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4. GIULIANNA

Author: Archnemesis
last update Last Updated: 2025-05-13 18:51:14

The sound of frying eggs and little cute laughs are what makes my morning so productive.

“Sofia, don't exhaust yourself.” I warned smilingly after hearing her giggle while playing.

Sofia has always been so full of life despite her heart condition. Always trying to live her life like the other children

I turned the stove on low heat and let the eggs cook gently. I looked over my shoulder and saw Sofia sitting on the floor in her pajama set. She's playing with our mutt, bruno.

Sofia giggled louder as the dog barked happily who’s now trying to climb over her little legs. She raised her hands in defense and bruno stck her tongue out to lick her.

I couldn’t help but laugh. “Alright, alright.” I wiped my hands quickly and walked over. “Come here, sweetie.” I said and carried her up to my arms.

Sofia laughed as I carry her up. “He can’t reach me now." she teased at bruno. The dog barked as if offended.

I kissed the side of her head and brought her with me back to the stove. “Alright, sweetie. Time to finish breakfast.”

Her little body rested on my hip while I cooked the eggs gently with my free hand. Sofia looked amazed while I cook. As if it's her first time to see me make breakfast.

When I finished cooking, I sat Sofia on the chair and carefully prepared the table. I turned my head toward Bruno who is now lying by the kitchen door. He wagged his tail like he's waiting for his own share.

I laughed, but then the doorbell rang. Before I could even gl to it, Sofia stood up and said, “I'll open it.”

“Don't run, Sofia.” I shouted as she ran to open the door. Silly, girl.

One of these days, she's gonna give me a heart attack. “Mommy, someone's looking for you!”

I set the plates aside on the table and made my way to her. My heart panicked when I saw her standing near the gate and talking to his father. Matteo Ricci.

My feet walked faster. I nearly slipped on the tiles just so I could reach her

He kneeled and looked up at her with a soft expression. "Hey there, princess,” he said gently. “What’s your name?”

Before Sofia could open her mouth to answer, I stepped between them, yanking her gently toward me. “Sofia!”

She flinched when she heard my tone. I brushed her hair and she softened. “Sweetheart, go inside. Mommy just needs to talk to the stranger for a bit.”

Matteo stared at me like he hadn’t seen the sun in three years.

I forced a smile for Sofia's sake, “Go now, baby. I’ll be right in.”

She hesitated for a minute but then turned her back away and walked toward the house, the screen door closing behind her.

And then it was just us. Just me and the man I never wanted to see again. Yet never stopped dreaming about.

“How did you know where I live?” I asked sharply

Matteo stood up slowly. His body was undeniably well built. "I used my connections,” he said, not even trying to lie. “People owed me favors.”

I let out a bitter laugh. “Unbelievable.”

“Giuli—”

“No.” I cut him off. “You don’t get to say my name like that. Like nothing happened. And just forget how you three everything because of a lie?”

He took a step closer. “I know I messed up but I didn’t come here to fight.”

“Then what? You thought you’d just show up and all’s forgiven?”

He shook his head. “Giuli, I just want to make it up to you and to my kid.”

“To make it up to her?” I sneered.

“I’m asking for a chance on you. And to also know my daughter.” He said sincerely.

I stared at him for a long second. And for a terrifying moment, I sighed, arms crossed. “Fine. You want to introduce yourself? Meet me at my shop later.”

He looked relieved when I finally agreed.

“But hear me,” I added coldly. “If you do anything dangerous or hurt her in any way. I swear to make sure you regret ever trying to find us.”

He nodded solemnly. “I wouldn’t dare, dolcezza.”

“Good,” I said. “Then we’ll see.” and with that, I turned around and walked back into the house.

A couple of hours went by, and while giving Sofia a bath. I asked her a question. “Baby, what would you feel if you're about to meet Daddy?”

I nearly vomited when I called his father ‘Daddy’. Sofia looked at me, “Daddy's bad. He left us.” she said with a frown on her face.

“Does daddy love me? If no, I don't want to meet him. I don't want my heart to be hurt.”

Oh, dear. Mommy don't want your heart to be hurt too.

“Sweetie, I'm sure your Daddy loves you. And I'm sure your dad…had reasons why he had to leave.”

Of course I lied. My kid is too young to understand any of what's going on.

I gave Sofia a light bath before dressing her up in her favorite soft sunflower dress. Then, I took a moment to also prepare myself. I stared at my reflection, I looked tired eyes. I chose to wear my casual fit–black sleeveless shirt, denim jeans, and my usual work boots.

Still… I can't help think that what if he looked at me and thought I let myself go? That the woman he once loved was gone?

I took a deep sigh and shaked the thought away. Who cares what Matteo Ricci thinks. I'm not doing this for myself. This is for Sofia.

We arrived at the shop a little past ten. I pulled the old pickup into the gravel lot and parked. As soon as I turned off the engine, I saw Matteo inside the shop talking to Lucia.

He was leaning on the counter with his arms crossed. But as soon as the truck door opened his gaze went to us like a magnet.

I went down first and went to the backseat door to open it. Matteo couldn't move, he just stares at his daughter as I carried her out of the truck.

He stared at her like she was a miracle. Like he didn’t know if he should drop to his knees and beg her to be a father to him.

Sofia whispered to Bruno, “That’s him. That’s Daddy.”

