It was the morning, and no one could sleep. They all decided to meet at Vlad's home. Sosuke had to inform his aunt Amelia of the situation. He could no longer hide the truth from her. Amelia was horrified and worried for Bradley, but Sosuke assured her that Bradley was safe and well; he would return soon. Amelia stayed with her son Miyabi for safety; Roy and Kain were also there.

Lisa was in a room looking after Anselmo. Sosuke and the others were waiting for Bradley from the airport and making plans and preparations to rescue Esmeralda. Ace stood there silently but was thoughtful as he glanced at Sosuke. Sosuke noticed, and he motioned Ace to follow him. The cousins went to a separate room. "Ace, there is something in your mind. What is it?"

The young man was silent for a moment. "Sosuke, you love Esme?"

Sosuke was silent for a bit; his eyes softened. "Yes."

"For how long?"

"Not that long. When I first met her, I was amazed by her dancing and singing, but the more I learned about her, I fell for her. I loved her kindness, humility, honesty, and family-orientedness, and I can go on. You love her too, don't you?"

Ace looked at the floor, trying to repress a blush. "All I want for her is to be happy, Sosuke. She probably loves you too, if I have to know any better."

"Ace, I-" Sosuke was interrupted.

"I will always love her, cuz. However, if ya do something to hurt her, I won't have a problem hurting ya. Got it?"

Sosuke sighed and nodded. Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. Vlad went to answer; it was Bradley and Issa. "Brother, thank goodness you're alright." Bradley and Vlad hugged one another, as did Gol D. Sosuke and Ace went as they saw their uncle.

Sosuke walked quickly to his father figure; he extended his arms and hugged Bradley. "Uncle, I was scared that Yhwach would have killed you." Bradley returned his nephew's hug. Then, they separated. "I should inform Auntie of your safe return."

"No need; Issa and I visited my wife at Miyabi's house."

That's when Sosuke noticed a slight red marking on his uncle's face. He motioned a finger towards his uncle's cheeks. "An injury?"

Bradley blushed a little. "Amelia slapped me for worrying her." His brothers and nephews chuckled. "Anyway, Issa told me that you all went to Jugram. Did he have information about where Esmeralda would be hidden?"

"Yes, Yhwach got one of his former business partner's homes so we wouldn't suspect," Gol D.

"Thought so. We need to move quickly. I suspect Yhwach has something else planned, and I won't wait and find out."

Ace walked forward. "Uncle, I put the address on Google Maps. I printed out the house's structure and the location."

"Perfect, I need those so we can start planning." As the men spoke, they didn't realize that Lisa, Vlad's wife walked down the stairs. Lisa was a beautiful woman with long wavy blonde hair; her eyes were blue as the sky. She had light skin with light rosy cheeks. Lisa also wore a long plum-colored dress.

Vlad noticed and went to her. He also saw the grim look on her face. "What is it, Lisa? How's Esmeralda's father?"

Everyone else stopped speaking, awaiting Lisa's news. She looked at everyone and sighed. "His cancer is worse than I thought. It seemed that Anselmo kept this hidden for so long and didn't get the treatment he needed."

Sosuke walked forward. "What are you trying to say?"

Lisa looked at her nephew softly. "Sosuke, I'm trying to say he won't last long. It wouldn't have worked if Bradley or anyone had gotten the materials. His cancer is in the dangerous stage."

Everyone was silent; all eyes were on Sosuke, who was dumbfounded.

"Also, Anselmo wants to speak with you."

Bradley walked forward. "Go, my boy. Don't worry about anything; we will plan everything."

Sosuke merely nodded as he walked up to Anselmo's room. Once inside, he saw Anselmo lying in bed with breathing machines. His eyes were closed; his appearance changed as he couldn't eat or drink well. Sosuke thought that Anselmo was on the brink of death. He sat next to him. "Don Anselmo?"

Anselmo slowly opened his eyes and slowly looked at Sosuke. "Muchacho (Young man). Mi hija, ¿dónde está? (My daughter, where is she?)."

Sosuke couldn't bring himself to tell Anselmo the truth; it would only make him worse. "No te preocupes, ella está bien. (Don't worry, she is well)."

The older man looked at Sosuke. "No, me mientas. Algo le pasó a Ella. Dime la verdad. (Don't lie to me. Something happened to her. Tell me the truth)."

