she decided to put herself first. This Christmas she is setting out to get her revenge on her tormentors in a festive way. She has enough back up from her biological family, who just so happen to be the biggest Mafia crime family around. Jay's version of the 12 days of Christmas is coming for Alfonso and Anne. And it will be good fun to watch them squirm. She had her mind set on revenge, but it's hard to stay focused when her biological brother's best friend sets his sights on her. He will stop at nothing to get his principessa. Now she has to get her revenge, handle a business, navigate the dangerous Mafia world, and run from her feelings for her charming love interest. Oh, this should be fun! ........................ Jernail In two days, it's Christmas, and the day I finally leave my husband of four years. I willingly agreed to this arranged contract marriage to appease my adoptive parents. And for the first year, we were happy. We got to know each other and fell in love regardless of our marriage being arranged. Or maybe he was just playing the part, and I was the only one in love. It doesn't even matter anymore. It's over now, and I can finally be free. “Another year isn't that long, sweety. I know Alfonso has hurt you, but he loves you. He is just easily manipulated by your sister. Please just give him one more chance,” Grandpa Charles said last year on Christmas day, when I told him I wanted to divorce my husband, his grandson, Alfonso. I should have said no, but I can never say no to that old man. I love him as if he were my blood. I just didn’t realize that by agreeing to give Alfonso another year, I would lose even more of myself. But, I am not that naive girl anymore, though. I have always been a ‘live and let live,’ kind of girl. But these four years with Alfonso Du Pont and his mistress have taught me a few hard life lessons. So I decided that I wanted a bit of revenge for everything I endured. I was going to go easy on them. Just mess with him a bit and expose his mistress, my adoptive sister, Anne, for what she really is. But then she did the unthinkable. She pushed me down the staircase, causing me to miscarry. And what did my husband do? He blamed me and took her side like he always has. He left me lying in a pool of blood on Christmas Eve, as our baby died inside of me, so he could tend to Anne’s fictitious injury. Even my adoptive parents were angry at me for letting Anne fall. No one cared about me, or my baby I lost. Anne has everyone tightly wrapped around her fingers. And she can do no wrong in their eyes. But all gloves are off. They took my baby from me and for that, they will pay.I am about to show the entire Du Pont and Walters family what happens when you mess with a mafia princess. Oh right, how rude of me. Allow me to formally introduce myself. My name is Jernail Walters, but I have only recently discovered that I am the lost daughter of the Moretti family. My biological parents may have named me Julliana Moretti, but Lisa, the woman who looked after me at the orphanage, named me Jernail. It’s a bit of an odd name, but I love it either way. Everyone just calls me Jay, and that is who I will remain. The entire city knows that the Moretti’s moved back here to reclaim their territory. And everyone is running scared. Especially my husband and my adoptive father, Joel Walters. But no one knows that they came back for a more personal reason. They came to find me. They thought I was dead, and in their grief, they left and went back to Italy when I was ten. I guess I ultimately have Alfonso to thank for our reunion. If Anne hadn't humiliated me on social media, my bio parents would not have seen the clip of me and recognized my birthmark. The clip of me falling into the pool has since vanished, thanks to my brother, Marcello. I love him already, he is so sweet. But for now, we have to pretend to be strangers until the time is right. I fiddle with the initial J on my dainty gold bracelet I never take off, and I think about how I ended up in this mess. My adoptive parents have always been the third-wealthiest family in this city, and the Du Pont’s are the second. But the Moretti family was right on top of the food chain, and they dominated the industry. The Walters and Du Pont’s wanted a stronger alliance so they could stand against the Moretti’s. So they agreed for their heirs to marry. But they didn’t expect the Moretti’s to leave the city. The true Walters’ heir is my sister, Anne. But she disappeared when she was ten and that is when my adoptive parents took me in. I resembled Anne a bit, so they showed me off as their own. My adoptive mother, Olivia Walters, had