Marisol always hated hospitals, they always brought her bad news.

She paced consistently in front of Roxanna, Storm who was comforting a distressed Sophie along with Izzy, and Lucas who held his hands over his teary face with his cane beside him.

"I should've never let her come back here," Marisol cried falling to her knees.

Roxanna went over to rub her sister's back comfortingly, "It's not your fault, Mary, there was so much chaos going on that you couldn't even control."

"It's a good thing that it's over now," Storm added rubbing Sophie's back, "but, unfortunately, we're not out of the woods yet."

Marisol's mind never rested on the thought.

She remembered everything so crystal clear to the point where it even haunted her.

They all waiting for Dixon to come back with Moo and Violet. The next thing she knows it that Dixon eventually came back with the two but her heart sank when she saw Moo in tears holding bleeding out Violet. Of course, Marisol screamed and screamed about what happened to her and if he had anything to do with that. He just told her Miguel did it and quick to go in the cart staying by Violet's side the whole ride back while using Violet's tank top to put pressure on the wound.

Marisol bombarded Moo with millions of questions from the mansion and back home, but he had no answers to give. People from the town rushed to get cheering for her arrival while she just wanted to go to Sapphire and be with Violet, that's where she ended up losing Moo and Violet.

As she searched Storm had told her that Violet was in the hospital with Moo stitching her up and Victoria assisting her, so, as soon as she heard that, she didn't waste any time heading up there; the last place she wanted to be.

She ordered the nurses to let her see her daughter but even her authority wasn't enough to let her through those doors. She had no choice but to unwillingly wait as people started to come on by hearing about Violet because they were at the mansion or just wanted to straight-up see her.

Including her own father.

As Marisol sobbed heavily on the floor she felt someone grab her by the arms guiding her to the chairs. When she looked up she saw it was Lucas rubbing her back in comfort giving her a sympathetic look.

"I know it may seem to be the end of the work world right now and believe me, for us it is," he said in a soft tone, "because we have things that regret and may or may never be able to change them. Our baby's clingin' on to life right now and I and you both know we're blamin' our 'selves right now."

Marisol just continued crying nodding at his statement knowing it was true.

He sighed then his lips curled up in a smile, "I remember bringin' her home from this same hospital. She was so beautiful, quiet, calm, I almost thought we picked up the wrong one reckon how a much a pain Storm was."

Storm rolled her eyes and chuckled, "C'mon, I wasn't that bad."

"Alright, I'll let you believe that," he laughed with Storm softly shoving his arm, "but Mary, you gotta remember, we're talkin' 'bout the same girl who lived out in that there school for over ten years with no grown folks around."

She blinked almost forgetting about that.

"What I'm sayin' is that she's a tough ole' thing and that she'll make it through this, I know that God's pullin' us through this whole mess."

Marisol frowned at that, she was never religious like Lucas and her other family, she didn't even believe in a God. She respects Lucas's beliefs but she'd rather go on her views on reality than religious factors.

"And I know that she's our daughter and with us, we can pull through just 'bought anything."

"I want to believe you, I really do, Lucas," she sniffled, "but . . . they said her wound . . ."

Lucas pulled her into his chest as she started crying again, "I know, but she'll pull through, I promise."

"Should've never abandoned her," she whispered.

Lucas almost jumped back at her words finally admitting she was wrong. But he frowned remaining silent knowing they both treated her and her sisters wrong.

After a while, Lucas turned his attention to a man approaching their way. He saw that the man had almost the same attire as Marisol but was unsure of what group he was part of.

"Hey there," he spoke, "Marisol around?"

Before he spoke Marisol pulled away from Lucas's arms wiping her teary eyes facing him.

"Hey, Dixon," she sniffled trying to stay professional, "what is it that you need?"

He scratched the back of his head nervously, "I needed to talk you privately about some things very important."