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    I slam the door after Antonio finally leaves, my jaw aching from clenching it so hard. The bastard lingered too long, his eyes wandering where they didn’t belong. If Giuli hadn’t grabbed my arm, I would’ve shoved him out instead of letting him stroll away like he owned the place.I’m still seething when I turn back to her. She’s sitting on the bed, pulling the blanket tighter around her shoulders, looking guilty even though she has nothing to be guilty for.“You shouldn’t have to see that look in another man’s eyes,” I mutter, pacing once before sitting beside her. “Not in this house. Not ever.”She tries to lighten my mood with a small smile. “Matteo, it’s fine.”“It’s not fine,” I cut in, my voice sharper than I intend. My hand cups her cheek, softer now. “You’re mine. You’re my wife. And this family needs to learn that means something.”Her fingers curl around my wrist, grounding me. For a moment, the anger in my chest settles. I want to pull her back into bed, bury us under the co

  • His Baby My Burden: The Mafia Rider's Claim   MATTEO

    The first thing I feel is her warmth. Not the lazy heat of the sun, not the burn of a lit cigar, but her skin on skin, the slow rise and fall of her chest against mine, the delicate scent of last night still clinging between us. Giulianna sleeps curled into me like she belongs there, one leg hooked over mine, her face buried in my neck. My arm is wrapped around her waist so tightly that my fingers are pressed into the curve of her hip. I didn’t loosen my grip even in sleep. I couldn’t. I breathe her in, slow and deep. It’s dangerous how good she smells. That faint trace of her perfume mixed with something purely her soft, feminine, and maddening. I could live in this moment and never come up for air. Last night plays in my head in flashes. Her nails digging into my back. The way she said my name like a confession. The sound she made when I touched her just right. It’s enough to make my blood heat all over again. I press my lips to the crown of her head, my hand sliding down he

  • His Baby My Burden: The Mafia Rider's Claim   139. MATTEO

    The second the suite door clicked shut, I turned the key and pocketed it. No interruptions. No one touching her but me. Giulianna stood in the center of the room, still in her wedding gown — the same gown that had been taunting me for hours. My hands ached from keeping them off her. The way the silk hugged her body, the way the light from the chandelier caught the shimmer in her veil, the faint rise and fall of her chest… She looked like sin wrapped in innocence. Mine. Only mine. “Come here,” I said, my voice low enough to make her freeze. She didn’t move. Not right away. She just stared at me with that mix of defiance and surrender that drove me insane. I took the steps for her. My fingers brushed over her cheek, tracing the line of her jaw, down her throat until they found the rapid beat of her pulse. “You have no idea what you’ve done to me tonight.” Her lips parted. “Matteo…” The sound of my name on her tongue snapped something in me. I grabbed her waist, dragging her again

  • His Baby My Burden: The Mafia Rider's Claim   138. GIULIANNA

    The chapel was silent.Not the kind of silence that felt empty—but the kind that held its breath, the kind that pressed against your skin and left a mark.Matteo still held my hands, his thumbs brushing slowly over my knuckles as if he was grounding me… or maybe himself. His words still echoed in my chest, heavy and warm, making it hard to breathe in a way that wasn’t entirely from nerves.“By the power vested in me…” the priest’s voice cut through the tension, but barely.Matteo’s eyes didn’t leave mine. Not once. Not when the priest spoke of unity, not when he spoke of faithfulness, not even when the room began to blur at the edges because of what I knew—what we both knew—was waiting for us after this.I felt the faintest hum beneath the layers of silk and lace. My knees almost buckled.The corner of Matteo’s mouth curved, subtle but knowing, his thumb pressing firmer into my hand. His control over me was so absolute in that moment it almost scared me.Almost.“You may now kiss the

  • His Baby My Burden: The Mafia Rider's Claim   137. GIULIANNA

    The music started—soft, slow, the kind of melody that pulled at your heart and tangled your thoughts into a knot. My breath hitched, and I swallowed hard. The long white train of my gown stretched behind me like a river of silk, every step feeling impossibly heavy and impossibly light all at once. I was walking toward a future I hadn’t fully claimed yet. The doors opened wide, and a hush fell over the crowd. All eyes turned, and there I was—Giulianna Bianchi, the heir, the bride, every inch the perfect picture they wanted. But beneath all that perfection, my body was a secret battlefield. Because Matteo had insisted on one last thing before I walked out. A small, sleek vibrator tucked discreetly beneath my gown. Hidden against my skin. He’d smirked when he told me, voice low and teasing. “Walk for me, dolcezza. Show me how beautiful you are when you’re on fire—and no one else knows.” I’d nodded, cheeks burning, heart pounding in a way that wasn’t just nerves. With every step

  • His Baby My Burden: The Mafia Rider's Claim   136. GIULIANNA

    The morning light filtered through the sheer curtains, casting soft stripes across the floor. I sat at the edge of the bed, fingers wrapped around the thin fabric of my robe, trying to steady my nerves. The weight of what was coming pressed down on me like the heavy velvet drapes in the grand hall—thick, suffocating, impossible to ignore.Matteo was in the bathroom, his deep voice carrying faintly through the door as he barked something about shaving.I swallowed hard.“Giuli,” he called, stepping out with that messy, just-rolled-out-of-bed look that somehow made me forget the mountain of stress I was carrying. His hair was still damp, and his eyes shone with that stubborn, unyielding fire.“Hey,” I managed, my voice softer than I wanted.He walked over and sat beside me on the bed, his hand finding mine like it was the only thing anchoring him too.“This is real,” I said, voice barely above a whisper.He squeezed my hand. “It’s always been real.”I wanted to believe him.But it wasn’

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