to have a hysterectomy so she couldn't produce another heir, and I fitted the bill perfectly to play the role of their daughter. I knew I was just there to fill an empty void for them, but I was just happy to have a family. I was found wandering the streets one town over, when I was ten, and I had no memories of my life before I ended up at the orphanage. I had a nasty concussion and some bruises when Lisa found me. All I had on me was the clothes on my back and this bracelet I never take off. I now know that it was given to me by my biological mom, so it means even more to me now. I honestly didn't have a bad childhood. On the contrary, the Walters were good parents. I went to the best schools and I had the most expensive tutors. They spoiled me and treated me like a princess. The staff were all great, and my biggest ally has always been their butler, Gerard. I really had no complaints growing up. I am not very materialistic, but I appreciated everything they did for me and gave me. That is why I willingly agreed to marry Alfonso. Then on the first Christmas after we got married, instead of receiving the gift I had been expecting, my husband brought Anne to the Walters home, and announced to them that she was their biological daughter. He had apparently been searching for her all these years in secret. My entire life started to crumble after that first Christmas. I should've run then, but I never knew what was in store for me. Anne is a horrible airhead and she loves making my life miserable. She hates me because she says I stole her life. It’s not like I had a choice or willingly set out to steal her life, as she put it. I was a child when they adopted me. And I married Alfonso because my adoptive parents asked me to. They had given me a good life up until then, so I felt like I owed them a debt of gratitude. Now, because of my loyalty to the Walters, my life is falling to pieces. Anne never lets them see how she really treats me. But she loves setting me up and spreading lies about me. Within three months she had their loyalty, and I was tossed aside like garbage. But it was okay, they were never really my parents to begin with. I thought I would be okay because I had Alfonso and grandpa Charles. But then Alfonso also started taking Anne’s side and believing her over me. It hurt so much, but he didn’t ill-treat me at first. That only came after. He just started spending less time with me and more with her. That is probably when their affair started. “She was my best friend when we were little. I have to be there for her now too. I will only be a few minutes. Wait right there for me,” he said when he left me stranded in the rain on our second anniversary, while he went to comfort Anne, after she had a nightmare. That wasn’t even the first time he bailed on me to go comfort her, and it surely wasn't the last. She is good at pretending to be the victim. I picked up such a high fever while I waited in the rain for him, that I collapsed. I laid there for hours before someone stopped to help me. I was in the hospital for a week, and he only realized after two days that I was missing. And only because his grandfather managed to get a hold of him to let him know. When he did visit, Anne was with him. The minute he left us alone to take a call, she started to taunt me. “You know he only came here because that old man forced him to. Alfonso belongs to me. I am the true Walters’ heir and I was supposed to marry him. You may have stolen my spot, but I will always have his heart.But as soon as I get him to leave your pathetic self, I will get rid of that old fossil too. He is always in the way, just like you are sis,” she said back then. “He is my husband, not yours. All you are and will ever be is the other woman. The great Walters heir is nothing more than a mistress. I wonder what the world would say if they knew,” I answered, and that earned me a slap. Then she ripped my drip right out of my arm, before she pulled me off the bed. When Alfonso came in, she pretended to fall, like I had hurt her. My arm was covered in blood, and I was on the floor too, still weak from my infection I picked up. But he gave us one look and ran to help her. “You are clearly not sick if you can abuse your sister like this. I should've known this was just a ploy to gain my attention. Stop being so jealous of your sister. It’s not a good look on you,” my husband said as he picked Anne up. “Do you not have eyes? I can’t believe you are that easily manipulated. I was clearly wrong when I assumed you were an intelligent man. Just go, I don’t need you. Go tend to your mistress and her fake pain,” I answered as my anger