She nodded rising to her feet, "Sure, of course," she turned to Lucas who had his hand wrapped around hers frowning before she smirked at him reassuringly, "I'll be fine, just stay here Storm and the others."

She then led Dixon down the hallway finding a room with no patients a few rooms down. They went inside Dixon closing the door behind them while Marisol sat on a bed waiting for what Dixon had to say. She looked at him in concern when he slid down with his back against the wall covering his hands over his face.

He looked up at her with a tired expression, "Even when he told me I couldn't believe it."

She raised a brow, "Believe what?"

Dixon sighed heavily, "Miguel's dead."

"What?" she gasped his words almost imaginary.

"When Matéo brought your daughter to the cart he told me Miguel was the reason for injuring her. He got so mad he didn't even know how many times he shot him."

Marisol also couldn't believe it herself, after years and years of trying tho bring him down he was finally dead.

By the hands of her youngest soldier.

"I know I might sound crazy when I say this but Miguel didn't have to die."

She raised a brow, "You're reason?"

"I planned to keep him prisoner since he was too injured during that attack," he sighed again looking blankly out a window, "now that he's gone . . . I'm the Broken Backbone's new leader."

Marisol blinked at this news, Dixon had been Miguel's deputy for so long to the point where she questioned why Miguel even had one in the first place if he was so difficult to assassinate him.

But was bound to come eventually.

He got up in walked to Marisol with a serious expression then sat in chair near the bed she sat to face her.

"Marisol," he began, "I wanted to let you know that I'm willing to lead this group and that I will not lead them the same path Miguel has led them to."

She touched his hand and smiled, "I know you will."

He smiled back, "I want the bad blood between us to come behind close doors, I'll even inform my people that Charlottesville and the Broken Backbone are no longer enemies."

"Sounds like music to my ears," she chuckled shaking hands with Dixon.

Face started to harden again, "You may have already heard of this, but, um . . . Matéo is also the son of Miguel."

The corners of her mouth instantly went down.

"What?"

"Victoria showed me the results and their blood matched almost exactly, Mary, his blood is more identical to him than Victoria's."

"But . . . he looks nothing like him."

Dixon shook his head, "Mary, looks don't matter, blood does. Me and you can look exactly alike and we still won't be related," he frowned, "and I think you might wanna think again on that statement."

"So that means . . ." she sadly looked up at him and sighed, " . . . him and Raven aren't brothers."

He raised a brow, "Raven?"

She nodded, "He's the son of the man on who Victoria thought to be Moo's father. They're the same age and have a pretty good relationship, I hate that this'll ruin it."

"I see, but, Mary, this doesn't change anything, I hear great things he's done for this town and most people still treat him like shit, same with Cobra, right now, he's in a room saving your daughter. All I'm saying is that he's a good person and that he doesn't deserve that kind of treatment even now that we know he's Miguel's kid, he deserves something big especially from you."

He was right, the teen did earn something. He was the youngest, hardworking soldier and surgeon, he had made a well organized map around the Broken Backbone being one of the things that saved everyone's life, he was willing to give himself up to save her daughter, and, right now, he's saving her daughter.

All those times he's been treated like an outcast while still performing his duties astounded Marisol. Cobra may have taken the treatment better because he was older but for a teenager who was barely an adult amazes her.

She thought all the times he could've joined Miguel and didn't no matter how bad he was treated here.

I can see why Lynx and Nicóle left . . . I'm such an ass.

He did deserve something big and he was going to get it.

"I'll definitely see into it," she responded, "I promise, it'll be something worth his while."

"I hope so."

They both jumped when they heard a loud knock at the door guessing to be one of the nurses needing the room. She rolled her eyes getting up to open it then found one of her soldiers standing in front of two people she didn't recognize being around here.

"Ma'am, have a couple of visitors here who wants to see your daughter but I thought it would be a better idea if I brought them to see you first," he said but with a bit of nervousness in his tone.

She nodded, "That's fine, thank you."

