Nova reaches for my arm, resting a hand on it. Her gesture is comforting, but it’s not nearly enough with the interrogation going on right now with Luca’s parents.
Dante glances at the birth certificate. “Based on his date of birth, your son is little more than a toddler.”
“He’s two,” I say, staring at them.
“What kind of a mother leaves her child and goes off to school for four years?” Dante’s question is cold, and I can’t help but know how it looks.
“My scholarship requires me to live on campus. I tried to get an exemption and even requested to live on campus in one of the houses or apartments instead of the dorms, but I was denied because I filed too late and didn’t have the additional funds to cover the added expenditures for the application.”
That is on me, but I also hadn’t known about the scholarship until the last minute. A secret my parents had kept from me while they were deciding my future.
“You live in the dorms; won’t that be problematic once you and Luca are wed?” Nikki asks.
I take another sip of water and place the glass back down. “We haven’t exactly discussed living arrangements. The engagement was just last night,” I say and glance at Dante.
I’m not sure how much Nikki knows about what happened. Luca seems to believe she knows the entire story, but I’m not ready to divulge it if she doesn’t.
“Given the requirements of your scholarship, we have secured a more suitable property for all of you to live in, which is still on campus. Beginning the first Monday in January, the house is yours. That includes a room for Nova,” Nikki says, glancing at her, “as well as for Ashton and Liam.”
“Thank you,” Nova says, her eyes widening with delight. “We get to live together,” she says, grinning at me.
I wish I were as excited, but knowing that Ashton will be on the premises has me slightly concerned. After all, he was ordered to kill Luca and me.
“And it won’t affect my scholarship?” I ask, needing to know that my education will continue. I don’t have the funds to pay for four years of college.
“It is considered on-campus housing. You’re not the only one on a scholarship,” Nikki says. “As for the additional expenditures, Dante and I will handle those costs, as we do for our son, we will do for our newly appointed daughter.”
Dante glares at Nikki, displeased, but he doesn’t argue aloud.
“Thank you, that’s quite generous of you,” I say.
While I don’t intend to accept their money, knowing the arrangements have already been made is a huge relief.
I’ll get to have Zeke with me soon.
“And the wedding, are you still requiring that we remain here until that happens?” It’s a heavy ask, considering Luca and I have school on Monday. I can’t miss my classes. I need to keep my grades up to retain my scholarship.
I’ll also need to find time to get a part-time job while raising Zeke to cover any additional expenses, which is going to cut into my studying.
Overwhelmed is an understatement, but at least I feel slightly hopeful. I hadn’t wanted to live in the dorms.
While Nikki might be offering to help cover a few dollars in regard to the housing expenses, which I won’t let her do, I will gratefully accept the opportunity to move out of the dorms, away from Quinn.
But I won’t owe Nikki or Dante.
Not now. Not ever.
Dante and Nikki share a brief glance, and then she leans in, whispering something to him. I’m hoping that she’s on my side. I spent time with her, we went to lunch, maybe she can talk reason into her husband.
Nikki pulls back briefly, and Dante glowers at me.
“We trust that you won’t tell anyone our family secret, because it would put your family, including your son, Zeke, in danger. You wouldn’t want to hurt everyone you care about, would you?” Dante threatens.
“Of course, she wouldn’t,” Nikki says. “She’s a smart girl. She knows family comes first. With that said, since we can procure a place outside of the dorms, will Zeke be living with you, or will he remain with your parents?”
Dante glances at Nikki. “Perhaps that is something she should discuss with Luca first.”
“Please,” I say, glancing back over my shoulder in the direction he disappeared. I want to talk to him and explain everything.