stirred. “What did you say?” he asks me with anger I have never seen on his face before. “You heard me. You are an idiot if you believe her lies. I can’t…” “It’s okay, Al. Just let her be. I was only trying to help her when she went full on crazy and ripped her drip out so she could attack me. Let’s just go. I am feeling light-headed.” Anne interjected when she cut me off. “Okay Annie, your health is all that matters,” my husband said, as he carried her out of the room, while she smirked at me. I just laid there laughing bitterly at the situation. My life is turning into such a chaotic mess. Not even my adoptive parents came to see me. After that, I still tried with all my heart and soul to make Alfonso happy. But he always ended up leaving me for her when I needed him most. He started losing my respect more and more after every betrayal. And eventually he lost my love for him too. All I feel now is regret and anger towards him. I clear my thoughts and grab the file in front of me. It’s hard not to lose myself in the memories of his betrayal. I clutch the file tightly in my hand and make my way to my husband’s office for the last time. Jernail This file in my hand, holds the contents of my future and means the most to me right now. This is it, I can do this. I just need to remain calm. When I reach my husband’s office door, it’s slightly ajar, and I can clearly hear a woman moan, followed by a loud grunt. I know those voices all too well. “ugh, that felt so good, baby. Make sure you swallow every last drop,” my husband says to his mistress as he groans again. It’s not the first time I have heard or seen them, they just don’t know that I know. He could have chosen a million other women to be with, but he had to break me down further by sleeping with my adoptive sister who is out to destroy my life. I stood frozen at the door, trying to compose myself. ‘Come on Jay, you got this. They can’t hurt you anymore. You are strong, and you deserve to be set free.’ I tell myself in my mind over and over again. It’s my latest mantra and so far it’s been keeping that fake smile plastered on my face when I have to deal with these cheaters. I lifted my hand and knocked on his door. “May I enter? I have some urgent documents for you to sign,” I yell. I heard him curse, followed by a thud. I can clearly hear they are scrambling around. “Enter,” he says in a deep husky voice after a few seconds. I know that tone That is his tone of voice that follows a moment of intense pleasure, and he clearly just had one. I plastered on my fake smile and walked into his office. I pretend to be looking at something on my phone as I walk in. “Sorry to disturb you, I know you have a lot to catch up on. But these need your urgent attention. The builders cannot continue without your sign off. The work has been standing still for two days now. And they want to commence the day after Christmas,” I said, placing the paperwork down in front of him. I finally look up from my phone and don’t see Anne anywhere. She must be in the bathroom in his office. “Thank you for handling everything, babe. I have been so swamped lately. But I need that project completed. I already have buyers lined up, and we need the capital.” Alfonso answers and I just nod.” “Just doing my job,” I answer as Anne comes sauntering out of the bathroom. “Oh, hey sis. I didn’t know you were here,” I said, and focused back on flipping the pages for him. I did notice her lipstick was smudged when she smirked at me. “Hey sis. I am always around. Why are you always so busy? Don’t you ever take time to pamper your husband?” she asks. “Time is money, and Alfonso needs me at my best. He knows I always make time for him when he is home,” I answer, not even looking up at her. Though what I wanted to say is that she does enough 'pampering' for both of us, so he doesn't need me. But I don't. I have to keep my act going. “Jay is right, and she is very good at her job. She really takes the load off me,” Alfonso says, and I just plaster on that smile again, while I flip to the pages he needs to sign. My heart rate picks up as we get to the last page of the divorce agreement. I snuck it into the pile of contracts, and it’s the only reason I am playing nice. Before Alfonso could sign, the head of finance, Edgar, knocked on the door, before he came in. “Hey Ed, what’s up?” Alfonso asked him. I try not to panic and act natural. I am so close. Just one more signature. “Sorry to bother. Can you come see me when you have a moment? It won't take long,” Ed replies and then smiles at me. I like Ed, but right now his interruption is giving me anxiety. “No problem. I just need to sign