Chapter 1

(Pamela)

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I HAVE BEEN crying for the past two hours.

Maybe even longer because I lost count. The tears keep pouring uncontrollably, and I keep digging into my handbag to pull out more tissue wipes. The same bag that my little sister, Anna, had gifted me on my last birthday. The memory brings a fresh round of tears to my eyes.

I still can’t believe that I won’t see Anna ever again. It’s as if I’m in a nightmare that just doesn’t want to end. I desperately want to wake up, to hold my little sister again, to stroke her long, black hair and tell her that everything is going to be OK. 

But everything is not going to be OK. Because Anna is dead now.

She died three hours ago, while pushing out her baby. I thought she was going to make it. She had a very determined look on her face that I have never seen before. I had even held her hand throughout the delivery process, whispering words of encouragement in her ears.

“You can do this Anna,” I whispered. “Just one last push.”

“Yes, Anna,” the doctor agreed. “Your baby is almost here.”

And with the last strength in her, my little sister had pushed until the cry of a baby was heard throughout the ward.

“It’s a boy!” the doctor beamed.

I heaved a sigh of relief. So did Anna. In fact, she was crying. She looked so happy, so peaceful. Little did I know that that was the last time  I would ever see my sister smile again.

“He’s so beautiful,” she had said as she wrapped the baby in her arms.

“Yes,” I replied, tears of joy streaming down my face as I gazed at my nephew. He was so tiny but he looked every inch like his mom.

“I wish…”Anna stammered. “I wish I could watch him grow up. You have to promise me, sister, that you’ll take very good care of him.”

My heart shattered. “What do you mean? We’ll take care of him together.”

I didn’t mention that I still haven’t forgiven her for getting pregnant at such a young age. She was only 17 and had just started college. She had her whole life ahead of her and decided to ruin it all with this pregnancy.

I didn’t have the time to ponder on my thoughts because just then, the machines started to beep and Anna went very still.

I quickly sprang to my feet, “What’s going on?!”

Nobody replied to me. I started to scream as the doctor and nurses tried to resuscitate my sister back to life. But it was already late. The only family I had left was gone forever.

I reach into my bag and pull out another roll of tissue wipes.

****

“Ms. Brown?”

I jerk at the sound of my name. I’m so lost in my thoughts that I don’t realize that I'm still seated in the hospital lobby, clutching the handbag Anna had gifted me.

I look up to see who had called me, expecting to see the doctor or a nurse.

But it’s neither. Instead, standing before me is a man—a very tall man—dressed in a sleek black tuxedo that fits him like it’s his second skin.

My heart skips a beat as I take him in, unable to help myself. His jawline is sharp enough to cut glass, framed by a light shadow of stubble that softens the intensity of his features. 

His dark eyes seem to pin me in place, as if he’s looking straight through me. But it’s not just his face; it’s the way he carries himself. Confident. Powerful. Like he owns every space he walks into.

Then my gaze catches on something unusual; a faint scar just beneath his right eye, curving subtly toward his cheekbone. It’s barely noticeable unless you’re close, but it’s there. A quiet reminder of something, though I don't know what it is.

And somehow, the scar only adds to his aura.

I feel an odd spark, like static electricity in the air, and I hate it. I can’t believe I just lost my sister, and yet here I am, fawning over a stranger’s ridiculous good looks. 

Anna would be very disappointed in me. 

“Yes?” I croak out, trying to regain my composure. “That’s me.”

The man lets out a sigh of relief. He takes another step forward. “I’m Massimo D’Amato. I came here as soon as I heard what happened to your sister. I’m so sorry.”

My brows shoot up in confusion. I don’t understand what's going on.

Who is this man and how does he know my sister?

“Who are you?’’ I ask almost immediately. My eyes take him in again as I try to figure out his connection to my little sister.

He is almost twice her age. Granted, I am also almost twice Anna’s age, but it would be awful if this is the man responsible for her pregnancy.

My palms ball into a fist as I try to contain my rage. How dare he?! He is the reason she is dead now!

The man senses my anger and offers me an apologetic smile. If I can even call it that because it seems more like a grimace.

He rakes his long fingers through his lush, thick black hair as he slowly studies me. It's as if he’s testing my patience.

A second more and I would pounce on him and gouge out his eyes for what he’s put me through.

“I’m aware that you’re still grieving but there’s no need delaying this any further,” he says at last, ignoring my question.

I narrow my eyes suspiciously. “Whatever do you mean?”

He clears his throat. “You see, I only just heard about this whole situation and that is why I’m just reaching out at this time,” he takes another step forward. “Unfortunately, my brother is the one responsible for this pregnancy.”

My head starts to spin at this new piece of information.

I think back to the days that I had pressured Anna to tell me who the father of her baby was, but she’d vehemently refused to. I had even threatened her several times but still, she never gave me a name.

And today, during her childbirth, I’d expected this Mystery Man to show up, at least to the birth of his child, but he never had.

I stare up at Massimo ready to give him a piece of my mind.

“Where is he? Why isn’t he with you?!” I yell

The handsome stranger didn’t so much as flinch. He remains perfectly composed.

“I apologize but my brother is an idiot,” He remarks in a grave tone. “He refuses to man up and take responsibility for his actions. And that’s why I’m here.”

I stare wide-eyed at him.

There is no way he’s going to replace his brother in a critical time like this. The man responsible deserves to be here, at least for the sake of his child.

But before I can even voice out my disapproval, Massimo beats me to it.

“I would love to have full custody of my nephew.” He says, his voice calm but determined, as if the matter is already settled. “Effective immediately."