The young man sighed. It was pointless to keep everything a secret, so he told Anselmo everything that happened. When he was done, neither said a word.

Anselmo let out another loud cough. However, his cough didn't stop. Sosuke was about to get him a cup of water, but Anselmo got a hold of his hand. Blood spurted out from Anselmo's mouth. "Don Anselmo!"

"Muchacho. Escúchame bien. Dejo la seguridad y el bienestar de mi hija en sus manos. Fracasé como padre. Dejé que mi orgullo sacara lo mejor de mí y sacó lo mejor de mí y de mi hija. No cometas el mismo error. (Listen to me well. I'm leaving my daughter's safety and well-being in your hands. I failed as a father. I let my pride get the best of me, and it got the best of my daughter and me. Don't make the same mistake)." Anselmo let out a chuckle. "Me alivia que tú y mi hija se amen. Puedo estar tranquilo sabiendo que estará en buenas manos. Todo lo que siempre quise fue que mi hija fuera feliz. Al menos me has concedido ese deseo. (I'm relieved that you and my daughter love one another. I can rest easy knowing she will be in good hands. All I ever wanted was for my daughter to be happy. At least you have granted me that wish)."

Sosuke saw on the machines that Anselmo's heart was beating rapidly. The older man's grip lessened. Sosuke ran to the door calling for Lisa and his uncles.

Meanwhile, Anselmo looked up at the ceiling as he felt his blood dripping from his lips. He felt his body losing its strength. All the memories of his youth, marriage, and Esmeralda came before him. It was as if he was reliving every aspect of his life. He had a hard childhood and adolescence, but everything changed for the better when he had his family. Anselmo was happy. When his wife died, he only had his daughter left. Anselmo felt he had to protect her, so he kept his cancer secret.

Everyone entered the room. Anselmo smiled. "Ya mero. (Almost)." His heartbeat stopped, and Vlad and Lisa went to try to revive him. Everyone watched silently. Bradley closed his eyes for a moment as he glanced at Sosuke. His back was turned to Bradley. Slowly, the older man put his hand on Sosuke's shoulder.

"He believed in me. All he wanted is for Esmeralda to be happy."

"I know, Sosuke." Bradley noticed a tear dripping from one of Sosuke's eyes. He said nothing.

Then, Lisa and Vlad stopped and looked at everyone; they shook their heads.

............................

Esmeralda was asleep when she felt a hand touching her hair and face softly. "Hija." The young woman woke up as she looked around, but then she felt a painful pang in her heart. She had a dream about her father and mother. They hugged one another so lovingly; they seemed so happy to be in the other's arms.

Her father then looked at her. "Estoy en paz ahora (I'm at peace now)."

Tears dripped from her eyes, and she covered her face. "Papa! Papa!" Esmeralda knew that her father was dead.

...............................

Yhwach POV

I arrived from having time with Loly. I admit that Loly was good in bed, but now it was getting difficult to enjoy sex like I used to. It's because of Esmeralda; all my desire and lust are for her. Unless I have her under me, the feeling of sex will return. I smirked at the thought that everything was going to plan; Unohana and Kenpachi were dead. Bradley should be dead, but there is always the possibility that he might live.

It doesn't matter, the next thing to do is kill the rest of my brothers, and if their children get in my way, they will be the next on my list. Damn them all; I don't care anymore. I thought about my favorite child, Masaki. She would have been distraught about what I have become and done. Then I thought about my grandchildren, especially Yuzu. After her mother's death, Yuzu was the only one who tried to comfort me. She was the only one who cared about me and my feelings.

I closed my eyes for a moment as I sighed. Even though I love Masaki and Yuzu with all my heart, the love and need for Esmeralda were stronger. I arrived at the house; it was quiet as I got inside. I heard a soft sound when I went up the stairs; Esmeralda was singing. Strangely, it was still late at night, and she was singing. I heard her playing the guitar and singing when I got to the door. Her voice was soft, and I could feel a hint of sadness. She was singing in that Nahuatl language.

It was beautiful; her voice was just majestic. Then, she finished her song. I was about to knock, but she spoke from the other end. "I know you're there, Yhwach."

I raised an eyebrow but entered the room nonetheless. She was sitting on the bed, with the guitar at hand, looking at the floor. "You sang beautifully. What was it?"