off on these contracts my beautiful wife prepared, and then I will come see you.” Alfonso answers, and then smiles at me, and gives me a peck on my cheek. I tried not to recoil in disgust, but I did flinch, causing him to frown. He looks back at the page and finally signs as Ed leaves. Yes, it worked! He didn't even glance at the papers, he just signed. I gathered all the documents and put them back into the file, and then looked at him and tried to smile sweetly. Now I just need to put on a little show, and get away from these two. “Will you be home for dinner?” I ask. “I have to work late to catch up. I will just crash here. I have back-to-back meetings in the morning.” “Okay, I won’t be in the office tomorrow. I have to help grandpa. Don’t forget that we need to be at your grandpa’s place early on Christmas Eve for dinner. He has important guests coming over. Then we need to be there early on Christmas morning. You know he loves his traditions. And if we aren't there to open our Christmas gifts when he wakes up, he is going to sulk all day,” I say and he chuckles. “I know, but I won’t make dinner tomorrow evening. Cover for me with grandpa. I have to meet a new investor. That is why Anne is here. She landed a big one for us. And he will only deal with her, but he wants to officially meet me before we finalize.” he answers, looking like the man I once loved with all my heart. Our marriage may have started out as a contract between two families, but I really did love him, and I was happy until he brought Anne home on our first Christmas together. “On Christmas Eve?” I ask, trying to sound upset, but I couldn’t care less. I have what I came for right here in this file. “A bit unconventional, I know. But he will only be in town tomorrow evening, and he is leaving on Christmas morning. That is the only time he has available.” he answers, and I just nod. He gets up and puts his arms around me. I stiffen, but quickly maintain my composure and pretend to like it. He kisses my lips so tenderly, like he used to, and I nearly crack. But I have to be strong no matter what he throws my way. “I knew you would understand. I will make it up to you. And, I won’t be home too late. Wait up for me so we can ring in Christmas together,” he says with a wink and I just smile. I already know he is lying, but I am so past caring. Alfonso kisses me again, before he sits back down and starts typing on his computer. That must be my cue, he clearly wants me to leave him and his little mistress alone. I gave Anne a fake smile, while she looked like she had just swallowed a lemon, having to watch that display of his. I leave his office on shaky legs not looking back. Just a few more steps, then I will be okay. I can’t let them see how they affect me. I just want to get away from them. The only reason he still pretends we are a happily married couple is for grandpa’s sake. He knows grandpa will always choose my side, no matter what. I don’t even know what that show was about. He rarely even touches me anymore. Makes me wonder what he has planned for this Christmas. It seems like every year his gifts are worse than the year before. All he ever gives me is misery as a Christmas gift. Our first Christmas together, he brought Anne home to my parents. The second year, he had an ‘urgent’ business meeting in Japan. But Anne’s social media was filled with images of her and my husband spending Christmas together. They had apparently run into each other and decided to spend the day together. What utter nonsense. She was supposed to have lunch with our parents, but bailed at the same time as Alfonso had to leave. And last Christmas, I was in the hospital after I had a miscarriage. I had a broken pelvic bone and a nasty concussion thanks to Anne. I was in the hospital for weeks. I had to drag myself to the phone to call emergency services myself, after he left me laying there so he could rush Anne to hospital. That is the day I made up my mind to get a divorce. I spoke to grandpa about how I felt, and that is when he asked me to give Alfonso another chance and another year. But he did have the divorce papers drawn up for me and this is what I just made Alfonso sign. I am not sticking around this Christmas to see what he and Anne have in store for me. With my luck, this year, they may just end up killing me. No, I will be gone by then, and finally free to live my life. I cleared my thoughts and put the contracts he just signed away. I need to get away from this place. So I left the office with a heavy heart, and the signed divorce agreement safely in my bag. I didn’t even bother to eat when I got home. I just switched off all the