2.35: Stefano is Dead
Sunday, April 15th, 2012

The special Sunday dinner had arrived at Maddalena's mansion. Arianna and Manny had actually showed up to get to know Dario's newfound family better. Dario was excited that they could come together. At the same time, though, he felt a tension in the room. He wondered if this would work.

Maddalena hoped her plan would work as well. Turning to Arianna and Manny, she shared, "I know the name DiMera comes with a lot of preconceived ideas – especially in this town – but I would like to share a bit of history about my family to put your suspicions at ease. I would also like to know some history about your family. It could be fun if we discovered any hidden connections or similarities between us."

Manny wasn't sure if there would be any. Even though EJ had been kind to him and his family, he still had his doubts because of his dealings with Colin. He questioned if Stefano was the one pulling his strings to eventually take down his brother. It was all a mystery.

"My father's name was Santo, and he is the one responsible for starting the current family business and returning glory to our family," Maddalena began. "You see our ancestors were at one-time royalty and nobility. The DiMeras were highly respected before a tragic turn of events. My father worked hard to bring that back."

Dario loved hearing the story of his ancestors. He was intrigued by the thought of having ancestors who were kings and queens. Patting Ignazio on the back, he interrupted Maddalena's story. "This is the stuff I want to know, Ignazio."

Ignazio smiled at Dario and shook his head. "Well, I had no idea. You should have asked, and I would have told you."

Dario gave Ignazio a silly look. "You say that now, but when we're back at the guesthouse you're all about Chelsea and learning the guitar."

Manny noted the closeness between Dario and Ignazio. It bothered him because he didn't expect that to happen so quickly. He questioned if their closeness was genuine and remembered his conversation with Chelsea. Returning to what Maddalena had shared, he asked, "So I take it Stefano is the black sheep – the one who brought shame to your family?"

Maddalena smiled inside because she now had the perfect opportunity to put Arianna to good use. Her appearance, however, was very solemn. "Yes, my brother was responsible for some awful things, and though I was upset with him for what he had done, I can't be that way anymore. I strongly regret I was unable to reconcile with him before his death."

The room suddenly got quiet with what Maddalena had just said. Arianna studied her for a moment and noted she didn't seem to notice what she had just said. "Stefano is dead?"

"Huh?" Maddalena let out pretending to be surprised by her accidental slip. She knew full well what she was doing and remembered how EJ informed her of Stefano's death on the pier. She hoped by sharing what EJ had said to her, Arianna would catch on to EJ's secret and do something about it. "Did I say that?"

Ignazio gave Maddalena a worried look. "Nonna, are you okay?"

Maddalena nodded her head and gave Manny and Arianna an apologetic look. "I did not want to discuss my brother. I wanted to enlighten you of the DiMera family because I want you two to know I want to make sure Dario is set for life."

Arianna studied Maddalena and didn't have anything to say because she couldn't shake how she had shared Stefano was dead. She questioned if EJ already knew of his father's demise and wanted to go back to that, but Dario cut in before she could say anything.

"You don't have to do that, nonna," Dario started. "I can take care of myself. I…"

Ignazio put his hand on Dario's chest to stop his protest. "Dario, there is nothing wrong with accepting help. As family, we are here to support each other. You should not have to live life alone."

Nodding his head, Dario caved. "You're right. We shouldn't have to do this alone," he stated as his thoughts wandered. He couldn't believe how much life had changed and even though he still had Arianna and Manny through it all, he couldn't help but note what else he had gained and lost. He lost Sonny and his mother, and those facts still bothered him more than he wanted. "Stop…" he mumbled to escape his thoughts.

Manny caught his brother's attention. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing…" Dario quickly dismissed and returned to his food.

After dinner was over, Arianna and Manny said their goodbyes and left Dario there with Ignazio and Maddalena. Arianna made sure to get in the driver's seat, so she could drive to the other mansion. After parking, she turned to her brother. "Manny, I need you to stay out here. I need to talk to EJ."

Manny threw his sister a suspicious look. "Okay, but we need to talk about tonight."

"We will once we get back to our place… I promise." Arianna got out of the car and rang the doorbell hoping EJ would be there. When EJ answered the door, Arianna quickly pushed him in the house so she could close the door. "We need to talk, EJ! I can't believe this!"

EJ was somewhat startled with the way Arianna rushed in there. "What on earth is going on here? Why are you here? I thought you didn't want to talk to me anymore."

Arianna shook her head in disapproval to EJ. "I can't believe you. I can't believe I am so surprised by this." Putting her hand over her forehead she gave EJ a dumbfounded look. "Oh my gosh, EJ. Tell me what happened to your father. I know you lied to the police about what happened. Is he really dead? Is Stefano dead?"

EJ studied Arianna and could see she knew something he hoped she would not know. He couldn't give her the confirmation though. "I have nothing to say to you. You can't just barge in here and accuse me of things. I guess you really did mean it when you said we weren't friends anymore with the way you're treating me."

"How can I be your friend when I don't even know who you are?" Arianna contended. "Who are you, EJ? I thought I knew who you were until what happened with Marco. Are you going to lie and keep secrets like your father?"

EJ put his hand up in frustration. "I don't have to sit here and take your abuse."

Arianna pushed EJ's hand down. "You need to listen to this because I don't think you've thought everything through here. Someone needs to ask you these questions if you're not going to ask them yourself!"

EJ placed his right hand on his hip while placing his left on his forehead. "What questions am I supposedly avoiding? You tell me you don't know who I am, but now you seem to be the expert on my life!"

"Are you the same monster as your father?" Arianna threw at EJ causing him to be silent. "With the way I see how things are heading now, you are going to live and die as your father has died, and then it will be Johnny's turn!"

"That is enough!" EJ boomed loudly. He had clearly lost his composure due to Arianna bringing his son into this. Lowering the volume of his voice while keeping the same intensity, he attempted to collect himself while instructing, "I think it's time you leave, Arianna."

After EJ opened the front door for her, Arianna looked at EJ for a moment wondering if she had finally got through to him. "Fine. I'll go, but I hope you prove me wrong."

EJ said nothing and closed the door once Arianna left. He looked up the stairs hoping that no one heard him yell at Arianna. Grabbing a family picture, he looked at his children with a look of torment. What would be his next move?