"One of my papa's favorite songs he sang to me, 'La Llorona.' It's one of my tributes to him."

"Tribute?"

She finally looked at me; her eyes were slightly red, and her face had dry tears. "My papa is dead."

I stilled. "How do you know this? I doubt Sosuke told you."

"You don't have a good sense of humor, Yhwach. My papa came to me in a dream and told me he was finally at peace. He told me he was dead; my only family is gone." She put the guitar down. "Now, Sosuke is my only reason for living."

What in the world was she saying? Is her father dead? How could she even know by just a dream? If what she was saying was true, then I couldn't use her father as leverage anymore. However, there was Sosuke, but I already had planned something for him. Yet, I could still use him to my advantage. "It's not the end of the world, my dear. Eventually, you and I will begin a new life in Romania. You won't have to want or worry about anything."

"It's so sickening that you want to live in a false reality Yhwach. It's so sickening that I find it sad and pitiful. I'm tired of feeling angry and hateful; all I can feel is pity for you."

"Feel what you want; it won't matter. We will leave tomorrow morning."

"I would rather kill myself than go with you."

Would she kill herself? After I told her that I would give her everything and anything she wanted! That means I have to keep her in check. She can't be left alone for long periods. I will reeducate her and break her a bit. "It seems killing Sosuke may not be the answer, but it doesn't mean I can't imprison him."

This caught her interest. "What are you talking about?"

"I got the tragic news that my wife and her lover were killed."

"What!? Wait, don't tell me that you-!?"

"The news doesn't know yet. However, I'm preparing to have Sosuke accused, arrested, and charged with the murders. If all goes according to plan, Sosuke might face life imprisonment."

Esmeralda slowly stood. "Sosuke had nothing to do with those murders! It was you! There's no evidence that Sosuke had anything to do with your wife!"

Oh, how naive she is. "You don't know much of the world, my dear. It is easy to create evidence; bribery and blackmail are also simple." I then went to her and grabbed the back of her neck, squeezing it. "If you try to harm yourself, I will do everything possible to make Sosuke rot in prison. I will ensure my brothers and their children won't get in my way. Will you be able to live with yourself knowing every day that Sosuke rots in prison because of you? That he suffers because of you. Death can be a simple and quick solution, but rotting the rest of one's life can be more painful."

"Y-You will never keep your word! You're going to try to kill him and your brothers, like Bradley! You spew nothing but lies! How can I be sure that you won't harm him!?"

I raised an eyebrow. "Are you saying that you will do anything to protect him?" She was silent, good. "Oh, very well; I wouldn't want us to have so much tension. I only ask that you come with me to Romania without a fuss. You will marry me when we arrive, and your identity will change."

"My identity!? You have taken everything from me!? Now you want me to give up my name, the name my parents gave me!?"

"Why, of course. The choice is up to you, my dear. I will meet with my lawyers; I have already received news of Unohana's death. Remember, Sosuke's fate is in your hands, love. By morning, we will leave. Once we're in Romania, we will be married. I can keep this news quiet as long as you cooperate; if not, Sosuke will have a fate worse than death. Do behave." With that, I kissed her lips, but she pushed me away.

I let her go and ensured that I closed and locked the doors. I headed back out of the house and to the car, but not before I ordered my men to keep an eye on the house. I expected much, but eventually, she will be my wife, and I will soon have her body beneath mine. It is so close that I can't contain my excitement. Esmeralda didn't know I was still planning to get rid of Sosuke. I made sure to have Loly as a witness and tell the detective about her history with Sosuke.

However, the only thing needed was to put the case in public. Soon, Sosuke will be out of the way.

.............................

As Yhwach left, from afar, there were two SUVs parked. Sosuke, Ace, Roy, Bradley, Gol D. Roger, Vlad, and Issa waited patiently inside. Bradley and his son Roy were the only ones who had military experience. They used special night vision goggles. They saw Yhwach walking out of the house. "It seems Jugram was right; Yhwach just walked out of the house."

"Then, Esme is inside."

"There is a possibility. I don't recognize this house, so she must be inside. I also suspected that he had guards around. Roy, you and I will scout around. All of you, wait here, and I will instruct you what to do next."

Father and son got out of the SUV. On the other SUV, Sosuke saw the house; his heart was racing. He didn't know what to expect, but he was prepared to do everything he could to have Esmeralda safe in his arms.