The small child stretches both arms toward him, babbling excitedly.
“Dada! Dada!”
Oh my God.
Carlo is a father.
Even in a million years, I wouldn’t have seen this coming.
For a brief moment, his expression softens as he runs a gentle hand over the baby’s soft hair. But he doesn’t take him from Emily. Instead, he repeats himself.
“Emily. You need to leave this room.”
This time, Emily seems to snap out of her daze. She turns and calls to the man standing by the door.
“Giorgio, take Gabriel for a few minutes.”
Carlo exhales, irritation rippling through him. Emily hands the baby over, then turns back, brushing her fingers lightly over Carlo’s arm as she murmurs,
“I have just as much right to be here as you do, Carlo.”
“We’ve already talked about this.”
“Yes, we have. But that child has nothing to do with any of this. Let me handle this part my way.”
With quiet confidence, she steps toward me.
Carlo moves behind her, a shadow at her back, his presence a silent threat. I don’t need words to understand his warning—one wrong move, and it won’t matter if I have Antonia or not. He’ll tear me apart.
Brando steps aside as Emily takes his place. Her voice is warm and gentle as she looks at Antonia.
“Hi, Antonia. My name is Emily. That little boy you just saw, his name is Gabriel. Would you like to play with him?”
Antonia sneaks a glance at them, biting her lip. Now that she’s seeing the baby up close, hesitation creeps in.
Emily presses on. “We have a little playground. And a really cute puppy who loves children.”
This time, she hits the right spot.
Antonia’s eyes widen with excitement, and she squirms in my arms.
“I love little puppies! Mommy, can I go?”
I’m dying inside. Fear grips me so tightly I can’t even speak. I just shake my head, silent and desperate.
Antonia pouts, disappointment written all over her face.
Emily moves closer, Carlo right behind her like a guard. She touches my arm gently. “Trust me, Lucia. I’m a mother too.”
This time, I can’t hold back the tears.
Antonia’s lip trembles. “Mommy, are you sad?”
I quickly wipe my eyes and force a smile. “No, sweetheart. Just something in my eye.”
Locking eyes with Emily, I steady my voice. “Swear on your son’s life that you’ll keep my daughter safe.”
Without hesitation, Emily swears softly. “On my son’s life, Lucia. Your daughter is safe with me.”
