Vincenzo's POV

I sighed exhausted, as I took a sip of my bourbon. the acerbic liquid burned my throat as it served its purpose.

I stared in the distance as my mind drifted off to 13 years ago, the day this family started to crumble. the day she took our greatest treasures, the last day I saw my babies. my princess and princes. the day she took the only light that lit our dark and gloomy world.

It had never been the same since then, everyone changed. Alessandro who once was a happy kid became cold and dedicated himself to work. Angelo who I know is hurting is trying his best to be there for his brothers. Ansel is not the same loud and cheery kid who would be happy at the tiniest things, he's now more distant and rarely talks. then there's Armani who tries to be cheerful and happy but I know that deep down he misses the triplets just as much.

And lastly, there's Adrian and Antonio, despite being young they were the closest to the triplets especially Athena. so their disappearance had a big impact on the pair. Adrian has anger issues and is closed off, he doesn't let anyone in. I know he's hurting but he doesn't accept our help. Antonio is just like him, they always resort to violence.

Memories come flooding back to me as I replayed that day.

F L A S H B A C K

I just came home from work exhausted as I loosened my tie and removed my coat. the house eerily quiet and the usual yells and laughter of my kids cannot be heard.

I checked the time and take note that it's 8 pm. huh, I wondered why it was so quiet. the triplets are usually up this hour crying for me to lull them to sleep.

I had this weird feeling inside that something bad happened but I brushed that thought away as I went towards the stairs.

Each step I take the more the bad feeling resurfaces. and the more the churn on my stomach twists.

the boots of my shoes clunk against the tiled floors as I make my way towards my kid's bedrooms. I usually go there every night to kiss them to sleep and make sure they're ok, In this line of work you can never be too sure.

"Alessandro," I say as I knocked softly on his door. I wait for a couple of minutes but heard nothing so I just went inside. the room was empty, his bed still neatly made, and Alessandro nowhere in sight.

I did this with every room my kids are in, but all of them turned out empty. the feeling just grew stronger as I made my way towards the triplets' room.

My breathing becomes heavy, as I shakily held the doorknob and opened the door.

What I saw made my heart drop and my hands falling limply on my sides. there comes my Sons huddled around the triplets bed crying.

Alessandro silently sobbing and holding a piece of paper in his hands, while Angelo is hugging his younger brothers and whispering sweet nothings in their ears.

"Dad!" Ansel yelled as he ran into me hugging me for life. his soft sobs and whimpers breaking my heart as I had never seen him this wrecked before.

"W-what happened?" I questioned softly while picking up Ansel as he buried his face in my chest sobbing profusely.

I had an idea of what happened but I can't get my mind to accept it. Alessandro wiped away his tears as he handed me the paper he was previously holding.

I inhaled deeply and grabbed the tear-stained paper from his hands.

Dear Husband,

I am sick and tired of you bossing me around and practically ignoring my existence. truth be told I never loved you, I only stayed because of your money. I had been planning on running away for years now but low and behold I became pregnant again with your children. I wanted to leave but I couldn't because of these little brats. so I came up with a plan to take them away when you least expect it, I want you to hurt because you're the reason I couldn't be with the person I love I want revenge. and it just got better as I took the only girl in your family for generations, your princess is with me along with your other sons. don't bother trying to find me, cause you won't.

Bye

yours truly,

Amanda.

I couldn't believe my eyes, the person whom I loved betrayed me and confessed she only stayed because of my money. and worst of all she took MY children away.

I didn't realize that I had been crying as I felt the warm tranquilizing liquid run down my cheeks. my hands fisted the paper as I silently cried.

"D-dad, are they c-coming b-back?" asked Adrian as he hung his head down fiddling with his fingers.

"I don't know son" I started as a whimper threatened to escape my lips but held it back.

"But I promise I'll find them" I whispered as I engulfed them all into my warm embrace, all of us silently crying but no one dared to talk.

One thought occurred to mind though.

'I'll bring my little angels back, that's a promise.

F L A S H B A C K O V E R

The ringing of the phone brought me back to reality as I wiped the lone tear that escaped my eyes. my vision blurred but I blinked back the traitorous tears that threatened to escape.

I looked at the caller ID and noticed it was an unknown number, I was about to decline the call but a nagging feeling in my stomach told me otherwise.

"Hello" my voice came out cold and low as I spoke through the phone.

"Y-yes is t-this Mr. Vincenzo Russo," a man asked stuttering.

"Yes, this is He. who's asking" my patience ran thin as my voice got harder.

