Chapter 1

Rebecca's POV

When I looked up from my phone, I realized everyone in the room was staring at me. They were waiting to see whether I would agree to this ridiculous arrangement.

I knew there was no point in finishing the meal, but before I left, I needed the truth.

"How old is the child?" I asked Niccolo Invernizzi.

He froze, then instinctively glanced at Margherita Rossi. "Three years and two months old."

Suddenly, everything made sense. A self-mocking laugh slipped out of me.

Three years and two months ago, his Padre, Ivano Invernizzi, had suffered a brain hemorrhage and been rushed to the hospital for emergency surgery.

Niccolo had called me in tears. "Rebecca, Papa's had a brain hemorrhage. He's in surgery right now."

"It's okay. Don't panic. Just stay by his side. He'll pull through," I said.

"But the family's in chaos because of this. No one's holding down the fort. I don't know what to do."

I immediately told Niccolo to stay with the family and gain control. I would go to the hospital and take care of Ivano instead.

I rushed to the hospital without wasting a second. At the same time, I called in every favor I could to help Niccolo keep the restless family members under control.

When I arrived, Ivano was still in surgery. I waited outside the operating room until the early hours of the morning. The second the surgery was over, I stayed by his side, barely leaving him for a minute.

Even while caring for him, I continued using my connections behind the scenes to help Niccolo secure his position in the family.

The doctors told us Ivano might've been out of the woods, but there was a very real chance he would spend the rest of his life paralyzed. His recovery would depend entirely on his postoperative care and rehabilitation.

I wanted Niccolo to have peace of mind, so I took it upon myself to handle everything. From Ivano's postoperative care to his rehabilitation exercises, I oversaw everything.

Three months later, Ivano made a miraculous recovery. Even the doctors were amazed by how well he had bounced back.

Every time I spoke to Niccolo on the phone during those months, he told me the family was still too unstable for him to leave. He couldn't risk abandoning his post, so he had to leave Ivano's care to me a little longer.

Even his Madre never showed up. Only today did I learn what he had truly been busy with all that time. He had been taking care of Margherita, who had just given birth to his child.

I smiled bitterly and asked him, "So, while I was taking care of your papa for you, you were busy having a baby with another woman. Is that right?"

Everyone around the table held their breath.

Ivano slammed his knife and fork against the table. "Rebecca, my son is the Don. Who the hell do you think you are to question him like that? Overseeing my post-surgery recovery was your privilege.

"If you can't even handle a little hardship, how do you expect to marry into his family? Don't project your dirty thoughts onto Niccolo and Margherita. They've known each other since they were kids. They're practically brother and sister.

"He only agreed to help her have a baby because he has a good heart! You should consider yourself lucky to have such a kind-hearted husband!

"And their child is absolutely adorable. Being chosen as his godmother is an honor. You should be grateful. I've already sent someone to bring the child here. You can meet your new little family member today."

As soon as he finished speaking, the living room door swung open. Niccolo's Madre, Anna Bianchi, walked in, holding the hand of a boy who looked about three.

When Jacopo Invernizzi spotted Niccolo and Margherita, he sprinted toward them with a grin. "Papa, Mamma!"

Niccolo scooped him up, his face softening with affection. Margherita leaned in and rubbed her nose against his. What a picture-perfect family.

I swallowed the bitterness in my throat, grabbed my younger brother, Enzo Gallo, and prepared to leave. Before we could make it out the door, Jacopo called out to Enzo.

"Zio Enzo! I finished all the chocolates you made for me last time! When will you make me some more?"