Is He Tripping?

**ELENA'S POV**

Lounging on the marble steps like a serpent in silk was none other than Onyx Vescari.

She and her family, the Vescari family, were Don's business partners, longtime allies, and if I wasn't sure that Don had a strict rule of not mixing business with pleasure, I would have been certain that she was his lover, at least before I came into the picture four years ago.

Everyone loved Onyx.

Everyone but me. 

Why would I? The bitch made my life here painful.

But I was no longer the amnesiac that first came here. I had recovered my memories and I would not allow anyone to step over me ever again.

She walked up to us, effortlessly poised in a cream jumpsuit that hugged her like it was tailored by God himself. Her lips were painted a shade too red, her smile a shade too sweet.

“Elena,” she purred. “You’re back.”

I didn’t miss the way her gaze swept over me— from my black braid falling loose down my back to the plain sandals on my feet. Then to Rio.

She gasped when she looked at Rio's face.

Who wouldn't? The boy was cut from his father's mould.

Without a word, I walked past her and went straight inside. Santiago, the butler, bowed in greeting before trying to take Rio from me.

“No. No one touches my son without my permission. That no one includes Alessandro.”

I didn't miss the flash of surprise that crossed his eyes.

Before, I was too meek to speak, often mistaken for a mute. Even when I did, I couldn't call Alessandro by his name. I always referred to him as ‘Don’ as he forbade me to utter his name.

“Where is my bedroom?” I asked.

“Follow me.”

I turned slightly to see that Alessandro had come up behind me. His face was dark with annoyance. I guess he heard what I said about no one including him.

‘Good. I'm not here for fun.’

I walked behind me as he led the way to the second floor. I was a bit confused as he made his way to his bedroom.

“I asked for my bedroom, Alessandro, not yours.” I said quietly behind him.

“I know.”

He opened the doors and I followed him in to see that his bedroom had undergone renovations. 

His room still had the same wide glass doors that opened onto the balcony overlooking the gardens. The same dark wood furniture, now polished to a deeper sheen. But everything else had changed.

The space was no longer designed for one.

The bed had been replaced—still king-sized, but no longer coldly modern. The new headboard was warm oak, carved with soft floral etchings. On one side, a velvet chaise had been pushed near the window, with a basket of children’s books beside it. The curtains were drawn in pale blue instead of the heavy charcoal gray he’d once preferred.

But it was the adjoining door that caught my breath.

I walked slowly towards the open door into a smaller, connected bedroom. Warmly lit. Rosario’s name carved into a wooden plaque above a low shelf.

Tiny indoor shoes lined beside a playmat. A miniature bed sat by the wall, surrounded by stuffed animals I hadn’t packed.

He had made a room for my baby.

For our son.

Behind me, Alessandro leaned against the doorframe, with his arms crossed.

“You’ll stay here,” he said simply.

I turned around to look at him, without saying a word.

“This would be our bedroom.”

I narrowed my eyes. “Don’t do that.”

“Do what?”

“Pretend this is normal.” My voice rose a little bit, I couldn't help it. “You built a bigger cage with prettier walls and expect me to call it home.”

“I prepared a place for my family.”

“You married me out of revenge, Alessandro.” I took a breath, steadying myself. “Rio and I are not your family.”

He said nothing at first. Just watched me with those dark unreadable eyes. Then, slowly, he stepped forward, stopping just a few inches away.

“You’re staying here with my son and that's final.”

~~~

“Mama.” I looked away from the balcony in Rio's room to see Rio staring at me as he sat on his bed, finally awake.

“My prince.” I breathed, walking quickly toward him and checking his temperature. He was still a bit warm but he looked better than the day before.

I carried him and hugged him, burying my face in his hair as I inhaled his comforting scent.

“Papa?” 

I whipped my head up to see Alessandro standing at the door, just watching us quietly.

Rio looked at him and then at me.

“Papa?” He asked again, as though confirming who Alessandro was.

I guess Alessandro sensed that was what Rio was doing as I felt the full weight of his stare on me as though he were looking forward to hearing my response.

In the past two days, I hadn't allowed Alessandro anywhere near Rio so technically, this was their first meeting.

“Yes, my prince. That is your father. Papa.” I smiled down at him and watched as he looked at Alessandro shyly.

“Come in and introduce yourself to Rio.” I said to Alessandro and watched as he walked closer to the bed.

“As you know, his name is Rosario. Rosario Mateo Moretti.”

Alessandro stopped right in front of us and knelt down, shocking me as I never imagined I'd ever see him kneel.

“Hello Rosario.”

His velvet voice was so mesmerising.

“I am your papa. I'm Alessandro.” He introduced himself to Rio who stared at him shyly before he buried his face in my chest, pointing his little bottom towards Alessandro.

‘Good boy, Rio.’ I cheered internally. ‘You shouldn't just accept him. Let him sweat for it.’

I guess I was very obvious in my approval of Rio's actions as Alessandro stared hard at me as he stood.

“What?” I asked, with a raised brow.

“What would you like to have for dinner?” He asked me gruffly.

“Me?!” I whispered disbelievingly. 

In the past, Alessandro never cared about my well-being, always looking for ways to hurt me physically, mentally and emotionally. This was the first time he would ask me anything regarding what I wanted.

“Yes, you. Don't make me repeat myself.”

“What changed?” I asked cautiously. “You hate me.”

He said nothing, just stared blankly.

“You married me to make my life miserable, which you did. Just because you think my mother ruined your family. So, why are you acting like we're close?”

I couldn't understand what he was thinking.

“You'll be accompanying me to a meeting tomorrow night. Get ready and dress appropriately.”

What the fuck?!

Is he tripping?!

“The hell I'm not Alessandro!” I shouted, before adjusting Rio in my arms.

I stood up and walked out of the room, heading straight for the kitchen downstairs.

I heard him follow behind us, but I ignored him.