If I had been brave six years ago, none of this would be happening.
“She’s five years old.”
He fell back, stumbling like I had punched him in the gut and his eyes went wild.
“Her name is Lily Anne, and she was born in Aunt Beatrice Private Hospital on the twelfth of June,” I mumbled under my breath.
Matteo’s head snapped up like that meant something to him. His eyes widened and then narrowed into angry slits, and I knew he was doing the math.
“Who is her father?” he hissed
“Matteo.” I shook my head.
Grabbing my chin again, he yanked me forward. “Whose child is she?”
“Mine,” I answered. “Look, I don’t have time for this. Either you will help me, or you won’t, but I need…”
“Who is Lily’s father?” he roared, and I would have fallen back, but his grip on my chin was just too tight. His fingers dug into my skin and I knew they would leave bruises.
“It doesn’t make any difference…”
“It makes every difference to me, who is…”
I tore myself from his grip and stood. “I don’t have time,”
“Make the time. If you want my help, then it’s time for you to be honest with me.”
“I just want my child back. That’s all. You’re getting married,” I said in a rush. “You don’t ever have to see us again. I promise I won’t…”
“Who is the girl’s father?”
“Matteo, please don’t make me say it.”
His eyes narrowed and jumping to his feet, he headed towards the door. “Good luck finding her.”
Desperately, I grabbed at the back of his pristine shirt. If he left now, then I knew I wouldn’t see her again.
And my pride wasn’t worth her life.
“You,” I whispered.
He froze. “Me?”
“Yes.” Dropping my hand, I straightened. There was no going back now. The truth had to come out, and I had to face it head-on. “You are.”
Turning slowly, he speared me into place with his eyes. It wasn’t anger I saw in them, or at least it wasn’t just anger. There was hurt and desperation as well.
“I am her father?” he parroted back.
Mutely, I nodded.
“I have a daughter, and you didn’t tell me?” His voice was rising. But could I really blame him for being angry?
“You had my fucking child.” His hand closed around my throat and together we fell onto the bed. “You kept my daughter away from me for years, Sophia.”
My eyes widened into saucers. “He wouldn’t let me tell you. He said you killed our parents. He said I would be next. Me and the baby—"
He jumped back from me like I had shot him. “You thought.” A hand went up to tug at his hair. “Fuck Sophia, you believed I would hurt you and the baby? That’s what you thought I was capable of.” Shaking his head, he walked away, leaving me on my back on the bed. I jumped when the front door slammed.