He stepped aside with him revealing the two people behind him.

One of them was a girl with light skin, curly hair that was tied in a messy sideways ponytail, her eyes were a golden amber that sparkled with fear and desperation. The other was a slim, dread-headed freckled face boy who wore a trench coat. She also noticed that his expression was the same as the brunette's.

She raised a brow at the two wondering what any of these had to do with Violet.

"May I help you two?" she spoke formally.

"Yes, you must be the leader here," the brunette said holding out her hand with Marisol shaking it, "Clementine."

The boy also went to shake Marisol's hand giving her a soft smile, "Louis, I guess leadership runs in the family."

Clementine's face hardened again, "Ma'am, we're from Violet's group, she left with a boy from your group without telling us," she frowned, "We came to see if she was alright or even here since it's been days since we saw her."

Marisol sighed at the thought of Violet, "She went into surgery, but I believe they're almost done so I don't mind if you see her."

"I hate to ask this," Louis spoke up, "but do you know what happened to Vi?"

She winced, "Stabbed," she simply answered not having the strength to give more details.

"Shit, i-is she alright?" Clementine asked worrying her breaths quickening.

"We're just gonna have to wait and see," she sighed heavily.

"There you go, sweetie," Victoria cooed putting a cold damp rag across Violet's forehead.

According to Victoria, the procedure was successful, Violet's wound was stitched up cleanly by Moo, her heart rate was slow but steady along with her breathing. But Victoria still worried that it would probably take a while for her to wake up.

She turned the balcony doors that were closed but could see a clear image of her son smoking on his seventh cigarette staring off into the distance. She frowned seeing how much he was upset patching up the blonde, even right after he was done he immediately went to the balcony and started sobbing to himself while smoking.

Poor Matéo . . .

Even though he preferred not to be bothered Victoria still went over to the doors slowly opening them before easing right beside him.

She that his eye was a faded red, his cheeks wet with tears. He had the half-burnt cigarette between his fingers with crossed arms leaning against the rail staring out into the distance.

"Are you alright, mijo?" she asked softly rubbing his back.

He took a puff of his cigarette and glared, "If I say yes will you leave me alone?"

She sighed knowing the teen was mad at her, he hasn't even spoken one word to her ever since they got back to Charlottesville.

Her face hardened not wanting her son to shrug her off while he was like this.

"No, I won't," she told him firmly making him growl in response, "you know I hate seeing you like this, so please, talk to me."

"What is there to talk about, huh? That you lied to me for nineteen years and having to go through hell for it?"

"Matéo . . ."

He scoffed, "Just go away, my heart is already too sore for more bullshit from you two."

She didn't go away, she stayed right beside him putting her hand on his arm. She exhaled heavily through her nose as began to speak.

"I didn't want Miguel to claim you," she started to explain, "when your hermanos were young I made the mistake of giving him visitation rights after our divorce. During their visits, he would try to twist their heads along with Sabrina trying to make them believe I was the one to ruin our family. As you know, Cobra knows his mind games while Nicóle and Lynx fell hard for it.

"When you were born I knew immediately in my heart you were his because . . ." she hung her head, "I never told anyone this but Hugo . . . Hugo was infertile."

Moo blinked turning to her, "Then what does that make me and Raven?"

Tears started to swell up in her eyes, "Still siblings, only . . . twins."

"What?!"

"It's true, when you two were born I knew I had to make a sacrifice, a big sacrifice. His wife, Carolina, bless her soul, was very upset by not having children, so I knew I could at least save one of you. Raven was already healthy and strong so I could take her home after a few days but you were too small and sick having to be kept there a few more months. I didn't want to let anyone know I had twins so I paid off some of the doctors and nurses then went straight to Carolina.

"She was very upset about the whole affair and almost kicked me out until I told her about Raven and how I couldn't take care of her. She nearly declined but broke down to me admitting to me she was lonely after Hugo's passing. She ended up taking him in instantly a thanked me greatly for granting her only wish."