lights, even those on the Christmas tree and ran myself a bath. I poured myself a glass of champagne and just relaxed. “Cheers to my freedom and a bit of Christmas karma,” I say, toasting myself. I downed the entire glass, before I laid back and let the water soothe my exhaustion away. When the water was cold, I got out and got straight into bed. Today has been a day and tomorrow will be emotional for me. Jernail It's Christmas Eve, so I decided to sleep in a bit. I hadn’t done that in a long time and it felt good. When I finally got up, I fixed myself the last breakfast I will ever have in this house. The Du Pont family lawyer came to collect the signed divorce agreement himself. Charles set that up for me, and I am so grateful to him. Alfonso won’t know until it’s too late for him to stop this divorce. The lawyer, Kenneth Brown, knows to handle this with secrecy, and he has no love for Alfonso anyway. Everyone can see what is really going on. The only ones that are oblivious are the Walters and my idiot ex-husband. I know Alfonso won’t show his face at home now and that is perfect. I don’t even think he cares what today really means to me... to us. But I need to pack up the contents of my life and I don’t need him showing up. So that is exactly what I did. I packed up the rest of the things I didn’t get a chance to. I lied when I told Alfonso I would be at Charles’s. I just needed time to get everything done. By three in the afternoon, the moving truck arrived to take all the boxes of clothes and supplies I am donating to the shelters in town. I don’t want anything that reminds me of Alfonso. Now it’s just me, alone in this empty house I used to call home. I was contemplating whether to go to my favorite club to drown my sorrows, but one text from the guy I hired to watch Alfonso, had me squash that plan. Alfonso is apparently there partying in a private room with Anne and some of her friends. Hmm, so much for meeting with a new investor. And they are in our private room. That used to be our special place where we could just let loose and have fun. Clearly, it meant nothing to him if he took her there. I am sure he did it with her there too. They really are disgusting in their affection. I have had to wash my eyes out a few times after I secretly caught them being intimate. My phone rings, breaking me out of my thoughts. I smile when I see it’s my bestie, Derena. She was Alfonso’s assistant before he made me take over her role. Now she works in HR. She is my only friend and I love her. She always has my back, and she knows what has been going on. She has been trying to get me to leave Alfonso for three years now. I should've listened to her. But I was a love sick fool. “Hey girl, what are you up to?” “Wallowing in self-pity and you?” I answered. “I wish I was there to snap you out of it. Did your plan work?” “Of course. He signed, and the papers are already with Kenneth. He has no reason to suspect me. I have been playing the perfect wife for an entire year. I am just sitting and biding my time waiting for midnight so I can leave.” “Good, I am glad you are taking your power back. I will be home on the 27th, then we can meet up. Just send me your new address.” “Will do, Dee.” “Are you sure you are okay? It’s the 24th,” she says softly. “I am. I wish things were different, but I can’t change anything. I feel okay, just a little sad,” I answer. We chat a bit more, before we end the call. Today marks exactly a year since I lost my son. I was six months pregnant, and he had already become my entire world. But he was ripped away from me because of his father. And for that, he will pay and so will Anne. I sat and watched the clock and waited. At midnight, I would have fulfilled my promise to grandpa Charles. And I can finally move on with my new life, with my real family. A family who really loves me and will put me first. Charles and Dee are the only people I will stay in contact with when I leave here. People seem to take the bonds of family for granted. Sometimes, blood is not thicker than water. I believe that everyone is born with a sense of right and wrong, but some just choose to ignore their conscience. Luckily for me, Charles is not one of those. He is truly a good man, who had hoped I could make his grandson happy. But the odds were against me from the start. Charles and I never realized what an iron-clad hold Anne had on Alfonso. The minute she came back, she hooked her claws into him. Our marriage never stood a chance. But I did not expect to fall pregnant. Alfonso didn’t share my bed much after Anne came back. But there were a few odd occasions when he was drunk. Our baby was