{ The Letter From Artemis }

Ander, I'm writing this in case Andrea ever wants you to know the truth. I always wanted you to know, so that you would take care of her.. but she made me promise not to ; in fear that you would hate her or that it would makes things difficult. Ander you came from a bastard of a father, and a woman who tried her best despite the life she was given. Andrea's story isn't much different, in fact the two of you are a lot more similar than you would think.

If anything she's had it harder... and if she's decided to let you read this it means that she either trusts you, or her life hasn't gotten any easier since I died. Which is my dying fear.

Your father Alastair, met a woman named Scarlett when he was on a business trip in America. He got her drunk, and then took her to his hotel, and took advantage of her. Scarlett got out of there and went to work with her father, where she saw Alastair again. She found out he had a wife and son so she ignored him. When winter came Scarlett went back to Greece, to live with her mother.

Your father met her at the airport to threaten her into silence. Only he learnt she was pregnant with his child. He wanted her to abort the baby, saying the baby was a disgrace, and he would have nothing to do with it. Scarlett ripped the check he tried to give her to abort the baby, and she went to her mothers as planned.

Scarlett had the baby with her mother, Athena by her side. The baby turned out to be a girl, and she was given the name, Andrea Danae Castellanos.

You see Ander, Andrea was a baby born of a tragic affair.. and I'm afraid because of it she feels some kind of guilt towards you.

But that isn't where her story ends..

—

Andrea lived a good life full of laughter with her mother Scarlett and her nana Athena. They had a neighborhood with them that shared in their memories of laughter and happiness. For four years Andrea's life was full of light, and all the love and laughter she needed.

It was on the night of her fourth birthday party, that everything changed. After everyone had left her very first actual party and Athena went to walk one of her friends home — your father showed up drunk and angry.

I never knew all the details but I know enough.

I know Scarlett hid Andrea under the sofa as she tried to get your father to calm down and leave.. but she was determined he wouldn't lay a hand on Andrea. Alastair beat Scarlett to death, and Andrea laid hidden under the sofa as she was forced to do nothing but watch.

As you can imagine for a four year old it was traumatic, and in all my years of being in the mafia I had never seen such strength and grace, that Andrea showed at only four years of age.

—

What I haven't mentioned is that Athena was my cousin, which means Andrea is from a long line of mafia blood.

Athena called requesting a favor, which I granted. I may have been known as cruel and heartless, but I always protected my family. Athena and I were close as children, and the fact that her daughter was beaten to death, and that her granddaughters safety was at risk angered me.

So I hid them in a safe house with one of my best men Hector, and my son Jason. They lived in safety and in secret for ten years, but Andrea was always haunted from that night.

—

I had visited from time to time to see Jason and to check in... and they seemed to live a decent and safe life. Athena and Hector even found love within each other and got married. Jason had became the man I had hoped for him to be and he had taken Andrea under his wing. I had thought it would last until Andrea had become of age.

I was wrong.

—

After Andrea turned fourteen her world was ruined yet again. Alastair had sent men to find Andrea, he was determined to meet her. Something about having the knowledge of a daughter had made him snap. His men found Athena and Hector when they were in town shopping.

The pair did what they knew best, they protected that angel of a girl.

They called me to let me know. So I could get Jason and Andrea out and to safety again. Then they called Jason and Andrea to say goodbye.

Andrea was on the phone with them — as they drove off a cliff so they wouldn't be captured, or tortured into giving up her location.

Andrea was a broken mess on the floor when I got there, and my son was on the floor almost broken beside her.

What I didn't expect was for Andrea to collect herself and push back the rest of her tears. She started packing not only her things but Athena's and Hector's ; determined not to leave them behind.

In that moment I knew that, that girl was not only strong, beautiful, and graceful.. but the way she held her head up told me that even in the brokenness and darkness of death that nothing would ever stop her. Something in her wouldn't allow it.

It could be because she was raised to be strong, and prepared.. but I think it's just who that girl is.

—

She came back here to Greece to live with me — where I told her the whole truth of everything. She finally understood.. and even in her pain and silent suffering she stood tall, and began training harder than before. That's right she's fully trained, by none other than myself.. and my best men.

She stayed with me even after my son Jason got married and left the mafia life. She stayed and is continuing to stay to take care of me in my sickness. I don't know everything about her life to tell you so you can understand her, but I will tell you that she is trustworthy and loyal sometimes to a fault.. but once you lose her respect, I don't know that you would ever be able to get it back.

She is loyal to the mafia which will make her loyal to you half sibling or not.

—

Ander you should also know that she's the main reason I even let you into the mafia. She knew who you were, and why I was hesitant, but she convinced me to let you in.

She is even the reason you got the position you did, she helped you every step, and it was funny because you never knew.. the spot was originally offered to her but she didn't want the attention of the roll.

She requested that it be given to you.

So no matter what you thought about her before reading this letter, I hope you understand now that you should be grateful to have someone like Andrea in your corner much less as your sister.

She's special.

Take care of her for me.

- Artemis