Moo frowned at Victoria, "How do you think he's gonna take that?"

She shrugged, "I don't know, but I plan on waiting a bit before I do."

"I see."

"When I took you home I did my best to convince everyone that you were Hugo's, but Miguel was the only one who didn't fall for it. And so I made a deal that night I brought you home, it was that when you turned eighteen you would get a blood test and that if you were his he would reveal the 'truth' about me. See, I wasn't worried because would already be a big boy and make your own decisions.

"Now, with me keeping all these secrets from you, not being there for you, being treated like an outsider in your own familia, and you being upset with me now . . . I feel like I ruined you."

He squeezed his eyes shut, "You didn't ruin me, I ruined myself, I ruined her, I ruined everything."

"No you didn't, mijo, I should've been a better mamá."

He shook his head, "Mom, please, don't beat yourself up like this. Whatever happened to me wasn't any of your fault, even my abduction wasn't your fault. When I suffered those five years didn't think one bit that you were the reason for my suffering. All the things you're telling me now, I understand why you did it, we've seen firsthand what happened to Lynx and Nicóle and I probably would've ended up in the same boat.

"I'm very grateful for what you've done for me," he smiled as she smiled back, "I'm sorry for even treating you like that, it's just hard for me to try to be a better person, believe me, it's something that I'm working on."

She wrapped her arms around him as he hugged her back tightly, "You already are a good person, the only person who needs to realize that is you."

"I'm trying."

"Té amo, Matéo," she breathed.

"Yo también te amo, mamá," he said back.

They soon pulled away with Victoria now wearing a mischievous smirk while Moo raised a brow in confusion.

"Why are you looking like that?"

She giggled, "Oh I was just wondering what was the whole deal with you and Violeta."

His eyes went round with his face instantly turning red, "I-I-I don't k-know what you're t-t-talking, about, we're just friends."

"Oh, Matéo, you can't fool me, I've seen faces like that a million times, you like her."

"Not just like," he admitted lowly.

"Oh?"

"Love, I love her."

Victoria cocked her head, "You sound so sure."

"I am sure, she makes me feel some type of way that no other girl makes me feel," he exhaled and smiled, "and it's the best feeling I've ever had in my life."

"Does she know?"

He nodded, "Very, she even wanted to come to be with me that's why I brought her back here."

Victoria fidgeted her hands, "How long has this been going on?"

"'Bout over a month."

"I see."

He frowned sadly, "But . . . when I see her like that . . . it hurts to even look at her."

"How come, son?"

"It's my job to protect her and I failed horribly at it, I don't even think I can forgive myself for even what happened to her."

She squeezed his shoulder gently, "It's no one's fault, in a world like this things of this sort are to avoid. But you're the one who held her the whole ride home, healed her all by yourself; you're the one that saved her life."

He pursed his lips looking over at Violet through the glass doors and sighed. He knew he couldn't live without her he just couldn't help but do everything he can to save her.

His mother then gave him a warm smile, "You truly do love her."

"I know, but how do know I won't lose myself again with her?"

She didn't know what he meant by that but chose to ignore it.

"Because if you didn't truly love her she probably wouldn't be alive right now."

He took a minute to contemplate on his mother's words until his eyes rested on Violet starting to twitch moving her fingers and her eyelids struggling to open. Victoria turned to see gasping happily at the sight turning to Moo.

"She's waking up," she chuckled trying to pull Moo over to the doors.

She had woken up sooner than expected, Moo thought. He didn't know how she would feel now that she saw him or if she even wanted to see him.

Either way, he didn't want to see her in that state, he didn't want to see her possible disgusted reaction to him, nor want to see her hurt.

He wasn't ready to see her.

In a flash, he yanked his hand away from Victoria's grip, violently pushed the doors open then ran out of the hospital room as fast as he could just before Violet could come awake.