a product of one of those nights. My son may not have been planned, but he was very much loved. The miscarriage set Charles’s health back and he suffered a stroke. His health hasn't been the same since. Anne made Alfonso believe that it was all my fault, and he just went along with what she said. But ever since Charles told Alfonso that he would disown him if he didn’t start treating me better, he at least made an effort to come home and play 'happy family'. At the office, he also acts like the perfect husband. He thinks he is pulling off the perfect affair, and that I don’t know about them. He flaunts Anne around under the guise of family bonds and that she is his ‘bestie’. He even gave her my old job after he asked me to step down as COO and be his assistant. And now she is always with him because he is apparently training her. I am sure he is, but it has nothing to do with business. “You need to lighten your load. We can’t have you miscarry again. Grandpa wants some great grandbabies. And you know I can’t function without you helping me. Anne needs something to keep her mind busy. You owe her for pushing her down the stairs and your job is perfect for her,” he said this year when I came back after I lost the baby. I played along, because by then my mind was already made up to leave and get my revenge. I have just been biding my time and gathering enough information to help me fulfill my plans. Alfonso has a very nasty surprise waiting for him and I can’t wait to see his face when the proverbial trouble hits the fan. Alfonso and that witch, Anne, will feel every humiliation and betrayal I endured. Karma is cruel and her new name is Jay. When the clock struck twelve, I got up and grabbed my bag. I made good on my promise to Charles, so now I can leave with a clear conscience. I take one last look around the place I called home for four years, before I leave. This place is filled with memories, both good and bad. But all that is left now is an empty space. Just as empty as my marriage had become. All Alfonso will find in the room we used to share, is the wedding ring he bought me. Oh, and I left the Christmas tree up as a symbol of my revenge. Since Alfonso and Anne love to ruin Christmas for me, I think it’s only fair that I return the favor tenfold, or shall I say twelve. Call it my version of the twelve days of Christmas. This used to be my favorite time of the year. Until Alfonso started ruining it for me. Christmas day is also the day I finally decided to put myself first, so it now holds new meaning to me. This festive season, every day will be filled with misery for Alfonso and Anne. My revenge starts today, and by the time I delivered all twelve gifts to him, everything Alfonso worked for would have crumbled beneath his feet. There will be no Merry Christmas for my now ex-husband. He has been a naughty boy these past four years and his list has been checked twice. Coal in his stocking is too good for him. His stocking will be filled with misery and regret. Not even Santa can save him from me this year. Oh, ‘tis the season, hubby. This is my season for revenge. I closed the door and stepped out into the night air and smiled. My biological brother, Marcello Moretti, saw me leave the house, so he ran over to help me. He said he would pick me up and take me to my new home, and he was right on time. “Merry Christmas sis. You okay?” he asked as he hugged me. “Merry Christmas bro. I have never felt better. Let’s go, I don’t want to risk him coming home and seeing me,” I say, and he nods and loads my luggage, before he opens the door for me. We drive off, and I see we have two cars following us. That must be his men. I will have to start getting used to having armed muscle around. “Are you really okay? He didn't do anything to hurt you, did he?” “He doesn't even know I am gone. And grandpa Charles won’t say anything either. This will be my first Christmas away from Charles and I hate it. But he understands that I need to do this, and he is on board. I will call him later to wish him a Merry Christmas,” I say, and he nods. “I am glad he treated you so well. We owe him a debt, and we always pay our debts.” “He doesn’t want anything, Marcello. Grandpa Charles is a good man with a good heart. I will miss him,” I say, and he smiles and nods. While he drives, my mind drifts and I hate it when that happens. “Don’t forget those self-defense lessons you promised me.” I say, remembering the time Alfonso slapped me around. And all because Anne made him believe I slapped her. When she was the one that hit me. I promised myself then that I would learn to defend myself. I just haven't had the time