"This is Principal Collins, we took a DNA test and I believe that you are the F-father of Athena Russo, Ares Russo, and Apollo Russo. I have been informed that their stepfather d-died, and they are in need of relatives to take them in" the man stammered with his words as he spoke.

After he finished and I feel my breathing hitch at the mention of my Children. after 13 years I can finally have them back, after years of searching in anguish and agony. I can finally have my princes and princess back. the fire that lit up my dark world.

"Hello...sir are you there?" I snapped out of my thoughts and answered.

"Yes, I'll take custody of my children," I say a lot more calmer now but I can't help the smile off of my face.

"Ok, thank you. I'll send you the address" and with he hung up.

_____________________________________________________

One by one My sons piled into my office with different expressions. Alessandro had an emotionless face but eyes swarming with curiosity, as I never call them unless it's urgent or important.

Then there's Angelo with a worried look, Ansel with an unbothered look. Adrian with an annoyed look. Antonio came in grunting as he practically dragged his feet looking as uninterested as ever.

And lastly...Armani who has no idea why I called them here and is currently munching on his chips and burger. sauce spilling everywhere as he looked at us sheepishly.

I sighed as I rubbed my temples, a habit of mine whenever I'm distressed. I gave him a disapproving look as I shook my head but can't help the excitement that's radiating off of me.

"Dad, why are we here" Antonio grunted as he tapped his foot continuously in impatience, arms crossed awaiting my answer. I glared at him and he muttered a low apology.

"Quit the attitude" I scolded as I see him avoiding my gaze.

"Anyway, I called you here because I got a call" I stated as a smile crept its way into my face.

"You called us here because you got...a call?" Adrian asked in disbelief as he looked at me incredulously.

"Let me finish," I said sternly.

"Ok sorry" he rolled his eyes. it's a clear sign of disrespect but I let it slide for now.

"I got a call from someone asking me if I wanted to take custody of Athena, Ares, and Apollo as their Stepfather recently died, and of course I said yes," I said the Step-father part with venom lacing my voice.

I can see their eyes widen as shock is evident in their features. Armani dropping his food as he stood still, frozen in place.

"W-what?" Ansel who kept his head down the whole time spoke for the first time, his voice barely above a whisper as his eyes began to gloss.

"We're getting our Angels back," I say happiness seeping through my voice.

"How do you know it's actually them?" Alessandro asked in an emotionless tone. but the small glint of hope is evident, as his eyes stared into the distance, probably reliving old memories.

Before I can reply, Adrian beat me to it.

"Let's not get our hopes up, It's probably not them," he says in anger as his eyes turned hard, but his voice cracked ever so slightly at the end of his sentence. if I didn't listen close I would've missed it.

"We've had a lot of people pose as them, how do we know they're telling the truth" Antonio's voice is cold and low, as he fisted his hands, knuckles turning white as he glared at the intricate designs of the wooden floor of my office.

I don't blame them, when the news got out that the triplets went missing a lot of people posing as them came to us, thinking we won't find out. so it's understandable that they feel this way, they've had their hopes up so much in the past only for it to get crushed down.

"Look I know that you're doubting this, but they took the DNA test we did years ago and it matched with them," I say with sad eyes as I wasn't there for most of their lives. a soft sigh escaping my lips.

"So we're getting the triplets back?" Angelo asked with teary eyes as he looked at me with newfound hope and happiness. I nodded as a sad smile graced my lips.

"Really?" Armani who had been quiet most of the time asked in a hopeful voice as he abandoned his food and leaned forward in his seat. I nodded and that's all it took for him to squeal.

"Oh my god! this is so exciting, I'm not the youngest anymore!. how do you think they are doing? will they like me? are they still the same? how do they look like? Do they still remember me, Will they hate me, Is Athena still the sweet and Innocent angel she was, Is-" Armani started rambling in bliss as he practically jumped up and down, excitement clear in his features. Ansel cut his brother off with an amused expression.

"Mani, breath," he said whilst holding his shoulders, Armani did as told and calmed down. but the goofy smile on his face just grew as he can't help jumping up and down in his seat.

I let out a low chuckle at his behavior and looked at the others for their reaction. Ansel is smiling softly, Angelo is touching the pendant that's Identical to the one he gave Athena. Alessandro sat still, face expressionless but his eyes swarmed with different emotions and the one that I can clearly see is happiness and longing. Adrian's eyes glossed as tears threatened to spill but he held them back and his expression changed into a cold glare once again. Antonio's face morphed into shock, anger, hope, sadness then happiness but it vanished just as fast as it came.

"So...what now?" Angelo asked.

"Now we get them, all of you get ready we will be leaving in an hour to California" and with that I dismissed them.