Chapter 2

Things went more smoothly than I had imagined.

Dad's voice still echoed in my ears after I hung up. Five years of distance hadn't erased our relationship, and my eyes stung at the thought of that.

When Dad learned that I was coming back and that he had a grandson, he couldn't hide the urgency and joy in his tone. He said everything had already been arranged and that someone would set out immediately to bring us home.

No matter what happened, my family would always be my safety net.

I leaned against the window and watched Niccolo chasing butterflies in the courtyard below. Even so, worry lingered in my heart.

He was only five, and he had adored Stefano since he was little.

He would often cup his face in his hands and ask me when Stefano would take him out to play. That wish had stayed with him for so long.

I couldn't bear to crush it, so I had still been waiting these past few days, hoping Stefano would come and spend a little time with him.

I hadn't expected Stefano's driver to come pick us up the very next afternoon.

He said Stefano had arranged it personally and that Niccolo was to be taken to Palazzo Lucente.

Niccolo immediately wrapped his arms around my legs with excitement. His eyes shone as he said over and over, "Mommy, Daddy remembered! He's going to be with me!"

He had always wanted to go there with Stefano, order the family set meal, and watch the fireworks show. I'd heard that every family with a reservation would receive a photo taken with the fireworks bursting behind them.

As it turned out, his wish had been something so simple.

My heart tightened.

Seeing how excited Niccolo was, I forced a smile and led him into the car.

When we drove into the hotel's back garden, there was no sign of celebration. The space was strangely empty.

Niccolo's voice grew smaller as he tightened his grip on my hand. "Mommy, why isn't anyone here?"

Before I could answer, the car stopped in front of the central lawn.

The lawn was laid out with an elaborate spread of food, and every member of the Calderone family was present.

This wasn't Stefano taking Niccolo out for dinner. It was a Calderone family banquet.

Stefano stood at the center of the lawn. His mother, Vittoria Bagarella, stood at his side, and Camilla stood close beside him.

The three of them looked every bit like the rightful core of the Calderone family.

From the moment we arrived, Stefano didn't look at me once, let alone step forward to greet us.

He glanced at Camilla gently, then addressed the crowd in a steady, deliberate voice. "I've gathered everyone here today to make an announcement. Camilla is carrying my child. This child shall be the Calderone family's sole heir."

The moment his words landed, applause erupted across the lawn.

Vittoria's face lit up with satisfaction, while Camilla lowered her eyes modestly and rested a hand over her stomach, looking soft and pampered.

Niccolo, who had been hiding behind me, suddenly lifted his head. Tears streamed down his face. "Mommy, does Daddy not love us anymore? Am I not Daddy's son? Is he… never going to eat a family set meal with me?"

I endured the pain and humiliation rising in my chest and cupped his face. "Don't cry, sweetheart. I'll eat with you. Let's go."

"Don Calderone and Ms. Bianchi are a match made in heaven. The Calderone family finally has an heir! What wonderful news!"

"Of course. They're a perfect match. The family will only grow stronger from here."

The compliments kept coming, one after another, and every word hit harder than the last.

I tightened my hold on Niccolo's hand, wanting only to leave that suffocating place and not hear another word about their perfect union.

However, Camilla wasn't about to let me slip away. Her gaze drifted toward us as though by accident. In a soft voice that carried easily to the people around her, she said, "Stefano, it looks like there are two more guests over there. Why not invite them to join us?"

At her words, every pair of eyes turned toward us.

The looks that had been warm and approving moments earlier shifted into disdain and contempt as they landed on us. Murmurs rose immediately.

"So that's the woman he's been keeping on the side? She looks pretty average. And she actually had the nerve to show up here with a kid?"

"Unbelievable. Don Calderone is about to marry Ms. Bianchi, yet she brought her illegitimate child over. Does she have any shame at all?"

"A woman with no status, bringing a bastard to the Calderone family's banquet? She must think she's important just because Don Calderone once took an interest in her."

"A bastard will always be a bastard, yet he has the nerve to try and steal the spotlight. How pathetic!"

Camilla lowered her eyes again, her hand still resting over her stomach.

A faint, satisfied smirk touched her lips, though she kept her expression composed, as if she had nothing to do with any of it.

Suddenly, Niccolo pulled free from my hand and cried out, "Daddy! Are you leaving me? But you promised you'd be with me!"

His voice was thin and trembling with hurt. Silence rippled across the lawn before the murmurs turned uglier.

"That brat's got guts. How dare he speak out of turn like that?" someone sneered.

"That's the thing about bastards. They're rotten from the inside out!"

Each insult cut deep. Niccolo's body shook. He stood there helplessly, staring at Stefano, waiting for him to walk over and hold him and say, in front of everyone, that he was his son.

Stefano's expression shifted. He frowned and took a step forward.

Before he could go any farther, Vittoria caught his arm and chided in a low voice, "What are you doing? Are you going to acknowledge that bastard in front of the entire family? How do you think Camilla will feel?"

Camilla slipped her hand around his arm and said softly, "Stefano, don't be impulsive. Everyone is watching."

Stefano froze where he stood.

He looked at Niccolo, who was crying uncontrollably, and he didn't move again.

When I saw this, the final sliver of hope I had left finally broke apart, and whatever love I had held onto shattered with it.

I walked over, crouched down, and gently wiped the tears from Niccolo's face.

"Don't cry, sweetheart. You don't need a father. From now on, I'll be with you. I'll give you all the love you need."

With that said, I stood and held his hand tightly. My gaze swept across the lawn before settling on Stefano.

He stared at me, shock filling his eyes, along with a trace of panic.

He must've thought that a few empty promises and my love for him were enough to keep me waiting, keep enduring every humiliation, and keep hoping he would one day give Niccolo and me a proper title.

He had never imagined I would walk away, let alone cut ties with him in front of everyone.

Just then, the first firework exploded in the sky, gold and red light spreading across the night sky.

It was his gift to Camilla.

I didn't spare him another glance. I took Niccolo's hand and walked away.