with my heavy work load. I basically ran that company for Alfonso while he was off cheating with Anne. But he is about to see what happens when I am not there. Also, my new life will be filled with danger, so I need to be able to defend myself. Jernail “I already have a schedule for you. A lady should always know how to defend herself. And I got you a gift. It’s on the back seat,” Marcello answers, breaking me out of my thoughts. I reached to the back and took the gift box. I laughed when I opened it and held it in my hand. “Our princess should know how to protect herself. Our world is dangerous, sis. Your ex and his mistress don't hold a candle to the danger we face,” he says as I examine the gun. “I know, and I am ready to face whatever comes. I missed so much time with my family. Nothing will keep me away from you. Not even my revenge,” I say, and he looks at me and smiles. “That's my girl,” Marcello says and reaches over to ruffle my hair. “Dude, we aren't kids anymore.” I say as I straighten my hair. “True, but I have fifteen years of annoying my little sister to make up for.” he says and I laugh. “I see you. Two can play that game. Make sure you introduce me to all your friends. Don’t little sisters normally crush on their big brother's friends? I also have fifteen years to make up for,” I say, and he glares at me. “I will kill them all if they touch you. Friend or not,” he says, and I roll my eyes. “You do realize I am twenty-five and, up until yesterday, I was a married woman.” “I do, but you will always be my little sister. I couldn’t protect you then, but I can now,” he says, and I look at him and smile. “It wasn’t any of your fault. And you got the people responsible for my kidnapping. I really did have a good life with Olivia and Joel until Anne came back into their lives. And as for my marriage, after the first year, the only light in my darkness was grandpa Charles. He loved me like his own and that was enough for me. Speaking of, did you speak to his lawyer?” I asked and he nodded. “He arranged everything just like you wanted. Your identity will remain a secret until you are ready. Mom’s friend and stylist is coming later for lunch. He wants to do the makeover you wanted. I think you are beautiful as you are, but it’s your choice. So mentally prepare yourself, he is very over the top, but mom loves him. Your new identity is also ready. Or shall I say your old one?” he says and I laugh. “I will be ready for him. And I am glad you all agreed that I can keep the name Jay.” “We don’t care what you call yourself. You are our princess either way,” he says, making me smile. He is a really good brother. And my bio parents are the best. I never imagined that I would meet my real family. I had given up on that years ago. I rest my head on his shoulder as he drives. I don’t know when I fell asleep. But when I woke up, he was carrying me into our home. The Moretti family compound is a beautiful property. My family spares no expense when it comes to their homes. And the security is very tight. I understand why, and I will try my best to fit in. This will be my home now for as long as I want. And it feels good to be here. I may not remember them, but I do feel love. There is no denying I am a Moretti. They showed me all the pictures of me growing up and a few taken the day before I was kidnapped. It’s definitely me and the DNA test I asked for proved them right. I met them six months ago. I was shocked to say the least, but I heard them out. The first time I saw my mother, I couldn't even deny her. I look so much like her. From my bright amber eyes, to my freckles, pitch black hair and dimples. They had already done their research, and they were ready to kill Alfonso and Anne for everything they put me through. But I asked them to stand down and let me handle my revenge, my way. My brother is all the back-up I need. Marcello carried me up to my room, but mom and dad heard us, so they rushed over. “Is she okay? Did that son of a fool hurt her?” Dad asks. I lifted my head and showed Marcello to put me down. “I am fine dad, just tired. I had a long day,” I say as he pulls me into his arms. “I don’t understand why we can’t just kill him,” dad grumbles and mom slaps his arm, while I giggle. I am sure he solves all his problems like that, but I love him anyway. “You know why, dad. Let her have her fun first. She deserves it.” Marcello answers and my father sighs. “No more talk of that. Merry Christmas sweety,” Mom says. “Merry Christmas mom, Merry Christmas dad,” I say as mom pulls me away from dad and into her arms as she hugs me. “My baby girl is finally home. Are you hungry? Can I get you