Chapter 5

“Mum,” Dante called out, hesitating as if weighing his words.

“Yes, my son?” Margret replied calmly.

“Bella and your grandson are coming to visit you today.”

Margret’s lips curved into a faint smile. “That’s really okay. I would like to finally meet my grandson… and my daughter-in-law.”

Dante nodded, but unease lingered in his eyes. “But Mum, are you sure it’s okay if they come today?”

“Why wouldn’t it be?” she said lightly, placing her glass of wine on the table.

He lowered his voice. “Won’t it look suspicious?”

Margret waved it off. “Come on, son. They’re only visiting, not staying. Zara’s body and the child will be found by tomorrow… or the following day.”

Dante exhaled slowly, reassured. “Alright.”

She fixed him with a steady look. “You made sure the brakes were properly tampered with?”

“Yes, Mum. The brakes won’t work. She’ll only realize when it’s too late. And the park I sent them to is far from here.”

A thin smile spread across Margret’s face. “That’s my son,” she said softly.

Dante nodded. With a faint smile 

Then, suddenly, before he could say anything more, the doorbell rang.

A little boy, slightly older than Lilly, came running in and threw himself into Dante’s arms.

“Oh, Daddy! Daddy!” he shouted.

“Being followed by a woman!” Dante laughed, steadying him.

“You’re welcome, Mark. Bella, please come in,” Dante said, smiling.

Bella entered slowly, taking in the room cautiously.

Margret rose from her chair, a gentle smile on her face. “You’re most welcome, my daughter-in-law,” she said warmly.

Bella nodded politely, returning the greeting. “Thank you… I’ll feel at home,” she added softly.

“C’mon, Mark, greet your grandmother,”

Mark wriggled free of Dante’s hold and ran toward Margret, hugging her tightly.

“Hello, Granny!” he said with a bright smile.

“Oh, hello, my dear… you smell nice, the little boy said, ” Margret blushed  slightly. Oh, this child… he’s a genius! she thought, shaking her head in amusement.Thank you my dear . You’re also handsome like your father she added .

They all laughed together, the sound warm and light.

Margret’s phone rang, and she excused herself briefly, telling Dante to show them around the house while she handled the call.

As they walked, Dante gently took Bella’s hand. “Welcome to my house,” he said. Bella smiled softly, holding Mark’s hand in the other.

“This will be your room,” Dante added, leading her into the space Zara and he used to stay in.

Bella looked around, curiosity in her eyes. “What about your wife?” she asked.

“Oh… her?” Dante replied casually. “She’s never coming back. You’ll just have to pick a day to come here.” Bella smiled faintly .

Mark’s eyes lit up as he spotted another room. “Daddy! I want this one!” he exclaimed, pointing at Lilly’s old room.

“Okay, champ,” Dante laughed. “You’re going to get it and even more decorated, I promise.”

Bella chuckled, shaking her head. “I think we should head back downstairs now,” she suggested.

Dante gave a small nod, leading them back, the house now alive with the chatter and laughter of family . Compared to when Zara was around .

In the sitting room, Dante kept staring at his phone as if expecting a call.

Bella noticed his tense expression. “Are you okay?” she asked gently.

“Yes… I’m waiting for my partner to call. But if it makes you uncomfortable, I can put the phone away,” he replied calmly.

“No, no, it’s okay Bella said Camly but not convinced . Can I prepare anything for you?” He  asked, trying to lighten the mood.

“No, Dante . I already told you over the phone that we are coming in full,” she said and “we need to leave early because Mark has to go to  school tomorrow , but let’s first say bye to mother “. Bella said as she lifted her hand bag lightly .

“Okay…  Dante lifted the boy, turning him away from the front door.

“Daddy… yes?”  “Who is that woman and that girl standing in the doorway?”  Mark asked, curious.

Dante froze, his heart pounding, as his gaze lifted to the doorway.

Standing there, hand in hand, were Zara and Lilly  both fully unharmed.

Even Margret, coming down the stairs, stopped in shock, her mouth slightly open.

Zara’s eyes widened as she recognized the woman from before the same woman who had been with Dante the last time and her confusion deepened when she realized the little boy was calling him “Daddy.”

“Dante,” Bella snapped, stepping forward, her voice sharp. “You said they were never coming back. Why are they here?”

Dante didn’t answer. He was frozen, caught in a moment that none of them could have predicted.

Zara stepped closer with Lilly, bewildered, trying to make sense of the house, the people, and the strange, impossible scene unfolding before her.

Confused, Dante glanced at his mother, who was still frozen at the foot of the stairs.

“Dante,” Zara asked, stepping forward, her voice sharp, “do you care to explain what’s happening? And who is this woman? Why is her child calling you ‘Daddy’?”

Dante opened his mouth to speak, but seeing Zara alive rendered him completely speechless.

Bella stepped forward boldly. “I am the mother of his heir… and his first love,” she said calmly.

Zara froze for a moment, then a bitter, sarcastic smile tugged at her lips. “So I was right about this… when I first saw you in the hospital with her.”

Lilly looked between them, confused. She didn’t understand a thing.

Margret’s hands flew to her face. “This can’t be… no, this can’t be…” she muttered. Her eyes darted around, stunned, trying to make sense of it all she said as she was coming from up stairs .

She ran sharply to Zara. “Which car did you take this morning?”

Zara hesitated. “Uh… wait, talk first…”

Margret shook her firmly.  You didn’t take the car?”

“Yes ....I didn’t take the car,” Zara said, her brows knitting in confusion.

“Lilly and I used a cab.

So if you two are here, safe and sound… and never used the car… then that means ....”Margaret added before her knees weakened and she dropped into the nearest seat, her eyes widening in utter shock.