anything?” mom asks, and I hear Marcello snicker behind me. In these few months that I have gotten to know them in secret, I have summed my mother up. She is a feeder. She believes everything can be fixed with food. And my dad may look scary, but he is just a big teddy bear when it comes to his family. “No, thank you mom. I am really tired, so I am going to call it a night, if that’s okay,” I say, and she smiles. “Sure princess. Sleep, we can talk in the morning. Vinny is coming over for Christmas lunch, and he wants to give you that makeover you wanted. Are you sure you want to butcher your beautiful hair like that?” she asks me and I laugh. “I need a fresh start. New look to match the new me.” “Okay, you know what’s best for you. Good night sweety. I love you,” Mom says, kissing my cheek. “Night mom, I love you too.” “Buonanotte, principessa. Call me if you need anything.” [Good night, princess,] dad says, kissing the top of my head. “Buonanotte, papà,” [Good night, dad,] I say in answer and he smiles proudly. I have been learning Italian. I am not that good yet, but I know a few phrases. They leave and Marcello makes sure I am okay, before he leaves too. They love to fuss over me and it kinda feels nice. I grab a quick shower, before I go straight to bed. When I open my eyes again, I look around and smile. I am in my new room at my parents' house. Today is the first day of the rest of my life. Jernail Walters Du Pont died yesterday and Jay Moretti rose from her ashes. Ooh, I like that. I am feeling very poetic today. I think I should get a tattoo of a phoenix to mark my rebirth. I always wanted one, but Alfonso wouldn’t allow me to 'mark my body', as he called it. Now, nothing and no one can stop me. Marcello has quite a few tattoos, so I will ask him to recommend someone. I check the time before I get up and get dressed. My closet is filled with clothes I will probably never wear. Mom went a bit overboard with the shopping, but I won’t complain. It makes her happy to spoil me, so I will let her. We missed a lot of years, but we are trying to make up for that. And I did give all my clothes away from my old life, so I need them now. I settled for a beautiful long red dress and paired it with a pair of black pointed stilettos. I tied my long hair up into a messy bun and looked at myself in the mirror. That should be festive enough. I know mom would want me to dress up and there will be guests. I head downstairs and am immediately accosted by my brother. He hugs me and lifts me up, swinging me around, while I laugh. “Morning sis. It feels so good to finally have you here with us,” Marcello says, and I smile. “It feels good to be here. So what can I expect for today?” I ask when he lets me go. “It’s just us for breakfast. Vinny will join us for lunch and my best friend will swing by after. He just got back from Italy, but he is having lunch with his family. He can’t wait to see you again.” “Okay, that sounds nice. I can’t wait to meet him,” I say, and before we can talk anymore, mom pulls me away so we can open gifts. There were way too many gifts for me. I already have so much jewelry, and I don’t need any more property or vehicles. But I was thankful either way. The sweetest gift was one that my father gave me. It may seem weird to some, but it really meant a lot to me. He kept the bullet he used to kill the man responsible for my abduction. He had, ‘For Juliana', engraved on it, and he turned it into a pendant for a necklace. Marcello says he carried that bullet with him for fifteen years to remind him that he did avenge me. He blamed himself for my supposed death, and he never got over it. My father may be the Don of the Moretti family, and feared by many. But to me, he is just my dad. The sweet man that cried the day he finally saw me again. Seeing him cry as he held me, made me see just how much he loved me. After our lovely breakfast, we just lounged around, while mom helped in the kitchen. She loves cooking and she is a very good coo. I video called grandpa Charles, and he was so happy I did. He also said that Alfonso called looking for me. We had to end our call early, because Alfonso pitched up mid-conversation. I am not ready for him to see me just yet. He probably got the first gift, and he now realizes that I am gone. My gift to him this Christmas was for me to disappear. I erased every trace of me from that house and only left him my wedding ring and a gift box under the Christmas tree. There is a note in the box that simply says, ‘Goodbye’. All our pictures have been destroyed, even the digital ones. All he can have is his memory of me. Though, he doesn't even deserve that.